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Exercise a high degree of caution in China overall. 

China (PDF 1.07 MB)

Asia (PDF 2.21 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies, advice levels.

Exercise a high degree of caution in China overall.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Tibet and Xinjiang.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Tibet and Xinjiang due to the security situation and associated measures.

• Petty crime occurs. Criminals target travellers in crowded areas, including on public transport. Resisting can lead to violence.
• Scams targeting travellers can lead to loss of money, violence and serious assault. Report scams to the nearest police station.
• Armed attacks are a risk in remote border regions. Be careful if travelling in these areas.
• The Chinese Government strictly controls demonstrations. Authorities may arrest protesters. Avoid protests and large gatherings. Don't photograph or video protests.
• Increased security measures are in place in Xinjiang. Be ready to show photo ID if asked.
• There's civil unrest and political tension in Tibet. Get permission from Chinese authorities before you go. You can only travel to Tibet as part of an organised tour.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Tap water in China may not be safe to drink. Drink only bottled water with intact seals.
• People have died from bird flu in China. Stay away from live poultry. When preparing food, handle poultry properly and ensure it's thoroughly cooked.
• HIV/AIDS is a significant risk in China. Take precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to the risk of infection. Ask for sterilised equipment when receiving medical treatment.
• Animal and human rabies and hand, foot and mouth disease are common. Be careful with both wild and domestic animals in China. Wash your hands carefully and regularly. Take other hygiene precautions.
• High pollution levels are a problem in major cities. Follow the advice from local authorities on days with harmful pollution.

Full travel advice:  Health

• The Australian Government can't intervene in the Chinese justice process. We also can't help if you're a dual national and don't enter China on your Australian passport.
• Chinese law treats a person aged 12 years and older as an adult. China has strict laws and severe criminal punishments including the death penalty and life imprisonment.
• You must always carry identification and show it to the police if they ask.
• Chinese authorities undertake random drug testing on foreign nationals and can prosecute individuals who return a positive test result regardless of when or where the drugs were taken.
• Many business and employment issues may be considered criminal matters in China. Penalties are severe. Get professional legal advice before entering into any employment or commercial contract in China.
• If you're a former Chinese citizen, authorities may treat you as a citizen and refuse access to Australian consular services. Get legal advice if you're unsure of your citizenship status under Chinese law.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of China for the latest details.
• China is gradually reintroducing visas on arrival, including transit visas. You may be permitted to enter China if you’re a foreign national holding a valid residence permit for work, personal matters or reunion. Australians should also contact the nearest  Chinese embassy or consulate  to confirm visa validity and eligibility, and other travel requirements.  

Flights between China and Australia have increased but are less frequent than pre-COVID-19. 

• China has implemented random COVID-19 testing for inbound travellers arriving at airports. Authorities have advised that no follow-up action will be taken if travellers test positive on arrival, but they may be advised to seek medical treatment.
• You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau. This will be part of the standard check-in process if you stay at a hotel. 

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
• For consular services in China, contact the  Australian Embassy in Beijing  or our Consulates-General in  Shanghai ,  Guangzhou,  Chengdu , and Shenyang . 
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy's social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Petty crime.

Petty crime occurs, including:

• pickpocketing
• bag-snatching
• theft of laptops, passports and mobile phones

If you resist, you can be injured if criminals turn violent.

Criminals target travellers in crowded areas, including on transport.

People have reported  assaults  and  robberies , particularly in areas popular with expats. This includes bar and shopping precincts in major cities.

There are scams  that target travellers.

Scammers invite travellers for a massage, teahouse service, or nearby cafes and bars. They offer various reasons and may say they wish 'to practise their English'.

Afterwards, they present travellers with an inflated bill. They won't let the traveller leave until they pay the bill by credit card.

Sometimes travellers are asked to carry concealed drugs out of China.

Never carry parcels or luggage for others.

Always pack your own bags.

ATM scams occur. Sometimes scammers set up fake ATMs that take the user's card.

Only use ATMs inside a secure place such as a bank or shopping centre. Do this during daylight hours.

If you're the victim of a crime or scam, report it to the nearest police station immediately.

Always obtain a police report when reporting a crime.

Fake money scams

Be careful of scams if paying a taxi fare with a RMB100 note. The taxi driver may swap the note for a fake note. They will then return the fake note and refuse to accept it as payment because it’s counterfeit.

Armed bandit attacks are a risk in remote areas bordering:

Be careful if travelling in these areas.

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Civil unrest and political tension

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

The Chinese Government prohibits demonstrations they haven't approved. Authorities may arrest protesters.

Avoid protests, demonstrations and large gatherings.

Don't photograph, film or participate in protests or other acts that authorities may consider provocative.

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang)

Increased security measures are in place in Xinjiang.

People of Uyghur descent are particularly affected.

Security checks in major cities in Xinjiang are common. Be ready to show photo ID if asked.

Violent incidents causing deaths and injuries have occurred across Xinjiang.

The government may restrict movement and communications in Xinjiang with little warning.

Tibet Autonomous Region (Tibet)

In the past, protests have turned violent, and people have been killed or injured.

If you're travelling to Tibet, get permission from Chinese authorities first.

You must also apply for a Tibet Entry Permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau.

You can only lodge applications for Tibet Entry Permits through specialised travel agents in China.

You can only travel as part of an organised tour.

See  Travel

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Attacks could be targeted or random. They may include places travellers and expats visit.

In recent years, terrorist and other violent attacks have caused injuries and deaths in public places. Targets include railway stations and markets.

You could become the victim of violence directed at others.

Climate and natural disasters

China experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including:

• earthquakes

Typhoons can happen along the southern and eastern coasts between May and November.

The direction and strength of typhoons can change with little warning.

If there's a typhoon:

• you may get stuck in the area
• flights and other transport could be delayed or suspended
• access to seaports may be affected
• adequate shelter may not be available
• available transport may fill quickly

If a typhoon is approaching:

• know the evacuation plan for your accommodation or cruise ship
• identify your local shelter
• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• closely monitor alerts and advice from authorities such as the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• keep in contact with your friends and family

If you plan to travel, contact your airline for the latest flight information. 

• World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre
• China Meteorological Administration

Earthquakes and tsunamis

China can experience earthquakes and large, destructive tsunamis.

If there's an earthquake or tsunami:

• follow the advice of local authorities
• monitor the media for updates

Check with the Tsunami Warning Centre  for updates on seismic activity and tsunamis.

If you're near the coast, move to high ground straight away if advised, or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, monitor local media.

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you travel. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in China. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Depending on your location, tap water in China may be unsafe to drink.

Drink only bottled water with sealed lids.

Bird flu (avian influenza)

People have died from  avian influenza  in China. Avian influenza virus strains continue to circulate in poultry in China.

The primary source of infection seems to be poultry handled in poultry markets.

To protect yourself from avian influenza:

• stay away from live poultry
• don't visit live bird and animal markets, including 'wet' markets and poultry farms
• practise good personal hygiene

When preparing food, handle poultry properly. Thoroughly cook all parts of the poultry.

• Avian influenza (WHO)
• Infectious diseases

HIV/AIDS  is a significant risk in China.

Take precautions if you engage in activities that expose you to the risk of infection.

If you need medical treatment, you could be exposed to unsafe blood and blood products. This is a particular risk in regional China.

Ask for sterilised equipment. You may need to pay for new syringes in hospitals or clinics.

Insect-borne illnesses

Japanese encephalitis  is widespread in rural southern China from June to August. The disease is also known as encephalitis B. A vaccine is available.

The risk of  malaria   increases during warm weather and is more significant in rural areas, particularly in the provinces of:

• Tibet (Zanbo Valley areas only)

Dengue  cases have risen sharply, especially in Guangdong and Guangzhou. Risks increase during the wet season.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria
• get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis

Animal and human  rabies  are common. Health authorities report many cases each year. 

Be careful with both wild and domestic animals in China.

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help immediately.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)  is common. Sometimes serious outbreaks happen.

Outbreaks usually start in March or April and peak in May. However, outbreaks can continue until October each year.

The disease mainly affects children under the age of 10 years. Adult cases, particularly in young adults, are not unusual.

People with HFMD experience fever, blisters and rashes on the hands, feet and buttocks.

The disease is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges and faeces of infected people.

To protect yourself from illness:

• wash your hands carefully and regularly
• take other hygiene precautions

High pollution levels are a problem.

Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing heart and lung conditions may be especially affected by pollution.

Authorities issue red alerts when pollution is expected to be especially bad.

When a red alert is in place, authorities:

• close schools
• limit car use
• suspend construction activity

Flights are regularly delayed in China because of smog.

Dust storms occur across the north of China. They can:

• cause eye, nose, mouth and throat irritations
• make heart and lung problems worse

Get medical advice if you're worried about air pollution.

Follow the advice from local authorities about days with bad pollution and how to reduce your exposure.

• Air Quality Index
• US Embassy, Beijing
• Air pollution

Altitude sickness

Parts of China are at altitudes of over 3,000m, including:

• parts of Xinjiang
• Western Sichuan

If you travel to those areas, you may get  altitude sickness .

People with lung, heart or chest problems should take extra care. Even if you're healthy, you can still be affected.

Symptoms of altitude sickness include:

• coordination problems

In severe cases, fluid can build up in your lungs, brain or both, which can be fatal.

To protect yourself from altitude sickness:

• ascend slowly, especially above an altitude of 2500m
• rest when needed and don't push your body
• avoid alcohol and cigarettes

If you're affected by severe altitude sickness, get to lower ground as soon as possible.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

International standard medical services in China are expensive.

If you plan on staying in China for a while:

• find out about local health insurance
• ask your employer if they provide health cover

Some hospitals in major cities have special departments for treating foreigners.

However, the standard of medical care and the range of medications is often limited, especially outside major cities.

Medical staff in rural areas may not be adequately trained.

Hospitals and doctors may ask for an up-front cash payment before treating you. This includes emergency care.

Medical evacuation from China can be very expensive.

Medical tourism

Travel to China for  medical treatment  is increasing.

Research and choose your medical service providers carefully. Ask health professionals and former patients about the quality.

Avoid uncertified medical service providers. Their standards may be poor, and they may be unable to provide the advertised medical care.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

The Australian Government can't intervene in the Chinese justice process.

In China, authorities treat a person aged 12 years and above as an adult under the law.

If detained, a person of this age will be:

• held with adults
• subject to the same conditions and legal processes as adults

The Australian Government can't help you if you're a  dual national  and you travel on your:

• Chinese passport
• Hong Kong or Macau Mainland Travel Permit
• identity card issued by Taiwan
• any non-Australian foreign passport
• Death penalty

China has the death penalty for drug offences and other serious crimes. Under Chinese criminal law, it's possible for espionage and other national security offences to attract serious penalties, from lengthy custodial sentences to the death penalty.

If you're sentenced to death, it's unlikely that Chinese authorities will grant you leniency.

Penalties for all types of drug offences including use, possession, manufacturing, selling or trafficking are severe and include life in prison or the death penalty.

Authorities strictly enforce these laws, even for small quantities of 'soft' drugs, such as marijuana. Laws apply to people aged 12 years and older.

Authorities conduct random drug tests. Police raids on nightclubs and bars frequented by foreigners have increased, with patrons subjected to urine and / or hair tests. A positive drug test can result in fines, detention and deportation, regardless of when or where the drugs were used.

Authorities have executed foreigners for drug offences.

• Carrying or using drugs

Legal proceedings and investigations

Authorities may not allow you to leave China if you're involved in a:

• criminal matter or investigation
• civil or commercial dispute

Sometimes people are only aware of an exit ban on them once they try to leave China.

Exit bans can affect you even if you're not directly involved in the legal proceedings. Authorities have stopped some Australians from leaving China because of a dispute involving family members. Sometimes it is years before authorities allow people to leave China.

If you're involved in local legal matters:

• get professional advice
• be aware of your rights and responsibilities

China has strict laws on national security, which it updates from time to time. These laws can be interpreted broadly and applied expansively and harshly. Chinese authorities may define certain behaviours and activities as endangering national security that would not be considered as such in Australia. This could include activities that occurred outside of China.

Authorities have detained foreigners on allegations of 'endangering national security'. Australians may be at risk of arbitrary detention or harsh enforcement of local laws, including broadly defined National Security Laws. Under Chinese criminal law, it's possible for espionage and other national security offences to attract serious penalties, from lengthy custodial sentences to the death penalty.

In China, it's illegal to:

• test positive for drugs (even if you used drugs before you arrived in China)
• demonstrate without prior approval from the government
• preach, distribute religious literature and associate with unapproved religious groups
• take part in any Falun Gong activities
• gamble or promote gambling activities
• engage in prostitution
• take photos of military or government buildings without official approval.

If you break these laws, you could be:

Registration and identification

Under Chinese law, you must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau. You must do this within 24 hours of arriving and each time you change your residential location.

Staff do this as part of the standard check-in process if you stay at a hotel.

If you're staying elsewhere, such as with family or friends, visit the nearest police station. Present your passport and a valid Chinese visa.

You must always carry identification and show it to the police if they ask for it.

Authorities will accept your passport or a Chinese residence card as forms of identity.

If you don't register your place of residence or carry identification, authorities can fine or detain you.

LGBTQIA+ laws

Homosexuality is not illegal in China but be aware of local sensitivities.

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law
• Doing business in China

China has experienced higher numbers of commercial disputes involving Australians in recent years. 

Before starting business relationships:

• investigate the market
• conduct appropriate due diligence

Get professional legal advice before entering into any contract in China. This includes residential leases and business contracts.

Business versus criminal matters

Many business issues Australians consider civil or commercial are classified as criminal matters in China. This is especially the case if state enterprises or state assets are involved.

Penalties for commercial and economic crimes are often severe.

Cases of Australians and other foreigners being held against their will at their workplace have increased. These incidents involved other companies or employees trying to resolve business and employment disputes. They do this through protests, and often with threats of violence.

• Doing business
• Living or working overseas

Employment in China

Disputes over working and living conditions for Australians working in China are common. This is particularly the case for those teaching English.

If you’re considering travel to China for work:

• verify the true nature of the work on offer
• make sure you have the correct visa before you arrive

Authorities can fine or detain you if you don't maintain a valid visa.

Get professional legal advice before signing any contract in Australia or China.

Carefully check local laws about business or other activities you wish to undertake in China.

Employment contracts may contain conditions that disadvantage you. For example, if your contract is terminated early, conditions may state that:

• you give up your right to a return air ticket
• your employer may withhold your pay

Don't surrender your passport to your employer for 'safe-keeping.' Businesses with a good reputation won't ask you to do this.

Dual citizenship

The Chinese Government doesn't recognise dual nationality. It won't let us provide consular help to Chinese-Australian dual nationals who travel on their:

If you're a Chinese-Australian dual national:

• travel on your  Australian passport
• get a visa to China
• always present yourself as an Australian citizen

If you're a former Chinese citizen, Chinese authorities may:

• treat you as a Chinese citizen
• refuse you access to Australian consular services

This can happen even if you entered China on an Australian or other foreign passport and you:

• haven't renounced your citizenship according to Chinese law
• haven't formally advised the Chinese authorities of your Australian citizenship
• continue to maintain a Chinese passport or household registration

Authorities may not allow certain categories of Chinese citizens, such as state officials, to renounce their Chinese nationality under Chinese law.

Get professional legal advice if you're unsure of your citizenship status under Chinese law.

If your child is born in China and you plan to get Australian citizenship by descent, contact the  Australian Department of Home Affairs  for advice.

If one parent is from mainland China, authorities will consider a child born in China to be a Chinese national.

Local authorities may not recognise the child's Australian citizenship and passport.

Contact the local Entry and Exit Administration Bureau for details.

• Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Australians intending to travel to China should contact the nearest Chinese embassy/consulate to confirm visa  eligibility  and other travel requirements. 

China is gradually reintroducing visas on arrival, including transit visas. You may need a full visa to travel to China, even as a tourist.

If you need a full visa, you must get this before you travel.

See the  Embassy of the People's Republic of China  for eligibility requirements and visa types.

Foreigners holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters and reunion may be able to enter China without applying for new visas. Contact your nearest Chinese embassy/consulate to confirm your visa remains valid or to apply for a new visa.

If you're already travelling or living in China, contact the Foreigner's Entry and Exit Administration Section of the local Public Security Bureau (PSB) for visa information.

Authorities will scan your fingerprints when you arrive if you're aged between 14 and 70 years.

Authorities have strict penalties for visa violations. Penalties include:

• fines imposed for each day overstayed, including if you’re in detention
• detention from 5 to 30 days

Make sure you leave China before your visa expires.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest  embassy or consulate of China  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Border measures

You no longer require a negative COVID-19 test to enter China. 

China has implemented random COVID-19 testing for inbound travellers arriving at airports. Authorities have advised that no follow-up action would be taken if travellers test positive on arrival, but they may be advised to seek medical treatment.

Travel to Hong Kong and Macau

Hong Kong and Macau are Special Administrative Regions (SAR). They have separate visa and entry rules to mainland China.

If you plan to leave mainland China to visit Hong Kong or Macau, you may need a new Chinese visa to re-enter mainland China. Get the correct visa before you leave Australia.

You may be asked to present your previous passport and Chinese visa if you:

• intend to apply for a visa at the border of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, or Zhuhai and Macau, and
• you held a Chinese visa in a recently replaced passport

If you've visited China before, authorities may deny you a visa-on-arrival if you can't show your previous China visa.

Some visas issued in Hong Kong or at Hong Kong-Macau-Chinese mainland border crossings are valid for limited travel to designated areas only, such as:

• other areas in Guangdong Province

Using these permits to travel to other parts of China is illegal. Carefully check your visa limitations.

• Hong Kong travel advice
• Macau travel advice

Other formalities

If you’re a parent of a newborn baby born in China, you must register the child with the local Public Security Bureau. You must do this within 30 days of the child's birth and will require the child’s birth certificate for registration .

Apply for a Chinese visa in the child's passport. The child will need a valid visa to leave China.

For the registration process you need:

• the child's birth certificate
• parents' passports
• child's passport

For citizenship issues, see the 'Dual citizenship' section under  Laws .

Some countries will only let you enter if your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passports

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy, high commission or consulate .

If you get a new passport while in China, you must get a new Chinese visa. Otherwise, you won't be able to leave China.

Chinese authorities can take up to 10 working days to issue a visa. It can take longer during Chinese holiday periods.

Authorities won't speed up the process to meet your travel or flight schedule.

To replace your passport and visa:

• get an official report from the local police 
• get a replacement passport from the nearest  Australian embassy, high commission or consulate
• apply at the Foreigners Entry and Exit Administration Section of the local Public Security Bureau for a replacement Chinese visa in your new passport

You can use the police report when checking in to a hotel.

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

The currency in China is the Renminbi (RMB).

Chinese law limits the amount of foreign currency you can carry in and out of China.

If you're carrying more than $US5,000 cash or the same amount in another currency, you must declare it when you arrive in China.

Keep the declaration. You need to show it to customs officials when you leave.

If you plan to leave China carrying more than $US5,000 or the same amount in another currency, you need permission from a Chinese bank.

You can't leave China with more than $US10,000 or the same amount in foreign currency.

ATMs are widely available in major Chinese cities. They accept all major credit cards.

Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities, especially in international hotels and restaurants.

In smaller cities, you may find it harder to use international cards.

Local travel

Authorities restrict travel by foreigners in China.

If you plan to travel outside major tourist areas, check that the area is 'open to foreigners'. For example, restrictions apply near military installations and some border areas.

Travel and living conditions vary greatly between cities and less developed rural areas.

In rural areas, you may have trouble accessing these services:

• landline phone
• mobile phone

Driving permit

All drivers must hold a valid Chinese driver's licence.

Foreign driver's licences and International Driving Permits (IDP) aren't valid in mainland China.

Long-term residents can apply for a Chinese driver's licence at their local Vehicle Management Office.

If you're going to China on a visa with less than 90 days validity, you may be able to get a provisional driver's licence. This will be valid for the length of your visa.

If you're hiring a car in China, check driving licence requirements with your car hire company.

Age and health restrictions apply and vary depending on the class of driver's licence.

Road travel

Travel by road is dangerous because of the following:

• poorly maintained roads
• aggressive driving

You're more likely to be killed in a car accident in China than in Australia.

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

To ride a motorcycle, you must hold a valid Chinese motorcycle licence.

Australian motorcycle licences and International Driving Permits (IDP) issued for motorcycles aren't valid in mainland China.

Rules for applying for a motorbike licence, including a provisional motorcycle licence, are similar to those for cars. Contact your local Vehicle Management Office.

You don't need a licence to ride an electric bike.

Check your insurance covers you for riding all types of motorised bikes.

Always wear a helmet.

Use only licensed taxis or limousine services with a good reputation, preferably those arranged through your hotel.

Always insist that the meter is used.

Most taxis in China don't have seatbelts.

Taxi drivers may swap legitimate RMB100 notes for fake notes. They will then return the fake note and refuse to accept it as payment because it’s counterfeit.

Ridesharing apps are widely used in major Chinese cities.

Public transport

Tour operators, public buses and ferries might not meet safety standards, especially in rural areas.

Transport operators may not:

• provide adequate safety equipment
• maintain vehicles and equipment
• have safety precautions in place

Always use available safety equipment, such as lifejackets or seatbelts.

If appropriate safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.

• Transport and getting around safely
• Travelling by boat

Many airlines have temporarily reduced or stopped flights to China. Further travel restrictions can come into effect at short notice.

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  China's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Contact your airline or travel agent for up-to-date information on domestic and international flights and transport options.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular services in China, contact the Australian Embassy in Beijing or our Consulates-General in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shenyang.

Check the relevant website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

Australian Embassy, Beijing

21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie Sanlitun, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 Phone: (+86 10) 5140 4111 Fax: (+86 10) 5140 4292 Website:  china.embassy.gov.au Social media:  WeChat ,  X (formerly Twitter)

Australian Consulate General, Chengdu

27th Floor, Square One 18 Dongyu Street, Jinjiang District Chengdu 610016  Phone: (+86 28) 6268 5200  Fax: (+86 28) 6268 5222 Email:  [email protected] Website:  chengdu.china.embassy.gov.au

Australian Consulate General, Guangzhou

12th Floor, Development Centre No. 3 Linjiang Road, Zhujiang New City Guangzhou 510623  Phone: (+86 20) 3814 0111  Fax: (+86 20) 3814 0112 Website:  guangzhou.china.embassy.gov.au

Australian Consulate General, Shanghai

Level 22, CITIC Square 1168 Nanjing Xi Lu Shanghai 200041  Phone: (+86 21) 2215 5200 Fax: (+86 21) 2215 5252 Website:  shanghai.china.embassy.gov.au

Australian Consulate-General, Shenyang

Level 19, China Resources Building, Tower A 286 Qingnian Avenue, Heping District, Shenyang, 110004 Phone: (+86 24) 8610 6100 Fax: (+86 24) 8163 0288 Email:  [email protected] Website:  shenyang.consulate.gov.au

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to China?

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Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

In order to reduce cross-border transmission of Covid-19, especially considering the latest developments of COVID-19 in Australia, the Embassy and Consulate-Generals of China have made major changes on the application procedures. Passengers who travel on and after 17 January, 2022  are kindly required to read and follow instructions below.

1. Please take corresponding instructions according to your vaccination status:

(1) For those who are fully vaccinated with inactivated vaccine( Sinopharm, Sinovac and etc.):

Within 48 hours before departure, the passenger should take two nucleic acid tests respectively at two qualified institutions certified by Australian government. If not available, the passenger should take two nucleic acid tests respectively at two qualified institutions certified by Australian government within 72 hours before departure, and these two tests should have a 24 hours time span between.Please notice that those who are fully vaccinated with inactivated vaccine and also with non-inactivated vaccines should be applied to this instruction.

(2)For those who are fully vaccinated with non-inactivated vaccines( Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and etc.):

Within 48 hours before departure, the passenger should take one nucleic acid and N Protein(IgM) anti-body test at a qualified institution certified by Australian government. If not available, the passenger should take two nucleic acid tests respectively at two qualified institutions certified by Australian government instead within 48 hours.

(3) For the unvaccinated or the partially vaccinated :

Within 48 hours before departure, the passenger should take one nucleic acid and IgM anti-body test at a qualified institution certified by Australian government.

2. The passengers should apply for the Electronic Health Declaration Form by logging on the website of http://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/ via computer or smart phone . You can fill in the information, declare the health status and upload relevant documents online. The following documents should be uploaded for application:       

(1) Your test result reports(based on the requirements mentioned above);

(2) Flight itinerary;

(3) Passport;

(4) Chinese visa or resident permit;

(5) If you are vaccinated, please upload your vaccination certificate.

(6) If you have infection history / are a close contact / show suspected symptoms, please upload supplementary documents according to the requirements below:

Passengers with infection history:

(1) If you were diagnosed with COVID-19 or tested positive for nucleic acid rt-PCR or antibody (not due to vaccination), you are considered as having an infection history.

(2) You can apply for a health code after you infected day if you meet the following requirements:

- Take two nucleic acid tests with a sampling interval of over 24 hours, and both tests return negative results.

- Take a lung CT or X-ray and have the imaging diagnosis report before the second nucleic acid test.

- Take a self-quarantine for at least 14 days and record your daily body temperature and health conditions after the second nucleic acid test. If you develop any symptoms such as fever, cough, diarrhea during the self-quarantine, take another nucleic acid test. If the result is negative, start a 14-day quarantine again. If the result is positive, you will need to wait until you recover and redo the whole process.

- After completing the above procedures, follow this notice to perform corresponding tests before boarding. If the test result is still positive, you will need to complete the previous steps again until you meet all the requirements.

Close contacts/showing suspected symptoms

Close contacts or passengers showing suspected symptoms are required to self-quarantine for at least 14 days. Please monitor your health conditions and take nucleic acid tests on the 1st, 4th, and 7th day of self-quarantine. After completing the above procedures and the test result is negative, follow this notice to perform corresponding tests before boarding.

3.Important Reminder

(1)For your health and safety, we highly recommend you reconsider any unnecessary travels.

(2)We strongly recommend all passengers to choose direct flights to China, and we will not issue health declaration forms for those who fly to China via connecting flights.

(3)Please notice that those who take tests earlier than 14 days after your fully vaccinated will not be qualified for health declaration forms.

(4)Please download and accordingly fill in the Statement of Commitment on Personal Health Monitoring in attachment, and present the form to the airlines before boarding.  

(5)The passengers have the obligation to comply with the airlines’ COVID test, temperature check and other necessary checking for safety reasons. Refusal may face up to the cancellation of the health declaration forms.

Source：The  Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia

• Statement of Commitment on Personal Health Monitoring.docx

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Travellers from China required to undertake COVID-19 testing before travel

The Australian Government will introduce pre-departure testing for COVID-19 for people travelling to Australia from the People’s Republic of China.

The Australian Government will introduce pre-departure testing for COVID-19 for people travelling to Australia from the People’s Republic of China including the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

This measure is in response to the significant wave of COVID-19 infections in China and the potential for emerging viral variants in that country.

From 12:01am on Thursday 5 January 2023, travellers will be required to undertake a COVID-19 test within the 48hrs prior to travel and show evidence of a negative test result when travelling to Australia.

While we are no longer in the emergency phase of the pandemic response in Australia, this decision has been made to safeguard Australia from the risk of potential new emerging variants, and in recognition of the rapidly evolving situation in China and uncertainty about emerging viral variants.

In making this decision, I have been briefed extensively by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO). Australia now joins other countries across the world including France, India, Japan, Malaysia, Spain, the Republic of Korea, England and the United States of America in implementing similar measures.

These arrangements are precautionary and temporary and will remain under review based on the health advice and available information.

My department is working with states and territories to monitor the situation in Australia very closely. In addition, the Government continues to work closely with state and territory governments to improve our capacity to detect and rapidly respond to any new emerging variants of concern.

There is no advice to change our current approach to managing this phase of the pandemic in Australia. Fortunately, in Australia we have readily available access to vaccines and treatments, and high underlying population immunity.

Every single person eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine should make an appointment as soon as they are eligible. Staying up to date with vaccinations is one of the simplest actions people can take to help protect themselves from becoming severely unwell from COVID-19. Additionally, anyone who is eligible for oral anti-viral treatments should have a plan to access those if they test positive for COVID-19.

Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:

“The decision to implement these temporary measures has been made out of an abundance of caution, taking into account the dynamic and evolving situation in China and the potential for new variants to emerge in an environment of high transmission."

“Australia is well positioned in its pandemic response. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in Australia and internationally, in collaboration with medical experts. Our absolute priority is keeping our community safe and continuing to be a world leader when it comes to responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic."

“This small but sensible move will help to protect people who are at risk of severe illness and safeguard our healthcare system.”

• COVID-19 vaccines
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Chinese tourists to resume group travel to Australia in latest thawing of relations between countries

Group tours accounted for 30% of the Chinese leisure travel market to Australia before the pandemic, as travel operators welcome move

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Airlines are preparing to cater for an increase in Chinese tourists to Australia after China’s government announced group tours to the country could resume, as the relationship between Beijing and Canberra continues to thaw.

China’s culture and tourism ministry named Australia, as well as countries including Japan, South Korea, Britain and the US, in an updated list of destinations that Chinese tourism agencies can run group tours to for the first time since outbound travel was halted due to the pandemic.

Thursday’s announcement is the third such list, and followed approvals in January and March this year. The first batch included 20 countries such as Thailand, Russia, Cuba and Argentina, while the second included 40 countries, among them Nepal, France, Portugal, Brazil.

Guardian Australia understands that Chinese airlines flying into Australia had expected the announcement, and had recently begun preemptively building in extra capacity to the country.

Airports are also expecting airlines to look at introducing additional flights between mainland China and Australia as a result of the announcement.

Group tours are a popular travel choice for Chinese citizens. An industry source said group tours accounted for 30% of the Chinese leisure travel market to Australia before the pandemic.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia CEO, Margy Osmond, said the resumption was “incredibly exciting” and would help the sector recover.

Osmond said the lack of tour groups from China had been “a major barrier”.

“The drop in Chinese visitor numbers has had a significant impact on our industry, given China was our largest source market for international tourism before the pandemic,” Osmond said.

Travel from China to Australia has significantly increased throughout 2023. At the beginning of the year, there were just three or four return flights between the mainland and Sydney airport each week. By August, there were more than 50 return flights a week – sustained in part by demand from the return of international students.

However, travel in June from China to Sydney Airport was at 69% of pre-pandemic levels.

after newsletter promotion

Beijing’s announcement is the latest thawing of relations with Canberra, after it last week dropped its tariff of Australian barley imports that had been in place for three years.

Thursday’s news cheered China’s outbound travel operators, which have struggled since 2020 with more than three years of pandemic-induced border closures before China finally dropped Covid-19 restrictions late last year.

“It’s a milestone for the full resumption of the outbound travel, and will also strongly push the resumption of international flights, especially for Japan, Korea, the US,” said Zhou Weihong, deputy general manager at Spring Tour.

In the first quarter, Chinese tourism agencies recorded 318,600 outbound trips, with Thailand, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore among the top destinations. Though outbound travel only accounted for 1.58% of the overall tourism market in terms of the number of people who travelled, official figures showed.

Shares in South Korean firms with large exposure to Chinese travel demand – including two casino operators – jumped on the news.

With Reuters

• Tourism (Australia)

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Find cheap flights from China to Australia from $216

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from china to australia departing on 2/6. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to australia.

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Good to know

Faqs for booking flights from china to australia, how does kayak find such low prices on flights from china to australia.

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from China to Australia.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from China to Australia?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Australia from China is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from China to Australia?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Australia with an airline and back to China with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from China to Australia?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Australia from China up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top 5 airlines serving from China to Australia

My experience with Scoot is very good. Will have no issue flying with Scoot again.

In general good, but the machine seems to be long in operation and some functions were restricted as e. g. Adjusting of seats.

When boarding, after business class should be premium economy, but economy class already lined-up at the gate blocking premium economy to board. Singapore airline crew should done a better job to organize this chaos :( Thank you.

Wonderful service, planes and interior in great condition, very pleasant experience

The premium economy seats were not that great. It could have been more premium than economy seats.

The singapore airline now compared before covid, I like the service before covid. SQ was the best of all airlines but now I am going to look for different airline if I am travelling in asia.

A pc of cake or biscuit at least. The airport was like a maze need to take another bus to the main terminal to immigration.

They close their counter so early. I had internet issues so I couldn’t check In online . I would have made the flight but their counter was closed 5 minutes before we arrived. No way of contacting them even though I had the confirmation number and tried to check in the night before on someone else’s phone. I tried calling their customer service with no pick up. Horrible experience, I’m very unhappy with them. I hope to never fly with them ever again. It costed me almost $900.

They are great with every aspect of customer service. Helped my elderly father and aided him with using the restroom.

Transfer within the same terminal and lots of facilities at the airport.

We bought the business class tickets. The check-in staff and onboard crew were excellent, providing commendable service throughout. However, it was disappointing to find that China Southern Airlines does not have a lounge at SFO. Instead, passengers were provided with a $35 per person food voucher, which fell short of expectations. Furthermore, the quality of the onboard food left much to be desired, marking a significant decline compared to our previous flight experience in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

Wuhan - Dubai. Old plane: 1. Only USB charger. No power outlet to plug in.. 2. Super narrow seat layout 3. Toilet cover consistently fell down and hit my back when sitting on it.. :( 4. Entertainment system touch screen not sensitive, and need to press hard or use finger tips to hit. Crew were very nice and accommodating though.

1. I got very poor check in experience with the counter lady . This is the first airline I ever experienced that no combine check in weight allow . Even we have 4 of us but weight counter by piece . So we wasted lot of time argue and repack . This is super crazy 2. Next I left my Samsung tablet on the plane . And I started to escalate and finally spoke to southern airline lost and found in Malaysia and the amazing answer she give is : system nothing found and please try to call southern airline in china 🧐 . I have been flying many other airlines but this is my first encounterment with such irresponsible airline response and no empathy given to customer . My feeling is nobody bother whether how customer like me feel and I’m just too small for the management to take note .

No red vine, no whiskey, no vodka. No that I wanted all of them at once but still...

During flight, some passengers perform stomping leg exercises which disturb the comfort (I.e. sleep) of other passengers.

No good but was short flight. Both of our China Southern flights were on time. No surprises.

The flight was okay it was the kayak customer service that was poor, I have been trying to change my name on my flight ticket 3 days before my flight and nothing got done about it even tho I messaged so many times and phoned, all I got in return was that is was being processed and still to this day nothing has been done about it, I think it’s disgusting and un needed stress to the trip.

The food was perfect. The boarding process is a bit long. Given the late boarding time, I felt very tired by the time I was seated.

Quality flight from start to finish. Customer service is evidently very important to this company. The staff really exceeded expectations.

Traveling with the Chinese airlines , their service superior to the US Airlines , they are much more friendly and the seats are comfortable , In the past I flew with United , now ,United Airline will become history for me .

For the price we paid, I couldn’t complain. Was good value for money. Service was excellent but food was mediocre. Crew were excellent and spoke English. You will never go hungry. The food was ample but was mediocre. Entertainment limited and wifi doesn’t all allow you to access some social media. The best part was comfortable seats and bed (business class) with a screen to close out the rest of the cabin.

Good airline for the price. The Air stewardess are great, nothing is to much trouble. Will use again.

The flight was cancelled without any reason. But the next flight to Shanghai has to be cancelled to pay penalty.

How do you run out of beer after one hour of a twelve hour flight?!

You’re in the three parts of my life, the China Eastern air crew remembered and wish me happy birthday. I was given pastries on two different occasions and a complementary drink. The stew is wish me happy birthday and gave me a birthday card. Everything was first class. Thank you.

2 hours delay on the 1st plane out of the day!!!!!

Multiple delays, with no explanation. Caused us to almost miss our connector. The airline made no effort when we arrived in Shanghai to help us make it to our next flight with the same airline.

The plane was small and a little stuffy inside the plane.

Going to Xiamen they did not offer any wine and basically offered two food choices in tin trays. Something you would expect on a domestic flight in China not a $10k business class flight. The flight attendant admitted they also stopped paying for satellite Wi-Fi; which they used to offer and now don't - without apology. Normally I am a huge fan of a non-stop but the difference between Japanese or US carriers is a large one and well worth a stop in Korea or Japan rather than pay double for no amenities at all. The plane is nice, but the experience was below par.

Once on board, everything is perfect. The young and pretty flight attendants warmly welcome each passenger and demonstrate excellent service attitudes. As passengers board one after another, the flight attendants begin to inquire about our meal preferences. I requested to see a wine list and choose a suitable red wine. She replied that there were no menus or wine lists, but she would take a photo of the red wine options on her phone and show me later. After lunch, the flight attendants began to ask about dinner arrangements. It turns out that there were only three options for dinner: seafood, chicken, and beef, exactly the same as lunch.

The flight was delayed for almost 5 hours, but I understand that it was not up to the company, however how they could handle the situation better, they never apologized for that delay, moreover despite passengers being there for 7 hours only thing they did was to give a bowl of instant noodles, afterwards on the plane tiny snacks, people were there starting from lunch time and we’ve arrived to destination at almost midnight

Flight was delayed for 2 hours for no reason, then we spent almost an hour after boarding because of the weather conditions. If we left on time we could avoid that 😾

Book cheap flights from China to Australia

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Find cheap flights from China to Australia from £276

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from china to australia departing on 6/6. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to australia.

Save 28% or more Compare multiple travel sites with one search.

Track prices Not ready to book? Create a price alert for when prices drop.

Filter your deals Choose cabin class, free Wi-Fi and more.

Bundle and save Save money when you bundle your flight + hotel.

Good to know - Cheap tickets from China to Australia

Faqs for booking flights from china to australia, how does kayak find such low prices on flights from china to australia.

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights from China to Australia.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket from China to Australia?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Australia from China is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights from China to Australia?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional return ticket. You could then fly to Australia with an airline and back to China with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight from China to Australia?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Australia from China up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top 5 airlines serving from China to Australia

plus: service and personal assistance minus: online check-in did not work

My experience with Scoot is very good. Will have no issue flying with Scoot again.

In general good, but the machine seems to be long in operation and some functions were restricted as e. g. Adjusting of seats.

When boarding, after business class should be premium economy, but economy class already lined-up at the gate blocking premium economy to board. Singapore airline crew should done a better job to organize this chaos :( Thank you.

Wonderful service, planes and interior in great condition, very pleasant experience

The premium economy seats were not that great. It could have been more premium than economy seats.

The singapore airline now compared before covid, I like the service before covid. SQ was the best of all airlines but now I am going to look for different airline if I am travelling in asia.

A pc of cake or biscuit at least. The airport was like a maze need to take another bus to the main terminal to immigration.

They were able to assist my elderly father and myself after not being able to check in to scoot. The counter service was phenomenal. They did what they could to get us on the next plane so we could catch our Connecting flight. Scoot closed early on us so we ended up missing our flight.

They close their counter so early. I had internet issues so I couldn’t check In online . I would have made the flight but their counter was closed 5 minutes before we arrived. No way of contacting them even though I had the confirmation number and tried to check in the night before on someone else’s phone. I tried calling their customer service with no pick up. Horrible experience, I’m very unhappy with them. I hope to never fly with them ever again. It costed me almost $900.

They asked how much cash i have . I said no cash they said bring cash from atm . Why they even care about my cash.

Flight was scheduled to depart at 1210 hrs. It was delayed 1 hour 20 minutes (maybe for air traffic control reasons). The seats were worn out and very uncomfortable. Lunch was typical for airline. Flight free were friendly.

We bought the business class tickets. The check-in staff and onboard crew were excellent, providing commendable service throughout. However, it was disappointing to find that China Southern Airlines does not have a lounge at SFO. Instead, passengers were provided with a $35 per person food voucher, which fell short of expectations. Furthermore, the quality of the onboard food left much to be desired, marking a significant decline compared to our previous flight experience in 2019, prior to the pandemic.

Wuhan - Dubai. Old plane: 1. Only USB charger. No power outlet to plug in.. 2. Super narrow seat layout 3. Toilet cover consistently fell down and hit my back when sitting on it.. :( 4. Entertainment system touch screen not sensitive, and need to press hard or use finger tips to hit. Crew were very nice and accommodating though.

1. I got very poor check in experience with the counter lady . This is the first airline I ever experienced that no combine check in weight allow . Even we have 4 of us but weight counter by piece . So we wasted lot of time argue and repack . This is super crazy 2. Next I left my Samsung tablet on the plane . And I started to escalate and finally spoke to southern airline lost and found in Malaysia and the amazing answer she give is : system nothing found and please try to call southern airline in china 🧐 . I have been flying many other airlines but this is my first encounterment with such irresponsible airline response and no empathy given to customer . My feeling is nobody bother whether how customer like me feel and I’m just too small for the management to take note .

No red vine, no whiskey, no vodka. No that I wanted all of them at once but still...

During flight, some passengers perform stomping leg exercises which disturb the comfort (I.e. sleep) of other passengers.

No good but was short flight. Both of our China Southern flights were on time. No surprises.

The flight was okay it was the kayak customer service that was poor, I have been trying to change my name on my flight ticket 3 days before my flight and nothing got done about it even tho I messaged so many times and phoned, all I got in return was that is was being processed and still to this day nothing has been done about it, I think it’s disgusting and un needed stress to the trip.

The food was perfect. The boarding process is a bit long. Given the late boarding time, I felt very tired by the time I was seated.

Quality flight from start to finish. Customer service is evidently very important to this company. The staff really exceeded expectations.

Traveling with the Chinese airlines , their service superior to the US Airlines , they are much more friendly and the seats are comfortable , In the past I flew with United , now ,United Airline will become history for me .

The international flight from Sydney to Dallas had great food. I have travelled a lot over the years and this has been the most memorable in my experience so far.

flight delayed, wait in crowded gate. staff inattentive. had to remind them to get my coat from their closet. not many new movies, media choices were limited (nothing compared to Emirates.) Lounge was crowded

flight delayed, wait in crowded gate. staff inattentive. had to remind them to get my coat from their closet. not many new movies, media choices were limited (nothing compared to Emirates.)

Initial flight was cancelled so moved to an alternative flight. As a result, stuck in a middle seat. Flight then place in holding pattern prior to landing resulting in a very late trip home.

There was nothing I didn’t like, prices a little lower would help

Flight delay was informed at the last minute. Food quality is not up to Qantas standard I was unable to book an online boarding pass on any of my 6 flights.

Following a marathon flight riddled by delays and changes from Santiago, Chile, my flight to Melbourne from Sydney was on schedule but I was transferred to the next flight. The reason by ticketing and the floor manager was I missed the entry to flight by one minute! That's right, the emphasised that if I was 1 minute earlier I would be on the flight. I asked what was the point them emphasising 1minute overdue and how that helped me or the situation. They didn't care at all. Replying that if it was one minute earlier they would've done something and smirking delivering the information. Australian's do call Australia home, Qantas calls Australian's suckers.

Rescheduled after ticket purchased and issued, not 2 or 3 times and not a fourth but by 5 times, by Qantas, that's right, 5 changes! Forcing an overnight stay in Chile and need for visa. Qantas can no longer provide basic services as a national or international service provider. Professionalism is extinct and the provider needs to be mentored and educated in perfecting who to operate as an airline. Qantas is the spirit of Australian dissatisfaction.

Amazing! Was put on the earlier flight and I requested for an aisle seat and was given it. Thanks Qantas!

The staff we fantastic and seemed to work very well with each other

Free meals on all flights in economy. The 737´s don’t have screens so it’s a bummer. But the selection on 787´s is wide

The plane was small and a little stuffy inside the plane.

Going to Xiamen they did not offer any wine and basically offered two food choices in tin trays. Something you would expect on a domestic flight in China not a $10k business class flight. The flight attendant admitted they also stopped paying for satellite Wi-Fi; which they used to offer and now don't - without apology. Normally I am a huge fan of a non-stop but the difference between Japanese or US carriers is a large one and well worth a stop in Korea or Japan rather than pay double for no amenities at all. The plane is nice, but the experience was below par.

Once on board, everything is perfect. The young and pretty flight attendants warmly welcome each passenger and demonstrate excellent service attitudes. As passengers board one after another, the flight attendants begin to inquire about our meal preferences. I requested to see a wine list and choose a suitable red wine. She replied that there were no menus or wine lists, but she would take a photo of the red wine options on her phone and show me later. After lunch, the flight attendants began to ask about dinner arrangements. It turns out that there were only three options for dinner: seafood, chicken, and beef, exactly the same as lunch.

Book cheap flights from China to Australia

Cheapest flights to Australia from China found in 2024

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Qantas slashes route amid $12b bombshell

A major change in the way millions of Chinese people are behaving is creating a $12 billion problem for Australia.

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Half the number of Chinese travellers are coming to Australia than before the pandemic.

The stark figures are a major concern for the tourism industry, given Chinese visitors injected more than $12 billion into the Australian economy in 2019.

Qantas announced last week it would be scrapping its Sydney to Shanghai route because of low demand, despite Shanghai being the top region in China that travellers are visiting Australia from, according to Tourism Research Australia.

The Aussie national carrier only resumed its Sydney-Shanghai service in October last year but Qantas International chief executive Cam Wallace said their planes were often half-full.

“Since Covid, the demand for travel between Australia and China has not recovered as strongly as expected,” he explained.

Chinese visitors were slow to return to Australia despite aviation capacity increasing, Tourism and Transport Forum Australia CEO Margy Osmond told news.com.au

“This has had a significant impact on the tourism industry, given China was one of our largest source markets for international tourism before the pandemic,” she said, explaining China is currently our fourth largest source country for international visitors.

“We’re also seeing an increase in domestic tourism within China.

“But we’re working hard to try and entice more Chinese visitors to come to Australia and we hope to see more Chinese visitors return to our shores.”

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released last week shows in March this year, Chinese short-term visitor arrivals were only at 47 per cent of pre-Covid levels, when comparing with March 2019.

As for Australian residents travelling to China, the data shows those numbers are at 85 per cent of pre-Covid levels for March 2024, compared with March 2019.

The loss of Chinese travellers is of particular concern because of how much they spend when visiting Australia.

In the 2019 calendar year, Chinese visitors spent an average of $9336 per trip amounting to $12.4 billion.

In the same year, other top international markets spent significantly less.

New Zealanders spent $2004 on average per trip (totalling $2.6b), Brits spent $4999 (totalling $3.4b), and those travelling from the United States spent $5130 (totalling $3.9b), according to the International Visitor Survey from Tourism Research Australia.

What has turned Chinese tourists away

Three experts told news.com.au it was interesting Chinese visitor arrivals had not picked up the way they had from New Zealand, the US, UK and India when borders reopened.

Last year, as Chinese tourists came back to Australia, the number of Chinese visitor arrivals was only 38 per cent of the 2019 level. Their total spend in Australia was $5.8 billion.

Dr Maneka Jayasinghe from Charles Darwin University, and Professor Saroja Selvanathan and Professor Selva Selvanathan from Griffith University are co-authors of a 2022 study published in the Tourism Economics journal about deteriorating Australia-China relations and the impact on our tourism industry.

“The latest international visitor figures indicate that visitor arrivals from China is increasing but at a much slower rate than arrivals from other similar markets and it may take years to reach the pre-pandemic level,” they told news.com.au this week.

Some factors that may be keeping Chinese tourists away are political and trade tension, costly airfares, and the fact China’s economy is “not doing that well”.

“Travel to Australia (return airfare and accommodation) has become more expensive for the middle class Chinese population,” the researchers said.

“Tourists who have become more sensitive to processes during the pandemic with general cost of living-related hardships, may look for domestic travel or cheaper visa-free destinations in the Southeast Asian region.”

They also said after the pandemic, universities were offering fully online degrees meaning there was no need for those students to come to Australia.

“Pre-Covid when students came in large numbers to study in Australia, their families and friends also visited Australia in large numbers,” Dr Jayasinghe, Prof Selvanathan and Prof Selvanathan explained.

The experts warned that if the tourism industry does not bounce back to pre-pandemic levels within the next two to three years, “tourism operators, especially the regional and small scale tourism operators will continue to suffer”.

“The labour force in the tourism sector, may suffer from unemployment or be forced to look for employment opportunities in other sectors,” they said.

“It is important to look for alternative tourism markets if the visitor arrivals from traditional markets continue to show slow growth to keep the industry afloat.”

Tourism a ‘highly political phenomenon’

The academics’ 2022 paper explained the number of visitors from China to Australia increased by about 15 per cent a year from 2009 to 2018 – then the growth rate reduced drastically in 2018 and 2019.

“The growth rate drastically reduced even before the Covid-19 pandemic, to be almost stagnant,” Dr Jayasinghe said at the time the research was published.

This, they said, was because political and trade relations between the two countries began to deteriorate from 2018.

The paper warned the current state of Australia-China relations could have “serious and adverse implications” on the Australian tourism industry.

It said tourism was a “highly political phenomenon”.

“On the one hand, international tourism is a catalyst for reducing political tension and promoting world peace,” the paper read. “On the other hand, governments can exert political pressure through tourism to either promote tourism with friendly countries or restrict tourism with hostile countries.”

But the researchers told news.com.au fortunately relations between China and Australia “have improved substantially” since the Labor Government came into power in May 2022.

Tourism Australia ‘confident’ about recovery

Tourism Australia, the Australian Government agency responsible for attracting international visitors to Australia, is optimistic.

“Whilst travel with China reopened a year later than other markets, we are confident about its recovery as the market continues to steadily rebuild,” a spokesman told news.com.au.

Australia reopened its international border for tourists in February 2022, but at the time, Chinese nationals still had to complete 14 days of quarantine at a designated hotel or facility when they returned home.

China withdrew its advisory to citizens against foreign travel in January last year, and reopened its borders to foreign tourists a few months later in March. It wasn’t until August last year that it lifted its ban on group tours to Australia.

As for whether something needed to change to lure Chinese travellers back faster, Tourism Australia said it had remained active in China “even during the pause in travel”.

“And in June last year we launched the global ‘Come and Say G’day’ campaign to encourage Chinese travellers to plan and book an Australian holiday,” the spokesman said.

“Importantly, our partners on the ground, such as Ctrip, tell us that demand for Australia remains strong and that Australia is consistently the number one destination for long haul travel in China.”

It is understood there are 119 flights per week between China and Australia, and Qantas only made up five of those flights.

Dr Jayasinghe, Prof Selvanathan and Prof Selvanathan agreed the ‘Come and Say G’day’ campaign, launched in China in 2023, would have helped rebuild the tourism market, and advised further strengthening of promotional activities like this would help increase Chinese visitor numbers.

They also suggested a more simplified visa process and periodical visa fee waivers or discounts to help boost visitor arrivals.

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“While taking steps to re-establish the Chinese market, it may be worthwhile exploring opportunities to re-establish the links with some of the traditional tourism markets, such as Japan, which was a major tourism market in the early 1990s but gradually declined thereafter,” they said.

“In addition, countries with a rapidly growing middle-class, such as India could have high potential to grow as reliable tourism markets.

“Due to their proximity to Australia, some of the Southeast Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, South Korea and Thailand could also be attractive tourism source markets for Australia.”

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China Southern non-stop flights returning to Perth in November

• Perth to China direct flights resume from November
• China Southern to recommence non-stop service between Guangzhou and Perth
• Service to provide more than 41,000 inbound seats each year from mainland China
• Marks 20th international destination connected to Perth since the pandemic

Western Australia will once again have an ongoing direct flight to China from November 2024, with China Southern Airlines today announcing resumption of its non-stop service between Guangzhou and Perth. Supported by the Cook Government's $75 million Aviation Recovery Fund, the service will operate three times per week from 28 November, bringing an additional 41,000 inbound seats to Western Australia each year. It will be the first year-round non-stop service between mainland China and Western Australia since the airline ceased services due to the pandemic, and follows the successful seasonal Shanghai direct flight through China Eastern Airlines earlier this year. It also follows missions by both the Premier and the Tourism Minister to China over the past six months, with securing new direct flights a key focus of both visits. China Southern operated the Guangzhou to Perth route from 2011 until the pandemic, bringing 33,000 visitors to the State in 2019 alone. Guangzhou is a large port city in Southern China located approximately 120 kilometres north-west of Hong Kong on the Pearl River. The city acts as a transit hub for Chinese and international visitors with China Southern Airlines servicing 97 destinations throughout China, and 53 international destinations, including North and Central America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. China was WA's largest market for visitor spend in 2019, with 73,000 Chinese visitors spending $367 million in 2019. It is also the State's biggest trading partner, with goods exported from WA to China totalling $147.7 billion in 2022-23. The resumption of this service marks the 20th international destination connected to Perth with new or resumed non-stop flights since borders reopened, further strengthening WA's status as Australia's Western Gateway. Tickets for the flights are now on sale. To book and for more information, visit csair.com/en. Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook: "Direct flight links with China mean more tourism, more business opportunities, and more local jobs here in WA. "The return of the Guangzhou route builds on the huge success of the seasonal Shanghai direct flight earlier this year, and shows the benefits of our Government's direct engagement with China. "We know that securing direct flights is important not only for bringing more visitors into our State, but for strengthening our economy - opening up new opportunities for agriculture, international education and more. "China is our biggest trading partner, and my Government will continue to drive opportunities to grow our economy and create local jobs." Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti: "This announcement is massive for Western Australian tourism. "China stands out as one of Western Australia's premium markets that has historically delivered high visitor numbers and expenditure, so we'd expect this to rise significantly with the resumption of this non-stop service. "This direct connection will not only bolster inbound tourism, but also energise adjacent sectors such as agriculture and business exchanges, solidifying our State's reputation as Australia's Western Gateway. "Of course, this is also a huge win for our local Chinese community in WA and will certainly provide greater connection with family and friends back home."

Hon. Roger Cook

Hon. Rita Saffioti

Acknowledgement of country.

The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present.

China Southern Boeing 787 Dreamliners Headed For West Australia

• Chinese airlines are resuming routes suspended during COVID-19, boosting local economies like West Australia's Perth.
• China Southern Airlines to resume flights from Guangzhou to Perth, benefiting tourism and local producers.
• Resumption of flights between Guangzhou and Perth will enhance outbound tourism and global connectivity.

When China reopened its borders last year, there was still some hesitation for Chinese travelers to leave their own country, with many preferring to travel domestically to spend their vacations with family and friends or to see more of what their vast nation offers.

Another Chinese carrier returns to Perth

While not Australia's largest source of inbound tourists, Chinese travelers are the highest per capita spenders, so there has been an endless chase by airports and tourism agencies to encourage the leading carriers to resume the air services suspended during the pandemic.

Today, West Australia's Perth Airport (PER) announced that China Southern Airlines will resume non-stop flights from Guangzhou on November 28, 2024, a route initially launched in 2011. China is Western Australia's fourth biggest market, with 54,000 visitors injecting AU$230 million ($152m) into the economy last year.

Perth Airport Adds China Eastern Flights And Finds 40,000 Year Old Artifacts

Perth Airport Chief Commercial and Aviation Officer Kate Holsgrove said the non-stop flights will have a positive impact on visitor numbers, adding:

"The Chinese visitor market is so valuable for tourism, business, education and exports. The return of this service is a result of a significant amount of work in partnership with Tourism WA and [the] State Government, and we look forward to further developing our partnership with China Southern Airlines."

In a similar vein to Queensland's Brisbane Airport, Perth Airport is a major logistical hub for exports of high-value and time-sensitive fresh produce, meat and seafood. With China being a significant export market, the additional freight capacity of 5,000 tonnes in the belly of China Southern Airlines (China Southern) aircraft means the resumption of flights is a win-win for West Australia tourism and its local producers.

China Southern Airlines Reaches Ten Years Of Operation Of Boeing 787 Dreamliners

The service will operate three times weekly, on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, between Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) and Perth Airport, delivering 86,000 seats to the West Australian market. China Southern will be using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on the route, arriving in Perth at 22:10 and heading back to Guangzhou at 23:55.

A big fleet to choose from

According to planespotters.net, the airline has a fleet of 658 aircraft, including 111 widebody jets. The medium and long-haul jets include 28 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 32 777s, plus 31 Airbus A330s and 20 A350s. Most of the fleet are single-aisle aircraft, including 316 Airbus A320 Family , 205 Boeing 737s, and 26 locally made COMAC ARJ21 regional jets.

In 2009, China Southern launched the 'Canton Route' international strategy, and on November 8, 2011, it started flights on the Perth-Guangzhou route. This route gave passengers convenient transfers through the Guangzhou hub to destinations in China and globally. In pre-pandemic 2019, the airline carried 47,900 passengers to Perth, and today, Regional GM Australia and New Zealand Jason Sun said the airline is "highly attentive" to the recovery of the China-Australian market.

The route will also boost outbound tourism, either to the south of China or beyond, and give West Australians another route to Asia, Europe and the Middle East. This is a significant win for Perth Airport, which has already resumed several international services and is setting itself up well for a successful 2024.

Have you flown from Perth Airport? Let us know about it in the comments section.

China reopens visas for Australians, but those with a past COVID-19 infection will have to take six PCR tests

After studying for years in Australia, Lynn Luo cannot wait to return to China: She has already booked her ticket home for August.

Key points:

• From this week, Australians can apply for work or family reunion visas for China 
• It is the first time the country has opened its borders for new visa applicants in more than two years
• There are different testing requirements for people who have and who have not had COVID-19

However, when the 24-year-old international student tested positive for COVID-19 after a getaway with friends in April, she knew she would have to jump through several extra hoops before her departure. 

Now she will be required to take six PCR tests over two months.

Each test can cost up to $120 from private providers, which supply the approved paperwork required by the Chinese embassy.

This week, the embassy announced changes for foreign travellers, meaning Australians can apply for work or family reunion visas for the first time since March 2020. 

However, like Ms Luo, anyone with a previous COVID-19 infection — even if it was two years ago — will face a more complicated and costly process.

Ms Luo said she was "devastated" and thought the rules were "unreasonable".

"I was a little bit scared when I was first diagnosed," she said.

Yet hers was a mild case.

"After I recovered, I felt it was just a big cold," she said. 

"I don't think people need to spend so much time [doing the tests] once they've recovered."

What's changed for Australians? 

China suspended the entry of foreigners  at the start of the pandemic. 

Visas were only granted for "necessary economic" or "technological activities", or for "humanitarian reasons", such as mourning or visiting critically ill relatives. 

However, earlier this month, dozens of Chinese embassies — including in the United States, Canada, Indonesia, South Korea and Australia — announced foreigners can now apply for work visas or for family reunions.

Monash University associate professor of preventative medicine and general practice, Hui Yang, said this change was a "good development in China's gradual opening up".

"Reopening is much harder than shutting down, but it's inevitable," Dr Hui said. 

Visa applications for tourism and medical treatment are not yet available. 

Rules around quarantine are changing too. In Beijing, travellers must undertake hotel quarantine for 10 days, down from 14, and complete an additional week in home quarantine. 

Some other cities require a week of hotel quarantine. 

What are the rules for travelling to China? 

Those who have never tested positive for COVID-19 are required to undertake two PCR tests at different facilities, 48 hours before they travel. 

However, it's a different story for those with a prior infection.

Entry requirements for China-bound passengers have also shifted in recent months. 

From April 1  this year, the number of PCR tests for previously infected people entering China from Australia increased from two to six, and authorities also required a lung X-ray or CT scan to show passengers had "fully recovered". 

The latest rules  — which came into effect on May 20 — removed the need for a lung X-ray, but the testing regime remains for now.

However, the notice on Australia's Chinese embassy website did not explain the rationale for six tests, but said the procedure had been updated "according to the current situation of COVID-19 and the virus variation".

Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past must take two initial PCR tests, 24 hours apart, and deliver them to the embassy or consulate six weeks later for a review.

After that, they are then required to take two more PCR tests and complete a 14-day self-monitoring form about their health. 

They must then take two more PCR tests 48 hours before their departure, including one on the day of travel.

The entire process takes at least eight weeks, and the consulates do not accept test results in the form of SMS, leading people like Ms Luo to pay pathology labs for the results.

However, the scientific basis of the regulations has been questioned by some experts.

"The six weeks wait after the first two negative PCR tests makes no sense at all," Dr Michael Toole, an epidemiologist at the Burnet Institute, told the ABC.

"If the PCR is negative then the person is not infectious."

He said it might, however, make sense to insist on 14 days of quarantine after a COVID-19 infection, with a test on day 10, followed by two PCR tests within 48 hours of their departure. 

Dr Yang said that having different rules for previously-infected and never-infected passengers was more of an "administrative regulation" rather than a "public health management measure based on medical evidence".

"I believe that the COVID-19 regulations will be adjusted and improved over time … to [become] more reasonable and feasible," he said.

International travellers entering Australia are not required to undertake any PCR tests in their country of departure.

The ABC contacted the Chinese embassy in Australia and the consulate-general in Melbourne and Sydney for comment but has received no response.

'We are ostracised as a virus'

Apart from the cumbersome testing process, some previously infected people in China have also reportedly faced social discrimination.

In May, a Chinese blogger went viral after she posted a video saying she was removed from her job as a Russian language teacher into an administration role because of her previous COVID-19 infection history.

"We defeated the virus but we are ostracised as a virus," she said in the video.

"I hope that society will be more tolerant and understanding towards people who have been infected with COVID-19 before."

Human Rights Watch researcher Yaqiu Wang told the ABC that social discrimination against people previously infected with COVID-19 was "long-standing" in China.

"Any practices of treating them differently without scientific basis are considered discrimination," she said.

"There is a common fear of people with infection history in China because scientific knowledge is not widely disseminated and accepted."

Sydney resident Becky Xu tested positive for COVID-19 in January and travelled to China in May to visit her family. 

When she began the process of arranging her flight to China, just two PCR tests and a lung scan were required. 

Ms Xu said that, if she were working in China, she would not disclose her infection history, to avoid possible unfair treatment.

"There is a chance that you will be discriminated against or treated unfairly if you tell your colleagues [about your infection history], but nothing will happen if you don't mention it," Ms Xu said.

Ms Luo said she would also probably keep her previous infection under wraps in the workplace in China. 

"They treat COVID-19 as something terrible and huge, but from my perspective, it's actually OK," she said. 

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