Good news for travelers! China has fully opened its borders after a three-year wait. From March 15, anyone with a valid Chinese visa (including visas applied for before March 28, 2020 like China tourist visa) can enter China without needing to apply for a new one.
All types of visa applications have also been resumed like tourist visa (L visa), and visa-free policies have been reinstated.
Travelers with ordinary passport from Singapore, Japan, or Brunei will need to apply for a China visa before entry according to the List of Agreements on Mutual Visa Exemption Between the People’s Republic of China and Foreign Countries issued on February 22nd, 2023.
To enter China, all you need is a valid visa, passport, and a PCR or antigen self-test. If you want to arrange a private tour, even tentatively, simply contact us. You'll receive a 100% refund of any payments made to China Highlights if you cancel up to three weeks before departure. (More details⇒)
Tibet is officially reopen to the foreign travelers. The local Tourism Bureau started to accept the applications for Tibet permits from March 15th 2023!
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7 Ways to Enter China: All Open Now!
Since China has fully permitted visa applications, there are now several ways to enter the country.
1. Visa
If you still hold a valid Chinese visa (any type including 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.
For the documents required for a visa application, you can refer to the information given by a Chinese embassy/consulate.
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.
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 change to any of the above details, you must apply for a new visa.
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
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
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 PCR Test to Enter China
It depends on where you are flying from...
Travelers from the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, etc. still need to do a PCR test within 48 hours before departure and declare a negative test result to China Customs by filling in a Health Declaration Form on the WeChat mini-program China Customs (scan the QR code below), at the website, or via the China Customs APP.
If you are flying to China directly from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Italy, etc., you can do an antigen self-test within 48 hours before departure instead of a PCR test.
- 8-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Shanghai Private Tour - China Golden Triangle
- 13-Day Riches of China - Beijing – Xi'an – Guilin/Yangshuo – Hangzhou - Suzhou – Shanghai
- 11-Day Beijing–Xi'an–Guilin–Shanghai Tour - Classic Wonders
- 13-Day Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Shanghai Educational Family Vacation
Hong Kong / Macau Travel Restriction
Hong Kong Entry Requirements
Travelers from overseas and Taiwan will need a negative PCR test result within 48 hours before departure or a negative RAT test result within 24 hours before leaving for Hong Kong.
If you are travelling to Hong Kong from the Chinese Mainland or Macau, there is no need for any tests.
Q: If I fly from the US, stop in Hong Kong, and then head to the Chinese Mainland, do I still need to do a test?
A: It dpends on the situation.
If your test result is still within 48 hours when you head to the Chinese Mainland from Hong Kong, you don't need to do the test again.
But if If your test result exceeds 48 hours and your stay in Hong Kong is less than 7 days, you need to do the test again.
There is no need for any tests when traveling from Hong Kong to the Chinese Mainland if you haven't been abroad or to Taiwan within 7 days of going.
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.
Macau Entry Requirement
Travelers entering Macau from overseas will need to show a negative PCR test or rapid antigen detection test result for a time within 48 hours of leaving.
Travelers entering Macau from the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, or Taiwan don't need any test results. Nucleic acid test results are also not required for travel to the mainland from Macau (If you haven't been outside Macau or the Chinese Mainland for the 7 days prior to going).
Macau has resumed international transfer services. Foreign nationals who enter Macau and leave for the Chinese Mainland within 7 days after their entry are required to show a negative PCR test within 48 hours before departure.
Start planning your tailor-made tour now. Your 1:1 travel consultant will reply within 1 working day.
International Flights to China
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! (If you get tested at the initial departure point and your test result is still within 48 hours when you board the plane again)
What to Expect When Traveling in China
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.
Best Times to Travel to China
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
What Our Customers Said
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Adorable trip to Beijing with China Highlights
Such an amazing time spent together with my husband and our guide Nancy in Beijing. We recommend booking the tour with China Highlights as that was an incredibly smart idea and trip we have had over past few days. Visiting the Great Wall of China, the Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven etc., getting more close to the history of China, having the delicious food - that was all done by the CH. We won’t be having such wonderful time without you guys. Still being so amazed and impressed by the historical progress of the country. Much appreciated for your support, help and time, Dear Nancy and China Highlights. Kind Regards, Kenneth&Assel Gillan moreMar 2023, Assel G
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Great Wall Day Trip with Ivy
She answered our questions thoroughly and she also provided us with recommendations for food and things to see outside of our Great Wall day trip. The driver was also a very safe driver and made it a comfortable drive from the city center. We hope to use China Highlights again for future trips. And if you’re in Beijing, you can request for Ivy as your guide. moreFeb 2023, kattaubry
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Great Wall Tour with Ivy
Ivy was a wonderful guide! We took a day trip to the Great Wall and she made our time enjoyable and customized to what we wanted. She was obviously very knowledgeable and passionate about the city. We also avoided tourist traps and she took group photos for us! moreFeb 2023, Customer
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Great Wall Tour with Ivy
We recommend booking with China Highlights! They were able to create a custom trip for us with just a day’s notice. They’re very responsive on WeChat and very professional. moreFeb 2023, Customer
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Fantastic Beijing Tour with Tour Guide - Angela
Had a great time visiting Beijing over Chinese New Year! The city was quiet, but that made it easier to see everything that we wanted to. Our tour guide, Angela, was very knowledgeable and friendly. We found a local brewery, Slow Boat, that we went to twice it was so good. Amazing beer and best burger of my life! We can't wait to book another trip with China Highlights. moreFeb 2023, Kate P
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Beautiful experience in Beijing
The Forbidden City was a highlight of the tour. With Christina's knowledgeable and engaging commentary, we learned about the history of the imperial palace and its role as the center of Chinese politics for over 500 years. The complex is massive, and it was impressive to see the intricate details of the architecture and gardens. moreFeb 2023, Valeria RP
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Amazing 2 day trip to Beijing
Our guide Lily and driver Leo were amazing and super conscious that we were traveling with a toddler. Lily was knowledgeable about all of our stops and was very conscious of our time. She even took special time to relate and connect with our daughter which made the trip even more enjoyable for all of us. moreJan 2023, Jessica T
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Amazing 2 day trip to Beijing
Maggie was so helpful in making sure we logistically could see what we wanted to see in a short time. We only had 2 days. Maggie also took into consideration that we were two adults and a 2.5 year old, the cable cars to the wall was the perfect suggestion. moreJan 2023, Jessica T
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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
