Power banks are permitted, but strict Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) rules apply for all flights arriving, inside or departing China:

1. Power banks MUST stay in your carry-on luggage / on your person. They are STRICTLY PROHIBITED in checked baggage.This rule applies to all flights, including international departures out of Beijing Capital and Daxing Airports.

2. Capacity limits based on rated energy (Wh):

• ≤100 Wh: Allowed; no advance airline approval required. Most standard 10,000mAh / 20,000mAh travel power banks fall into this category.

• 100 Wh – 160 Wh: Permitted only with prior written approval from your airline; maximum two units per passenger.

• Over 160 Wh: Fully banned, cannot be carried onboard in any luggage.

3. Mandatory marking requirement: Your power bank must have clear printed specifications (voltage, capacity or Wh value). Devices with faded, missing or unreadable labels risk being confiscated at security.

4. Important onboard rules: You cannot use power banks to charge any devices during flight. If your power bank has an on/off switch, keep it switched off for the entire flight.

5. Extra note for domestic flights inside China: Power banks are required to have a visible 3C (CCC) certification mark.

We strongly recommend not bringing any drone (UAV, quadcopter, FPV drone, mini aerial camera drone) to China at all, for the following critical reasons:

1. Complicated nationwide no-fly restrictions China maintains strict layered airspace control across all cities, scenic spots, airports, military zones, government compounds, reservoirs and mountain areas. There are almost no publicly confirmed open zones for casual tourist drone flight. It is extremely difficult for visitors to fully identify all restricted areas in advance, and accidental unauthorized flight (“illegal black flight”) will lead to official penalties including fines, drone confiscation, and even short-term detention. There is no simple, fast approval process for individual sightseeing flights for foreign tourists.

2. The strictest drone ban applies to Beijing Beijing enforces the most rigorous permanent drone regulations nationwide under the Beijing Unmanned Aircraft Administration Rules, effective May 1, 2026:

• The entire administrative territory of Beijing is designated controlled airspace. All outdoor drone flights require official air traffic control approval, which is rarely granted to leisure travelers.

• It is prohibited for visitors to carry drones or core drone components into Beijing by flight, high-speed rail, road or any other transport. Security screenings at airports, train stations and highway checkpoints may seize drones brought into Beijing.

• Even if you only transit through Beijing Capital or Daxing International Airport with a drone, you face high inspection and detention risks, which will severely delay your travel itinerary.

3. Risks even if you do not fly the drone If you carry a drone into any Chinese city, airport, station or scenic area:

• Security staff may detain the device for police verification.

• You cannot guarantee smooth customs clearance when exiting China, even if you never turned on or flew the drone during your stay.

• Lithium drone batteries follow strict aviation rules: all spare drone batteries must be carried in hand luggage and cannot be checked in, adding extra travel hassle.

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Supplementary Reminders

• This rule covers all sizes of drones, including tiny pocket mini drones and toy aerial cameras, with no exception for small lightweight models.

• Professional filming, surveying or inspection drone operations require multi-official advance applications, which individual tourists cannot complete during short travel.

• If you have already brought a drone into Beijing, you are forbidden to operate it outdoors anywhere within the city limits. You may face unpredictable inspection delays when departing from Beijing airports.

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Final Travel Advice

To avoid travel disruptions, fines or confiscation, please leave your drone at home before traveling to China. Choose ground photography or professional local photography services if you want aerial shots of landmarks.

Prohibition on Purchasing and Exporting Cultural Relics 

The client undertakes not to purchase any cultural relics of unknown or suspected unearthed origin (e.g., antiques, Buddha statues, calligraphy and paintings). If a purchase is necessary, the client must ensure the item is not prohibited from sale or export and obtain proof of legal provenance. 

Cultural Relics Export Requires a Permit 

No cultural relic (especially artworks, manuscripts, and fossils dating from before 1949) may be taken out of China without first being examined by a designated state body and obtaining a valid “Exit Permit for Cultural Relics.” 

Prohibition on Purchasing Products Made from Endangered Flora and Fauna 

The client undertakes not to purchase, accept as a gift, or carry any souvenirs or handicrafts made from materials derived from endangered species, such as ivory, rhino horn, tiger bone, pangolin scales, Tridacna, hawksbill turtle shell, coral, rare bird feathers, or tortoise shell. 

Endangered Products Export Requires a Permit 

If the client possesses legally sourced products made from endangered flora or fauna and intends to take them out of China, they must first obtain the required “Import/Export Permit for Endangered Species” in accordance with the law. Otherwise, such conduct will be deemed illegal. 

Related Laws and Regulations: Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics Administrative Measures for the Examination and Approval of the Entry and Exit of Cultural Relics Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Import and Export of Endangered Wild Animals and Plants Measures for the Administration of Import and Export Certificates for Wild Animals and Plants.

The most comfortable and recommended times for a China tour are during the spring months of April and May, as well as the autumn months of September and October. Additionally, March, June, November, and December offer pleasant weather (Southern China is not very cold in winter.) and are also good times to visit. It's best to avoid traveling during the peak summer months of July and August, which are the high seasons for family and student travel. Additionally, it's advisable to avoid Chinese public holidays, such as May 1st to 5th and October 1st to 7th, when many locals are on vacation and popular tourist spots can be exceptionally crowded.

China is generally a very safe country with minimal crime, but it's still advisable to stay vigilant, particularly in crowded areas. You should stay alert to traffic in China, particularly the ubiquitous and nearly silent electric scooters.

1) E-payment and social tool: Alipay , WeChat . Please refer to our files: “Mobile Payment In China - Alipay”, “Mobile Payment In China - Wexin Pay”. In addition to making payments, you can also communicate with us via the chat boxes in Alipay and WeChat. Please note that Alipay also works well for transportation purposes.

2) Map: Maps.Me, Apple Map (works for public transportation), google Map (not accurate sometimes), and Chinese maps like Amap(with English names for places, Chinese app name is Gaode)   and Baidu   . We recommend you copy and paste the Chinese names of the locations you want to go so that there will not be any problems caused by translation errors.

3) Ride-hailing: Didi  - the Chinese equivalent of Uber. Go to settings-general-language and you can choose between the Chinese or English version. The app allows you to input the destination in both Chinese and English. In fact, you can find Didi's mini-program in both WeChat and Alipay. If your Chinese is proficient enough, you can also hail a ride using Baidu Map and Gaode Map.

4) Translation: Not many people speak English in China. Translation apps are essential. We suggest you download some offline languages from the translation apps you have, such as Google Translate or Apple Translate. In China we use Baidu Translate or Youdao Translate. You can also use the translate mini-program in Alipay.

Get an eSIM Card or a Chinese SIM Card.

If your smartphone supports embedded eSIMs, you can purchase an online eSIM data package for China before your departure to China. For details, please refer to our file: “Exploring China with eSIMs”.

Upon arrival at international airports like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu, you can purchase a Chinese SIM card with your passport. However, these SIM cards may not provide access to foreign social media, apps and news channels you use daily outside China, such as Facebook, Google services, YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok.

You may need a VPN for access.

Even if you have an eSIM, you may need a VPN (Virtual Private Network) where there is wifi available to save your data. According to our customers’ feedback, LetsVPN(https://letsvpn.world/) and Astar VPN (https://astarvpn.com/index.html) work well in China.

China utilizes 2 or 3 thin-pin sockets at 220V, which may differ from your home country's outlets.

Generally, we do not drink tap water directly. It's common in China to drink boiled hot water, easily found for free at train stations, airports, restaurants, and even on trains. If you would like to make your own tea or coffee at any time, it’s advisable to bring your own reusable bottle or cup, which not only offers convenience but also promotes sustainability. In your hotel rooms in China, there is always an electric kettle and teacups available.

China is increasingly becoming a cashless society, with mobile payment apps like Wexin Pay and Alipay widely accepted. You may not need to use any cash at all during your whole trip.

But some people may still worry that they don't work, or they may not want to use them. Cash is still widely accepted in China, especially in larger shops and restaurants. It's just that sometimes street vendors or smaller shops may not have enough change for you. It's advisable to exchange an appropriate amount of cash at the airport when you first arrive in China, especially if you rely on ATMs or banks for withdrawals. Due to the rapid development of electronic payment systems, there may be fewer ATMs or banks available, making it sometimes challenging to access cash.

Foreign credit cards are generally accepted in large shopping malls and well-established businesses in China, rather than in smaller street shops, supermarkets, local restaurants or tourist sites etc.

In China, almost all hotels have sitting toilets nowadays. Squatting toilets are rare in hotels, unless you're staying in very basic ones.

Public toilets usually have both sitting and squatting options, with squatting being more common. Don't forget to bring your own toilet paper since it's not always provided, but public toilets are always free of charge.

Many popular tourist sites especially museums in China require online reservations, ranging from 1 to 7 days in advance. Those popular tourist sites include but not limited to:

Beijing: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, National Museum

Xi'an: Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Tomb, Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Stele Forest, Shaanxi History Museum

Shanghai: Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Chengdu: The Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center, Leshan Giant Buddha

Jiuzhaigou.

If you plan to visit these sites, we strongly recommend you book tickets with your travel company at least 15 days in advance. Please be aware that obtaining tickets for the Forbidden City may not be guaranteed, especially during high seasons and holidays due to the significant disparity between supply and demand. For additional tourist sites that may require advance online reservations or if you are not sure, please always consult with your travel company or local travel agents for assistance in advance.

It's advisable to arrive at the train station at least 30-40 minutes before the scheduled departure time. For details, please refer to our file:” Tips For China Train Travel” and "Luggage Regulation For Trains"