Travel advisory · ChinaSome governments advise against travel to parts of China.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice

Areas with warnings

Also named by one government: China-Nepal border area (Ireland), Gyirong County (Canada)

Government	Advice	Updated	Read the advice
United Kingdom (FCDO)	No advice against the whole country	–	Read the advice
United States (State Dept)	Exercise increased caution	Oct 19, 2026	Read the advice
Canada (Global Affairs)	Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
Germany (Auswärtiges Amt)	Keine Reisewarnung; allgemeine Sicherheitshinweise	Oct 27, 2026	Read the advice
New Zealand (SafeTravel)	Exercise increased caution	–	Read the advice
Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs)	High Degree of Caution (regional advisories)	–	Read the advice
France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)	Vigilance normale (vert) pour l'ensemble de la Chine continentale	–	Read the advice

Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.

Asia

China

Go for the Great Wall, imperial Beijing and Xi'an's Terracotta Army, then add cities, mountains and regional food that change from north to south.

Start with the essentials Where to stay Plan a trip to China

China is a large country in East Asia. Beijing is the capital, and Shanghai has the largest urban population. A first trip often includes the Great Wall, the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Terracotta Army near Xi'an. The land changes across the country, from dry, mountainous terrain in the west to river valleys and lowland plains in the east. Guilin's landscapes and the Yangtze Three Gorges add more variety.

Food is a reason to go on its own. Rice is the staple in the south, while wheat, noodles and dumplings are common in the north. Hot pot, where food is cooked in broth at the table, is a popular meal. Two weeks suits a first trip: Beijing, one historic city such as Xi'an, and a southern region. Over 95% of cities with more than a million residents have high-speed rail access (2022 data), so moving between major cities by train is practical. Northern winters are cold and dry, and southern summers are warm and wet under the monsoon, so spring and autumn avoid both extremes.

Five things to know before China

Check your entry rule before you book
UK, Canadian, Australian, German and Spanish passports enter visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. US passports are not on that list; a 240-hour transit rule covers a trip that continues to a third country. Visa checker
Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly
The UK government says cashless payments through these apps are almost universal. Outside major cities, credit cards are not always accepted and ATMs are limited, so carry some cash as well. Money and costs
Buy train tickets on 12306
The official China Railway site has an English version. You must show your passport to buy a ticket and to board a train, so book in the name on your passport.
Plan for blocked apps
The UK government lists Google, Facebook, YouTube and X as permanently blocked, and other sites may be blocked at times. Download maps, translation and payment apps before you land. Phones and eSIM
Carry your passport everywhere
Police carry out random checks and do not accept printed copies. The Forbidden City and many museums also need an advance booking in your passport name. Beijing

China travel guides

Practical guides from writers who live there.

China visa-free entry

The 30-day list and the 240-hour transit

Read the guide Beijing

Forbidden City, hutongs and the Great Wall

Read the guide Shanghai

The Bund, old lanes and fast trains

Read the guide Xi'an

Terracotta Army, city wall and Silk Road food

Read the guide Chengdu

Pandas, teahouses and Sichuan food

Read the guide Hong Kong

Own entry rules, harbor skyline and Macau by ferry

Read the guide Guilin and Yangshuo

Li River karst, cycling and rice terraces

Read the guide Money and costs in China

Alipay, WeChat Pay and foreign cards

Read the guide

Top places to visit in China

See all attractions in China

Sight · YunnanGongchen Tower

Sight · ShanghaiGuangqi Park

Temple · ChengduWenshu Yuan Monastery

Sight · ShanghaiPower Station of Art

Destinations in China

Orient Pearl, Shanghai, China taken during daytime

Where to stay in China

Neighborhood first, hotel second.

All stay guides

SuzhouWhere to stay in Suzhou: four bases from old town to Jinji Lake

HangzhouWhere to stay in Hangzhou: four West Lake bases compared

Itineraries

2 daysHangzhou in 2 days: West Lake, tea hills and Lingyin TempleA two-day Hangzhou plan: a slow West Lake walk on day one, tea hills, Lingyin Temple and Hefang Street on day two, with a rain plan and passport rules.

1 dayShanghai to Suzhou day trip: stations, getting around, one-day planShanghai to Suzhou day trip: which station to book, how to reach the gardens, official garden hours and a one-day plan with two gardens and a canal walk.

What a day costs in China

Per person, in CNY

Work out your trip

BudgetCN¥180a day≈ $27 · per person

Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.

Bed a night: CN¥100
Food: CN¥60
Transport: CN¥20
Sights: Free

Mid-rangeCN¥670a day≈ $101 · per person

A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.

Bed a night: CN¥350
Food: CN¥180
Transport: CN¥80
Sights: CN¥60

ComfortCN¥1,650a day≈ $248 · per person

A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.

Bed a night: CN¥700
Food: CN¥400
Transport: CN¥250
Sights: CN¥300

Checked Oct 3, 2026 by Haruki SatoA source for every line on the trip cost page. Flights not included. Rates By Exchange Rate APIWork out your trip

When to go

Rainy days

Best

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh2°Low-6°Freezing, dry
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh6°Low-4°Spring Festival
MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh15°Low3°Windy, dusty
AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Blossom, mild
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°Warm, holiday crowds
JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh34°Low21°Hot
JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Hot, rainy
AugustRain12 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Humid, rain
SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Clear, mild
OctoberClear5 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Holiday week, clear
NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh11°Low2°Cold, quiet
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh3°Low-4°Freezing

Average daily high and low in Beijing, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to ChinaPut the places you like in China on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Right now in China

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 3°
Humidity: 60%
Wind: 4 km/h
Chance of rain: 37%

China

04:36 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+8

Today8°-1°37%Tuesday: Snow. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 37%.
Wed8°-1°57%Wednesday: Fog. High 8°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 57%.
Thu10°-2°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 2%.
Fri10°0°4%Friday: Fog. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 4%.
Sat4°-4°96%Saturday: Snow. High 4°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 96%.
Sun2°-7°41%Sunday: Cloudy. High 2°, Low -7°. Chance of rain 41%.
Mon7°-7°10%Monday: Clear. High 7°, Low -7°. Chance of rain 10%.

Updated 12:24 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.661 CNY

Amount

Converted to

CNY · Chinese Yuan

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in China

Big events, festivals and concert tours

Events calendar

aerial photography of street at night covered with snow

DecemberHarbin Ice and Snow FestivalDec 2026 – Feb 2027

Festivals by month

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
MayDuanwu FestivalAcross China
Jun
Jul
AugQingdao International Beer FestivalQingdao
Sep
Oct
Nov
DecHarbin Ice and Snow FestivalHarbin

On tour in China: Stray Kids World Tour "RUN IT" Hong Kong, Dec 5, 2026 · BABYMONSTER World Tour [CHOOM] Hong Kong, Jan 8 – 10, 2027 · Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour Hong Kong, Jan 27, 2027 · BTS World Tour 'Arirang' Hong Kong, Mar 4 – 7, 2027 · Bruno Mars The Romantic Tour Hong Kong, May 7 – 12, 2027

Before you go to China

China city toursGuided days beyond the language gapCompare tours

Stays near stations and sightsMetro-linked bases in each big cityCheck availability

eSIM for ChinaData for maps, tickets and payment appsRead the guide Travel insurance for ChinaMedical cover and cancellationsRead the guide

We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.

Rules for China, checked

Ordinary passports from 50 countries, incl. the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and Spain: visa-free up to 30 days until 31 Dec 2026. The US is not on the list.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Read more Visa-free transit: 57 listed countries, incl. the US and UK, up to 240 hours with a confirmed onward ticket to a third country; others get 24 hours.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Read more Passport validity: UK and Canadian advice is 6 months after arrival (UK also 2 blank pages); the Chinese embassy FAQ says the planned stay. Use 6 months.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Read more You must complete an electronic arrival card to enter China, before you arrive or at the point of entry, on the National Immigration Administration website.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Read more Staying outside a hotel: you or your host must register with the police within 24 hours of arrival, now also online. Hotels register guests at check-in.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Read more Tour groups of two or more via a China-registered agency may enter visa-free by cruise ship at 13 listed ports, staying up to 15 days in listed provinces.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Read more Typhoon season normally runs May to November on the southern and eastern coast, and flooding and storms are common in the same months.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Read more

China FAQ

Can I visit China without a visa?

Passports from 50 listed countries, including the UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and Spain, can for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. US passports are not on that list; the 240-hour transit rule covers a trip that continues to a third country. Hong Kong and Macau have separate rules.

Do foreign cards work in China?

Not everywhere. The UK government says WeChat and Alipay are almost universal, and outside major cities credit cards are not always accepted and ATMs are limited. Set up a payment app and keep some cash for villages and small shops.

Do I have to register where I stay in China?

Hotels register foreign guests at check-in. In a private home, you or your host must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival, and the National Immigration Administration now offers this online.

How many days do you need for a first trip to China?

Ten to fourteen days covers Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai by fast train, with Chengdu or Guilin as a fourth stop. Trying to cover more means long travel days and little time in each city.

What is the best time to visit China?

Spring and autumn for most of the country, roughly April to May and September to October. Avoid the first week of October and the Lunar New Year period, when trains and sights are packed.