Is It Safe to Travel to China in 2025? Canada Issues High-Risk Advisory Impacting Tourism in Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Beyond

Published on April 15, 2025

Tourism authorities have recently amplified travel alerts for China, citing legal uncertainties, cybersecurity concerns, and unexpected travel disruptions that may affect both individual travelers and global tour operators. As of April 14, 2025, Canadian officials are urging citizens to exercise a high degree of caution in China, not due to widespread violence or unrest, but because of the unpredictable enforcement of local laws and limited consular support.

This advisory does not merely concern individual safety—it underscores the complex and evolving travel environment that could affect tour packages, cross-border excursions, educational travel, cultural visits, and even commercial tourism investments in China.

Legal Gray Areas and Sudden Exit Bans Disrupt Tourist Itineraries

A primary concern affecting tourists is the risk of being subject to arbitrary detention or an unexpected exit ban. These bans are often linked to civil or business disputes and may only be discovered when a traveler attempts to leave the country.

• Exit bans can also impact family members or business associates.
• Canadian travelers with dual citizenship could face additional complications, especially if they enter using Chinese identification.

Travel agents and group tour organizers must inform clients of these legal scenarios and build in legal support and flexible itineraries when planning travel to China.

Tightened Security and Ethnic Profiling in Restricted Regions

Tourism in areas such as Xinjiang and Tibet is becoming increasingly complicated due to intensive surveillance and restricted access:

• Travelers to Tibet must secure special permits and join official tours.
• Access to parts of Qinghai and Sichuan may be denied without prior warning.
• In Xinjiang, travelers with ethnic or familial ties to the Uyghur population face heightened risks of surveillance and detention.

For cultural and heritage tour providers, especially those focusing on remote or religious destinations, this creates serious obstacles. Tour itineraries must now be vetted against regional security developments.

Petty Crime, Scams, and Tourist Vulnerability in Urban Hotspots

While violent crime remains rare, major Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai are grappling with an uptick in scams and petty theft targeting tourists:

• In areas like the Bund or Tiananmen Square, scams involving overpriced drinks, teahouse invitations, and fake art shows are rampant.
• Credit card and ATM fraud, as well as counterfeit currency, are increasingly reported.
• Sexual harassment has been noted on public transport, especially overnight trains.

These issues necessitate better travel briefings and on-the-ground support for tourists. Travel agencies must prepare clients with local safety tips, vet accommodations and transport providers, and recommend using digital payments cautiously.

Cybersecurity, Censorship, and Electronic Surveillance

China’s internet restrictions are a key concern for digital nomads, journalists, and tourists reliant on global platforms. Access to Western social media, cloud storage, and encrypted communications is either blocked or monitored. Devices may be searched at entry points, including at crossings between Hong Kong and mainland China.

Media and research professionals are particularly vulnerable. Any work touching sensitive political topics can result in surveillance, harassment, or visa denials. This has implications for academic and journalism-focused travel programs, many of which now reconsider China as a destination.

Demonstrations and the Risk of Legal Scrutiny

Demonstrations, whether authorized or spontaneous, are illegal without prior approval in China. Tourists caught in such events could be detained—even as bystanders. Foreign journalists and content creators documenting political unrest risk arrest under national security laws.

Tour companies must remain alert to local developments and reroute groups during periods of heightened political tension. Travelers should avoid filming police or demonstrations and monitor official news sources rather than rely solely on social media.

Transportation Warnings: Taxis, Trains, and Ferries

While China boasts world-class high-speed rail infrastructure, risks remain:

• Petty theft on trains, especially overnight routes.
• Overcharging and fraud by taxi and pedicab drivers, particularly at airports.
• Unlicensed “black taxis” targeting foreign passengers.
• Ferry accidents due to overloading.

Transportation companies and international tour planners must work with vetted partners, issue Chinese-language travel instructions for non-Mandarin speakers, and discourage reliance on street-hailed transport.

Natural Disasters, Pollution, and Extreme Weather

China’s climate volatility—marked by typhoons, monsoons, floods, and earthquakes—can severely disrupt travel:

• Typhoon season (April to October) affects eastern and southern coasts.
• Flooding near the Yangtze River can derail itineraries and close roads.
• Major cities frequently issue air pollution warnings, leading to event cancellations and flight delays.
• Earthquakes are common in Tibet, Sichuan, and Xinjiang.

Operators must stay in close communication with the China Meteorological Administration and maintain emergency plans for all group trips. Customizable travel insurance, including natural disaster coverage, is essential.

Health Safety, Hygiene, and Emergency Preparedness

Urban areas offer good medical care, but costs are high and immediate payment is required. Rural areas lack modern facilities. Tourists must be cautious about:

• Contaminated food and water
• Risk of diseases like hepatitis A, typhoid, dengue, and tick-borne illnesses
• Poor sanitation in some local eateries
• Limited English-speaking healthcare providers

It is strongly advised that travelers get vaccinated well in advance and purchase comprehensive travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation.

Entry, Visas, and Documentation Complications

China requires Canadians to apply for visas in advance—whether tourist, student, or business. Visa-free transits are not guaranteed and overstaying a visa can result in detention or fines.

• Travelers must also register their stay with police within 24 hours.
• Fingerprinting is mandatory for those aged 14 to 70.
• Travelers may be denied re-entry or services if documentation isn’t in order.

Group tour companies should clarify these requirements early in the booking process, and solo travelers should check entry protocols with the nearest Chinese embassy.

Laws, Restrictions, and Cultural Expectations for Travelers

Many laws in China differ significantly from Canadian norms. Travelers may face strict penalties for offenses such as:

• Using or possessing drugs (including cannabis, even if consumed abroad)
• Unauthorized drone usage
• Visiting restricted places of worship
• Participating in LGBTQ+ advocacy or non-sanctioned religious gatherings

Digital surveillance extends to facial recognition, social media content, and even offline conversations. Travelers should expect little privacy and must comply with regulations, especially near military zones or government buildings.

Money Matters and Payment Pitfalls

While major cities support international ATMs and credit cards in large hotels or malls, foreign currency is illegal to use. Tourists must:

• Avoid street moneychangers
• Use exact change to avoid counterfeit bills
• Comply with cash declaration limits at entry or exit (USD 5,000+ or 20,000 RMB)

Tour providers must educate clients on safe money practices, including the use of mobile payments like Alipay or WeChat Pay, which dominate domestic transactions.

Children, Families, and Dual Citizens

Dual citizenship complicates consular access. Children born to Chinese nationals may be considered citizens under Chinese law, affecting travel freedoms and subjecting families to local policies.

Family-oriented travel agencies should prepare clients with bilingual documentation and clearly inform them of the risks of denied consular protection due to citizenship conflicts.

Traveling for Business, Teaching, or Research

Canadian professionals traveling to China for work, especially educators, NGO workers, or business delegates, are advised to:

• Have contracts translated and legally reviewed
• Avoid over-reliance on employers for visa support
• Confirm medical insurance and residence registration upon arrival
• Avoid engaging in any form of unauthorized teaching or volunteering

Failure to comply with employment laws or visa conditions can lead to detention and deportation, even after arrival and active employment.

Implications for the Global Travel and Tourism Industry

For the global travel sector, China remains both an opportunity and a cautionary tale. The country’s vast cultural heritage, culinary diversity, and rapid urban development are attractive—but the risks linked to legal exposure, unpredictable regulation, and restricted movement create a complex landscape for travelers and tourism companies alike.

Tourism boards, agencies, and hospitality providers must recalibrate their safety protocols, invest in local partnerships, and ensure guests receive robust briefings prior to travel. China-bound travel is no longer about just booking flights and hotels—it’s about anticipating challenges in advance.