China travel advice
A summary of the UK government’s (FCDO) travel advice for China, last updated by the FCDO on 27 August 2026. The full advice on GOV.UK is the authoritative version.
FCDO status
No areas listed where FCDO advises against travel
The FCDO’s alert status for China names no areas where it advises against travel. The FCDO says no travel can be guaranteed safe. Read the full advice.
Latest FCDO update (27 August 2026): "Updated information on Warnings and insurance"
FCDO notice
Flash floods along the Nepal-China border
On 26 August 2026, heavy flooding and landslides have caused widespread damage in Gyirong County in Shigatse, Tibet, near the Nepal border. Buildings, roads, other transport and communications infrastructure have been severely damaged.
The Chinese authorities and emergency services are responding. The authorities have warned of the risk of further flooding. The situation may change rapidly. Stay away from affected areas where possible. If you are travelling in the region, follow the advice of the Chinese government and local authorities and be alert to the changing situation.
If you are affected and need assistance from the UK government, call:
From China: +86 (0) 10 5192 4000
From the UK: +44 (0)20 7008 5000
Warnings (from the FCDO, word for word)
This travel advice covers mainland China. See travel advice for the Special Administrative Regions, Hong Kong and Macao.
Typhoons
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. 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.
Passport validity
To enter China, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and 2 blank pages for visas and stamping.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
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.
From FCDO: entry requirements. Written for British passport holders.
Recent FCDO updates
- 27 August 2026: "Updated information on Warnings and insurance"
- 27 August 2026: Updated information about heavy flooding and landslides along the Nepal-China border (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
- 26 August 2026: New information about heavy flooding and landslides affecting Gyirong County in Shigatse, Tibet, near the Nepal border (‘Warnings and insurance’ page).
Plan your trip
This page shows the FCDO’s headline status and quotes its text word for word; we don’t reword safety advice. It refreshes automatically, so it can lag GOV.UK by up to a day. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: FCDO foreign travel advice on GOV.UK. FCDO advice is written for British nationals; other nationalities should also check their own government’s advice.