China: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic

Extreme

Overall verdict for China: Extreme. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.

China: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Smoking, Driving

The 23 topics at a glance

Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed

Get the exact rules for your trip

This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for China, offline, in 23 languages.

China: read the 3 riskiest rules free →

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How China compares

With 10 of 23 topics flagged red, China is stricter than 6 of the 6 other countries in East Asia (regional average: 3.7). Worldwide, China ranks #17 of 148 for strictness (tied with 6 other countries).

What sets it apart

Internet & VPN: flagged red here, while only 5 of 148 countries are this strict.
Visa & customs: flagged red here, while only 10 of 148 countries are this strict.
Smoking: flagged red here, while only 16 of 148 countries are this strict.
Theft & scams: relaxed here, while 118 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.

What to watch most in China

🛂 Visa & customs · Guides by topic

Most countries require a passport valid at least six months beyond your arrival date.
Airlines refuse boarding without proof of onward travel where the destination requires it.
Electronic authorisations are not visas and can be refused — apply days ahead, not hours.

🚬 Smoking · Guides by topic

The vape is the real trap: several countries fine or arrest for simple possession, including devices with no nicotine.
Indoor smoking bans now cover terraces, beaches, parks and bus stops in a growing number of cities.
Throwing a butt on the ground is a separate, and often expensive, littering offence.

China at a glance

CapitalBeijing

CurrencyChinese Yuan (CNY)

LanguageChinese

Emergency number110

Driving sideRight

Mains voltage220 V

Calling code+86

Plug typesA · C · I

Land bordersAfghanistanBhutan🇭🇰 Hong Kong 🇮🇳 IndiaKyrgyzstanNorth Korea🇰🇿 Kazakhstan 🇱🇦 Laos 🇲🇲 Myanmar 🇲🇳 Mongolia 🇲🇴 Macao 🇳🇵 Nepal 🇵🇰 Pakistan 🇷🇺 RussiaTajikistan🇻🇳 Vietnam

Frequently asked questions

Is China strict with tourists?

Overall verdict: Extreme. 10 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Smoking, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Visa & customs, Jail risk, Internet & VPN, Drones, Politics & protest), 8 require caution.

What can get me fined or arrested in China?

The strictest topics for travellers in China are: Drugs, Smoking, Driving, Photo & video, Weapons, Visa & customs, Jail risk, Internet & VPN, Drones, Politics & protest. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.

Where do I find the exact rules for China?

In LawsTravels: open China, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.

What is the emergency number in China?

In China, dial 110. Capital: Beijing. Currency: Chinese Yuan (CNY). Main language: Chinese.

Which side of the road do they drive on in China?

In China, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 220 V. Calling code: +86. Plug types: A · C · I.

Countries with the closest profile

🇻🇳 Vietnam 🇷🇺 Russia 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇮🇳 India 🇵🇭 Philippines

Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.