Visas
China visa for UK citizens: the 30-day visa-free rule
British passport holders can enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days between 17 February and 31 December 2026, f…
Before you go
China travel guides
Visas, payments, trains, timing and safety — the six things that decide whether the trip runs smoothly.
The short answer
British passport holders can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026 — no visa needed for a normal holiday. Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you fly, book high-speed rail 15 days ahead, and travel in April–May or September–October if you can choose.
Transit
The 240-hour visa-free transit: who qualifies and who does not
The 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit lets travellers from 55 countries stay in China up to ten days without a visa, provided th…
Payments
Paying in China without cash: Alipay and WeChat Pay with a UK card
China is effectively cashless, but foreign visitors can link a UK credit or debit card to Alipay or WeChat Pay. Transactions under…
Rail
High-speed rail in China: buying tickets and choosing a seat
High-speed rail is the easiest way to cross China. Tickets go on sale 15 days ahead and can be bought with a passport at the stati…
When to go
The best time to visit China, month by month
April, May, September and October are the best months for most of China: 15–25°C, low rainfall and no national holidays. July and …
Safety
Is China safe for British travellers?
China has very low rates of violent crime and visitors rarely have trouble. The realistic risks are traffic, altitude on the Tibet…