China Travel Updates
What changed for visitors — entry rules, transport, payments, attractions and events.
- Transport
Chongqing Airlines resumes Bangkok and Penang flights from October 25, 2026
Chongqing Airlines will resume service from Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Penang for the Northern winter 2026/27 season. The Bangkok route will operate daily with A321neo aircraft, while the Penang route will run four times weekly with A320neo aircraft. Both routes resume from October 25, 2026, following suspensions in August and June 2026 respectively.
via AeroRoutes
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Sun PhuQuoc Airways adds Shanghai and Shenzhen flights for winter 2026
Vietnam's Sun PhuQuoc Airways will launch two new routes to China for the Northern winter 2026/27 season. A daily Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai Pudong service starts on October 25, 2026, and a three-times-weekly Phu Quoc to Shenzhen service starts on October 27, 2026. Both routes will use Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
via AeroRoutes
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Orange rainstorm alert upgraded for Shigutang, Yingde in Qingyuan, Guangdong
The Yingde Meteorological Observatory upgraded the rainstorm warning for Shigutang town from yellow to orange at 18:39 on September 16 after more than 50 mm of intense rainfall fell in the previous hour, with further precipitation expected to continue for another hour. The yellow rainstorm warning remains in effect for Boluo town. Travellers in these areas should expect severe weather conditions and potential disruption to transport and outdoor activities.
via National Meteorological Center
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Hainan allocates 19 million yuan in disaster relief after heavy rains
Heavy to torrential rains recently hit southeastern Hainan under the combined influence of a tropical depression and cold air, with some townships experiencing exceptionally heavy rainfall. The Hainan Provincial Department of Finance and the Emergency Management Department allocated 19 million yuan ($2.7 million) in disaster relief funds to support affected areas including Wuzhishan, Baoting, Wanning, Qionghai, Lingshui, Dongfang and Changjiang. The funds will be used to assist affected residents, transport and store relief supplies, address risks of secondary disasters, and restore damaged homes.
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Orange rainstorm alert issued for Lincai Town, Heping County, Guangdong
Heavy rainfall has intensified in Lincai Town, Heping County, Heyuan City, Guangdong Province, with 50.6 millimeters recorded in the past three hours. The local meteorological observatory upgraded the rainstorm warning from yellow to orange for Lincai Town at 9:43 a.m. on September 17, 2026, while yellow warnings remain in effect for Pengzhai Town and Dongshui Town. Travelers in the area should expect continued heavy precipitation and associated risks including flash floods, landslides, and mudslides.
via National Meteorological Center
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MAI adds 3 weekly Yangon–Chengdu Tianfu flights from October 2026
Myanmar Airways International will operate three weekly flights between Yangon and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport. The route will run on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays using Airbus A319 aircraft. Service is scheduled from October 15, 2026 to December 28, 2026.
via AeroRoutes
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EastarJet switches planned Xiamen route from Busan to Seoul Incheon for winter 2026
EastarJet has changed its planned Xiamen service from Busan to Seoul Incheon for the Northern winter 2026/27 season. The airline will now operate 4 weekly scheduled charter flights between Seoul Incheon and Xiamen instead of the previously planned 2 weekly flights from Busan. Service begins on October 28, 2026.
via AeroRoutes
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Yakutia launches weekly Khabarovsk–Yichang charter flights
Russian carrier Yakutia has launched scheduled charter service between Khabarovsk and Yichang, operated by Sukhoi SuperJet SSJ100 aircraft. The weekly flights run from September 12, 2026 to November 15, 2026, with departures from Khabarovsk at 11:00 and from Yichang at 14:50.
via AeroRoutes
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China West Air launches Taiyuan–Nanning–Yangon flights from late September 2026
China West Air will operate two weekly flights on a Taiyuan–Nanning–Yangon route using Airbus A320 aircraft. Travellers can fly between Taiyuan, Nanning and Yangon on this new connection. Service begins on September 25, 2026, operating on Mondays and Fridays.
via AeroRoutes
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National Day train tickets for Sept 30 go on sale Sept 16, Oct 1 on Sept 17
Train tickets for September 30 go on sale on September 16, and tickets for October 1 go on sale on September 17, under China Railway's 15-day advance booking window. Travelers can check their departure station's exact sale time on 12306 and pre-fill passenger details before tickets are released to speed up purchases. Overnight high-speed sleeper trains will run on the Beijing–Shanghai, Beijing–Guangzhou, and Beijing–Harbin corridors during peak periods from the early hours of September 30 through October 2, with extra services also planned between cities including Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Kunming, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guiyang.
via That's Magazines
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Wuzhishan, Hainan issues red rainstorm alert with 100-150 mm more rain forecast
Wuzhishan City in Hainan Province maintained a red rainstorm warning after Tongza Town recorded 221.7 mm of rainfall in the past three hours. An additional 100-150 mm of precipitation is forecast across all townships over the next 12 hours, and authorities have advised suspension of gatherings, classes, and business operations except for essential services. Travellers in the area should expect severe weather conditions and possible disruptions to transport and outdoor activities.
via National Meteorological Center
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Qiongzhong County, Hainan issues red rainstorm alert with 130-150 mm more rain expected
The Qiongzhong County meteorological station in Hainan Province continued a red rainstorm warning on September 14, 2026 at 10:14 a.m. Shang'an Township already recorded 54.4 millimeters of rainfall in the past three hours, and an additional 130 to 150 millimeters of precipitation is forecast across the county over the next 12 hours. Local authorities have advised suspension of gatherings, classes, and business operations, and warned of potential mountain floods, landslides, and mudslides.
via National Meteorological Center
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Wanning, Hainan issues red rainstorm alert with school suspensions
Wanning Meteorological Observatory continued a red rainstorm warning on September 14, 2026, forecasting 50-100 mm of additional rainfall across the city including Shimei-Riyue Bay and other coastal areas. All schools in the area were ordered to suspend classes, and public gatherings and business operations were advised to halt. The alert followed 254.4 mm of rainfall in Sanjingluo Town over the preceding 12 hours.
via National Meteorological Center
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Beijing to ban drone ownership from November 15, 2026
Beijing will prohibit owning, storing, or bringing drones and core components into the municipality from November 15, 2026. Existing owners must remove their drones before that date by selling through an approved buyback operator, scrapping at a collection point, shipping out via free China Post EMS, or taking them out of the city themselves. A government subsidy of up to RMB 3,000 is available for verified drones sold by October 31, 2026, dropping to RMB 1,500 from November 1–14, while scrapping pays RMB 200 before November and RMB 100 in the final two weeks.
via That's Magazines
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Heavy rain orange alert issued for Baisha County, Hainan
Baisha County Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heavy rain warning on September 14, 2026 at 10:53 a.m. Nankai Township already recorded 80.1 millimeters of rainfall in the previous six hours, and an additional 80 to 120 millimeters are forecast over the next 12 hours for Yacha, Qifang, Da'an, Xishui, Yuanmen, Nankai, Fulong, Qingsong, and Jinbo townships. Travelers in these areas should expect significant disruption and follow local safety guidance.
via National Meteorological Center
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Tunchang County, Hainan issues red rainstorm alert with 50-100 mm more rain expected
Tunchang County in Hainan Province upgraded its rainstorm warning from orange to red at 07:34 on September 14, 2026. Wupo Township has already recorded 192.6 mm of rainfall in the past 12 hours, and an additional 50-100 mm is forecast across the county over the next 12 hours due to the combined influence of a tropical depression's residual circulation and cold air. Schools and businesses are ordered to suspend operations, and authorities are mobilizing emergency and rescue operations for potential flash floods, landslides, and mudslides.
- Safety & Weather
Orange rainstorm alert issued for Lingao County, Hainan
An orange rainstorm warning is in effect for Lingao County in Hainan Province. Tropical depression remnants and cold air have already brought 115.9 mm of rain to Bolian Town in the past six hours, and 40–80 mm of additional rainfall is forecast across the county over the next 12 hours. Travelers in the area should expect disruptions and follow local safety guidance.
- Safety & Weather
Qionghai, Hainan issues red rainstorm alert; 246 mm fell in 24 hours
Qionghai Meteorological Observatory upgraded its rainstorm warning from orange to red at 07:48 on September 14, 2026. Tropical depression remnants and cold air brought 246 mm of rainfall to Huishan town in the past 24 hours, with another 50–70 mm expected over the next 12 hours in Shibi, Yangjiang, Longjiang, and Huishan towns. Authorities have ordered suspension of gatherings, classes, and business operations in affected areas.
- Safety & Weather
Red rainstorm alert issued for Ding'an County, Hainan
Ding'an County Meteorological Observatory upgraded its rainstorm warning from orange to red at 09:07 on September 14, 2026. Lingkou Town has already recorded 244.5 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, and an additional 40-60 mm is expected over the next 12 hours in Longhe, Lingkou, and Hanlin towns. Travelers in the area should expect disruptions and follow local emergency guidance.
- Safety & Weather
Orange rainstorm alert issued for Changjiang County, Hainan
The Changjiang County Meteorological Observatory issued an orange rainstorm warning due to convective cloud clusters affecting the area. Changhua Town recorded 86.1 millimeters of rainfall in the past six hours, and 100 to 150 millimeters of additional precipitation is expected over the next 12 hours in Shilu, Chahe, Shiyuetian, Haiwei, Qicha, Wangxia, and other towns. Travelers in the area should expect disruptions and follow local safety guidance.
- Festivals & Events
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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Heavy rain orange alert issued for Kelu Town, Leizhou, Guangdong
A heavy rain orange warning is in effect for Kelu Town in Leizhou, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, after more than 50 mm of rainfall fell in the past three hours. Travellers in the area should expect continued heavy rain and avoid outdoor activities, as flash floods, landslides, and debris flows are possible. The alert took effect at 13:04 on September 13, 2026, and is expected to last for the next three hours.
via National Meteorological Center
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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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Orange rainstorm alert issued for Maerkang, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan
The Maerkang City Meteorological Observatory issued an orange rainstorm warning on September 12, 2026, forecasting rainfall intensity exceeding 20 mm per hour in Dangba Township. Travelers in the area should expect hazardous conditions including potential flash floods, landslides, and mudslides, and should avoid outdoor activities and dangerous areas. Authorities are advising suspension of outdoor work, evacuation from high-risk zones, and closures of schools and businesses in vulnerable areas.
via National Meteorological Center
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China upgrades departure tax refund policy with faster, paperless refunds for overseas shoppers
China has introduced an upgraded departure tax refund policy with eight measures including expanded refund stores, paperless procedures, and improved "buy now, refund now" services. The "buy now, refund now" service now supports cross-city recognition and the departure deadline has been extended nationwide to 28 days. From July 1, 2026, tax refund applications under 10,000 yuan will be subject to random checks instead of item-by-item inspection, and paperless processing will allow customs and refund agencies to confirm forms and invoices online.
via Meet in Shanghai
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Malaysia Airlines adds weekly Kuala Lumpur–Xining charter flights
Malaysia Airlines is operating a seasonal charter route between Kuala Lumpur and Xining. The service runs once a week with an Airbus A330-300. It launched on September 5, 2026, and continues until October 24, 2026.
via AeroRoutes
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Orange rainstorm alert continues for Wanning, Hainan
Wanning Meteorological Observatory has continued its orange rainstorm warning after Longgun Zhengmenling station recorded 166.2 mm of rainfall in the past six hours. An additional 100-150 mm of precipitation is forecast for the next 24 hours across all townships and coastal areas including Shimei-Riyue Bay, Dahua Cape-Laoye Sea, and Zhengmen Sea-Xiaohai. Travelers in Wanning should expect severe weather conditions and possible disruptions to outdoor activities and transportation.
via National Meteorological Center
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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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PayPal now works with WeChat Pay for US users in China
US PayPal users can now scan WeChat Pay QR codes at merchants across China or show their own payment code to be scanned. Merchants do not need to change equipment or generate new codes. The feature launched on September 10, 2026.
via Meet in Shanghai
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