China Travel Updates
What changed for visitors — entry rules, transport, payments, attractions and events.
- Festivals & Events
Dance drama "Huang Feihong" to premiere in Hong Kong in July 2027
The dance drama "Huang Feihong" will have its world premiere at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District in July 2027. The production is a collaboration between Shanghai Media Group, Shenzhen authorities, and Hong Kong creative teams, combining martial arts with contemporary dance. The performance coincides with the 180th anniversary of Huang Feihong's birth and the 30th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover.
via Shenzhen Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau
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Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival expands by 10% for Oct. 29–Nov. 1 run
The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival will take place from October 29 to November 1 at the Central Harbourfront Event Space and Tamar Park in Admiralty, featuring more than 340 booths from about 31 countries and regions. The festival grounds are more than 10% larger than last year, with new national pavilions from Australia, Canada and South Korea making their debut. Visitors can sample rare wines including Bordeaux and Burgundy vintages, and taste signature dishes from 26 star-rated hotels and a special banquet by renowned chefs.
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Latin American Culture Event Runs in Shanghai's Hengfu Area Until October 24
A Latin American cultural event is being held in Shanghai's Hengfu Historic Conservation Area in Xuhui District. Visitors can attend music performances, cultural lectures, guided walks, exhibitions, and themed city walks, while over 20 cafes and restaurants on Yongkang and Yongjia roads serve Latin American-themed meals. The event continues until October 24, 2026.
via Meet in Shanghai
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2026 Rolex Shanghai Masters tennis tournament runs October 5-18
The 2026 Rolex Shanghai Masters tennis tournament takes place at Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena from October 5 to 18. The 15th edition of the ATP Masters 1000 event features 96 singles players and a 32-team doubles competition over 14 days. World Number 2 Alexander Zverev is the top seed after 2024 champion Jannik Sinner withdrew with a knee injury.
via That's Magazines
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Beerkraze craft beer festival moves to Crystal Bridge for two weekends
The 9th Beerkraze craft beer festival will take place at Crystal Bridge in Shanghai's Changning District across two weekends, October 16–18 and 23–25, 2026. The event features over 100 craft beers from local and international breweries, two outdoor stages with international DJs, food vendors, beer tastings, and interactive games. Tickets are online-only, with a three-beer package starting from RMB 50.
via That's Magazines
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Neo World Autumn Adventure Season links parks, malls and Metro in Xuhui until November 1
The Neo World Autumn Adventure Season in Xuhui District brings Chinese-style IPs from digital screens to Guilin Park, Ring Live, Yuejie Jinshang City, the waterfront and Metro hubs as one continuous route. Visitors can complete stamp-collecting tasks, take photos with IP characters, and join shopping, sports and cultural activities. The carnival runs until November 1, 2026.
via Meet in Shanghai
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25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival runs Oct 17 to Nov 15, 2026
The 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival will present nearly 400 events across roughly 1,100 performances, with about 90 percent of stage productions making their Shanghai debut. Thirteen performances are billed as exclusive to Shanghai and unique in China, including opening and closing shows at the new Shanghai Grand Opera House. The festival runs from October 17 to November 15, 2026, and will offer 6,500 half-price tickets.
via Shanghai Culture and Tourism Bureau
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Qufu hosts Confucius cultural festival and Nishan Forum through October 7
The 2026 China International Confucius Cultural Festival and the 2026 Nishan Forum on World Civilizations are being held in Qufu, Shandong Province. The cultural festival features study tours and traditional folk activities open to public participation. The events run from September 28 to October 7, 2026.
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Art To Gather festival opens at Shanghai Xintiandi with 170+ performances
The third edition of the urban arts festival "Art To Gather" opened on September 25 at Xintiandi locations across Shanghai, Wuhan and Chongqing. Shanghai venues including Xintiandi, Ruihong Xintiandi and Hongqiao Xintiandi are hosting parades, theater, music, dance, puppetry, magic and interactive performances until October 7. The festival runs through the National Day holiday and features more than 170 performances, including international premieres and original productions.
via Meet in Shanghai
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Shanghai's inaugural International Audio-Visual Arts Carnival opens in Jing'an
The inaugural International Audio-Visual Arts Carnival opened on September 24, with immersive art, live music, technology exhibitions, industry forums and concerts running across Jing'an District. The Shanghai Exhibition Center serves as the main venue, while related events extend to Jing'an Park, the Suzhou Creek waterfront, and the Nanjing Road W. area. The program runs through October 18, 2026.
via Meet in Shanghai
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Vakhtangov Theater stages "Amadeus" and "Pushkin Tales" in Shanghai this November
Russia's Vakhtangov Theater will present two productions, "Amadeus" and "Pushkin Tales," at the Shanghai Oriental Art Center this November. "Amadeus" explores the relationship between Mozart and Salieri, while "Pushkin Tales" adapts four stories from "The Tales of Belkin." Performances are scheduled for November 14 at 7:15pm and November 15 at 2pm.
via Meet in Shanghai
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Zhujiajiao Ancient Town stages open-air Jiangnan cultural performances through September 30
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town in Qingpu District has launched its annual "Artistic Charm of Jiangnan" seasonal event, featuring open-air Kunqu Opera, martial arts, and folk performances throughout the water town. International visitors can experience a waterborne rendition of The Peony Pavilion, boat boxing demonstrations, spontaneous street shows, and scenic art installations across the ancient town's rivers and alleys. The immersive cultural program runs through September 30.
via Meet in Shanghai
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2026 World Snooker Shenzhen Open starts September 28 at Bao'an Sports Center
The 2026 World Snooker Shenzhen Open begins on September 28 at Bao'an Sports Center Gymnasium, featuring a total prize fund of 850,000 GBP and all top-16 ranked players including Ronnie O'Sullivan, Judd Trump, and local world champion Zhao Xintong. Chinese players including Ding Junhui, Wu Yize, and Xiao Guodong will compete alongside emerging talents such as Fan Zhengyi and Liu Hongyu. The tournament runs from September 28 to October 4.
via Shenzhen Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau
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Jing'an International Sculpture Project opens across Shanghai district
The 9th Jing'an International Sculpture Project features 36 contemporary works by artists from 14 countries and regions, displayed across 28 locations including Jing'an Sculpture Park, Nanjing Road W. and Suzhou Creek. Travellers in Shanghai can view sculptures in stone, metal, light, sound and digital media, with several works changing appearance in evening light. The exhibition runs from September 24 to December 31, 2026.
via Meet in Shanghai
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Broadway Musical 'Kinky Boots' Returns to Shanghai for China Tour
The Broadway musical "Kinky Boots" will perform at the West Bund Grand Theater in Shanghai from November 3 to 15, 2026, as part of its China tour. The production returns after an eight-year hiatus with a new cast, featuring Omari Collins as Lola and Noah Silverman as Charlie. Tickets are priced from 180 to 980 yuan.
via Meet in Shanghai
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48th WorldSkills Competition opens in Shanghai with record 1,385 competitors
The 48th WorldSkills Competition began on September 23, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), featuring 1,385 competitors from around the world across 64 skill categories. The event runs for one week and occupies eight halls covering 213,000 square meters, making it the largest WorldSkills Competition in history. Visitors in Shanghai during this period should expect increased activity and potential crowds around the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Qingpu District.
via Meet in Shanghai
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2026 Billie Jean King Cup Finals begin in Shenzhen
The 2026 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, a world-class women's team tennis tournament, opened on September 22 at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center. Eight national teams including host China, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Italy, Ukraine, Belgium, Kazakhstan, and Spain are competing in a single-elimination format through the finals. China is led by players Zheng Qinwen and Zhang Shuai, with Zheng Jie serving as team captain.
via Shenzhen Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau
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World Design Cities Conference 2026 opens free main exhibition in Shanghai September 26
The 2026 World Design Cities Conference will hold its main exhibition from September 26 to September 30, with free admission for the general public. The conference program runs September 28–30 at No. 689 Jumen Road in Huangpu District, featuring nearly 500 brands, over 3,000 exhibits, AI and fashion showcases, and four themed CityWalk routes across the city.
via Meet in Shanghai
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2026 Shenzhen Belt and Road International Music Season opens
The 2026 Shenzhen Belt and Road International Music Season opened on September 11, 2026, at Longgang International Art Center. The festival will run until early November 2026, presenting 25 productions across 34 performances, nearly 70 percent of which are premieres. The season features both international and Chinese artists, including overseas performers making their Shenzhen debuts.
via Shenzhen Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau
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23rd China-ASEAN Expo opens in Nanning
The 23rd China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit opened in Nanning on Thursday, themed on "CAFTA 3.0 Opportunities, Better Life." The event runs from September 18, 2026.
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International Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival opens at Hong Kong's Victoria Park
The International Mid-Autumn Lantern Carnival opened at Victoria Park in Hong Kong, featuring over 3,000 lanterns from 20 countries and regions on the "World Lantern Boulevard." Travellers in Hong Kong can view the 8-meter-tall Nanjing Qinhuai lantern installation, displayed in the city for the first time. The carnival runs until September 27, 2026.
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48th WorldSkills Competition final preparations underway in Shanghai
The 48th WorldSkills Competition will open in five days at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, with 64 events across six major fields including transport and logistics and construction. All competition materials have arrived, workstations are basically complete, and final facility debugging is underway, with full completion expected by Friday, September 18, 2026. About 1 million infrastructure items have been organized, and interactive experience areas will allow visitors to try hands-on skill modules during the event.
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Baoshan to host international water sports during National Day holiday
Baoshan District in northern Shanghai will host the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship on October 2-3 and the UIM F1H2O World Championship on October 4-5 during the National Day holiday. Tickets range from 135 yuan to 810 yuan and can be purchased through the Damai app and its Alipay and WeChat mini programs, with a 20 percent early-bird discount available. The events are part of a wider waterfront program from September 26 to October 7 that includes a drone and fireworks display on October 1, family sports, cycling, and outdoor activities.
via Meet in Shanghai
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37th Shanghai Tourism Festival Grand Parade opens on the Bund
The 37th Shanghai Tourism Festival Grand Parade opened on the evening of September 12 along the Bund, featuring 21 themed floats and 21 performance troupes from home and abroad. After the opening parade, the floats and performers will tour more than 10 districts including Pudong, Hongkou, Jing'an and Songjiang until October 6. The festival runs through early October with over 300 themed events, 100 visitor service centers, 100 multilingual city guides and 100 curated travel routes under the "Welcome to WorldSkills, Visit Shanghai" theme.
via Shanghai Culture and Tourism Bureau
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25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival runs Oct 17-Nov 15, 2026
The 25th China Shanghai International Arts Festival will present nearly 400 programs across about 1,100 performances and exhibitions from October 17 to November 15, 2026. The festival features eight themed sections including global stage performances, youth artist support, and public arts education, with about 90 percent of stage works making their Shanghai debut. The opening on October 17 coincides with the official launch of the new Shanghai Grand Opera House and the establishment of the Shanghai Performing Arts Group.
via Shanghai Culture and Tourism Bureau
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Shanghai Tourism Festival classic season runs with 170+ events from September 1
The 2026 Shanghai Tourism Festival's "Classic Activity Season" launched on September 1 and will continue through October 6, offering more than 170 cultural and tourism events across the city. The season covers the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday periods, with highlights including a grand parade at the Bund on Zhongshan East First Road, themed food festivals, night-life events, and discounted admission at select attractions from September 12 to 27. A fleet of 21 floats will tour 10 districts including Jing'an, Chongming, Hongkou, and Jiading from September 13 to October 6.
via Shanghai Culture and Tourism Bureau
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Shanghai Opera House unveils 2026-2027 season with international artists
The Shanghai Opera House launched its 2026-2027 season on September 3, 2026, featuring performances by international artists including conductor Li Xincao, tenor Juan Diego Florez, and soprano Rosa Feola. The season includes opera productions, concerts, and the opening of the new Shanghai Grand Opera House with events from October 17, 2026. A complete Beethoven symphony cycle will run over four days in 2027 to mark the 200th anniversary of the composer's death.
via Shanghai Culture and Tourism Bureau
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CIFTIS 2026 opens in Beijing with over 1,800 exhibitors from 90 countries
The 2026 China International Fair for Trade in Services opened at Beijing's Shougang Park on September 9, 2026, with 90 countries, regions and international organizations participating. More than 1,830 enterprises are exhibiting onsite, including 473 Fortune Global 500 or industry-leading companies. The fair runs 11 business inspection routes covering investment promotion and cultural tourism experiences, and has created a dedicated promotion area for overseas expansion services hosting 41 events.
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