When we speak with travellers and overseas partners planning trips to China, one question has come up more often recently: is it safe to travel to China right now?
This is a reasonable question. Many travellers are wondering how current events might affect their travel plans. Our experienced China-based team closely monitors global and domestic travel conditions, and we are happy to reassure you with our findings. Here is our assessment of what travelling in our secure and safe region is like right now.
International flights
Recent months have seen some global flight disruptions, mainly due to weather, air traffic congestion, and adjustments to routes in certain regions due to geopolitical tensions. In China, this has led to occasional delays at major airports, particularly during busy periods. At the same time, international routes are gradually increasing, supported by eased visa policies and growing demand. In general, we can say that travel to and from China operates normally. You can plan your flights with the usual advice of allowing for some flexibility in your schedule.
Domestic flights
You may have seen news about airspace restrictions or delays within China. Flight disruptions can have a significant impact on your journey. The most common reasons for disruptions are seasonal weather events, high traffic volumes and congestion during peak travel periods in the Chinese national holidays. On occasion, this may cause delays and cancellations. For travellers, the key point remains: Domestic flights are operating as usual, but it is sensible to expect minor adjustments and plan with some flexibility.
Navigating travel in China
Getting around the transport systems, accommodation and tourist areas of different destinations in China is – apart from the language barrier – pretty straightforward. For visitors, travel on the ground is well-organised and easy to follow, with the help of many convenient apps that offer financial transactions, translation, transportation services and other useful info. Not to mention the warmhearted Chinese people, who are generally happy to help a foreigner.
Travelling in Yunnan
In Yunnan, travel is a leisurely experience – just like the pace of life in this laidback province. You move between destinations, settle into each place, and spend time exploring without feeling rushed. Markets are yours to explore, restaurants are lively, and local communities are bustling with everyday life. In Yunnan, you can settle into a peaceful rhythm and enjoy the journey, discovering local cultures, landscapes and food.
Are you ready?
We completely understand you may have concerns about travelling to an unknown destination in these tumultuous times, and we hope we have been able to address these sufficiently. Most of all, we hope that you are excited about planning your trip to our beautiful and friendly corner of the planet. We hope that you will get to experience what it means to explore a vast but well-connected country, to find a safe and welcoming place, a region with a rich culture and history that is all yours to discover. If you are unsure about any part of your trip, we are here to help. We can talk through your plans in a clear and practical way and help you plan the journey of a lifetime.