Please note that this list is subject to change. For the latest information on China travel restrictions, always check government sites directly as noted below.
You’ll most likely need a valid visa to enter China, but there’s also a host of travel advisories and restrictions foreign travelers should be aware of before their trip. Here’s what to expect at China customs and where to find updated information on travel restrictions, entry requirements, and more.
China Travel Restrictions
COVID-19
After an expansive public health campaign to combat COVID-19, China has rolled back most of its COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements. That means that travelers do not have to show proof of vaccination, and, as of May 5, 2023, travelers “may choose to take antigen tests within 48 hours prior to boarding,” according to a statement from the Chinese embassy in the United States. Airlines will not be checking for a negative test result, but it should be declared upon entering the country via the Health Declaration Form or the China customs app.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends that travelers be up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccines to visit China. Because China had some of the strictest COVID protocols in the world, travelers should keep an eye out for a rise in COVID cases while in China.
Health and Safety Warnings
US State Department Travel Advisory Level: Level 3 – Reconsider Travel
On June 30, 2023, the US Department of State issued a travel alert for Mainland China due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions.”
While the State Department has long urged caution when traveling in China, due to the strict laws and difficulty of aiding a person in legal trouble, recent incidents have also provoked increased caution. Among them are citizen demonstrations and protests against restrictive COVID-19 policies, as well as ongoing tension on the Korean Peninsula and in disputed regions like the Tibetan autonomous region and the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region.
Traveling in the Xinjiang Uyghur area in western China carries the risk of violent attacks from separatist and militant groups, as well as detention, surveillance, curfews, delays, and other restrictions from the Chinese government. This is due to an ongoing fight for the region to become independent from China, leading to violence on both sides. Along with separatist groups inciting violence, the Chinese government has responded by detaining Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in internment camps.
In the Tibet autonomous region, the ongoing fight for Tibetan independence occasionally leads to uprisings and protests.
The US State Department also urges caution and recommends not traveling in the Hong Kong and Macau areas due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws” by Chinese authorities and the department’s “limited ability to provide emergency consular services.”
The US State Department advises against travel to high-risk areas as they may be unable to assist you in case of emergency. Review the State Department’s guide to traveling in high-risk areas for more information.
At press time, the CDC does not have any health notices for China travel. The only recommendations are that travelers be up-to-date on routine vaccines and take some recommended vaccinations before traveling. Still, purchasing travel medical insurance is almost always a smart idea.
Women's Safety
Women can generally feel safe traveling around China but should follow standard safety tips, like being aware of their surroundings and avoiding dark areas at night.
Where to Find Updated China Travel Restrictions
For the most recent and up-to-date information on China travel restrictions, visit the following:
- US Department of State: China International Travel Information
- US Embassy & Consulates in China: Alerts for US Citizens
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Travelers’ Health for China
- Embassy of the People’s Republic of China: US Embassies
For other countries, please check with your country’s China embassy or official state department for updated travel advisories and restrictions.
What to Do in Case of Emergency
Even though China is mostly a safe, healthy place for travelers to visit, incidents can still occur. You can experience a natural disaster, like flooding or a typhoon or encounter violent demonstrations while traveling through sensitive areas, like the Tibet autonomous region.
Before entering China, US travelers should enroll in the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Signing up delivers travel alerts right to your phone or email, and it makes it easier for local authorities to find and contact you in case of an emergency.
Diplomatic missions don’t just exist to handle matters of foreign affairs. If you wind up in trouble in China, reach out to your embassy or consulate general immediately—they offer consular assistance to foreign nationals who wind up in trouble while traveling through China.
Preparing for Your China Trip
Obtaining a visa is an essential part of planning your trip. At Entriva, we can easily and efficiently help you with every aspect of getting a China visa. Start your visa application process.
For more information on other aspects of travel to China, including travel requirements, visa extensions, and culture and traditions, visit our China content hub.