With the COVID-19 pandemic slowly abating, demand for travel to China has begun to recover and premium cabins on international flights into the country are starting to fill up again. However, it will be months before large-scale international travel begins again and ticket prices are likely to remain elevated as airlines work to bring capacity back online.
China continues to impose strict restrictions on travel by foreign nationals, including the requirement for all visitors to have an approved visa. The Chinese government has recently eased some of these restrictions, but travellers should be aware that it is still a high-risk destination and that restrictions can change quickly.
The majority of Chinese internet users access the internet via mobile devices and use mobile payments for online transactions. Increasingly, these transactions are made through mobile payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay. These apps have expanded the reach of online shopping across the country and are also driving the growth of mobile-based e-commerce in China.
While the number of Chinese international travelers has climbed as the COVID-19 pandemic has diminished, bookings for group tours to China have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. This is due to the high cost of airfares, which have increased by as much as 50 percent during the pandemic. In the short term, many travelers will be able to only afford business class flights to China and that will limit their opportunities for leisure travel.
There are significant restrictions on political activities in China, and you can be detained if you participate in protests or send private electronic messages critical of the government. Travel near military installations is restricted and photographs of these facilities are not allowed. Commercial surrogacy arrangements are illegal and you may be arrested if you engage in this activity.
Chinese authorities can place exit bans on specific individuals to prevent them from leaving the country. These can be related to investigations, civil or criminal matters and are sometimes related to employment-related issues. If you have concerns that you might be subject to an exit ban, consult a lawyer or contact the nearest office of the Government of Canada.
If you have dual citizenship, carry evidence that you have formally renounced your Chinese citizenship. If you enter China using a Chinese passport or identity card, you will be treated as a Chinese citizen by the Chinese authorities and the Embassy of Canada cannot provide consular assistance.
It is not advisable to visit Tibet, the Tibetan Autonomous Region or other parts of China that are closed to tourists. This could result in a lengthy detention or worse. See Local laws and customs and Safety and security for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about your citizenship or identity in China, contact the nearest office of the Government of Canada.