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Latest from China
Short, dated updates on entry rules, trade fairs, customs and seasonal travel for visitors and businesses from Southeast Asia and the Gulf.
China online arrival card: fill it in before you fly (2026 guide for Thai travellers)
Since 20 November 2025, foreign visitors can submit China's arrival card online before landing, through the NIA website, the NIA 12367 app, or WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. Paper cards are still available at the airport.
Chongqing like a local: 8 tips from a Chinese team
How Chinese locals do Chongqing - entering Hongyadong from the top to skip the lift queue, ordering mild hotpot, the apps locals use, and the photo spots tourists miss.
Chongqing from Bangkok: four airlines fly direct, and the metro now speaks Thai
Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Chongqing Airlines and China West Air fly Bangkok to Chongqing in about three hours, and three central metro stations added Thai announcements on 29 September 2026.
Star in your own Chinese short drama at Hengdian World Studios
Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang now lets visitors film their own one-to-two-minute costume drama for ¥388, and foreign visitors rose 455% in early 2026.
Etihad adds daily Abu Dhabi–Shanghai flights from 1 October, and four more China cities in March 2027
Etihad Airways starts daily Abu Dhabi–Shanghai Pudong flights on 1 October 2026 and adds Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen in March 2027, for 35 weekly flights to six Chinese cities.
Shopping in China: tax refunds for visitors are now paperless
From 1 September 2026, departure tax refunds for foreign shoppers in China are fully paperless. Stores upload your passport details, you track the refund by QR code, and instant refunds give you 28 days to leave China.
Yiwu Fair 2026 runs 21–24 October: a buying trip checklist
The 32nd China Yiwu International Commodities Fair runs 21 to 24 October 2026 for trade buyers, with about 4,500 booths and 3,000 exhibitors. How to combine it with the Yiwu market and the Canton Fair.
Chinese New Year and Ramadan 2027 fall in the same week: how to plan
Chinese New Year is on 6 February 2027 and Ramadan is expected to begin around 8 February. What the overlap means for Muslim travellers and businesses planning trips to China in early 2027.
Canton Fair autumn 2026 opens 15 October: what buyers should do now
The 140th Canton Fair runs from 15 October to 4 November 2026 in Guangzhou. A short checklist for overseas buyers with less than three weeks to go.
Visa-free China for Saudi, Omani, Kuwaiti, Bahraini and Bruneian passports runs to 31 December 2026
China's unilateral visa-free policy, which covers Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Brunei, has been extended to 31 December 2026. Stays of up to 30 days are allowed.
CIIE 2026: China International Import Expo runs 5–10 November in Shanghai
The 9th China International Import Expo takes place from 5 to 10 November 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. What exporters and visitors should know.
Exporting food to China? GACC Decree 280 has applied since 1 June 2026
China's new rules for overseas food producers, GACC Decree 280, replaced Decree 248 on 1 June 2026. What changed for food exporters and their Chinese importers.
Planning a snow trip to Harbin? Start now for December to February
Harbin's ice and snow season usually runs from late December to February. Why travellers from Southeast Asia and the Gulf should plan three months ahead, and what to prepare.
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