China Travel Safety Guide

Drug laws are severe, including for cannabis. A drug offense can lead to detention, deportation, or worse.

Politics, religion, journalism, and online speech are more legally sensitive than many visitors assume. Do not treat public criticism or sensitive photography as harmless.

Police checks and digital scrutiny can happen. Keep your passport and visa status in order and do not assume privacy norms are similar to Western countries.

Do not assume foreign cards or foreign phone setups will work smoothly for every booking or payment flow. Payment friction is a bigger issue than physical transport availability.

Currency is renminbi (CNY). Big hotels and major chains may still take international cards, but daily life is heavily built around Alipay and WeChat Pay.

Cash still works in principle, but relying on cash alone can make ordinary purchases, transit, and small merchants inconvenient.

Tourist scam risk is highest around major sights, tea-house invitations, fake guides, and transport overcharging.

Useful apps often include WeChat, Alipay, DiDi, and local map or translation tools. Google services may not work normally.

Mainland China is not the same as Hong Kong or Macao for payments, internet, or legal sensitivity.