China attracts millions of foreign tourists and business people every year. The number of foreigners entering China in 2011 reached 27.11 million, 3.8 percent higher than that of the previous year.

According to statistics from the National Tourism Administration of China, in 2011 China registered 12.22 million international tourists, 110,000 foreigners visiting families and friends, 2.69 million foreign workers and laborers, 6.33 million foreigners who travelled to China for business and conferences, and 5.76 million for other purposes.

South Korea was the country with most visitors to China last year, followed by Japan and Russia. Most foreigners entered China through Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, accounting for 19.1 percent and 16.3 percent of total entries.

The following are the top ten 10 countries with most visitors to China in 2011 (Figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000):

 Canada

 

Canada

Total visitors: 750,000	Growth: 9.15 percent
Purposes: - Meetings/Business: 80,000 - Sightseeing/Leisure: 460,000 - Visiting families and friends: Under 10,000 - Working: 30,000 - Others: 170,000	Modes of transport: - By sea: 30,000 - By air: 490,000 - By rail: 20,000 - By road: 90,000 - By foot: 120,000
Age: - Under 14: 70,000 - 15-24: 60,000 - 25-44: 250,000 - 45-64: 300,000 - Over 65: 70,000	Gender: - Male: 430,000 - Female: 320,000