Russia and Others Drive China Tourism as Banyan Tree Mount Emei Opens Luxury Hot Spring Resort

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Debarati Paul

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September 11, 2026 12:36 GMT+5:30

Russia and others drive China tourism as Banyan Tree Mount Emei opens a luxury hot spring resort in Sichuan, strengthening the country’s appeal for international leisure, wellness and heritage travel. The new hotel moves guests closer to the UNESCO cultural and natural sites on Mount Emei, and introduces high-end hotels, private hot springs and nature-oriented getaways. It will give China the tourism edge needed to attract guests from Russia and other high-value countries. The new hotel on Sichuan also offers travelers Emei Mountain’s natural attractions and cultural sights, along with wellness offerings and longer stays drawn together by cultural tourism.

Banyan Tree Mount Emei Brings Luxury Hot Spring Tourism to Sichuan

Banyan Tree Mount Emei adds a new luxury stay to one of Sichuan’s best-known mountain destinations. Leshan Municipal Government confirmed in August 2026 that the property had formally begun operations. Banyan Tree’s official information places the resort at the foot of Mount Emei in Emeishan City. It has 130 rooms and villas, including mountain-view accommodation, garden villas and lakeside villas. Private outdoor hot spring pools form a central part of the accommodation concept. The property also combines spa treatments, forest experiences, local culture and destination dining, positioning Banyan Tree Mount Emei around luxury, wellness and nature-led China tourism.

• Banyan Tree Mount Emei officially entered operation in 2026, according to Leshan authorities.
• The resort has 130 rooms and villas.
• Accommodation categories include mountain-view rooms, garden villas and lakeside villas.
• Private hot spring pools are included across the accommodation offering.
• The Banyan Tree Spa includes five private couples’ treatment rooms ranging from 70 to 100 square metres.

Mount Emei UNESCO Heritage Gives the New Resort a Powerful Tourism Setting

Banyan Tree Mount Emei benefits from a location beside one of China’s most significant cultural and natural landscapes. UNESCO lists Mount Emei Scenic Area together with the Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area as a World Heritage property. The protected Mount Emei component covers 15,400 hectares. UNESCO records roughly 3,200 plant species and around 2,300 animal species in the wider mountain environment. Its Buddhist heritage also stretches back about two millennia. This combination gives visitors several reasons to extend a Sichuan itinerary beyond a hotel stay, linking Banyan Tree Mount Emei with Buddhist heritage, biodiversity, mountain landscapes, forest experiences and cultural tourism.

• Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha form one UNESCO World Heritage property.
• The Mount Emei heritage property covers 15,400 hectares.
• UNESCO records about 3,200 plant species in the Mount Emei environment.
• Around 2,300 animal species are recorded.
• Banyan Tree Mount Emei is around one kilometre from Mount Emei Scenic Area, according to the resort.

Sichuan Tourism Growth Builds a Strong Market Around Banyan Tree Mount Emei

The resort is entering a sizeable tourism economy. China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported that Sichuan received 58.6097 million tourist visits during the 2026 Spring Festival holiday, generating RMB44.574 billion in tourism spending. Separately, 899 monitored A-level attractions across Sichuan received 14.991 million visits during the Qingming period, up 16.1% year on year, while ticket income reached RMB142 million, up 18.1%. Emeishan’s 2026 government report also records more than 29 million visitors in the previous year, including a record 6.747 million visits to Mount Emei Scenic Area. That scale gives Banyan Tree Mount Emei an established destination market rather than a newly created one.

• Sichuan recorded 58.6097 million tourist visits during the 2026 Spring Festival.
• Holiday tourism spending reached RMB44.574 billion.
• Sichuan’s monitored A-level attractions received 14.991 million Qingming visits.
• Qingming attraction visits increased 16.1% year on year.
• Mount Emei Scenic Area recorded 6.747 million visits in the previous year, according to the 2026 municipal report.

Russia Emerges as a Major China Tourism Source Market for Mount Emei

Russia provides one of the clearest international-market links to Banyan Tree Mount Emei in 2026. China’s National Immigration Administration ranked Russia second among the ten leading foreign source countries for arrivals during the first half of the year. Across all foreign markets, China recorded 22.914 million inbound foreign entries, up 20.4% year on year. The policy environment has also become easier for Russian travellers. As of February 2026, Russian ordinary-passport holders were covered by China’s unilateral visa exemption and could enter for tourism and other permitted short stays of up to 30 days. This reduces a major planning barrier for a Sichuan luxury holiday.

• Russia ranked second among China’s leading foreign inbound source countries in H1 2026.
• Foreign entries into China reached 22.914 million in the first half.
• Foreign arrivals increased 20.4% year on year.
• Russia is covered by China’s 30-day unilateral visa exemption for eligible visits.
• Russian nationals are also among countries covered by China’s 240-hour visa-free transit framework when its transit conditions are met.

Australia Strengthens Banyan Tree Mount Emei’s Long-Haul Tourism Potential

Australia also sits inside China’s ten largest foreign source markets in 2026. National Immigration Administration data places Australia tenth in the H1 ranking. Australian ordinary-passport holders are covered by China’s unilateral visa exemption for eligible tourism, business, family visits, exchanges and transit stays of up to 30 days. Australia also has a direct strategic connection with Leshan’s overseas tourism marketing. Leshan’s official 2026 development report states that the city conducted tourism promotion in Hong Kong, Australia and 15 overseas countries and regions during the previous year. Banyan Tree Mount Emei therefore opens while both national entry policy and local destination marketing are reducing friction around Australian travel to Sichuan.

• Australia ranked among China’s top ten foreign inbound markets in H1 2026.
• Australia appears tenth in the official ordered source-market list.
• Australian passport holders can use China’s unilateral 30-day visa exemption when eligible.
• Leshan has already included Australia in its overseas destination-promotion activity.
• Australia is also covered by the 240-hour visa-free transit programme.

United States Travellers Gain Another Route Into Sichuan Through Visa-Free Transit

The United States is another major long-haul market feeding China’s inbound recovery. It ranked seventh in China’s official top-ten foreign source-market list for H1 2026. Unlike Russia and Australia, the United States is not included in the February 2026 list of countries receiving China’s general 30-day unilateral visa exemption. However, American travellers are covered by the 240-hour visa-free transit policy when they meet the required third-country or region transit conditions. The policy permits eligible travellers to undertake tourism while in the approved area, making Sichuan stopovers more practical for carefully structured international itineraries that include Mount Emei and Leshan.

• The United States ranked seventh among China’s foreign source markets in H1 2026.
• The United States is not on the February 2026 unilateral 30-day visa-free list.
• US citizens are eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy when conditions are met.
• Tourism activities are permitted during an eligible 240-hour transit stay.
• Sichuan includes authorised entry points and travel areas under the transit programme.

Chengdu Airports and High-Speed Rail Improve Access to Banyan Tree Mount Emei

Air and rail connectivity is central to the resort’s international potential. Banyan Tree states that Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is about 145 kilometres from the property, with an estimated two-hour road transfer. Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is approximately 160 kilometres away, with a journey of roughly two hours and 15 minutes. The resort is also around five minutes by road from Emeishan High-Speed Railway Station. For transit-eligible international travellers, official policy information lists both Chengdu Shuangliu and Chengdu Tianfu among Sichuan’s approved entry ports and includes Leshan within the permitted Sichuan travel area. Leshan also plans to complete and commission its own airport during 2026.

• Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport is approximately 145 km from the resort.
• Chengdu Tianfu International Airport is approximately 160 km away.
• Emeishan High-Speed Railway Station is around five minutes from Banyan Tree Mount Emei.
• Both major Chengdu airports are included in Sichuan’s visa-free transit framework.
• Leshan’s 2026 development plan calls for Leshan Airport to be completed and put into operation.

Banyan Tree Mount Emei Supports Leshan’s Push for Higher Tourism Spending and Longer Stays

The wider travel impact extends beyond one resort opening. Leshan’s official 2026 plan targets growth of more than 20% in tourist arrivals and more than 20% in tourism spending, while inbound visitor numbers are targeted to rise by more than 30%. The city reported that domestic visitor numbers and tourism spending had each grown by more than 20% in the previous year, while inbound visitor numbers rose by more than 50%. Against that background, Banyan Tree Mount Emei adds accommodation designed around private hot springs, spa treatments, destination dining and cultural experiences. These products give travellers more reasons to stay overnight and spend beyond attraction tickets alone.

• Leshan targets more than 20% growth in tourist arrivals during 2026.
• Tourism spending is also targeted to rise by more than 20%.
• Inbound tourist numbers are targeted to increase by more than 30%.
• Previous-year inbound visitors had already increased by more than 50%, according to the 2026 plan report.
• Banyan Tree adds premium accommodation, wellness, dining and destination experiences that can support longer stays.

Conclusion

Russia and others drive China tourism as Banyan Tree Mount Emei opens a luxury hot spring resort that strengthens Sichuan’s appeal for international travellers. The resort includes a combination of wellness, nature, and culture with high-end hotels and hospitality, and is situated near of one of China’s most famous heritage sites. It offers guests more reasons to stay a long time and explore the region. with China tourism, Banyan Tree Mount Emei provides Sichuan with a high-value resort to draw guests from around the world. The luxury hot spring resort also helps develop the region as a resting, culturing, and experiential travel destination.