China Travel Guide (Updated January 2024)

How to Travel to China: All Open Now!

Since China has fully permitted visa applications, there are now several ways to enter the country.

How to apply for a Chinese tourist visa?

Plan Your Trip To China 2024

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Effective January 18, travelers from Switzerland and Ireland can enjoy a 15-day visa-free entry to China for tourism, business, transit, and visiting friends and relatives.

From December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, travelers from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain can also enjoy a 15-day visa-free entry for similar purposes，and Malaysia can enjoy 30 days of visa-free entry.

Starting from August 30, all travelers entering China no longer need to undergo COVID-19 testing, returning to the pre-pandemic entry process.

From July 26, citizens of Singapore and Brunei holding ordinary passports can benefit from a 15-day visa-free policy for business, tourism, family visits, and transit.

As of March 15, anyone with a valid Chinese visa (including those issued before March 28, 2020, such as China tourist visas) can enter without applying for a new one.

All visa applications, including tourist visas (L visas), have resumed, and visa-free policies are reinstated.

1. Visa Information:

If you have a valid Chinese visa, including tourist or 10-year visas, you can use it to enter China.

For those without a Chinese visa or with an expired visa, new applications are now open for all visa types (tourist, business, work, etc.). Tourist visas can be applied for in Hong Kong.

Refer to the Chinese embassy/consulate for required documents. Submit your application at least two months in advance.

Applying for a tourist visa (L visa) may require an invitation letter or round-trip air tickets and hotel bookings. We can provide an invitation letter when booking a private tour for added convenience.

The visa application process is simplified. Apply directly online, make an appointment, submit required documents to the embassy, and receive your visa after 7 working days. The application fee is approximately USD 185 for US citizens.

First, fill out the form at the China Online Visa Application website;
Second, make an appointment on this website to submit your visa materials on Appointment for Visa Application Submission website;
Third, take the required documents to the embassy to submit;
Finally, you will get a return receipt if your documents are qualified.

Q: What if my passport expires but my visa doesn’t?

A: You can travel to China with the expired passport containing a valid Chinese visa, along with the new passport, if identity details match. Update your visa if any details change.”

2. 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit:

Explore China visa-free in areas like Shanghai (including Suzhou, Hangzhou), Beijing (with Tianjin and Hebei), Guangzhou (Shenzhen, Zhuhai), and more, enjoying a 6-day visa-free stay.

Check eligibility and details on China’s 144-hour Visa-Free Policy on our website.

Obtain entry and exit policies via the National Immigration Administration’s 24-hour hotline:

Beijing: +86-10-12367

Shanghai: +86-21-12367

Guangzhou: +86-20-12367

Here’s a quick test to check if you comply with the policy:

Quick Test: Will My Route Qualify for China 72/144-Hour Visa-Free Transit?

1. I will depart from (only applies to direct or connected flight):

2. I will arrive in China at [city], [airport / railway station / port].

3. My arrival date is...

4. I will leave for [country/region] from China (the bounding destination on the air ticket):

5. My departure date is...

6. My nationality is...

3. Port Visas (Landing Visas):

For a quick and convenient option, consider a port visa if you lack time or find the tourist visa application process cumbersome.

Port visas require a group of at least 2 people. Enter China within 15 days after obtaining the entry permit, with a stay period of 1 to 2 months.

Applicable ports include Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Guilin, Xi’an, Chengdu, etc.

Note: American tourists are not eligible for a port visa in Shanghai.

4. ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin:

ASEAN tour groups (Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, Philippines) can visit Guilin visa-free for 144 hours, meeting the visa-free transit policy requirements.

5. Shanghai Visa-Free for Cruise Groups:

Shanghai offers a 15-day visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups arriving via cruise. Stay must be on the same cruise, and reception by a Chinese travel agent is required at Shanghai Cruise Terminal (or Wusong Passenger Center).”

6. Hainan Visa-Free:

Stay on Hainan Island for up to 30 days without a visa for ordinary passport holders from 59 countries. Book through an accredited travel agency.

7. Pearl River Delta Visa Exemption:

Travelers from Hong Kong or Macau can visit the Pearl River Delta area (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, etc.) visa-free with a registered tour provider.

8. APEC Cards:

Holders of a valid APEC business travel card can enter China without a visa, allowing a stay of up to 60 days.