China changes fast — visa rules, holiday dates, and the practicalities of travelling as a foreigner all shift from year to year. This page is our living 2026 hub: we keep it updated through the year so you can see, at a glance, what matters for planning a trip right now. Bookmark it.
Not sure if you need a visa? Use our free China Visa Checker — pick your nationality and get an instant 2026 answer.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
Visa & entry: what changed for 2026
China has spent the last two years dramatically opening up to international visitors, and 2026 continues that trend.
- 30-day visa-free entry now covers many nationalities (most of Europe, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and more) for tourism, business and family visits — no application, no fee.
- Visa-free transit extended to 240 hours (10 days) at eligible ports for travellers continuing to a third country, up from the old 144-hour scheme.
- Standard L tourist visas remain the route for nationalities not yet covered, applied for through a Chinese visa centre or embassy.
Read next: How to Apply for a China Tourist Visa · 144/240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Guide
2026 public holidays & festival calendar
China’s two week-long national holidays cause the biggest travel surges of the year. Booking around them is the single most important timing decision you’ll make.
| Holiday | Approx. 2026 dates | What it means for travellers |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) | Mid-to-late February | The largest human migration on earth — book trains weeks ahead; many small businesses close; festive atmosphere in cities |
| Qingming (Tomb-Sweeping) | Early April | Long weekend; domestic travel rises; overlaps with cherry-blossom season |
| Labour Day | Early May | 5-day break; very busy at major sights |
| Dragon Boat Festival | June | Long weekend; dragon-boat races in the south |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | Late September | Often runs into Golden Week; mooncakes everywhere |
| National Day Golden Week | 1–7 October | Peak crowds and prices nationwide; sights hit visitor caps |
Read next: Spring Festival Travel Guide · October Golden Week Guide
Best time to visit in 2026
- Spring (Mar–May): Mild weather, cherry blossoms mid-March to early April. The classic season.
- Autumn (Sep–Oct): Clear skies and comfortable temperatures — arguably the best overall, outside Golden Week.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): Hot and humid in the south and east; good for grasslands, Tibet and high-altitude regions.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Harbin’s ice festival in the northeast; warm beaches in tropical Hainan.
Read next: Best Time to Visit China — Month by Month · China Cherry Blossom Guide 2026
Practical changes worth knowing
- Mobile payment for foreigners is solved. You can now link an international Visa or Mastercard directly to Alipay and WeChat Pay and pay by QR code almost everywhere. Set it up before you fly.
- Connectivity: A local tourist SIM or a travel eSIM keeps you online; many travel eSIMs also route around the Great Firewall without a separate VPN.
- Timed-entry bookings are now standard at major sights (Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and others) — reserve ahead with your passport.
Read next: Digital Payment Guide for Foreigners · China SIM & eSIM Guide
How we keep this page current
China’s policies move quickly, so we review this hub regularly and date every update (see “Updated” at the top). For anything time-sensitive — visa eligibility, holiday closures, ticket booking windows — always cross-check the official Chinese embassy or visa centre for your country before you book. When in doubt, start with the Visa Checker.