Country Information




Warning

Last updated: 30 August 2014

The travel advice summary below is provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. 'We' refers to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. For their full travel advice, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
There is a general threat from terrorism, but the risk of attacks is higher in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous region. Although foreigners have not been specifically targeted, attacks could occur in places visited by foreigners. You should be particularly vigilant in Xinjiang. Outside of Xinjiang you should be vigilant when transiting public transport hubs, which have been the subject of recent attacks. The tropical cyclone (typhoon) season in China normally runs from May to November, affecting the southern and eastern coastal regions of China. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms and follow the advice of the local authorities. Take particular care if you’re travelling in Tibet. Don’t attempt to travel to Tibet without the appropriate permits. Tibetan Autonomous Region (or Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures in neighbouring Provinces) can be closed to foreigners without notice. China is prone to earthquakes. An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck parts of Xinjiang on 12 February 2014. Please check with local authorities before travelling to this area. Cases of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) have been reported in eastern and southern China. Territorial disputes between China and neighbouring countries have caused high regional tension. There have been a number of anti-Japanese demonstrations in several cities across China. Foreign nationals over the age of 16 must carry their passport at all times. You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. Police have the power to detain you or prevent you from leaving China if you are suspected of a crime or have a court action against you. There are severe penalties in China for drugs-related offences including the death penalty. China doesn’t recognise dual nationality. If you hold Chinese nationality, the Chinese authorities may regard you as a Chinese national. Over 570,000 British nationals visit mainland China every year. Most visits are trouble free. 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.