China Reopens to Tourists—Essential Information You Should Know

More than three years after Hubei province in China first entered lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19—a decision mirrored globally—China is set to welcome back international tourists starting March 15.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, revealed that all visas issued before the COVID border closures are still valid and will be reinstated. Additionally, the issuance of all types of visas, including tourist visas, will recommence on March 15.

China had been the last major country to maintain pandemic-related border restrictions. This decision follows the removal of quarantine requirements for international arrivals in early January, though leisure travel had not yet resumed. Previously, travelers had to quarantine for five days in a hotel, followed by three days at home.

Until now, travelers arriving in China were required to present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours before departure. It remains uncertain whether a negative test result or proof of vaccination will still be necessary moving forward, though recent statements from the Foreign Ministry suggest that it might be.

Wang Wenbin informed reporters on Tuesday that China has “enhanced pre-departure COVID protocols for certain countries, permitting the substitution of nucleic acid tests with antigen tests prior to boarding. . . . Given the changing COVID landscape, China will continue to facilitate the safe and orderly cross-border travel of both Chinese and foreign nationals based on scientific evaluations. We hope all other nations will reciprocate and simplify cross-border exchanges.”

For detailed information on visa application requirements, processing times, and entry procedures into China, U.S. travelers should contact or visit the website of the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. or one of the five Chinese consulates general located in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Houston.

Since the easing of restrictions on January 8, there has been a significant rise in both inbound and outbound travelers to and from China, as well as an increase in international flights to and from this major Asian hub, according to the Foreign Ministry.

The ongoing restrictions have also hindered most Chinese citizens from traveling abroad. However, China has recently started to permit some outbound group tours to select countries “on a trial basis,” as stated by Wang Wenbin, who noted plans to expand the number of destinations available to Chinese travelers—though he did not specify which countries would host these resumed group tours.

Following the announcement that tourist visas for China are being issued again, global tour operator Intrepid Travel revealed its plans to resume international tours to China by June of this year. Intrepid offers a variety of 14 different itineraries in China, ranging from 7 to 40 days, including an 11-day China Real Food Adventure, a 12-Day China Family Holiday, and a 12-Day Premium China itinerary.

“With travel now allowed, I believe that visitors will soon start coming back in droves,” remarked Maggie Tian, the general manager for Intrepid Travel in China. “We are eager to welcome the world again and to assist our local communities that have been patiently awaiting this moment.”