China travel guide for Australians

Australians need a visa to enter China, but a 15‑day visa‑free entry policy for Australian passport holders makes short trips simpler. If you stay 15 days or less, you can enter without a visa for tourism, business, or visiting family. For longer stays, apply for a visa before you fly.

Plan your entry route, Alipay or WeChat Pay, and eSIM or VPN before you leave, because none of them can be fixed at the airport. Settle these three things and the rest of the trip is straightforward.

Australian citizens can enter China visa‑free for up to 15 days for tourism, business, or visiting family. This policy is subject to change, so check with the Chinese embassy or consulate before you book. For stays longer than 15 days, you need a visa.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure from China. You also need a return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation. Entry is refused if you have a criminal record or have been deported from China before.

If you plan to visit Hong Kong or Macau, note that they have separate entry rules. You can enter Hong Kong visa‑free as an Australian citizen, but your China visa or visa‑free entry does not cover Hong Kong.

The Australian Embassy in Beijing is at 21 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. Consulates are in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenyang. For visa and entry questions, contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in Australia, not the Australian side.

For consular help while in China, call the Australian Embassy's 24‑hour consular emergency line. The number is +86 10 5140 4111. For non‑emergency enquiries, use the Smartraveller website or the embassy's contact form.

A trip to China is generally cheaper than a similar trip in Australia. Budget travellers can get by on about A$60–80 per day, including a hostel bed, street food, and public transport. Mid‑range travellers should plan for A$150–250 per day for a three‑star hotel, restaurant meals, and some taxis.

Flights from Sydney or Melbourne to Beijing or Shanghai cost roughly A$800–1,200 return in low season, and A$1,200–1,800 in peak season. High‑speed rail between major cities is affordable: Beijing to Shanghai is about A$120 in second class.

Use Alipay or WeChat Pay for almost everything; cash is rarely accepted. Set up these apps before you fly, because they need a foreign card and identity verification.

Direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou take about 10–11 hours. From Perth, the flight is shorter, around 8–9 hours. Airlines include Qantas, China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China.

The time difference is 2–3 hours ahead of Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), depending on daylight saving. There is no daylight saving in China, so the difference is 2 hours during Australian summer and 3 hours in winter.

Book early for the best prices, especially for travel during Chinese holidays like Chinese New Year (January–February) and National Day (October 1–7), when flights and trains fill up.

China uses 220 V, 50 Hz electricity. Plugs are types A, C and I. Type A is the two‑flat‑pin plug used in Australia, but the voltage is different, so check your device's voltage rating. Type C is the two‑round‑pin plug common in Europe, and type I is the three‑flat‑pin plug used in Australia and New Zealand.

Most Australian devices are dual‑voltage (100–240 V), so you only need a plug adapter, not a converter. If your device is single‑voltage (110 V), you need a converter. Bring a universal adapter to be safe.

Tipping is not expected in China. Restaurants, taxis, and hotels do not add a service charge, and leaving a tip is rare. In upscale hotels or for exceptional service, a small tip is appreciated but not required.

Do not tip in cash at street stalls or small restaurants; it may be refused. Some tour guides and drivers may accept a tip, but it is not standard. If you are unsure, just round up the bill.

In an emergency, call 110 for police, 119 for fire, and 120 for ambulance. The 12301 tourist hotline helps with travel complaints and lost property. Operators may not speak English, so have a translation app ready.

For consular help, call the Australian Embassy's 24‑hour line at +86 10 5140 4111. Register your trip with Smartraveller before you leave so the embassy can contact you in a crisis.

Do Australians need a visa for China? Yes, but the 15‑day visa‑free entry policy for Australian passport holders means you do not need a visa for stays of 15 days or less. For longer stays, apply for a visa before you fly.

How much does a trip to China cost in AUD? Budget travellers can spend about A$60–80 per day, mid‑range A$150–250. Flights from Australia cost A$800–1,800 return depending on season.

Where is the nearest Australian embassy in China? The Australian Embassy is in Beijing, with consulates in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenyang. The 24‑hour consular emergency line is +86 10 5140 4111.