Drinking age & public alcohol
Alcohol cannot legally be sold to under-18s. Sellers must ask for identification when a buyer’s age is unclear. Carry suitable ID and expect age checks.
Can you drink beer on the street in China?
Do not assume every street, park or public place allows drinking. The national minors-protection law expressly restricts drinking in schools, kindergartens and other public places where minors gather. Venue rules and local restrictions also matter.
Follow posted signs and staff instructions, and be considerate of the people around you.
Do you tip in China?
Tipping is generally not expected in most restaurants and hotels. An extra tip is usually unnecessary and may cause confusion. Pay the displayed price and check the bill for any service charge.
Organized tours and some international services can have their own arrangements; ask what is included when booking.
ADHD medicines, codeine & prescriptions
Check the active ingredient, dose and quantity before you travel. Pay particular attention to amphetamine-based ADHD medicines, methylphenidate (such as Ritalin) and codeine-containing medicines.
Controlled does not automatically mean prohibited. Chinese regulations provide a framework for carrying certain controlled medicines for personal medical use, with documentation and quantity limits. A prescription alone is not a universal clearance for every ingredient or supply.
- Ask Chinese Customs or your Chinese embassy about the exact medicine and quantity.
- Carry original packaging, your prescription and a medical diagnosis letter.
- Confirm any certificate or declaration required before departure.
- Do not interrupt a prescribed treatment without discussing travel arrangements with your clinician.
Cannabis, THC, CBD & drug testing
Do not bring cannabis, THC or CBD products into China. This includes oils, gummies and vape liquids. A product being legal in your home country does not make it admissible in China.
Authorities may test foreign nationals for drugs, including on entry. A positive result may lead to prosecution, detention or deportation even if the substance was taken outside China. Drug offences carry severe penalties.
Bringing a drone to China
Do not assume a drone below 250 g is exempt. Current national rules require civil drone owners to register. Check registration, airspace and flight-approval requirements before operating any drone.
Beijing has stricter rules
From 1 May 2026, Beijing’s entire administrative area is controlled airspace and outdoor drone flights require approval. Restrictions also apply to bringing drones and core components into Beijing, with limited exceptions tied to registration and local verification.
Check the current rules before packing a drone for a Beijing itinerary, including a connecting journey.
Vaping & flavored e-cigarettes
Sales of e-cigarettes in flavours other than tobacco are prohibited. This is a sales restriction; it should not be read as a claim that every vape or every instance of possession is banned.
Follow local smoking and vaping restrictions, airline battery rules and customs limits. Do not assume that vaping is allowed where smoking is prohibited.
Foreign passports & hotel check-in
Ask your hotel to confirm that its front desk can register your passport before arrival. Hotels must not refuse foreign guests solely because they claim to lack a foreign-guest licence.
If check-in fails, ask the duty manager to contact local police for registration assistance, and contact the booking platform. 12345 is a non-emergency government-services line. Use 110 for police emergencies.
Staying with friends or outside a hotel?
You or your host must register your accommodation with local police within 24 hours. Hotels handle their guests’ registration. Online options depend on your location; do not assume an online service works everywhere.