China Travel Insurance Plans

In this article:

• Travel Insurance Plans for China
• China Travel Tips and Safety Information
• Other China FAQs

Travel insurance is not a requirement for entry to China; however, it can be beneficial to get a travel insurance plan with medical expense coverage as many U.S. health insurance plans may not provide international coverage. Additionally, a Travel Guard travel insurance plan can help provide certain assistance services, including arranging emergency telephone interpretation assistance, which is beneficial when you’re not fluent in the language spoken in your destination.

Traveling to China can be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, help protect your travel investment with the right Travel Guard travel insurance plan for your needs. It takes a lot of time (and often money) to get to China from the U.S. Travel Guard’s Deluxe Plan is a great option to help protect your trip investment. It has the highest benefit limits and most coverages included on the standard plan. Coverages include trip cancellation, trip delay, baggage coverage, medical expense coverage, and more. Additionally, all of our travel insurance plans come with access to Travel Guard’s 24-hour emergency travel assistance, so you’re not left to deal with travel mishaps alone.

Travel insurance plans typically cost between 5-7% of the total price of your trip. Several factors come into play when it comes to pricing your plan, which may include the product you choose and the number of travelers in your party. For more details on pricing, check out our article on how much travel insurance costs.

To help ensure travelers to China are as safe and informed as possible, Travel Guard has compiled some popular questions asked by tourists visiting the country.

For the latest information related to COVID-19 travel requirements for China, please visit the official U.S. Embassy website for China.

Travelers to China face some unique concerns due to local laws. Internet restrictions mean that many mobile apps and websites commonly used to navigate around other locations are unavailable. However, app-based payments and rideshare services are widely used. In fact, some hotels, restaurants and businesses may only accept payment by mobile app. Because of this, travelers should make sure they have a working mobile phone and should set up mobile apps used in China for transportation services and payments in advance of their trip.

In general, visitors to China should not assume mobile device privacy, even if using a VPN. It is worth noting that VPN usage is regulated, and rules around them may be inconsistently applied. Travelers should remove sensitive data from phones and laptops and avoid any statements or electronic communications that could be construed as critical of the Chinese government. Authorities may conduct random checks, so it is important to carry a passport and other travel documents at all times.

China is a large country, so security concerns, health issues and risks associated with weather/natural disasters can vary significantly. Though violent crimes and assaults do occur, pickpocketing and scams are the most prominent crime concerns in tourist destinations. Travelers should carefully research common scams to help avoid becoming a victim.

Pollution is an issue in major cities, and visitors should follow local guidance when air quality warnings are issued. Travelers should research other health concerns associated with tap-water safety and endemic illnesses in their specific destinations. Finally, various natural disasters may impact China, and visitors should be mindful of the potential for typhoons, earthquakes, landslides and tsunamis, depending on the time of year and location.

Currently, the U.S. Department of State advises tourists to reconsider travel to certain areas in China due to limited emergency consular services and an arbitrary enforcement of laws, which include the risk of wrongful detentions and exit bans. Travelers who do choose to visit China should be mindful of these concerns and carefully adhere to local laws and customs. Hong Kong is a popular tourist destination and is considered a lower-risk destination in comparison to mainland China, while travel to areas such as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Tibet Autonomous Region and Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures involve significantly higher risks of government surveillance and travel restrictions. 

Visit the U.S. Department of State website for up-to-date information on travel advisory levels and safety information for travelers to China.

All U.S. travelers should consider enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service offered to U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad. Enrolling in this program allows you to receive important information from the embassy as well as helps the embassy contact you in an emergency.

The official currency of China is the Chinese yuan (or Renminbi). Visitors can exchange their currency at most U.S. banks before departure, at an exchange kiosk in the airport, banks in major cities in China or ATMs. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country, just be sure to inform your bank that you’ll be traveling.

Mandarin is the official language of China, though there are several other dialects spoken throughout the country, including Cantonese, Hunanese, Min dialect and more. English is spoken in bigger cities like Hong Kong. Still, it’s best practice to learn local phrases and sayings before your trip. Plus, having a translation app that works without Wi-Fi can help avoid confusion.

Tourists visiting China will need a visa as well as a passport valid for six months after your entry date and two blank pages. Visit the official U.S. Department of State website for a complete list of entry and exit requirements for China.

The U.S. Embassy in China is located in Beijing. Visit the official U.S. Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

Due to its size, the average weather in China can vary depending on the region you’re in and the time of year you plan to visit. Winter is a chilly season for most of the country with its northern and mountainous regions receiving the harshest weather and temperatures averaging around 14°F. However, winter in the southern region in China are much milder and average temperatures around 59°F. Summer is especially hot in the subtropical southern region of China and throughout most of the country, though temperatures are mild in the north.

Spring and autumn are the most popular time of year to visit the country for its ideal weather and gorgeous landscapes. The peak months for tourists tend to be April, May, June, September and October while November to March are less popular times for tourists with November having the cheapest airfare. Travelers hoping to experience cultural celebrations of China should consider visiting in January for Chinese New Year or September to celebrate the Mid-Autumn, or Mooncake, festival.

The dial code for China is +86, when making calls from the U.S. be sure to use the exit code of +11 and the area code of the town or city you’re trying to reach. When making calls back home from China, use the U.S. country code of +1 followed by the 10-digit number you’re trying to reach. Before departing on vacation, contact your phone company to avoid interruption and unwanted fees.

Since China uses a similar voltage to the U.S. travelers do not need to bring a power adaptor to use their electronics. However, a travel adaptor is necessary to connect your devices to outlets, for this reason, we suggest a universal adaptor that can be used on other trips in the future.

There are no current vaccine requirements for entry to China, however, the CDC recommends consulting with a doctor before your travels in case there are specific vaccine recommendations based on your health. Visit the official CDC website for more information on vaccine recommendations and requirements for China.

Visitors to China can travel the country independently without a guide, though research is crucial as certain areas, such as Tibet, require special permits for visitation.

Travel Guard offers comprehensive and customizable travel insurance plans for travelers visiting China. With excellent coverage and specialized emergency travel assistance representatives ready to help you at any time, Travel Guard is there for you. Compare our popular plans and find the best one for you!