China Heritage Tourism Market

China Heritage Tourism Market Size Insights Forecasts to 2035

• China Heritage Tourism Market Size 2024: USD 83.62 Bn
• China Heritage Tourism Market Size 2035:  USD 149.3 Bn
• China Heritage Tourism Market CAGR 2024: 5.41%
• China Heritage Tourism Market Segments: Type and Booking Mode

The China Heritage Tourism Market Size is a vast and fast-expanding sector centred on cultural, historical, and the experiential travel, covering ancient sites, museums, themed districts, and the intangible heritage. The market is now characterized by massive domestic tourist demand, strong government support through cultural preservation and tourism policies, and growing competition among state-owned operators, private enterprises, and technology-driven platforms. It is shifting from the traditional sightseeing to immersive, digital enabled experiences such as the smart museums, night-time economies, IP-based attractions, and the cultural performances.  Furthermore, China's legacy tourism landscape combines rich historical assets with innovation in AIGC, digital storytelling, and smart infrastructure, all within a unique legal, cultural protection, and economic framework.

 

China’s Notice on the Construction of Cultural Heritage-themed Tourist Routes promotes tourism routes centred on immovable cultural relics. The policy strengthens heritage protection, encourages inter-regional cooperation, and supports sustainable growth of the heritage tourism market through integrated cultural conservation, safety management, and coordinated cultural and tourism development.

 

The China heritage tourism market offers the strong growth which is driven by the rising cultural awareness, expanding middle-class travel demand, and the digital technologies such as the smart tourism platforms, AR/VR, and data-driven visitor management. Opportunities for heritage-themed routes, museum upgrades, and immersive cultural experiences are growing, thanks to government initiatives that promote heritage preservation, sustainable usage, and regional integration. Digital storytelling, efficient site management, and the integration of the cultural, tourism, and creative industries all help to accelerate growth.

 

Market Dynamics of the China Heritage Tourism Market

The China heritage tourism market is driven by a large domestic travel population, rising cultural consumption, and the strong government support for the heritage protection and the utilization. National funding programs, heritage-themed tourist routes, and the digital transformation are accelerating development, while growing disposable incomes which enable higher spending on cultural and experiential travel. China is shifting from traditional sightseeing to immersive, high-value heritage experiences, positioning itself as a global destination for culturally driven tourism and attracting increasing investment in preservation, smart tourism, and creative industries.

 

The China heritage tourism market faces restraints such as strict conservation regulations, carrying-capacity limits at key heritage sites, funding gaps in less-developed regions, uneven management standards, and shortages of skilled heritage professionals. Overcrowding, commercialization risks, and the challenge of balancing protection with tourism utilization also pressure sustainable growth despite strong market potential.

 

The future of China’s heritage tourism market appears highly positive and bright, which is supported by the proactive government policies, rising cultural tourism demand, and the rapid digital innovation. Smart tourism platforms, digital heritage mapping, AR/VR immersive experiences, and the big-data-driven visitor management are creating new growth opportunities. In addition, advances in intelligent site monitoring, sustainable infrastructure, cultural creativity, and integrated culture-tourism development are improving heritage protection, operational efficiency, visitor experience, and long-term market sustainability across China’s expanding heritage tourism ecosystem.

 

Market Segmentation

The China heritage tourism market share is classified into type and booking mode.

By Type

The China heritage tourism market is divided by type into cultural heritage, natural heritage, and intangible heritage. Among these, the cultural heritage segment dominated the share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. It is driven by China's vast historical legacy, extensive network of iconic landmarks, and strong governmental support for the preservation and promotion of historical sites.

 

By Booking Mode

The China heritage tourism market is divided by booking mode into offline, online. Among these, the offline segment dominated the share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. It is because of the planning complex heritage tours, which often involve visits to multiple historical sites and unique cultural experiences, benefits from the detailed guidance and curated itineraries provided by experienced offline agents.

 

Competitive Analysis

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organisations/companies involved within the China Heritage Tourism market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market. 

 

Top Key Companies in China Heritage Tourism Market

• Spring Tour
• CTS Travel Group
• Tuniu Corporation
• Shanghai Jin Jiang International Travel
• Dragon Trail Interactive
• Hutong Tour
• China International Travel Service (CITS)
• China Youth Travel Service (CYTS)
• Caissa Touristic
• Beijing Guide International Travel Service
• Others

 

Recent Development in China Heritage Tourism Market

In March 2025, Beijing’s E-Town launched industrial tourism attractions featuring robots, drones, smart manufacturing, and auto factory tours, offering visitors modern technology experiences, though these are focused on innovation rather than China’s traditional heritage tourism.

 

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

 

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the China, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Decisions Advisors has segmented the China heritage tourism market based on the below-mentioned segments:

 

China Heritage Tourism Market, By Type

• Cultural Heritage
• Natural Heritage
• Intangible Heritage

 

China Heritage Tourism Market, By Booking Mode

• Offline
• Online

 

FAQ

Q: What is the China heritage tourism market size?

A: China heritage tourism market is expected to grow from USD 83.62 billion in 2024 to USD 149.3 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 5.41% during the forecast period 2025-2035.

 

Q: What are the key growth drivers of the market?

A: Market growth is driven by strict conservation regulations, carrying-capacity limits at key heritage sites, funding gaps in less-developed regions, uneven management standards, and shortages of skilled heritage professionals.

 

Q: What factors restrain the China heritage tourism market?

A: Constraints include the large domestic travel population, rising cultural consumption, and the strong government support for the heritage protection and the utilization.

 

Q: How is the market segmented by type?

A: The market is segmented into cultural heritage, natural heritage, and intangible heritage.

 

Q: Who are the key players in the China heritage tourism market?

A: Key companies include China International Travel Service (CITS), China Youth Travel Service (CYTS), Caissa Touristic, Beijing Guide International Travel Service, Spring Tour, CTS Travel Group, Tuniu Corporation, Shanghai Jin Jiang International Travel, Dragon Trail Interactive, Hutong Tour, and Others.

 

Q: Who are the target audiences for this market report?

A: The report targets market players, investors, end-users, government authorities, consulting and research firms, venture capitalists, and value-added resellers (VARs).