Do You Need a Visa to Visit China?
This can be a bit tricky since there have been a lot of changes recently, so let’s break it down.
China has visa-free agreements with 23 countries, like Singapore and Thailand, meaning you don’t need a visa to visit. On top of that, China has a new policy that allows travelers from 15 more countries to visit without a visa until December 31, 2025.
If you’re from Austria, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, or Switzerland, you can now stay in China for up to 15 days without needing a visa.
So, if you’re from one of these countries, pack your bags—no visa paperwork needed, as long as your trip is under 15 days!
With things changing so fast in the world of travel, it’s always smart to double-check the latest info before booking your trip. Head over to the China Visa Application Service Center or your own country’s foreign affairs website to make sure you have the most up-to-date entry requirements.
If your country isn’t on the visa-free list, or if you’re not planning to take advantage of a visa-free stopover (we’ll talk about that in a sec), you’ll need to apply for a tourist visa.
Good news for Americans: Since January 2024, the process has gotten much easier. If you’re a US citizen, you no longer need to submit a round-trip ticket, hotel booking, itinerary, or invitation letter to get your visa. Just head over to the Chinese consulate’s website (like the one for New York) to see the current list of required documents.
For everyone else who needs a tourist visa, you can visit China Online Visa Application to find your nearest processing center and fill out the application form online.
What are the 144-hour and 72-hour visa-free transit policies?
China actually has two visa-free transit options that let travelers from certain countries stay in China for up to 3 or 6 days—but there’s a catch: you have to be transiting to a third country after your stay in China.
If you’re from countries like Japan, South Korea, the UK, or the US (there are 54 countries in total), you can enjoy up to 6 days in China without a visa, as long as you’re headed somewhere else afterward.
To use this option, you’ll need to show proof of your travel plans—like a ticket for your next flight, train, or ship to another country (different from the one you originally left). The good news is that Hong Kong and Macao count as third destinations, so they can work for this rule too!
Here’s a more laid-back, reader-friendly version of that section:
While the visa-free transit programs sound great, there are a few restrictions on where you can go. Travelers using these programs can only visit specific areas—basically, the 41 designated ports of entry spread across 19 provinces, including cities like Beijing and Shanghai.
For example, if you fly into Shanghai, you’ll need to stick to Shanghai, and its neighboring regions like Jiangsu and Zhejiang. So, hopping on China’s awesome high-speed trains to explore the rest of the country? Not allowed under this visa-free transit.
One traveler, Correira, shared a clever tip: she and her boyfriend took a quick trip to another Asian country between visiting Shanghai and Beijing. That way, they were able to get two separate visa-free transit permits for each city. Not a bad workaround! (And by the way, the Shanghai government has a great guide that explains all the ins and outs of the visa-free transit policy if you want more details.)
Can I Visit Tibet?
For most parts of China, you don’t need to join a tour group if you’ve got the right visa or if your country is on the visa-free list. But Tibet is a big exception. If you want to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region, you’ll need to get a Tibet Travel Permit before you go, and you can only apply through a certified travel agency.
On top of that, you’ll have to join a group tour or book a package that includes a tour guide, driver, car, and accommodation through one of these agencies to be eligible for the permit.
Do I Need a Visa for Hong Kong or Macao?
Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China all have their own visa rules.
For Hong Kong, citizens from about 170 countries can enter visa-free for anywhere between 7 and 180 days, depending on where you’re from. You can check the specifics for your country on the Hong Kong Immigration Department’s website.
As for Macao, around 80 countries can visit without a visa. You can find out if you need one by checking Macao’s government website.
Can I Use My Smartphone and Apps in China?
Yes, you can use your smartphone in mainland China, but keep in mind that some popular apps like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Google are blocked.
Don’t worry, though—there are ways to get around this! If your phone is set up with an international data roaming plan or you have a travel SIM card with a VPN, you can still access those apps. Just be aware that once you connect to local Wi-Fi, those apps will be blocked again.
As traveler Correira mentions, “A lot of the websites we’re used to in the West are restricted in China. The Wi-Fi in restaurants and hotels won’t let you access Google, Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp. Even if you buy a local SIM when you arrive, you’ll face the same restrictions.”
Her tip? Definitely consider using an e-SIM! You can buy one in advance, activate it when you arrive, and it’ll help you stay connected with friends and family. Companies like Airalo and Airsim offer e-SIM cards that will work in China and let you access all those essential apps.
Can I Set Up My Phone for Mobile Payments?
“Before heading to China, many people worry about how they’ll make payments,” says travel expert Tian. “They think everyone in China only uses mobile payments and that cash isn’t accepted anymore. But that’s not true! Cash is still accepted everywhere, though some places might not have change to give.”
That said, most local businesses and attractions don’t widely accept international credit cards.
The two main mobile wallets that are commonly used are WeChat Pay and Alipay. The good news is that you can now link both apps to an international credit card, with a transaction limit of $500.
If you want to increase that limit, you can verify your identity by uploading some ID and entering your phone number. Just keep in mind it might take a few days for the increase to get approved.
“The apps can be a bit tricky for foreigners because they’re often loaded with Chinese info,” says Tian. “But don’t worry—it’s still pretty easy to set up the app on your own.” If you’re looking for guidance, The China Guide has a detailed article on how to set up your Alipay account.
If you want to skip the app altogether, you can always exchange cash and choose restaurants and hotels that accept international credit cards. Just keep in mind that while cash is generally accepted, not everyone is thrilled to take it—especially taxi drivers! It’s a good idea to carry small bills since many small business owners might not have change.
On a positive note, Beijing has introduced the “Beijing Pass,” which is a convenient all-in-one travel card. You can use it for public transportation and at many attractions. You can buy one at airports and most metro stations.
Will Businesses Ever Accept International Credit Cards?
In short, not all places, like attractions, hotels, and restaurants, take credit cards right now.
But things might be changing! The Chinese government recently announced that “domestic and overseas bank cards should be accepted in all three-star and above tourist hotels, as well as at 5A and 4A-level national tourist attractions, national and provincial tourist resorts, and tourism and leisure districts.” So, there’s hope for better credit card acceptance in the future!
Is China Safe to Visit?
Useful Apps to Download Before Your Visit
To help make your trip to China as smooth as possible, there are a few handy apps you should consider downloading before you go. Here’s a list of some must-haves:
1. Gaode Maps or Baidu Maps
Since Google Maps doesn’t work well in China without a VPN (and even then, it can be unreliable), you’ll want to use either Gaode Maps or Baidu Maps. Just type in the address using pinyin (the romanization of Chinese characters) for better results.
If you’re an iPhone user, Apple Maps works perfectly fine in China, too. As traveler Correira puts it, “Once we arrived, it was much smoother than I expected since Apple Maps was updated with public transportation info!”
2. MetroMan
This app is a lifesaver for navigating major subway systems across China. It’s in English and features a map that highlights nearby points of interest, like restaurants and attractions.
Most subways are modern and easy to navigate, with signs in both English and Chinese. Just a heads-up: many metro stations have security checks, and some are stricter than others. Be prepared for possible delays during rush hour, especially if you’ve been shopping for knives or scissors!
3. WeChat
Even if you’re not interested in using WeChat for payments, it’s super helpful for connecting with locals, checking restaurant menus (many places upload their menus to WeChat), and even buying high-speed railway tickets.
Plus, many popular services in China, like Didi (the Chinese version of Uber) and 12306 (the platform for train tickets), have mini-programs within WeChat.
4. Alipay
If WeChat feels a bit overwhelming and you just want a straightforward payment app, go for Alipay. There are international and Chinese versions available—stick with the international version to easily link your international credit card.
5. Didi
Didi is China’s go-to car-hailing app, kind of like Uber. You can easily connect it with an international credit card for hassle-free payments. If you’re already using Alipay or WeChat, you can even book a car directly through those apps without needing to download Didi separately!
6. Trip.com
This is the international version of Ctrip, and it’s super handy for booking everything from high-speed train tickets to attraction entries and hotels in China. It’s one of the easiest platforms to use if you want to plan your itinerary on the go.
7. Baidu Translate
Need to translate something? Baidu Translate is a free app from Baidu, which is China’s leading search engine. It’s perfect for helping you communicate and understand signs or menus while you’re out exploring.
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