japan travel restrictions china

• Subscribe Digital Print

• Tourism in Japan
• Latest News
• Deep Dive Podcast

Today's print edition

Home Delivery

• Crime & Legal
• Science & Health
• More sports
• CLIMATE CHANGE
• SUSTAINABILITY
• EARTH SCIENCE
• Food & Drink
• Style & Design
• TV & Streaming
• Entertainment news

Japan to tighten borders for travelers from China on Dec. 30

Japan will tighten its border controls for travelers from China on Friday, as the latter nation is seeing a surge in COVID-19 infections, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tuesday.

Kishida’s abrupt announcement comes only a day after news that China will scrap its quarantine for incoming travelers from Jan. 8, one of the country’s most significant steps since it effectively abandoned its two-year “zero-COVID” policy.

All travelers from China, including Japanese citizens and returning foreign nationals living in Japan, as well as those who have been to China within the previous seven days will be tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival in Japan. Those who test positive will be required to quarantine at designated facilities for seven days.

The quarantine period for those who test positive is expected to be seven days if they have developed symptoms. For those who are asymptomatic, the period will be shortened to five days if they test negative on the fifth day, according to the health ministry.

The number of flights from China will also be limited to guard against a sudden increase in COVID-19 infections in Japan, Kishida told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office. Arrivals from China, Hong Kong and Macao will be limited to four airports: Narita, Haneda, Kansai International and Chubu.

“It is difficult to grasp the situation in China because the information on infections differs between the central and regional governments, as well as between the government and the private sector,” Kishida said. “People in Japan are getting worried because of that.”

Kishida also stressed that the latest measure is temporary and that the government will do its best not to stop cross-border travel.

Before the pandemic, Japan’s tourism sector was reliant on foreign travelers, especially those from China, with the government pushing to increase inbound tourists to 60 million by 2030. In 2019, such visitors hit a record 31.9 million, of which 9.59 million, or about 30%, were Chinese.

Tourists from China often went on shopping sprees in Japan, dubbed “explosive shopping” in Japanese, with their spending amounting to 36.8% of the ¥1.77 trillion that came from all tourists in 2019, according to government data.

Foreign tourists were not allowed to travel to Japan for a long stretch of the pandemic. But even since Japan has reopened its borders, Chinese visitors have been scarce due to the COVID-19 restrictions in their country . In November, there were only 21,000 visitors from China, about 2% of all foreign visitors to Japan, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

China is currently experiencing an explosive growth in new COVID-19 infections, with some reports saying that 250 million people, or 18% of the population, have been infected with the virus in just the first 20 days of this month.

U.K.-based health data firm Airfinity, meanwhile, said Wednesday that, based on regional data, China is likely now seeing over 1 million cases and over 5,000 deaths a day, in stark contrast to official data showing 1,800 cases and only seven official deaths over the past week.

What’s driving the surge in cases in China is BF.7, short for BA.5.2.1.7, which is a sublineage of omicron subvariant BA.5, experts say.

Compared with the BA.1, BA.2 and BA.5 subvariants detected in the past, omicron BF.7 is better at evading the immune system and has a shorter incubation period and faster transmission rate, according to a Chinese medical expert quoted by China’s Global Times.

But while Japan’s latest border control measures seem to reflect concerns over this new type of the virus, some experts are calling for a more measured response.

“Japan will definitely see a further increase in the number of new cases,” said Tetsuya Mizutani, professor of virology at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. “But all of the recent new types that we are seeing worldwide are offshoots of BA.2, BA.4 and BA.5.

“As long as the virus keeps mutating within that range (of the omicron family), we shouldn’t worry much, though we should not be overly optimistic, either.”

Many experts have said the situation in China is being exacerbated by its lack of approval for the messenger RNA vaccines developed by Western firms.

“The Chinese vaccines were (marginally) effective for the original coronavirus strain coming out of Wuhan, China,” said Tetsuo Nakayama, a project professor at Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences.

But as the virus mutated, the Chinese shots — which are inactivated vaccines using coronavirus particles that have been killed, and as such are different from the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna — lost their effectiveness, despite claims by manufacturers that they work against the omicron variant and its subvariants, he said.

Nakayama added that Japan should closely monitor infection trends, especially on how the virus is mutating, regardless of what border control measures are in place.

“Border controls cannot keep cases out,” he said. “As Japan’s COVID cases are also rising, we should watch out for new variants and evaluate their characteristics, including how pathogenic they are.”

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.

As COVID-hit China opens up to travel, others secure their doors

Japan joined India Tuesday in imposing restrictions on Chinese visitors as Beijing relaxed its norms for travellers.

Japan will tighten border controls for COVID-19 by requiring tests for all visitors from China starting Friday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced, even as Beijing said it would scrap mandatory quarantine for overseas arrivals.

The developments come days after the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was very concerned about rising reports of severe cases across China after the country largely abandoned its “zero-COVID” policy.

Keep reading

Japan unveils record defence budget amid regional security fears, china to end covid quarantine for incoming passengers, china’s workers return to office as cities live with covid.

Beijing, while acknowledging a surge in cases, has downplayed the spread of the virus after spending the best part of three years locking down entire neighbourhoods and cities over a handful of infections.

On Tuesday, it said that it would downgrade its coronavirus threat levels on January 8, and would start allowing mainland residents to travel abroad more easily. Outbound travel by Chinese tourists, for years a mainstay of the global tourism industry, had shrunk to almost zero since 2020. Additionally, passengers arriving from abroad will no longer have to quarantine, though a negative test result within 48 hours of departure and in-flight masks are still required.

China has been “refining our COVID response in light of the evolving situation” while working with the global community, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

Yet even as Beijing has given its go-ahead for the country to open up, other governments — worried about the spike in cases in China — are raising barriers for the entry of Chinese visitors.

In Japan, the quantitative antigen test that is already conducted on entrants suspected of having COVID-19 will be mandatory for all people arriving from mainland China. Those who test positive will be quarantined for seven days at designated facilities and their samples will be used for genome analysis.

The measure begins Friday, just as Japan heads into New Year’s holidays marked by parties and travel, when infections are expected to rise.

Last week India also mandated a COVID-19 test for travellers from China, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand, while ordering quarantine for those with symptoms or testing positive. India has also begun randomly testing 2 percent of international passengers arriving at airports.

Kishida said China’s lack of information-sharing and transparency about the infections made it difficult to assess and figure out safety measures. There are huge discrepancies between information from central and local authorities, and between the government and private organisations, he said.

“There are growing worries in Japan,” Kishida said. “We have decided to take a temporary special measure to respond to the situation.”

But Wang appeared to offer subtle criticism of the border measures adopted by Japan and India. “China believes that the pandemic measures should be science-based and appropriate and should not affect normal personnel exchanges,” he said.

Japan’s new measure aims to “prevent rapid increase of infections in this country” and is not intended to stop the global movement of people, Kishida said. Japan will act flexibly, while watching the development in China, he added, including halting the planned increase of flights between Japan and China “just to be safe.”

Direct flights between the two countries will be limited to four major Japanese airports for the time being, government officials said.

“The measure is not going to affect Japan’s policy to continue with our ongoing transition toward a ‘with-COVID’ lifestyle carefully and steadily while watching the infections at home,” Kishida said.

Japan stopped requiring COVID-19 tests earlier this year for entrants who had at least three shots – part of the country’s careful easing of measures after virtually closing its borders to foreign tourists for about two years.

• Media & Industry
• Meetings & Events
• Select Language 简体中文 繁體中文（香港） 繁體中文（臺灣） India (English) Bahasa Indonesia 한국어 ภาษาไทย Tiếng Việt Singapore (English) Philippines (English) Malaysia (English) Australia/New Zealand (English) Français Deutsch Italiano Español United Kingdom (English) Nordic countries（English） Canada (English) Canada (Français) United States (English) Mexico (español) Português العربية Japan(日本語) Global (English)
• India (English)
• Bahasa Indonesia
• Singapore (English)
• Philippines (English)
• Malaysia (English)
• Australia/New Zealand (English)
• United Kingdom (English)
• Nordic countries（English）
• Canada (English)
• Canada (Français)
• United States (English)
• Mexico (español)
• Global (English)
• Fujiyoshida
• Shimonoseki
• Ishigaki Island
• Miyako Island
• Kerama Island
• Tokyo Island
• Koka & Shigaraki
• Hida Takayama
• Ginza, Nihonbashi
• Beppu & Yufuin (Onsen)
• Ginzan Onsen
• Nagasaki Islands

• Kumano Kodo
• Shikoku Karst
• Amami Oshima
• Hachimantai
• Omihachiman
• Aizuwakamatsu

• Diving in Japan
• Skiing in Japan
• Seasonal Flowers in Japan
• Sustainable Outdoors
• Off the Beaten Track in Japan
• Scenic Spots
• World Heritage
• Home Stays & Farm Stays

• Japanese Gardens
• Japanese Crafts
• Temple Stays
• Heritage Stays
• Festivals and Events
• Theater in Japan
• Japanese Tea Ceremony
• Cultural Experiences in Japan
• Culture in Japan

• Local Cuisine Eastern Japan
• Local Cuisine Western Japan
• Local Street Food
• Japan's Local Ekiben
• Japanese Whisky
• Vegetarian and Vegan Guide
• Sushi in Japan Guide
• Japanese Sake Breweries

• Art Museums
• Architecture
• Performing Arts
• Art Festivals
• Japanese Anime and Comics
• Japanese Ceramics
• Local Crafts

• Scenic Night Views
• Natural Wonders
• Theme Parks
• Samurai & Ninja
• Iconic Architecture

• Wellness Travel in Japan
• Japanese Ryokan Guide
• A Guide to Stargazing in Japan
• Relaxation in Japan
• Forest Bathing (Shinrin-yoku)

• Experiences in Japan
• Enjoy my Japan
• National Parks
• Japan's Local Treasures
• Japan Heritage
• Snow Like No Other
• Wonder Around Japan

• Visa Information
• Getting to Japan
• Airport Access
• COVID-19: Practical Information for Traveling to Japan
• Anime Tourism
• Countryside Stays
• Accessible Tourism
• Hokkaido Great Outdoors
• Scenic World Heritage in Tohoku
• Shikoku’s Nature and Traditions
• Southern Kyushu by Rail

• Traveling by Rail
• How to Travel by Train and Bus
• JR Rail Passes
• Scenic Railways
• Renting a Car
• Sustainable Travel in Japan
• Travel Brochures
• Useful Apps
• Online Reservation Sites
• Eco-friendly Accommodation
• Luxury Accommodations
• Traveling With a Disability
• Hands-free Travel
• How to Book a Certified Tour Guide
• Volunteer Guides
• Tourist Information Center

• Japanese Manners
• Spring in Japan
• Summer in Japan
• Autumn in Japan
• Winter in Japan
• Cherry Blossom Forecast
• Autumn Leaves Forecast

• Japan Visitor Hotline
• Travel Insurance in Japan
• Japan Safe Travel Information
• Accessibility in Japan
• Vegetarian Guide
• Muslim Travelers
• Safety Tips

• JAPAN Monthly Web Magazine
• Arts & Cultures
• Nature & Outdoor
• Festivals & Events
• Insider Blog
• Things to do
• Local Guides
• Food & drink
• Traditional
• Hokuriku Shinetsu

My Favorites

${v.desc | trunc(25)}

Planning a Trip to Japan?

Share your travel photos with us by hashtagging your images with #visitjapanjp

For Travelers Process Map and Checklist

All information here is gathered from the relevant authorities. Due to the regularly changing situation, it is essential for you to always check and follow the latest guidance.

Last updated: Wednesday, May 31st, 2023

Get ready for your dream trip to Japan! Japan is now open to travelers from all countries or regions! Those who enter Japan on or after April 29th 2023 are not be required to present a valid vaccination certificate or a Covid-19 negative test certificate.

Process Map 　-From April 29th 2023-

Checklist for Travelers

Before Departure

At the arrival airport in japan, after arrival, returning home, did this information help you.

out of found this information helpful.

Thank you for your feedback.

Other useful information.

• For Travelers

Please Choose Your Language

Browse the JNTO site in one of multiple languages

China Travel Restrictions & Travel Advisory (Updated April 25, 2024)

Updates April 25th, 2024: If you book a trip with us, we can arrange a port visa for you to travel to China. China"s port visas are similar to the "visas on arrival" of some other countries. It enables a stay in China for up to 30 days. Contact us to book a trip.

Updates March 7th, 2024 : Travelers from the following countries could enjoy visa-free entry to China for tourism, business, transit, or visiting friends and relatives.

• From December 1st, 2023, to November 30th, 2024: France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain.
• From March 14th to November 30th, 2024: Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
• Singapore, Brunei
• Malaysia (from December 1st, 2023 to November 30th, 2024)

If you want to arrange a private tour, even tentatively, simply contact us .

Content Preview

• What Ways to Enter China
• Do I Still Need a PCR Test to Enter China
• Hong Kong/Macau Travel Restriction

International Flights to China

What to expect when traveling in china, best times to travel to china, 8 ways to enter china: all open now.

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

If you still hold a valid Chinese visa (any type including a tourist visa, 10-year visa, a port visa, etc.), you can use it to enter China.

If you don't have a Chinese visa or your visa has expired, you can apply for a new one. All visas can now be applied for, including tourist visas, business visas, work visas, and so on. (International visitors can apply for a tourist visa to the Chinese Mainland in Hong Kong.)

For the documents required for a visa application, you can refer to the information given by a Chinese embassy/consulate . Please submit your application at least two months in advance.

To apply for a tourist visa (L visa), you will be asked to provide an invitation letter issued by a Chinese travel agency or individual or round-trip air tickets and hotel bookings.

When booking a private tour with us, we can provide you with an invitation letter, which is one more thing we do to make your travel more convenient, giving you more flexibility with your air tickets and hotel bookings.

Now it is very easy to apply for a visa . You can easily apply by yourself without an intermediary. The following is how one of our clients successfully applied for a Chinese tourist visa:

• 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.

Usually, you will get your visa after 7 working days. The application fee is about USD185 for US citizens.

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

A: You can travel to China on the expired passport containing valid Chinese visa in combination with the new passport, provided that the identity information (name, date of birth, gender, nationality) on both passport identical.

If there is a change to any of the above details, you must apply for a new visa.

2. 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy

If you do not apply for a Chinese visa, you may still have the opportunity to visit these areas of China visa free: the Shanghai area (including Suzhou, Hangzhou, etc.), the Beijing area (with Tianjin and Hebei), the Guangzhou area (Shenzhen, Zhuhai, etc.), and more. Take advantage of the 6-day visa-free entitlements.

Find out if you could use the 144-hour visa-free transit policy with our information on China's 144-hour Visa-Free Policy (Eligible Entry/Exit Ports, Applicable Countries, Documents to be Prepared...)

You can also obtain entry and exit control policies through the 24-hour hotline of the National Immigration Administration:

• Beijing: 0086 (+86)-10-12367
• Shanghai: 0086 (+86)-21-12367
• Guangzhou: 0086 (+86)-20-12367

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...

8. I have Chinese visa refusal stamps in my passport.

You qualify to enjoy China's 72-hour visa-free policy.

You qualify to enjoy China's 144-hour visa-free policy.

You don't qualify to enjoy China's 72-hour or 144-hour visa-free policy.

Reason you don't qualify:

• You must be in transit to a third country or region.
• You must leave the city area (prefecture or municipality) after the 72/144 hours (the 72/144-hour limit is calculated starting from 00:00 on the day after arrival, i.e. 24:00 on the arrival date).
• Your passport must be valid for more than 3 months at the time of entry into China.
• Your passport nationality is not eligible for the 72/144-hour visa exemption program.
• You have Chinese visa refusal stamps in your passport.

3. Port Visas (Landing Visas)

If you don't have time to get a visa, or if you find it cumbersome to apply for a tourist visa, you could consider traveling to China through a port visa.

Port visas can be applied for a group at least including 2 people. You need to enter the country within 15 days after you get your entry permit. The port visa allows a stay period of 1 to 2 months.

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

Note: Tourists from America are not granted a port visa in Shanghai.

Book your China trip with us and we can help you apply for a port visa.

4. Visa Exemption for ASEAN Tour Groups to Guilin

In addition, tour groups from ASEAN member countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, and the Philippines, can visit Guilin for 144 hours without visas as long as they meet the visa-free transit policy requirements.

5. Shanghai Visa-Free Policy for Cruise Groups

Shanghai has a 15-day visa-free policy for foreign tourist groups entering China via a cruise. You must arrive and depart on the same cruise and be received by a Chinese travel agent at the Shanghai Cruise Terminal (or Wusong Passenger Center).

6. Hainan Visa-Free Access

No visa is required for staying on Hainan Island for up to 30 days for ordinary passport holders from 59 countries. Groups and individual tourists must book a tour through an accredited travel agency.

Find out whether you qualify for the policy here .

7. Visa Exemption for the Pearl River Delta Area

International travelers from Hong Kong or Macau are able to visit the Pearl River Delta area (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, etc.) visa-free as long as they go with a registered tour provider, such as us.

8. APEC Cards

If you hold a valid APEC business travel card, you can simply enter China with the card without applying for a visa.

Travelers who hold a valid APEC business travel card can stay in China for up to 60 days.

• 4-Day Beijing Private Tour - Essence of Beijing
• 11-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Guilin–Shanghai Tour - Classic Wonders
• 13-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Educational Family Vacation

Do I Still Need a PCR Test or Antigen Self-Test to Enter China

No. Starting from August 30, all travelers entering China will no longer need to undergo any COVID-19 testing. You do not need to submit any test results for COVID-19 before departure.

• 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Private Tour - China Golden Triangle
• 13-Day Riches of China - Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Hangzhou - Suzhou – Shanghai

Hong Kong / Macau Travel Restriction

Hong kong entry requirements.

Travelers from any region bound for Hong Kong will no longer need to take pre-flight COVID-19 tests (no PCR test, no RAT test) from April 1.

There is also no need for any tests when traveling from Hong Kong to the Chinese Mainland. Hong Kong could be a good gateway for your China trip. See suggestions on China Itineraries from Hong Kong (from 1 Week to 3 Weeks).

Direct high-speed trains from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Hong Kong are available now. In preparation for the Canton Fair, it is expected that direct high-speed ferries will be launched from Guangzhou Pazhou Port to Hong Kong's airport in mid-April.

• 10 Top China Tours from Hong Kong

Macau Entry Requirement

From August 30, travelers from any region bound for Macau will no longer need to take pre-flight COVID-19 tests (no PCR test, no RAT test).

There is also no need for any tests when traveling from Macau to the Chinese Mainland.

Inbound and outbound international flights in the week beginning March 6th rose by more than 350% compared with a year earlier, to nearly 2,500 flights, according to Chinese flight tracking data from APP Flight Master.

At present, there are one or two direct flights a week from New York to Shanghai, Los Angeles to Beijing, Seattle to Shanghai, London to Guangzhou, etc.

There are also many flight options with stopovers that are more frequent and affordable. Testing at transit airports is now not required!

The Coronavirus outbreak in China has subsided. China looks like it did in 2019 again. No special measures (like PCR tests or health codes) are required when traveling around China. All attractions are open as normal.

Wearing a mask is not mandatory when traveling. In hotels, masks are off for the most part. But in some crowded places, such as airports or subway stations, many people still wear masks.

Weather-wise, the best times to visit China are spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October), when most of the popular places have their most tourism-friendly weather, except for the "golden weeks" — the first week of May and of October — when most attractions are flooded with Chinese tourists.

If you are looking for smaller crowds, favorable prices, and still good weather, you should consider March and April or September.

Tourism in cultural and historical destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an is hardly affected by weather conditions. They are suitable to be visited all year round.

• 11-Day Family Happiness - Beijing–Xi'an–Guilin/Yangshuo-Shanghai
• 13-Day Private Tour: Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu –Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai - China Essence and Panda Tour
• More Chengdu and Panda tours

Discover real reviews of Highlights Travel Family 's best-rated service across trusted platforms.

Tour China with Us

We've been building our team for over 20 years. Even over the past three years we have continued, serving over 10,000 expats with China tours and getting a lot of praise (see TripAdvisor ).

We are based in China and can show you the characteristics and charm of China from a unique perspective. Just contact us to create your China trip .

Our consultants will listen to and answer your inquiries carefully and prepare the best plan for you.

• 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Highlights Tour — the classic Golden Triangle
• 11-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Guilin–Shanghai — our top itinerary for families
• 2-Week Beijing – Xi'an – Chengdu – Yangtze Cruise – Shanghai Tour — the best choice for panda fans
• 2-Week China Essence and Panda Tour
• 9-Day Beyond the Golden Triangle
• 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Private Tour
• 14-Day China Natural Wonders Discovery
• 15 Best Places to Visit in China (2024)
• Best (& Worst) Times to Visit China, Travel Tips (2024/2025)
• How to Plan a 10-Day Itinerary in China (Best 5 Options)
• 8 Days in China: Top 15 Tours and Itineraries (2024/2025)
• China Weather in January 2024: Enjoy Less-Crowded Traveling
• China Weather in February 2024: Places to Go, Costs, and Crowds
• China Weather in March 2024: Destinations, Crowds, and Costs
• China Weather in April 2024: Where to Go (Smart Pre-Season Pick)
• China Weather in May 2024: Where to Go, Crowds, and Costs
• China Weather in June 2024: How to Benefit from the Rainy Season
• China Weather in July 2024: How to Avoid Heat and Crowds
• China Weather in August 2024: Weather Tips & Where to Go
• China Weather in September 2024: Weather Tips & Where to Go
• China Weather in October 2024: Where to Go, Crowds, and Costs
• China Weather in November 2024: Places to Go & Crowds
• China Weather in December 2024: Places to Go and Crowds

Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

More travel ideas and inspiration, sign up to our newsletter.

Be the first to receive exciting updates, exclusive promotions, and valuable travel tips from our team of experts.

Why China Highlights

Where can we take you today.

• Southeast Asia
• Japan, South Korea
• India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri lanka
• Central Asia
• Middle East
• African Safari
• Travel Agents
• Loyalty & Referral Program
• Privacy Policy

Address: Building 6, Chuangyi Business Park, 70 Qilidian Road, Guilin, Guangxi, 541004, China

We’re sorry, this site is currently experiencing technical difficulties. Please try again in a few moments. Exception: request blocked

China Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to China

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Recommended on public transportation.

Entry details & exceptions

Ready to travel, find flights to china, find stays in china, explore more countries on travel restrictions map, destinations you can travel to now, dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Can I travel to China from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter China.

Can I travel to China if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter China without restrictions.

Can I travel to China without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter China without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter China?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering China.

Can I travel to China without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in China?

Mask usage in China is recommended on public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in China?

Restaurants in China are open. Bars in China are .

Japan eases travel advisory for China, others as COVID risk fades

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka; Editing by Toby Chopra

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

UK's Labour claim big early win over PM Sunak's Conservatives

Britain's opposition Labour Party won a parliamentary seat in northern England on Friday and control of several councils, inflicting heavy losses on the governing Conservatives to pile more pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

• China Edition

• China Daily PDF
• China Daily E-paper

China's concerns over Japanese export restrictions

By Zhong Nan | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2024-04-29 15:37

China voiced grave concerns regarding Japan's proposed export restrictions on specific items within the semiconductor sector and other areas, according to an online statement released by the Ministry of Commerce on Monday.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce said that these proposed actions by Japan could severely disrupt the routine trade operations between Chinese and Japanese companies and undermine the stability of the global supply chain.

The commerce official urged Japan to promptly address and rectify its misguided actions, noting that China is prepared to take the necessary actions to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its companies.

As the semiconductor industry is highly globalized, the spokesperson said that certain countries have overly broadened the definition of national security, misused export control measures and contributed to the fragmentation of the global market.

These moves have severely deviated from the principles of free trade and multilateral trade rules, heavily impacting the stability of global industrial and supply chains, according to the statement.

• Domestic brands make steady march overseas
• The world is young domestic firms' oyster
• CICPE 2024 will feature more than 4,000 brands from across the world, a number of thematic events and a variety of cultural and business activities
• Jiangsu aims for higher growth
• China to speed up accession to CPTPP

StarsInsider

These stars have been banned from entering certain countries

Posted: 3 May 2024 | Last updated: 3 May 2024

Being a celebrity has certain perks, such as the opportunity to travel around the world. However, it also comes with increased scrutiny and sometimes leads to clashes with other cultures and laws while traveling. Many stars have been blacklisted from entering entire countries due to their personal views, their criminal records , and a variety of other reasons.

Curious? Click through the gallery to discover which celebrities have faced shocking travel restrictions.

You may also like: 30 moments of pure bad luck!

Matty Healy and the 1975 were banned from ever performing in Malaysia again after making a controversial stance at the Good Vibes music festival in Kuala Lumpur in July 2023. On stage, Healy made an expletive-laden speech about the country's anti-LGBTQ+ laws and kissed his bandmate, Ross MacDonald, in defiance. Their show was cut short and the rest of the festival was canceled by the Ministry of Communications and Digital. 

You may also like: How do photographers capture those priceless shots?

While he may have expected admiration for his actions, Healy was instead met with heavy criticism from Malaysia's LGBTQ+ community. His stunt was described as "purely performative activism," which has done more harm than good. While risking nothing himself, Healy pushed back the tentative progress made by activists in the country who now have to live with the consequences of the outrage he caused. They say Healy's actions only make life for the Malaysian LGBTQ+ community worse and make it more difficult for music artists to perform in the country. 

Chris Brown

Banned from: the UK and Australia.

You may also like:

Due to his conviction for domestic violence against ex-girlfriend Rihanna, Chris Brown is barred from entering these two countries.

Justin Bieber

Banned from: Argentina and China.

You may also like: Transgender people who helped shape history

According to Time, there are allegations that Biebs assaulted a photographer in Argentina and showed disrespect towards the country's flag during a concert. Additionally, China has banned him due to his behavior as an entertainer.

Banned from: China.

You may also like: The most insane rescue missions in modern history

Due to the portrayal of the 14th Dalai Lama in a positive manner and the unfavorable depiction of Communist military officers in his movie 'Seven Years in Tibet,' Pitt was initially barred from entering China. However, in 2016, he was able to visit the country again.

Sacha Baron Cohen

Banned from: Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.

You may also like: Signs that your soul has lived a past life

Sacha Baron Cohen's films 'The Dictator' and 'Borat' led to being banned from Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. The movies contained content they found highly offensive and insulting. 

Selena Gomez

Banned from: China and Russia.

You may also like: Demanding actors who changed how movies turned out

Selena faced a ban in Russia due to her support for LGBTQ+ rights, while in China she was denied entry because of a photo she took with the Dalai Lama.

The Beatles

Banned from: the Philippines.

You may also like: Do you live in one of the world's 50 coolest neighborhoods?

In 1966, the band faced a ban in the Philippines after declining an invitation to have breakfast with the First Lady.

You may also like: Predictions from 1900 that did (and didn't) come true

The Chinese government barred the Icelandic singer from entering their country after she performed in Shanghai and chanted about "Tibet."

Tyler, The Creator

Banned from: the UK and New Zealand.

You may also like: The Hollywood heartthrobs voted 'Sexiest Men Alive'

According to The Guardian, the rapper has been labeled as "a risk to societal harmony" in the UK and New Zealand due to certain aspects of his song lyrics.

Harrison Ford

Banned from: China.

You may also like: How to master flirtatious body language

Since 1995, Ford has been refused access to China due to his support for Tibetan independence.

You may also like: Bands whose members left right before success

According to NME, Jay was prohibited from entering China due to his "indecent" lyrics.

Banned from: Malaysia.

You may also like: Music curses that'll give you the creeps

Bey has been banned in Malaysia for promoting "Western sensuality."

Alec Baldwin

Banned from: the Philippines.

You may also like: The bizarre and gruesome deaths of ancient Greece

The actor faced a ban for cracking a joke about "Filipino mail-order brides" in the country.

Miley Cyrus

Banned from: China and the Dominican Republic.

You may also like: Famous musicians who can’t read sheet music

Miley was barred from China due to a controversial photo in which she narrows her eyes. Similarly, she is prohibited from performing in the Dominican Republic because her performances contradict the country's morals and customs. 

Banned from: Sri Lanka.

The singer is prohibited in Sri Lanka due to his 'Sexy Chick' video depicting a provocative pool gathering near a Buddha statue.

Katy Perry has reportedly faced a ban in China due to wearing a Taiwanese flag at one of her concerts.

Martin Scorsese

Chinese officials were displeased with the director's 1997 film 'Kundun' due to its depiction of the Dalai Lama's youth.

Banned from: the United States.

According to The Telegraph, in 2008, the singer was refused a visa to enter the US due to an ongoing trial in the UK.

The pop singer was prohibited from holding a concert in Malaysia due to concerns that her performance might offend cultural and religious sentiments of the local community.

Martha Stewart

Banned from: the UK.

Due to her criminal record in the US, Stewart was denied entry into the UK.

Banned from: New Zealand.

According to a report from The Guardian, New Zealand denied entry to the ex-boxer due to his conviction in 1992.

Paris Hilton

Banned from: Japan.

Due to her criminal history, the Hilton heiress is prohibited from entering Japan.

Russell Brand

Banned from: Japan and Canada.

Russell Brand faces travel restrictions in two nations due to past drug convictions.

Banned from: Norway.

The rapper from the West Coast was prohibited from entering the Nordic nation for a duration of two years due to his attempt to bring marijuana into the country.

Banned from: Egypt.

According to The Guardian, Elton John was allegedly prevented from performing in Egypt for being gay.

Banned from: United States.

Despite the ban being lifted, the vocalist was barred from entering the US in 2007 due to her London arrest after assaulting a paparazzi.

Christian Slater

Banned from: Canada.

Due to a previous DUI conviction, Slater is currently prohibited from entering Canada.

Busta Rhymes

The UK barred the rapper's entry due to "unresolved convictions" he had in the United States.

Jon Bon Jovi

The entire Bon Jovi band faced restrictions in China due to their use of a picture of the Dalai Lama at a concert in Taiwan.

Banned from: Indonesia.

Gaga was banned from entering Indonesia because the Islamic Defenders Front deemed her a "destroyer of morals."

The rapper's entrance into Canada was denied due to his criminal past and lyrics that were said to incite violence. 

Joe Biden, Morgan Freeman, and Mark Zuckerberg

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, there have been severe sanctions and travel bans imposed on high-ranking Russian officials and oligarchs. In retaliation, President Putin compiled a "blacklist" consisting of 963 US citizens who are now prohibited from entering Russia. Notable figures on the list include President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and their spouses, along with Hillary Clinton. Tech leaders like Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg were included, as well as actor Morgan Freeman.

See also: Things you should never do in Russia

More for You

This is the ideal age gap for a relationship that lasts

Peter Oosterhuis obituary

The most important new car in the year you were born

Stunning Greek island named Europe’s cheapest holiday destination

'I did weightlifting twice a week for 6 weeks, here are my honest results'

What are the White Swan & Black Swan personality types?

Which generation are you? Age ranges from Gen Z to Baby Boomers explained

The 20 greatest hair metal bands of all time

50 of the best looking cars ever

Martin Lewis reveals cheapest energy fix tariff right now

Kyren Wilson in powerful form but frustrated by how people judge him

How to be happy – the five golden rules

Costa Coffee just launched their brand new summer menu

What would happen if Earth stopped spinning?

SpaceX Falcon 9 carrier flash occured over Ukraine - The Alpha Centauri

The 60 most beautiful cars ever made

Russian ballistic missile strike on Odesa, Ukraine destroys Western-supplied ammunition

How many calories can you burn swimming? Cardio, strength, and weight loss benefits

1990s movies that still hold up

The end of the French gîte dream

More From Forbes

China market update: china tech’s stealth rally continues unnoticed.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Asian equities were mixed overnight, as Hong Kong outperformed, and Mainland China is closed until Monday for the Labor Day vacation.

Today’s strong Hong Kong rally was led by growth stocks and sectors on strong volume, which was 118% of the 1-year average, and good breadth, as advancers outnumbered decliners by 4 to 1. It is impressive as it occurred with Mainland China closed and no Southbound Stock Connect flows. Chinese financial media heavily covered Fed Chair Powell’s speech and the recent weakness in US stocks. We have argued that a China rally could be fueled by investors taking a piece of their US technology stock profits and/or overweight to Japan and India and rolling into low-valuation Chinese equities. The rally should be making underweight professional investors a little bit nervous.

Tuesday’s Politburo release included amplification of housing policy support, stating the need to “study policies for reducing existing housing stock.” Numerous Chinese cities have removed their home purchase restrictions in the last week. The release acknowledged the economy's challenges, suggesting policy to stimulate should be coming with July’s Third Plenum on the horizon. There is no policy bazooka/free money, but clearly, it is much more vocal.

Hong Kong’s most heavily traded stocks by value were Tencent, which gained +3.8%, Meituan, which gained +8.77%, Alibaba, which gained +2.35%, AIA, which gained+2.68%, and Sense Time Group, which gained +36.07% after its AI/Chatbot announcement (It is amazing that the stock hit its 52-week low on April 19th at HKD 0.58 versus today’s close of HKD 1.66). Growth stocks favored by investors performed well, especially internet stocks, including JD.com, which gained +4.88%, Kuaishou, which gained +5.81%, Baidu, which gained +0.76%, and Bilibili, which gained +4.18%. However, NetEase was off -0.13%. Electric Vehicle (EV) stocks had a strong day after the release of April sales figures, as BYD was up +4.36% with 313,245 NEVs (hybrid and EV) sold, Xiaomi was up +1.85% with 7,058 sold, Li Auto up +3.46% with 25,787 sold, XPeng up +8.24% with 9,393 sold, and NIO up +20.7% with 15,620 sold!

Golden week travel numbers look strong, with 20 million high-speed rail passengers traveling yesterday and another 17 million today. New policy providing subsidies for auto trade, China’s "cash for clunkers" program, is a clear catalyst despite cries of “over capacity.”

Your Best Look Yet At The New iPhone 16

Trump media stock djt at risk of a new short selling plunge, ryan garcia what s ostarine and how could a boxer use it to cheat.

Trip.com was up only +0.93%, while Tongcheng Travel fell -0.48%, though Macau stocks had a good day.

Overwhelmed by Western financial media coverage of China’s rally? This is despite healthy gains on an absolute basis especially versus US stocks. The pain trade is higher, in my opinion, due to low investor positioning.

The Hang Seng and Hang Seng Tech indexes gained +2.50% and +4.45%, respectively, on volume thet decreased -11.42% from Tuesday, which is 118% of the 1-year average, as 13% of turnover was short turnover. 374 stocks advanced, while 118 declined. Main Board short turnover declined -4.05% from Tuesday, which is 89% of the 1-year average, as 13% of turnover was short turnover (remember HK short turnover includes ETF short volume, which is driven by market makers’ ETF hedging). All factors were positive with growth and small caps outpacing value and large caps. The top-performing sectors were Real Estate, which gained +5.31%, Health Care, which gained +4.57%, and Consumer Discretionary, which gained +3.69%. Meanwhile, Utilities and Energy fell -0.51% and -2.12%, respectively. The top-performing subsectors were pharmaceuticals/biotech, retail, and auto, while nuclear power, oil, and telecom were among the worst-performing.

Southbound Stock Connect was closed today.

Shanghai, Shenzhen, and STAR Board were closed today.

New Content

Read our latest article:

China Market Connect March 2024: Marching in Asia

Please click here to read

Last Night's Performance

Last night’s exchange rates, prices, & yields.

• CNY per USD - CLOSED
• CNY per EUR 7.74 versus 7.76 yesterday
• Yield on 10-Year Government Bond - CLOSED
• Yield on 10-Year China Development Bank Bond - CLOSED
• Copper Price - CLOSED
• Steel Price - CLOSED

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

• Account Details
• Newsletters
• Group Subscription

China to lift Taiwan tourism restrictions for Fujian residents

Decision announced to delegation from Beijing-friendly KMT opposition

BEIJING -- Tourist visits to Taiwan by residents of China's Fujian province will be permitted to resume, the mainland's Ministry of Culture and Tourism said Sunday.

Vice Minister Rao Quan announced the eased restrictions to a visiting delegation from Taiwan's main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), which seeks closer ties with China. The move comes ahead of May's inauguration of Taiwanese President-elect William Lai, whom China calls a separatist.

China's Xi meets Taiwan's ex-leader Ma amid cross-strait tensions

Taiwan president-elect picks team of security, diplomatic heavyweights, china wants ability to invade taiwan by 2027, u.s. admiral says, taiwan's lai poised to build on tsai's southeast asia outreach, analysis: why xi and biden chose the same day to send a message on taiwan, thailand smiles at both taiwan and china as it courts ev investment, latest on politics, anti-china sentiment in u.s. grows over past 4 years, pew survey says, australia vows to tackle 'national shame' of violence against women, pakistan appoints ishaq dar, close aide of elder sharif, as deputy pm, sponsored content, about sponsored content this content was commissioned by nikkei's global business bureau..

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter Free access for everyone - Sep. 30