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Can I travel to China? Travel rules from the UK explained 

By Connor Sturges

In December 2019, a cluster of Chinese citizens in Wuhan reported mysterious flu-like symptoms in what became the start of a pandemic that would change the world as we knew it. Countries closed their borders and leading scientists embarked on a mission to create effective vaccines, leading many travellers to rediscover the wonders on their doorsteps and the concept of the great British staycation .

Fast forward to January 2023, and China is welcoming tourists once again. Hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens will be hoping to travel domestically to join family ahead of Chinese New Year and see in the Year of the Rabbit, while curious international travellers are adding the country to their bucket lists once again for the year ahead.

These are the entry requirements, and the UK government's advice, as of Monday 9 January 2023.

Can I travel to China from the UK, and back again?

Yes, with some restrictions. After almost three years of Covid stalling China’s tourism industry, Thursday 5 January 2023 marked the opening of China’s borders to the world once again. However, as of Monday 9 January 2023, China remains in the midst of a Covid surge, meaning strict rules are in place for travellers wishing to visit the country.

What are the entry requirements for China?

Since international flights to China resumed on Thursday 5 January 2023, all travellers are required to take a pre-departure PCR Covid test in the 48 hours prior to travel. 

Once confirmed, a negative PCR test result can be submitted by filling in a health declaration form on the  China customs website . Negative results can also be submitted on the China customs app or a registered WeChat account. 

Travellers who display symptoms of fever on arrival in China may be asked to take a further antigen test. Self-quarantine will be imposed in the event of a positive test result and mild symptoms, while travellers can be sent to medical institutions for treatment if symptoms are more severe.

The UK government website recommends that all travellers pack a supply of medication to treat flu-like symptoms. It is also recommended that accommodation is stocked with additional food, water and medical supplies in case you are mandated to isolate.

What are the rules on returning to the UK from China?

All travellers aged 12 and over must obtain a negative pre-departure Covid test result no more than two days prior to travelling back from mainland China to the UK. Results are checked by airlines and Border Force officials in the UK. These rules currently apply to travellers on direct and indirect flights, and those arriving in England as a final destination plus anyone transiting through England.

Test results can be provided in the form of a printed document, an email, or text message, and must contain the following information:

• A full name that matches the name on travel documents
• Date of birth or age
• Result of the test
• Date the test sample was collected or received by the test provider
• Name of the test provider and their contact details
• Confirmation of the type of test taken, which can be a lateral flow or PCR

NHS-provided tests cannot be used as pre-departure tests. In addition to the required pre-departure tests when returning from mainland China, travellers arriving at London Heathrow Airport may be asked to undertake a voluntary test on arrival, as part of the UK government’s monitoring of potential new variants.

Are there any other entry requirements for travel to China?

According to the latest UK government website, travellers wishing to visit China on a British Citizen passport can do so by:

• Obtaining an “Invitation Letter” or “Verification Confirmation of Invitation” issued by a provincial foreign affairs office or department of commerce (M or F visa)
• Obtaining a “Notification Letter of Foreigners Work Permit” (Z visa)
• Visiting a family member with a Z, M, or F visa
• Intending to visit a family member who is a Chinese citizen or who holds a Chinese permanent residence permit
• Qualifying for a high-level talent (R) visa
• Qualifying for a transport crew (C) visa

Visa applications must be made, in person, at a Visa Application Centre. Note that biometric data (scanned fingerprints) has to be provided as part of the application process. Chinese Visa Application Centres in London , Manchester and Edinburgh are operating, but with limited opening hours. The Belfast centre remains closed.

More details, including the process for submitting forms for those still eligible, can be found on the Chinese Embassy website.

For more information and updated rules, visit the   UK government website before travelling. We also recommend ensuring you have valid   travel insurance with Covid cover before taking any trips.

*To  apply for the emergency humanitarian visa for the purpose of arranging funeral matters or visiting a family member in critical medical conditions in China, applicants shall submit the identity document of the deceased or critically ill patient (such as a Chinese identity card or a foreign passport), a death certificate or a medical certificate of the patient issued by the hospital, proof of kinship, and other necessary documents as required.

III.  Application Procedures:

To apply for the above visas, applicants are required to fill in the online application form and make an appointment on the  Chinese Visa Application Service Centre  (CVASC) website before submitting applications in person on the date of the appointment and having their  ten fingers ’ fingerprints collected. Children under the age of 14 and adults above the age of 70 are not required to go to the  CVASC  for such biometric information collection. Please contact the CVASC for specific procedures, visa application requirements, processing time and fees.

IV.  Diplomatic, service or courtesy visa applicants shall also submit applications at the CVASC. The applicants are not required to pre-book time slots, but shall complete and print out the online application forms in advance.

V.  Foreign nationals who apply for visas for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the Macao Special Administrative Region can submit applications to the  consular section of the Chinese Embassy/Consulates in the UK during  business hours with no need for pre-booked appointments.

VI.  Visa applications for visiting purposes which are not included above will not be accepted at the moment.

VII.  Holder of a valid Chinese residence permit, or valid permanent documents and APEC Business Travel Cards ( excluding Virtual ABTC) does not need to apply for a new visa for entry into China .

Accessibility Links

Can I travel to China? The travel restrictions explained

Covid tests have been scrapped and cruising is restarting in china. here’s what you need to know.

T ourists to China no longer need to provide a negative PCR test before entry, removing the last major Covid travel restriction for entering the country. The move follows the reintroduction of tourist visas in March, as well as the reinstatement of the visa-free transit policy. Meanwhile, international cruising will restart from Shanghai in June. Here’s what you need to know if you’re planning a trip.

Main photo: The fortifications of Xi’an (Getty Images)

What are the entry requirements?

Visitors no longer need to show a negative PCR test to enter China , marking the end of Covid travel restrictions for inbound travellers.

China started issuing tourist visas again on March 15, 2023, the first time it has done this since 2020. It has also reinstated visa-free status to destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Tianjin, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming and Guangzhou. UK passport holders to these destinations are able to enter the country for a limited period of time without having to obtain a visa prior to travel, provided they satisfy certain criteria, such as only entering and exiting the country via specified airports.

Any previously issued visas that are still valid have also been restored, meaning those who already have a visa will not need to obtain a new one.

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For those hoping to visit China as part of a cruise, there’s good news there too. After regional trials, the port in Shanghai will reopen to international cruises from June 19. As Shanghai is one of the visa-free destinations, most visitors will be able to explore the city without having to get a tourist visa.

Do I need to take a test to enter?

You will no longer need proof of a PCR Covid test taken before travel to enter the country. Mask mandates in the country have also been dropped, although many people will still wear one.

There are different rules for entering Hong Kong , which is already open to visitors and doesn’t require either a vaccine passport or a negative test. All passengers due to land in China will be required to wear a mask on the plane.

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News and Insights

Latest news, latest testing requirements for travel from uk to china.

1. People going to China are required to take two nucleic acid rt-PCR tests within 48 hours before departure, and at least one of the nucleic acid rt-PCR tests should be taken within 12 hours before departure. For flights departing from the UK between 0:00 and 18:00, if it is difficult to conduct the last PCR nucleic acid test sampling within 12 hours before departure, a second PCR nucleic acid test sampling can be conducted within 24 hours before departure, and a rapid antigen test can be added within 12 hours before departure.

2. The relevant tests shall be conducted in designated institutions (please click on the "Read more" at the end of the article to check the list of designated institution). Passengers can decide to do all tests in the same inspection institutions or choose to do so at a combination of different locations. Personnel with negative test results can then apply for the health code at the Chinese Embassy or Consulates General: Chinese citizens apply through the WeChat mini-programme called "Epidemic Prevention Code, International Edition", while foreigners apply through the web version of the health declaration form.

3. When submitting the health code application, the following materials are required:  all test reports, the passport information pages, and an air ticket itinerary . Other materials are not required unless specially requested by the embassy or consulate at the destination. Please click " Read more " for more information. For those who combine different tests at different testing institutions, when applying, please select the institution that performed the last nucleic acid rt-PCR test as your testing institution.

4. The Chinese Embassy or Consulates General in the UK will issue health codes to eligible passengers in a timely manner. Considering that it takes time to verify the health codes, travelers to China are suggested to submit the application  at least three hours  before departure from the UK and keep mobile phone communication unblocked to avoid missing calls.

5.  People with a history of infection are required to start pre-examination at least six weeks in advance and only require two nucleic acid rt-PCR test reports after recovery . There is no specific institution where one must conduct the test, but the test report must indicate that they are PCR tests. Please submit your pre-examination application to the Chinese Embassy and or corresponding Consulate-General according to your region. The contact information are as follows:

The Chinese Embassy in the UK

[email protected]

The Chinese Consulate General in Manchester

[email protected]

The Chinese Consulate General in Edinburgh

[email protected]

The Chinese Consulate General in Belfast

[email protected]

6. The requirements for close contacts and people with suspected symptoms remain unchanged.

7. After landing in the UK (including Gibraltar), the crew will be tested and apply for a health code in accordance with the requirements of ordinary travelers to China.  There is no need to be quarantined for 14 days .

8. During the transition period from the date of this notice to  23rd May , health codes will be issued to those who are tested in accordance with the new and old requirements.

9. The testing requirements are adjusted based on the Covid situation and we will continue to make adjustments to the relevant requirements when needed. The global Covid situation is still serious and there is a high risk of cross-infection among international travelers. The Chinese Embassy or Consulates General in the UK would like to remind everyone to try to avoid long-distance or cross-border travel, and not to travel if it is not essential nor urgent: " non-essential, non-urgent, do not travel. "

This article is subject to the Chinese Embassy in the UK. Please click here to see the original notice.

Thu 25 Apr 2024

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China travel restrictions: Which countries have new Covid rules for Chinese arrivals and what the UK is doing

China will restart international travel on 8 january.

When China relaxes border rules on Sunday 8 January, the UK, US, several EU members, India and Japan will be among the countries imposing fresh Covid border rules on its travellers.

The UK Government will require passengers aged 12 or over on direct flights from China to show proof of a negative Covid test before boarding a plane, citing lack of transparency from China about the scale of the Covid epidemic in the country and its surge in cases of the virus.

The European Union is working on a coordinated approach on how to handle arrivals from China, after Spain , France and Italy announced testing rules. Meanwhile, the Belgian government said it would test wastewater from planes arriving from China to detect any new Covid variants.

Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, is among the industry leaders to have criticised these new restrictions. He said: “It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years.

“Research undertaken around the arrival of the Omicron variant concluded that putting barriers in the way of travel made no difference to the peak spread of infections”

China has threatened to reciprocate with entry restrictions for visitors from countries that implement rules for Chinese arrivals.

What are the UK’s rules on arrivals from China?

The UK measures will come into force on Thursday 5 January. Travellers aged 12 or over arriving from mainland China on a flight to England will be required to take a pre-departure Covid test. However, testing on arrival will be voluntary and those who test positive will not be subject to self-isolation or quarantine.

The only direct flights running from China are to Heathrow and Manchester airports. However, passengers who travel from China via a connecting flight with a ticket showing the UK as the final destination will also be subject to testing requirements.

Passengers landing in Manchester on a plane from China will not be offered voluntary Covid tests.

Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, said: “China’s lack of reliable Covid data means these sensible, proportionate and temporary measures are needed ahead of their borders reopening.”

He added that the measures were to collect data on China’s Covid epidemic as the country has been reluctant to share its own.

The rules do not apply to arrivals from Hong Kong.

England is among a list of countries that plan to detect and assess any new Covid variants through these testing measures.

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Which other countries are imposing rules on travellers from China?

• South Korea 

What are China’s new travel rules and can I visit?

China will lift its quarantine rule for inbound travellers on Sunday 8 January and it will resume visa applications for residents who wish to travel overseas.

It is not yet clear what the rules will be for international tourists who wish to visit China after 8 January.

However, tour operators are gearing up for a restart. Among them is Wendy Wu tours, a group touring specialist to China, said it has experienced one of its busiest weeks for China enquiries since 2019.

Wendy Wu, founder of Wendy Wu Tours, said that the company was ready to start its first group tours as soon as it receives the final green light from China.

She added that, following the border announcement, this next step was imminent.

“Demand is strong, particularly for the autumn tours running through September to November, plus we’ve seen a steady spike for bookings throughout 2024 and even to 2025.

“Wendy Wu Tours will be the first escorted tour operator back in China, and so given this, we are encouraging customers to keep a close eye on our website and socials for full details of the reopening plus dates for our first departures.”

China previously pursued a zero-Covid policy , and its borders have been effectively closed to tourism since March 2020.

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Ministers yet to finalise Covid testing plans for travellers from China

Officials confirm new policy for England will begin on Thursday but say they are still working on final details

Ministers are yet to set out details of a Covid testing regime for arrivals from China that comes into force this week, including whether it will apply to people flying from Hong Kong or to those who travelled to the UK indirectly from China.

Downing Street confirmed that people flying to the UK from China would need to take a Covid test before travelling, and would not be allowed to travel if they tested positive for the virus.

However, on arrival, only an as-yet unknown sample of passengers will be tested, on a voluntary basis, and anyone who is found to have Covid will not be obliged to quarantine .

Rishi Sunak’s official spokesperson described the system as “striking the right balance” between monitoring for any potential new variants of concern, while acknowledging that one in 45 people in the UK currently have Covid, and that the main government strategy over the virus was vaccines.

While officials confirmed that the new policy would begin as planned on Thursday, the spokesperson said further details of the scheme, including how many passengers will be asked for tests on arrival, and what happens to those travelling from Hong Kong or indirectly from mainland China remained to be decided.

“We’re working on the final details of the implementation of the policy,” the spokesperson said. “That includes on Hong Kong and we will update in due course.”

The scheme would, he said, be a “precautionary and temporary measure to detect potential new variants of Covid from China”, including a mandatory pre-departure test. Without evidence of a negative test they would not be allowed to board.

The spokesperson added that this was separate from the Covid surveillance programme organised by the UK Health Security Agency over potential new variants, involving a “sample of passengers” being voluntarily tested for Covid.

The details are being led by the Department for Transport and the Department of Health. A government spokesperson said: “We are working with airlines on the implementation of this policy, and will provide more details in due course.”

The decision will affect England only, because travel is a devolved matter. However, all direct flights from China land in England.

The order is designed to align with US policy, and is being made because the government believes there is a lack of reliable data from China.

Asked on Tuesday if travellers arriving in the UK from China who tested positive for Covid would be required to quarantine, the transport secretary, Mark Harper, told LBC: “No, because what we are doing is we are collecting that information for surveillance purposes.

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He added: “We manage Covid now by making sure we have got very high levels of vaccination, that is why people who are at risk, older members of the community, for example, should make sure they get their fourth booster shot this winter. That is how we protect people from Covid, that is our primary line of defence.

“The policy for arrivals from China is primarily about collecting information that the Chinese government are not sharing with the international community.”

Harper, a vocal critic of coronavirus restrictions from the backbenches at the height of the pandemic, said the government had created a “sensible, balanced proposition” to deal with the potential spread of Covid from China.

He went on: “This is about a country, China, which isn’t sharing the health data with the global health system that we expect everybody to do. That is why we have put this temporary precautionary measure in place as China opens up its borders.

“We are doing two things: we are requiring people who fly from China to have a pre-departure test so they have got to show that they are negative before they get on that flight, and when they get to the United Kingdom the UK Health Security Agency will take a sample of passengers and test them.

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China Travel Restrictions & Travel Advisory (Updated March 7, 2024)

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 . 

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• 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, 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Foreign Travel Advice China

Table of Contents

• Warnings and insurance
• Entry requirements
• Safety and security
• Regional risks
• Getting help

This travel advice specifically addresses mainland China. See travel advice for the Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong, and Macao.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) offers advice on travel risks to assist British nationals in making informed decisions. Learn more about FCDO travel advice.

ENTER YOUR DESTINATION FOR YOUR CUSTOM TRAVEL BRIEF

Before You Travel: No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide, as well as support for British nationals abroad, which includes:

• Advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
• Information for women, LGBT+, and disabled travelers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also sign up to receive email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel Insurance: If you decide to travel, conduct research on your destinations and obtain suitable travel insurance. Your insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities, and expenses in case of an emergency.

This travel advice covers mainland China. See travel advice for the Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macao .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes: 

• advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks 
• information for women, LGBT+ and disabled travellers 

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in China set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Chinese Embassy in the UK . 

Immigration authorities may check and collect biometric data (for example, scanned fingerprints and photos) to register your entry into China.

COVID-19 rules 

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering China.

Passport validity requirements 

To enter China, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive in China and 2 blank pages for visas and stamping.

Visa requirements 

You need a visa to visit mainland China. 

You can visit Hong Kong or Macao without a visa. See separate travel advice for Hong Kong and Macao . 

You can also visit the island of Hainan for 30 days without a visa. 

Visa-free transit through China is permitted, from 24 hours to 144 hours depending on location. See China Visa Application Centre for more information.  

If you visit Hong Kong from mainland China and want to return to the mainland, you need a visa that allows you to make a second entry into China. 

Check your visa details carefully and do not overstay your visa. The authorities carry out regular checks and may fine, detain and deport you. 

If you want to stay in China longer than 6 months, you may need to get a residence permit. 

Applying for a visa 

If you’re 14 to 70 years old, you must apply for a visa in person at a visa application centre . If you’re aged 13 and under or aged 71 and over, you can only apply online. You must provide biometric data (scanned fingerprints) as part of your application. There are visa application centres in London, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh. The details of their opening hours are on their websites.  

The Chinese Embassy has further information on visa categories and how to apply .

Dual Chinese-British nationality 

China does not recognise dual nationality. If you enter China on a Chinese passport or identity card, the British Embassy may not be able to offer you help. If you were born in China to a Chinese national parent, you will be: 

• considered by the Chinese authorities to have Chinese nationality 
• treated as a Chinese citizen, even if you used a British passport to enter China 

If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, you should carry clear evidence that you have done so. See guidance on nationality in China .

Working in China 

You can only work in China if you have a work visa (Z visa). Tourist and business visas do not allow you to work. You must also hold a valid work permit. The local police regularly carry out checks on companies and schools. If you do not follow Chinese immigration laws, there can be serious penalties, including: 

• imprisonment 
• deportation 
• an exit ban, which stops you from leaving China 
• an exclusion order, which stops you from returning 

Before you leave the UK, contact the Chinese Embassy in the UK to check Z visa requirements. When submitting your application, and when you receive your work permit, check the details are correct, including the location you’ll be working in. You can be fined or detained if details are incorrect, even if your employer or others have submitted the application on your behalf. 

If you change employer once you’re in China, or change location in China with an existing employer, check with the Chinese authorities whether you need a new visa and work permit before doing so.

Vaccination requirements  

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s China guide . 

Depending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever certificate.

Registering with the Chinese authorities 

You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Chinese authorities enforce this rule with regular spot-checks of foreigners’ documentation. If you’re staying in a hotel, they will register you when you check in. 

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of China . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 

Terrorism  

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.  

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad . 

Terrorism in China 

Terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in China. 

Although foreigners have not been specifically targeted, attacks may happen in places visited by foreigners. You should take particular care during national holidays or when transiting public transport hubs, and always follow the advice of the local authorities.

Political situation  

In China, the country is ruled by a single political party. Though China is open to foreign visitors, you should be aware of political and cultural sensitivities. 

Avoid any demonstrations or large gatherings. The Chinese authorities enforce public order strictly, and you may face arrest, detention and deportation. Foreign journalists have been intimidated, assaulted or detained for trying to report on demonstrations. 

You may risk becoming a target when there is an anti-foreign feeling or attitude in China. Keep informed of developments and follow the advice of the local authorities. During periods of tension, the authorities may block: 

• news reporting 
• access to text-messaging 
• the internet 
• international telephone lines 

Issuing or supporting political statements critical of China or the Chinese authorities could be viewed as illegal.

Serious crime against foreigners is relatively rare, but incidents can happen. Take care of your belongings at major tourist sites and other busy places, particularly where foreigners gather. If your passport is lost or stolen, go to the nearest police station or Public Security Bureau and get a report of the incident.

Drink spiking and sexual assault 

Do not leave drinks unattended or accept drinks from strangers. Personal attacks and sexual assaults are rare, but they can happen, including through drinks being spiked. Women, travelling alone or with female friends, could be at higher risk. See advice for women travelling abroad . 

Beware of scams in popular tourist areas. A common example is the ‘tea tasting’ or ‘massage’ scam. You may be invited to visit a bar, to drink tea or have a massage, but then face demands for a large fee. This can be followed by threats, violence or credit card fraud. 

Check QR code stickers on rental bicycles carefully before using them. The legitimate barcode can be replaced with a false code, which redirects money to a different account.

Commercial disputes 

Before entering a commercial contract in China, take legal advice, both in the UK and in China. Contracts entered in the UK are not always enforced by Chinese courts. 

If you’re involved in or connected to a business or civil dispute, the Chinese authorities may impose an exit ban, which means you cannot leave China until the matter is resolved. British nationals have been detained against their will, intimidated and forced to pay money. 

Violence is rare, but it can be threatened. Report any threats of violence to the Chinese police. 

Teaching in China 

Thoroughly research the school or university that is hiring you in China and make sure you’re confident they are following the law. Teachers have been detained and deported for working on the wrong visa. It is your responsibility to check you’re working on the correct visa. 

Building safety 

Fire safety .

Fire protection standards in Chinese accommodation are not always the same as in the UK. You should: 

• check fire precautions, including access to fire exits 
• make sure your accommodation has a working fire alarm  
• regularly check fire exits are not blocked 

Carbon monoxide poisoning 

Make sure your accommodation has a working carbon monoxide alarm. People have died of carbon monoxide poisoning due to incorrectly installed gas equipment.  

Energy UK give advice on how to stay safe and the symptoms to look out for . 

Cashless payments through smartphone apps such as WeChat Pay or Alipay are extremely common, especially in major cities. 

Outside major cities, credit cards are not always accepted and ATMs are limited. It is not possible to exchange Scottish or Northern Irish banknotes. 

Fake banknotes (especially 100 renminbi notes) are common, including from ATMs. Banks will not replace them. Check notes carefully before accepting them.

Laws and cultural differences  

Personal id .

Always carry your passport with you. Police carry out random checks, especially during periods of heightened security and major sporting or political events. They do not accept photocopies. Failure to produce your ID can lead to a fine or detention.  

If you renew your passport while you are in China, contact your local exit and entry office or call the national immigration service hotline on 12367, before or immediately upon receipt. 

Travelling to sensitive areas 

All foreign nationals travelling to or around ‘sensitive’ areas might attract more attention from the authorities, including when: 

• taking photographs 
• engaging with political groups or charities 
• engaging with ethnic minority populations 

Sensitivities can change over time and may heighten around particular dates or events. 

You may attract additional scrutiny while travelling around mainland China if you’re a current or former employee of: 

• foreign governments 
• media outlets 

This list is not exhaustive and may change over time. This is particularly relevant when travelling to areas with large ethnic minority populations, including but not limited to Xinjiang. See regional risks for more information. 

National security laws 

China’s authorities have detained foreign nationals who break national security laws. Both ‘national security’ and ‘national interest’ appear regularly in Chinese legislation and have broad scope. You may be detained without having intended to break the law. Activity that happened outside of mainland China – including online activity – could fall under scope of mainland legislation. There is a risk of arbitrary detention, including of British nationals. 

Religious activities and materials 

The Chinese authorities formally recognise 5 religions: Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism and Taoism. Only officially registered religious organisations are permitted to carry out religious activities. Even officially registered organisations must observe restrictions on some religious activities, including preaching and distributing religious materials. The Falun Gong movement and others the authorities consider as ‘cults’ are banned in China. 

Criminal proceedings 

Chinese laws and procedures relating to the arrest, detention and trial of criminal suspects are different from in the UK. For example: 

• if detained, only legal and consular representatives are allowed to visit the detainee until sentence is passed 
• there is no trial by jury, the presiding judge or judges will reach a verdict and then pass sentence if they find the accused guilty 
• if a case goes to trial, the conviction rate is 99% 
• If an offence does not meet the threshold for criminal proceedings, the police have the right to sentence someone to not more than 15 days administrative detention without trial 

The granting of bail is rare, and the criminal process can often last at least a year before a verdict is passed. If bail is granted the accused will not be permitted to leave China. 

If you’re suspected of a crime, the Chinese authorities can stop you from leaving China by: 

• withholding your passport 
• applying an exit ban 
• detaining you for up to 37 days without charge 

The thresholds for detention and prosecution in China differ from those in Hong Kong. 

Foreign nationals can be subject to exit bans. Exit bans can: 

• be put on people involved in commercial or private disputes to stop them from leaving mainland China 
• relate to investigations into an individual, their family or an employer 
• be used in criminal and civil matters, including business disputes 

Exit bans are different to detention or imprisonment. They are part of the Chinese legal process and can stay in place until a legal process is complete. An exit ban may can last for months or years. You may not be aware you are subject to an exit ban until you try to leave mainland China. If you’re detained on grounds of national security, you may be detained for up to 6 months before formal arrest and denied legal representation before charges are brought. 

Illegal drugs penalties and prison sentences 

There are severe penalties for drugs offences in China, including the death penalty. The Chinese authorities randomly test foreign nationals for drugs, including on entry to the country. If you test positive, the Chinese authorities can prosecute you regardless of where or when you took drugs. Police also raid homes. If drugs are found in your property, penalties can be extremely harsh. 

The police can raid nightclubs and bars. If you’re in a bar that’s raided, you will be subject to on-the-spot testing and immigration checks. This may involve: 

• being kept at the location, or another location, for several hours 
• giving hair and urine samples  
• passport and visa checks  

Testing positive for drugs, or being found in breach of your visa conditions, can lead to heavy fines, detention and deportation. 

Internet access 

The Chinese authorities control internet access. Internet access can be limited around key political events and dates. Some services are permanently blocked, including: 

Other websites may sometimes be blocked.  

China’s cybersecurity laws state that online products and services (for example, VPNs) need to be licensed by the Chinese government. See the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (in Mandarin). Make sure you stay informed and follow Chinese law. 

LGBT+ travellers 

Same-sex relationships are legal in China, but public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK. Showing affection in public may attract negative attention. There’s no Chinese law guaranteeing freedom from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .

Do not hike alone in isolated areas, including on the Great Wall. If you go hiking, always leave your itinerary, mobile number and expected time of return at your hotel or with a third party.

Transport risks 

Road travel  .

You must have a Chinese driving licence and valid insurance to drive in China. There are harsh penalties for driving without these, including fines and detention. 

Drive with caution in China. Accidents are common due to:  

• the poor quality of roads 
• high volumes of traffic 
• low driving standards   

If you’re involved in a serious traffic accident, call the police. Do not move your vehicle until they arrive but make sure you and your passengers are in a safe place. If there are injuries, you may be held legally responsible for medical costs. You will also be held responsible if you hit a pedestrian.  

There are harsh penalties including fines, detention and imprisonment for driving under the influence of alcohol, even at very low levels.  

Rail travel 

You must show your passport to buy a ticket and to board a train in China. 

Trans-Mongolian Express trains (Beijing-Moscow via Ulaanbaatar) are known for smuggling. Search your compartment and secure the cabin door before the train leaves. 

Petty theft from overnight trains is common. 

Sea travel 

Mariners should avoid the disputed territory between China and other countries in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. There have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the area. ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre has further information about piracy and armed robbery. 

Avoid travelling in unmarked or unmetered taxis, as there have been incidents of sexual assault and robbery against foreigners. In marked taxis, make sure someone knows where you are and try to take a note of the taxi’s number. 

Disputes over taxi fares can quickly escalate. Any physical altercation could lead to detention regardless of who is to blame. Insist on paying the metered fare and ask for a receipt. The receipt should have the taxi number on it. 

Extreme weather and natural disasters 

Earthquakes .

China is in an active seismic zone and can experience major earthquakes. Learn what to do before, during and after an earthquake from the US Federal Emergency Management Agency.  

The typhoon season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting southern and eastern coastal regions. Air travel and other forms of transport can be affected. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms on the Japan Meteorological Agency and the China Meteorological Administration websites. 

See guidance on tropical cyclones for advice about what to do if you are caught in a typhoon. 

Flooding and storms are common between May and November. In April 2024, heavy rain storms and flooding have hit parts of southern and eastern China earlier than usual. You should monitor  local weather reports  and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.

This section has safety advice for regions of China. It only covers regions where FCDO has specific advice.  

You should also read FCDO ’s overall travel advice and safety and security advice .

Tibet and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) 

You must get a permit to travel to Tibet and the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) through a specialist travel agent in China. You must also travel on an organised tour. The Chinese authorities sometimes stop issuing travel permits without notice or restrict travel to Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures (TAP) in neighbouring provinces, even if you have a permit. Check with tour operators or travel agents and monitor this travel advice and other media for information. 

Once in Tibet, you should avoid large public gatherings. Political and ethnic tensions have historically generated violent protests and still exist. Security measures will be tight. Unauthorised gatherings may be dispersed by force. Do not film or take photographs of public security forces or any altercations. Local authorities will react negatively if you’re found carrying letters or packages from Tibetan nationals to be posted in other countries. 

You must get permission to take photographs in Buddhist monasteries. 

The ability of the British Embassy Beijing and British Consulates in China to provide consular support in the Tibet Autonomous Region is limited. 

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region 

There has been violent unrest in Xinjiang which has caused deaths and there are also allegations of the use of lethal force to disperse protests. 

The Chinese authorities have a significant security presence throughout Xinjiang, both as a visible demonstration of state control and to respond quickly and harshly to any unexpected demonstrations or outbreaks of violence. 

There have been widespread arbitrary arrests and extra-judicial detention in Xinjiang, mainly affecting the local population, particularly Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. You may be at increased risk if: 

• you’re of Turkic descent 
• you have lived previously in Xinjiang 
• you appear to be Muslim 

You should expect airport-style security measures, including passport and security checks, at entrances to public places such as shopping centres, markets and parks. You may need to give the security forces your phone number, have your photograph taken and explain why you are travelling. Due diligence organisations conducting independent audits of facilities in Xinjiang are at risk of harassment and detention.  

Always carry your passport, avoid all protests and large crowds, be vigilant and monitor media reports. Do not photograph or film protests, large crowds, security officials or installations, or anything of a military nature. Mosques and other religious sites are also considered ‘sensitive’ by the authorities. 

The ability of the British Embassy Beijing and British Consulates in China to provide consular support in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is limited. 

China-Myanmar Border

There is increased armed conflict in north Myanmar. Stray artillery shells have caused injury in Zhenkang county, Yunnan province.

Before you travel check that: 

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need 
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation 

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. 

Emergency medical number 

Dial 120 and ask for an ambulance. 

Contact your insurance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks 

At least 8 weeks before your trip check: 

• the latest information on vaccinations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s China guide   
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page  

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of China. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro . 

Other health risks include: 

• avian influenza - before travelling, read and follow avian influenza advice from Public Health England and TravelHealthPro  
• dengue fever, which is present in some parts of China, mainly during the rainy season (May to November) 
• poor water quality – tap water is generally not safe to drink, so you should drink only bottled water 

There has been a large increase in cases of dengue fever in Guangdong province. See advice on how to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes on TravelHealthPro . 

The Chinese authorities react quickly to outbreaks of any infectious disease. They might enforce quarantine if you show symptoms. 

Medication 

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries. 

If you’re take prescription medication, make sure you bring enough with you or have access to a supply in China. Certain medicines may not be available and you may be not allowed to bring others into the country. For more information, check with your GP and the Chinese Embassy before travelling. 

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro . 

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad . 

Healthcare facilities in China 

Healthcare is not free in China and can be very expensive. Make sure you have comprehensive travel and medical insurance covering healthcare and medical evacuation and repatriation. For more information, see medical treatment in China . 

FCDO has a list of doctors and medical facilities in China  

COVID-19 healthcare in China 

If you test positive for COVID-19, stay at home if you do not have symptoms or your symptoms are mild. If your symptoms are more severe, you should get medical assistance. 

Travel and mental health 

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro . 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel. 

Emergency services in China  

Ambulance: 120 

Police: 110 

Traffic Police: 122 

Maritime Search and Rescue Centre: 12395 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO  

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• finding English-speaking  lawyers,   funeral directors, and  translators and interpreters  in China 
• dealing with a  death in China  
• being  arrested or imprisoned in China  
• getting help if you’re a  victim of crime   
• what to do if you’re  in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO  

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

You can also contact FCDO online . 

Help abroad in an emergency 

If you’re in China and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission . 

FCDO in London 

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. 

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) 

Find out about call charges  

Risk information for British companies  

The  Overseas Business Risk service  offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks. 

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Be Amazed By Our China Tour Holidays For 2023/24

Welcome to The China Travel Company, a family-owned and managed Chinese tour operator that maintains an unrivalled depth of affection and excitement for this magical East Asian treasure. With personal experience with many a tour in China, we are positioned among the best China tour companies.

Our lineup of China tours in 2023/2024 is unequalled and will present you with an overabundance of destinations and experiences for your voyage around The Red Dragon. For many, a holiday to China is a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and ensuring that you get a beautifully curated itinerary and that your every wish is taken care of is what we excel at. To learn more about our tours of China, guided tours of China , and why you should start planning your expedition to the Far East, carry on reading and select your dream holiday to China.

Explore China’s Rich Cultural Heritage With Our Curated China Holiday Tours

These tours to China in 2023/2024 offer incredible insight into the culture of the Sleeping Giant. You could visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall in the Huairou District of Beijing for an authentic experience. Or a stroll around Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province and a nerve centre of multiculturalism, as part of your family China tour package.

As an experienced China tour company passionate about the country and its culture, we can arrange for you to experience some incredible cultural highlights on your China holiday tour. You could take a cooking class with locals in Yangshuo, China group tour packages to visit the minority tribes of Dali, meet the monks in Zhongdian, or explore the neon-lit city of Shanghai, where ancient Chinese history blends with modern society. We are the trusted China tour operator people trust to build them their dream Far Eastern vacation.

Widest Selection Of China Tour Packages From The UK

Our aim as a long-standing best-in-class Chinese tour agency is to provide consummately curated China holiday packages or China Tibet tours that tick all the boxes concerning the destinations you want to see and the experiences you want to have during your time in the Land of Dragons.

Here at The China Travel Company, we endeavour to give you what you want with the UK’s most comprehensive choice of China tours in 2023/2024. These incredible China travel packages will take you on an adventure where you can experience the ancient and historical cultures of the country. You can take in China’s Silk Road, observe minority China in Western China and Yunnan, and immerse yourself in Chinese New Year celebrations at the Harbin Snow & Ice Festival. The country is remarkable and has so much to offer. All you need to do is decide what you want to see and book your venture with the #1 Chinese travel agency.

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Our sensational holidays to China from the UK have all been studiously selected by leading travel experts to offer the adventurous traveller the most extraordinary lineup of China travel packages available anywhere in 2023/2024. If you want to revel in a one-of-a-kind excursion, enjoy a Chinese honeymoon , or explore Tibet, you’re in the right place.

We have personally travelled to many destinations that are part of our China travel packages and can vouch for them being exceptional. If you’re looking to tour China in 2023 or 2024 for the first time, or you’re a seasoned visitor to The Red Dragon and want to explore it in more depth, The China Travel Company is the China tour company that can curate an unequalled itinerary that will grant you the most extraordinary adventures you could desire.

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China Tour Packages 2023/2024 FAQs

What is the best way to book tours to china.

The first thing you’ll need to do before booking a holiday to China is do some research. If it’s your first Far Eastern adventure, you must think carefully about what you want to see and experience while travelling. It’s very easy to forget just how vast the country is, and if you are considering tours of China that are perhaps 10-12 days in length, you won’t be able to see all of it. Decide what is of the greatest importance for the China tour as far as destinations and experiences, and then speak to an expert at The China Travel Company and see if any of our China tours meet your criteria. We have over 25 years of experience living in and touring the country, so we know the best ways of travelling between destinations on China holiday tours, what experiences are worth having, what time of year to see certain attractions, and what everything costs. Once you have a firm plan for your tour to China, we can build you a bespoke holiday to China that meets all your needs so that you can experience everything while visiting.

How much do China tours cost?

As a leading China tour operator, we pride ourselves on providing you with a fabulous selection of China holiday packages that offer a variety of destinations and unique experiences at incredible prices. Our lowest-priced option is the Taste of China tour. It is a 7-night adventure in Beijing, Xian, and Shanghai. After arriving in Beijing from your home country, you’ll experience the Bullet Train as it takes you to Xian, where you can visit the Terra Cotta Warriors before heading for the bright neon lights of Shanghai. This China tour package will open your eyes to some truly majestic scenery and cultural highlights. It is one of the top-rated China tours, and prices start from £2,180 per person, based on two people travelling and not including your international flights. If you’re looking for an extended break and have a larger budget, we offer the 23-night China Top Ten tours to China in 2023/2024. As one of the industry’s long-standing Chinese tour operators, we can say without hesitation that this is absolutely phenomenal! This tour to China begins in Beijing before visiting Xian, Lhasa, Chengdu, Yangtze, Shanghai, Huangshan, Hangzhou, Guilin, Yangshuo, and Hong Kong. It explores The Great Wall and Forbidden City, The Terra Cotta Warriors, and Potala Palace. You’ll see the giant pandas in Chengdu and the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. This China tour takes in Hangzhou’s spectacular West Lake and the staggering Mount Huangshan. The China Top Ten is unsurprisingly a favourite among our Chinese travel agency team members and represents probably the best China tour package money can buy. For this spellbinding China tour, cost is set at around £7,340, and it is truly a magical trip of a lifetime.

Do I need a visa before booking my China holiday package?

Any foreigner wishing to enter the country on a China holiday tour will require a Chinese tourist visa. All good China tour companies can advise you on this, but the process is relatively straightforward and uncomplicated. Anyone planning holidays to China from the UK can get their visa up to 3 months in advance, and the visa is typically valid for 30 days. As a top Chinese tour agency, The China Travel Company is affiliated with CIBT Central Visa. They are an agency that specialises in providing visas for multiple countries and can assist you in ensuring your application is submitted and a visa is issued well in advance of your tour to China.

Can I customise my tour to China?

Absolutely! As China tour operators that have been operating for over 25 years, we try to bring a selection of the best China tours to our customers. But, what might be suitable for one traveller, isn’t always the best China tour package for another. One thing that places us above many travel agents and makes us one of the best China tour companies is our ability to curate bespoke China holiday packages for customers who want something a little different. Because our team have first-hand experience living in and travelling throughout China, we understand that you may wish to add various destinations and excursions into your travel plans. With us, you can tour China in 2023 and 2024 exactly how you want, with a tailored itinerary put together in collaboration with yourself to provide the perfect tour to China.

When is the low and high season for China tours?

You’d think this might be a straightforward answer, but because China is so vast and our tours of China could take you north, south, seat and west, the climate can change significantly. Generally speaking, April through May sees the best overall weather conditions for China tours, with September, October, and creeping into November also providing clear skies and a comfortable climate. What many would consider low-season weather for China tour holidays actually provides some great opportunities to enjoy some stunning locations and attractions.

Are International air flights included with your China tour packages?

As a China travel agency, we do not arrange travel plans from your home country. All international flights that you will be required to take before arriving in China to start any of our China tours are your responsibility to arrange and pay for in addition to the cost of your Chinese tour.

Do your different China holiday tours offer a wide range of daily itineraries?

Our China tour packages from the UK offer a wide variety of destinations and activities that will no doubt appeal to the majority of travellers heading to the Far East adventure tour of China. If you’re into some outdoor adventure, these tours of China provide opportunities to walk through sacred mountains. There are climbing options that abound throughout a China tour to the Yangshuo Karst mountains and trekking tours to Everest’s Base Camp. If you want to experience some of the country’s most spectacular architecture as part of your Chinese tour, head to Beijing for The Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, or Tiananmen Square. History lovers can explore the Giant Buddha at Leshan to visit the 9th-century courtyard homes in the town of Tong Li and stop at a traditional teahouse to absorb some authentic Chinese culture. Whichever China holiday tour you opt for, you can schedule additional China holiday tours and excursions to build a bespoke itinerary if that suits you best.

Why is the China Travel Company one of the leading China tour operators in the UK?

We are a family-owned and run China tour company with a long-held passion for the country. We have spent many personal vacations travelling through many regions of China, soaking up the vibrant culture and breathtaking destinations and feasting on some authentic Chinese cuisine. We love the country and believe that our passion for The Red Dragon will show in our selection of tours to China in 2023/2024. We want every traveller on one of our Chinese tours to have the adventure of a lifetime, so we assist in planning every detail of these China tour packages perfectly, giving customers an unparalleled experience. We have over 25 years of dedication behind us and have been widely praised for our China travel packages which earned us the reputation as one of the best China tour companies in the United Kingdom.

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Politics latest: Angela Rayner labels Rishi Sunak a 'pint-sized loser'; PM insists defence spending pledge 'fully-funded'

While Rishi Sunak spent the day heralding his defence spending commitment on a trip to Germany, Oliver Dowden and Angela Rayner stood in the prime minister and the Labour leader at PMQs.

Wednesday 24 April 2024 21:59, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Sunak insists rise in defence spending is 'fully-funded'
• Beth Rigby:  PM seeking to position himself as a strong leader prepared to defend the country
• Sophy Ridge:  There are cracks underneath the apparent unity on defence spending
• Rayner presses Dowden on no-fault evictions - and raises Sky News report - after joke about 'obsession' with her living arrangements
• Labour deputy leader labels Sunak a 'pint-sized loser'
• Local elections:  Sam Coates on why they matter | Who can I vote for? | What Sunak and Starmer will be hoping for
• Live reporting by Tim Baker

 That's it for today.

We're wrapping up the Politics Hub, but make sure to join us again tomorrow.

And remember, at 7pm tomorrow there's a special episode of the Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge.

It will come live from one of our Target Towns, Grimsby, and will feature brand new polling and a live audience.

Before you go, here are some of today's main stories.

By Alexandra Rogers , political reporter 

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has said he wants the new NATO target for defence spending to increase from the current 2% of gross domestic product to 2.5%.

Mr Shapps said it would make a "real difference" if the countries signed up to the military alliance met his proposed target.

He told Kay Burley on Sky News: "We're now saying we think that should be 2.5%. We think in a more dangerous world that would make sense.

"I will be arguing that, and I know that the prime minister feels strongly about it, when we go to the NATO 75th anniversary summit which is in Washington DC."

The defence secretary's intervention comes after Rishi Sunak pledged to increase UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030 to tackle the "growing threats" posed by hostile states including Russia, Iran and China.

Speaking alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference in Warsaw yesterday, the prime minister said he planned to steadily increase defence spending by the end of the decade, rising to 2.4% a year until 2027-28 - then hitting 2.5% by 2030-31.

Funding will rise from £64.6bn in 2024 to £78.2bn in 2028, and then jump to £87bn in 2030-31.

Read more here:

"There isn't a single safe prosecution brought by the Post Office in the last couple of decades," Conservative MP and former minister David Davis has told Sky News.

He was responding to comments made by a lawyer representing former sub-postmasters, who told Sky News the Post Office scandal extends "greatly beyond" faulty Horizon software (see previous post).

Paul Marshall said problems with other systems which have been "overlooked" mean there are "no convictions" secured by the Post Office against any sub-postmaster "that could or should properly be treated as safe".

Sir Davis says although the government has done a "great deal already" to exonerate Horizon victims, "we probably have to do more".

He cites a report which he says found there are other cases that "at least deserved a very close look and probable exoneration, and that didn't happen".

He estimates the courts could go through " nearly all the cases in three or six months if we set ourselves the task of doing it".

He describes the Post Office as "a public body which wasn't serving the public".

By Adele Robinson , business correspondent

The Post Office scandal extends "greatly beyond" faulty Horizon software, according to a lawyer for victims.

Paul Marshall, representing former sub-postmasters, says problems with third party systems in branches, such as ATMs, have been "overlooked".

A 2013 report commissioned by the Post Office, and not made public at the time, states: "Removing the ATM reduces the risk of (the sub-postmaster) being suspended... as does the presence of lottery tickets, (banking) services, and DVLA processing."

It indicates there were issues known to the Post Office with third party systems within branches - separate to Horizon software.

Barrister Paul Marshall believes, as a result, there are "no convictions" secured by the Post Office against any sub-postmaster "that could or should properly be treated as safe".

He says evidence of third party errors, such as ATMs, shows "the scandal extends considerably beyond, greatly beyond, it might be said, the limited focus of bugs in Horizon".

Blanket exoneration legislation being introduced this summer will only quash convictions brought about "by erroneous Horizon evidence".

Mr Marshall asserts that postmasters who have had appeals against convictions rejected by the Court of Appeal may have lost because their offences didn't fall within the "narrow scope" of Horizon issues.

By Daniel Dunford , senior data journalist

There might not be a general election just yet, but there are important votes that will define how the areas around us are run for the next four years. 

See what's happening where you are here:

With a general election looming, what counts as gains and losses for the main parties in next week's locals? 

Sky's election analyst Michael Thrasher tells us what to look out for:

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

With the local election campaign well under way, Labour is still sitting comfortably on a roughly 21-point lead, averaging at 43.5% in the polls, with the Tories on 23.5%.

In third is Reform UK on 12.2%, followed by the Lib Dems on 9.3%.

The Green Party stands at 6.3%, and the SNP on 3.0%.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker  here .

By Beth Rigby , political editor

This was a trip with two aims: to refocus the world's attention on Ukraine and announce a big boost in defence spending - with an eye, of course, on national security, but also on the general election.

When it comes to Ukraine, this was a co-ordinated effort across the Atlantic.

As Rishi Sunak arrived in Berlin, overnight in Washington the US was finally approving a $600m military aid package for Kyiv.

This was all designed to send a message to Russia - allies are in lockstep and will stand behind Ukraine for as long as it takes.

The prime minister used the Poland leg of the trip to commit the UK to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030, while in Berlin, Mr Sunak announced a formal bilateral security partnership with Germany to deepen co-operation on defence and military manufacturing.

It was all part of his agenda to position himself as a wartime leader, speaking of the UK's defence industry going onto a war footing as Europe stood at a turning point.

"The world we are living in is increasingly dangerous and the axis of authoritarian states are working together to undermine our security," he told his audience in Berlin.

"We need to do more. Germany has done more and we have met the NATO standard [on spending], and you see global defence spending is rising."

Mr Sunak added: "I do believe we will look back at this moment in time and recognise this inflection point, where the old paradigm is no longer the case and we need to adjust for a new paradigm."

Read Beth's full analysis here:

That's all for tonight. 

But make sure to join us again tomorrow - Sophy is heading to Grimsby to discuss why so many people have turned off politics.

There'll be a live audience and new polling laying out the situation in one of our Target Towns, so make sure to tune in at 7pm on Thursday.

By Jennifer Scott , political reporter 

Labour's Angela Rayner has attacked the Conservatives for "obsessing" over her living arrangements while renters continue to face uncertainty over the government's promise to end no-fault evictions.

The party's deputy leader has come under scrutiny over the sale of her former Stockport home before she was an MP, with claims she did not pay the right amount of capital gains tax and may have registered to vote at the wrong address - allegations she denies.

Greater Manchester Police are now looking into the latter issue, which could be a breach of electoral rules, following a complaint from Tory MP James Daly.

But standing in at Prime Minister's Questions on the day the much-delayed Renters' Reform Bill returned to the Commons, Ms Rayner said: "I know this party opposite is desperate to talk about my living arrangements, but the public want to know what this government is going to do about theirs."

Ministers first promised to scrap no-fault evictions - or Section 21s - in April 2019, but agreed to an indefinite delay to outlawing the mechanism after a group of Conservative backbenchers, including some landlords, raised concerns that the courts were not prepared for the legal cases that could replace them.

A new clause being added to the bill by the government today would, if approved, order an assessment of the courts before any ban could be enacted. But it offers no timetable for when the probe would have to take place.

Read more below:

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