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Travel insurance for China

It's a land full of vibrant markets and traditional temples. A holiday to China can be the trip of a lifetime. So, you're making the right choice to cover it with travel insurance.

If you're ready, you can click 'get a quote'. But, if you want to learn more about travel insurance for China before you get to that step, that's okay. Just scroll on!

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Important information

All insurance products exclude cover for known events. Known events are global events that can disrupt travel and/or put you in danger. An example of this is the Covid-19 pandemic.

This exclusion applies if the event was declared as a 'known event' when you bought your insurance.

If you travel against Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice, you won't be covered by any travel insurance you buy. The same applies if you don't meet the destination's entry requirements.

There are currently no travel advisories in place for travelling to China*. So, you should be able to buy travel insurance.

*Correct as of August 2024.

Do I need travel insurance for China?

Even though it might not be a legal requirement, it's certainly worth thinking about.

This is because a travel insurance policy can serve as a safety net when things go wrong.

Picture this: you turn up at the airport, only to discover that your long-haul flight to China has been cancelled. In this situation, your insurance could help cover the cost of alternative arrangements.

The price of medical treatment in China can be expensive, too. But with travel insurance, you'll be covered against pricey medical bills.

Choosing the right travel insurance policy for your trip to China

If you're visiting China, there's a few different policy types available to you.

Let's take a look at each one in closer detail so you can see which one might be the most ideal for you:

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Single-trip travel insurance

If your trip to China is a one-off, this policy is a good option. It covers one trip, from the day you purchase your insurance until you return home - usually up to 31 days.

When you fill out our quote form for single-trip insurance, you can choose China as your destination.

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Multi-trip travel insurance

Frequent traveller? This insurance is worth considering. It can cover multiple trips, usually up to 31 days, over 12 months.

To make sure you're covered in China, select 'Worldwide, excluding the US, Canada and the Caribbean' when getting a quote.

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Backpacker travel insurance

If China is part of a wider trip, this insurance is a great choice. It can cover multiple destinations under one policy, usually for 3 to 18 months.

Worldwide backpacker policies excluding the US, Canada and the Caribbean will cover you.

What our travel insurance expert says

"As a British traveller heading to China, it's essential to be prepared for the unexpected. Medical care in China can be expensive and set you back thousands of pounds. But, travel insurance can protect you from high costs should you need treatment."

Alvaro Iturmendi - Confused.com travel insurance expert
Travel insurance expert Confused.com logo

What does travel insurance for China cover?

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What's typically covered:

  • Flight cancellations. If your flight is cancelled due to strikes, mechanical issues, or bad weather.
  • Medical treatment. If you need emergency medical treatment.
  • Repatriation. If you need to be returned home to the United Kingdom to receive emergency medical treatment.
  • Damage, theft, or accidental loss. If your luggage gets damaged, stolen, or accidentally lost. Most policies also include personal possessions.
  • Cancellation and curtailment. If you're no longer able to go on your holiday and need to cancel. Or, if you need to cancel your trip and come home while you're already on it. For example, because you're taken ill.
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What's typically excluded:

  • Pre-existing medical conditions. Travel insurance can cover pre-existing conditions. But, if you don't declare them, you won't be able to claim on your insurance if you need treatment.
  • High-risk activities. Certain activities aren't covered by standard insurance, like hiking or trekking.
  • Incidents that happen due to alcohol or drugs. If illness, injury, or death occurs as a result of these substances.
  • Travelling against government advice. If the government advises against travel to a destination, but you go anyway.

How much does China travel insurance cost?

The cost of travel insurance can depend on the following:

  • What policy type you've selected.
  • The length and nature of the trip.
  • Your personal circumstances.

The quickest way to learn how much your travel insurance for China is going to cost is to get a quote.

But, to give you an idea, here's some of the most affordable Chinese travel insurance prices:

Policy type Policy cost
Single trip travel insurance
£9.251
Annual travel insurance
£17.702
Backpacker travel insurance
£95.983

1The cheapest single-trip policy based on 1 adult aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions, travelling in China for 1 week. Confused.com data, July 2024.
2The cheapest worldwide annual multi-trip policy based on 1 adult aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions. Confused.com data, July 2024.
3The cheapest worldwide backpacker policy based on 1 adult aged 30 with no pre-existing medical conditions, travelling for 3 months. Confused.com data, July 2024.

Medical care in China

Healthcare isn't free in China, and it can be quite expensive.

If you have a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), these won't be accepted in China.

A travel insurance policy can help cover the cost of any emergency treatment you need. If you don't have one, you'll have to pay out of pocket for any treatment you receive.

It's also worth noting that English isn't widely spoken in China. But, the FCDO has a directory of medical facilities in China with English-speaking staff.

Travel insurance for popular activities in China

What's your trip going to consist of? Besides bartering for bowls of steaming dumplings and getting lost in lantern-lit streets, you might plan to be adventurous too.

Not all activities are covered by standard travel insurance. So, it's a good idea to check your policy wording. If anything you're planning isn't covered, that's alright.

All this means is that you may need a policy add-on for tailored coverage. They can be added to a standard policy for an extra fee, and they include:

  • Activity travel insurance. Maybe you're thinking about hiking the Great Wall, or paragliding to enjoy a bird's-eye view of China. If any adventurous activities are on your bucket list, you'll need this add-on.
  • Water sports travel insurance. This is for water activities, like scuba diving. There's plenty of dive sites around China. If you're thinking of visiting one, you might need to add this to your policy if you want to dive past a certain depth.
  • Winter sports travel insurance. Thinking of visiting the Yabuli ski resort? If you are, add winter sports cover to your policy. It'll offer you protection against alpine-related problems, like damaged ski equipment.

If your trip is different from a traditional holiday, you might like to consider the following:

Do I need a visa to travel to China?

Whether you'll need a visa to enter China depends on what part you're planning to visit.

You'll need a visa to enter mainland China. If you're 14 to 70 years old, the process for getting a visa is split into 2 parts:

  • First, you must apply for a visa online.
  • Then, you need to go to a Visa for China Application Centre to get your fingerprints scanned.

There are visa application centres in London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Manchester. If you're 13 years old or younger, or 71 years old or older, you don't need to attend an application centre in person. But you'll still need to apply for a visa online.

You'll be able to visit the island on Hainan without a visa on the condition that you're there for 30 days or less. In Hong Kong and Macao, you can visit without a visa for up to 6 months.

Read your visa details carefully to make sure that you don't overstay it. Chinese authorities regularly carry out checks. They may fine, detain or even deport you if it's expired.

China travel tips

Follow our tips to make the most of your adventure:

Currency

The currency used in China is the Chinese Yuan.

Tipping

In general, there isn't much of a tipping culture in China. You can offer a tip for good service if you want to, but it's not expected.

Languages

The languages spoken in China are Mandarin and Cantonese. English isn't commonly spoken in China. But, locals in tourist areas might be able to speak basic English.

Safety

China is generally safe. But, it's a good idea to keep up with official government travel advice.

Here's some tips for staying safe in China:

  • Avoid protests and demonstrations.
  • Write your accommodation address in Chinese and take it with you.
  • Keep your valuables safe, especially when travelling through crowded places or public transport.

British embassy

The British embassy is located in Beijing. 24/7 assistance is available by phone on +86 (0) 10 5192.

Important: China doesn't recognise dual nationality. So, if you're British and Chinese, it's likely that you'll be considered a Chinese citizen by authorities. In this case, the British embassy may only be able to offer limited assistance in an emergency. You can find more information on GOV.UK.

Climate

The climate can vary depending on the region. In the north, the summers tend to be on the milder side with cold winters. In the south, the climate is subtropical. So, this means hot summers and mild winters.

Time difference

China is 8 hours ahead of the UK. Keep this in mind so you can easily stay in touch with loved ones back home.

Chinese etiquette

  • Leave some food on your plate. If you're invited to a dinner, it's polite to leave food on your plate. This is to show the host you enjoyed the meal, and that they provided enough food for you.
  • Don't stick your chopsticks in your food or point them at someone. In Chinese culture, doing these things is considered bad luck.
  • Don't whistle. According to some Chinese beliefs, whistling at night can attract stray ghosts!
  • You don't always have to bow when greeting someone. Lots of people think that bowing is the proper way to greet someone in China. This is true, but it's considered very formal. So, a simple 'hi' or even 'ni hao' should be all you need.

Need more help with your trip to China?