As a result of the coronavirus/covid-19 pandemic, comprehensive infection control measures and restrictions have been introduced in many parts of the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, and Taiwan. Visitors must expect very strict quarantine arrangements, temperature controls and other measures (including nucleic acid testing) on arrival. The Chinese authorities have imposed temporary restrictions on foreign nationals’ entry, which means, among other things, that ordinary tourist visas and residence permits granted before March 28 will not be valid entry documentation. The Chinese authorities have also imposed temporary restrictions on international air services to and from China. Any travelers should contact their travel operator and check local quarantine regulations at the destination carefully before departure. Norwegian citizens traveling to/from/in China should register at www.reiseregistrering.no, keep abreast of news and be prepared for delays and other disadvantages. See more under “Health”.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): The virus that originated in the city of Wuhan in Hubei Province has later been detected in many places in China. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the situation a global pandemic. You can find more information and guidance from Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice (above) is based on an overall assessment of the situation for travelers as a result of the virus outbreak. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages Norwegian travelers to register on www.reiseregistrering.no, so that we have the opportunity to send you information via sms or e-mail in the event of a serious event. If you need consular assistance, you should contact the Embassy in Beijing or the UD Operational Center directly (+47 23 95 00 00 / UDops@mfa.no).
As a result of the covid-19 epidemic, a number of places on the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau as well as Taiwan have introduced some stringent measures and restrictions to prevent the spread of infection. This includes movement and transport restrictions, as well as temporary closure of central tourist attractions, public institutions, schools and universities. In many places, control records for fever measurement have been set up.
Most cities and provinces have announced orders for people entering, to quarantine in 14 days upon arrival from elsewhere inside and outside China, and a nucleic acid test after quarantine period. The extent and degree of implementation of quarantine restrictions vary and include, among other things, the quarantine in specially designated premises. The quarantine schemes may in some cases be perceived as intrusive and extensive, and may also incur significant costs for the person being quarantined. New anti-infectious measures by Chinese authorities regarding entry are being introduced at short notice. Any traveler should contact their hotel/airline/travel agency/insurance company and carefully check the destination of their destination before departure.
Chinese authorities have imposed temporary restrictions on foreign nationals’ entry, which means, among other things, that ordinary tourist visas and residence permits granted before March 28 will not be valid entry documents (see more details on the website of China’s foreign ministry). In some places, such as in Hong Kong, prohibitions on transit and entry for all non-residents have so far been imposed. The Chinese authorities have also introduced new temporary restrictions on international air services to and from China. For now, each airline can only operate one route between China and another country, with a maximum of one departure per week. In addition, all airlines, including SAS, have either canceled or reduced their flights to and from China. China’s civil aviation authority has announced that international flights to Beijing will be diverted to other cities, where quarantine stays must be conducted at designated premises before entering Beijing.
In connection with arrival in China, temperature controls and other measures (including nucleic acid tests) that may cause delays, inconveniences and costs must be anticipated. Several countries have imposed temporary entry restrictions on travelers who have recently visited China or specific areas of the country. Some neighboring countries have also temporarily imposed or closed their borders with China. Travelers should contact their airline/travel agency and carefully consider any restrictions on their further itinerary.
The situation is unpredictable and under development. Due to the flourishing of new virus cases in some areas, several provinces and cities have reintroduced restrictions for domestic travelers. Several cities require travelers from particularly affected areas to submit a negative nucleic acid test on arrival. It cannot be ruled out that further anti-proliferation measures will be implemented at short notice in the time ahead. Norwegian citizens who choose to travel to/from/in China should keep abreast of news and be prepared for delays and other disadvantages as a result of restrictions. At the embassy in Beijing’s website you will find useful information, including local English contact information from Chinese provinces and regions.
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Due to the situation surrounding the 2019-nCoV coronavirus, the health care system may be under additional pressure in some places in China. The standard of local medical offices and hospitals in China can be bad outside the major cities. The standard of international hospitals in the larger cities, on the other hand, is good, and it is recommended to use these as far as possible. If an accident should occur, an ambulance can be called by calling 120. Medical treatment in China is not free, and should medical evacuation become necessary, a very high bill is expected. Travelers are therefore encouraged at all times to have valid travel insurance. Also, be aware that treatment of known diagnosis is usually not covered by travel insurance.
Before leaving, one should contact the National Institute of Public Health or the nearest health station to check which vaccines are recommended for travel and stay in China.
Do not drink the tap water. Fruits and vegetables should be washed, otherwise you can eat most as long as it is cooked/fried. The sanitary conditions at smaller restaurants can be bad.
Dengue fever occurs in southern parts of China, especially during periods of heavy rainfall. Dengue is a viral disease that infects mosquitoes and there is no vaccine. The safest way to prevent infection is to protect against mosquito bites. For more information, see the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s website.
Air pollution is severe in several Chinese cities, especially during the winter season. Soot, smoke, exhaust and dust can cause health problems, especially for people with respiratory disorders.
Safety
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that anyone staying for a shorter or longer period in China apply to register on www.reiseregistrering.no. The travel registration replaces previous registration of Norwegian citizens at the embassy or consulate general. Registration only takes a few minutes to complete.
Since June 2019, a number of demonstrations have been held at various locations in Hong Kong. The demonstrations have on several occasions led to violent clashes between police and protesters. This has also included the use of tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets and in some cases shots with sharp ammunition. At times, the unrest has spread around the university areas, which has led to universities canceling teaching.
Travelers should stay away from the demonstrations. The demonstrations have at times had an impact on public transport and general accessibility in the city, including partial closure of the subway system. You can check the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) website in advance to make sure the route you want to travel is open. Hong Kong Airport, the airport train and the way out to the airport have also been affected in some cases. Travelers can check the status of flights and public transport to the airport on the Hong Kong Airport website.
The turmoil in Hong Kong, including in the universities, has calmed down lately. However, the situation is still unpredictable. Travelers and residents are encouraged to exercise caution and take the necessary precautions, stay informed about the areas most exposed to demonstrations, generally stay away from large crowds, and follow the advice of local authorities. If you observe a gathering of protesters, we recommend that you leave the area as soon as possible. If you stay indoors and observe demonstrations outside the building, you should consider staying in until the surrounding area is perceived as safe.
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Foreigners are rarely subjected to violence, but still see the section below on crime (robbery). There is a certain risk of pocket theft, especially at popular tourist spots. Take good care of your passport and wallet. Loss of passport must always be reported immediately to the local police station that issues a police report. (For Shanghai, you only have to report the incident to the Exit Entry Administration Bureau). This report is required to obtain an exit visa from the Exit Entry Administration Bureau.
The stations in China also cannot issue emergency or regular passports without this report. It is always recommended to keep copies of passports, visas and credit cards separately from the originals. Please be aware that Chinese police may require you to provide an original passport at any time. Norwegian citizens must have valid travel insurance before entering China.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that anyone staying for a shorter or longer period in China register on www.reiseregistrering.no. The travel registration replaces previous registration of Norwegian citizens at the embassy or consulate general. Registration only takes a few minutes to complete.
Local emergency numbers: Police 110, fire department 119, ambulance 120, traffic accident 122
Pay particular attention to the danger of fraud and blackmail in certain tourist areas. A scam often ends up requiring unreasonably high cash payments or being threatened to pay via credit card charge. A common procedure for scammers is to contact them. show interest in Norway, and then invite you to a “tea tasting ceremony” where you have to pay a soaring bill. Offers for massages and ladies who contact the bar or nightclub eg. under the pretext of wanting to practice English, may also turn out to be attempts at extortion.
There are fake banknotes in circulation in China. One way tourists can be scammed is by paying 100-yuan banknotes in a taxi. Without the passenger noticing it gives the driver a fake 100 banknote back, claiming that the passenger paid with a fake banknote, and then asking for a new banknote.
The traffic situation in China can appear chaotic and there are many accidents on Chinese roads. Driving a car with a Norwegian driver’s license is not permitted in China. As a pedestrian, it is very important to watch carefully because drivers do not stop for people in the pedestrian zone. It is low accident rate by train and airplane.
There is a certain risk of being attacked by terrorist attacks in most parts of the world, including China.
Political and ethnic tensions can lead to riots and violent protests. The risk of terrorist attacks is considered to be somewhat higher in Xinjiang Province than otherwise in China. China was hit by three major terror attacks in 2014, two of which occurred in Xinjiang.
Travel to Tibet Autonomous Region requires a separate entry permit (Tibet Entry Permit), see below under Entry on Tibet. Political and ethnic tensions can lead to unrest and violent protests in Tibetan areas. Travelers should avoid places where demonstrations or unrest are taking place.
There is a risk of hurricanes and rainy season in the southeastern provinces of China and floods along the Yangtze River during the summer months. There is a risk of typhoons in the autumn months, especially in the southeastern provinces. Furthermore, there may be a risk of earthquakes in several parts of the country, especially in the provinces of Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan and Yunnan, and also in areas around Beijing.
Entry
Norwegian citizens planning to travel to China, both business and leisure travelers, are encouraged to apply for a visa in good time. Further questions regarding visa application and waiting time are addressed to the Chinese Embassy in Oslo, as the responsible authority for processing Norwegians visa applications to China.
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
When entering China and traveling in the region, the passport must be valid for at least six months after returning home. Norwegian citizens need a visa to stay in China. Please note that it is not possible to issue a temporary entry permit at the airports in China for Norwegian citizens who do not have a visa or do not have a valid visa.
For many countries, 72-hour visa-free entry is granted to some of the major cities, but Norway is not included in this rule. However, Norwegian citizens can stay at the airport for up to 24 hours by transit (but you must have a valid air ticket showing travel out of China within that time).
It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents and visas are valid. We recommend Norwegian citizens to contact the Chinese authorities for information on current visa practices in China. See Chinese Embassy websites.
Hong Kong and Macau
As a result of the covid-19 epidemic, prohibitions on transit and entry for all non-resident non-residents from China have so far been banned. Non-resident travelers from China will be charged a 14-day quarantine and will be denied entry if they have been in other countries/regions for the past 14 days. Flights between mainland and Hong Kong are limited and all land crossings are closed.
Norwegian citizens are not required to visit Hong Kong and Macau for up to 90 days. If you want to travel between mainland China and Hong Kong or Macau, this is considered an exit/entry. Therefore, if you are going back to China, you will need multiple-entry visas (so-called double or multiple entry visas).
If you are already in Hong Kong and do not have a visa to China, you can apply to the following office:
Chinese Visa Application Service Center, 20/F AXA Center, 151 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2992 1999, e-mail: hongkongcenter@visaforchina.org, see also the office’s website.
Hainan
Norwegians who travel on group trips or as individual tourists can stay visa-free for up to 30 days at Hainan. Travel must be organized by travel agencies approved by the Chinese National Tourism Administration and registered on Hainan. Ordinary travelers must apply for a visa in advance.
For more information on visa-free entry into Hainan:
- Exit & Entry Administration Division of Public Security Bureau of Haikou City
Tel: + 86 898 31652059, Email: HK68590746@163.com - Exit & Entry Administration Division of Public Security Bureau of Sanya City
Tel: + 86 898 88869902, e-mail: sanyaerj@163.com
Approved travel agencies that can handle visa-free entry, recommended by the Hainan Travel Agency Association:
- Hainan Kangtai Travel Co., Ltd.
Phone: + 86 898 65250603, email: ganm@wuaking.com - Hainan Liaoyang International Travel Service
Tel: + 86 898 66776932, Email: 123156383@qq.com - China Travel International Sanya Co., Ltd,
Tel: + 86 (0) 186 89876969, Email: danny_ji@yeah.net - Hainan Classical Holiday Travel Service Co., Ltd,
Tel: + 86 898 66160197, Email: 1252301679@qq.com
Tibet
A Tibet Entry Permit is required for travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region. Applications for such entry permits are usually made through specialized travel agencies in China. Traveling outside Lhasa often requires separate permits. During certain periods no permits are granted, especially during religious festivals in February and March. Traveling without the necessary permits can result in fines, imprisonment and deportation.
Taiwan
The Norwegian Embassy in Singapore covers Taiwan.
From 31 January 2020, there is a visa free for travel up to 90 days for Norwegian citizens.
Travel Documents
It is only possible to enter China by ordinary passport and diplomatic passport. Emergency passports, travel documents for refugees (green travel documents) and travel documents for people on humanitarian grounds (blue travel documents) cannot be used for entry into China.
When entering China and traveling in the region, the passport must have a validity of more than six months. For more information contact the Chinese Embassy in Oslo.
Please note that special entry rules apply if you arrive in China by private vehicle such as motorcycle or car. It is recommended that you check the rules for this carefully and well in advance of your departure through the Chinese Embassy in Oslo and/or local travel agencies in the area where you are planning to cross the border to China. A lot of paperwork is usually required ahead of this type of entry.
Registration with local police station on arrival
All foreigners must register their domicile in China at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival in the country. If you are staying in a hotel, the hotel will register for you. Lack of registration can result in fines.
Practical information
Visa and entry rules are strictly enforced in China. It is important to ensure that you always have a valid visa.
Be prepared for the language barrier. There are still very few taxi drivers who speak English, so it may be worthwhile to have important addresses written in Chinese (with Chinese characters). Many restaurants have a menu only in Chinese, and the service often speaks little or no English (depending on the restaurant’s size and location). Tips are often given at restaurants or for taxis. Apps for smartphones can be useful for translating and ordering taxis. Hotels and restaurants often have business cards available where the address is in Chinese. Individuals often use business cards.
Most people consider Chinese as polite, but very direct. It is not considered rude in China to ask very direct questions and comments about eg. age, weight and height. Outside the cities, people can be very curious about foreigners. This may seem tiring, but curiosity can also create contact despite language problems.
- ZHENGSOURCING.COM: When you are looking to source products from China, you may be confused or overwhelmed by the process. With tips from Zhengsourcing, you can get quality products at lower price.
The time difference is six hours ahead of Norway at daylight saving time. Winter time is seven hours ahead of Norway.
According to allcitycodes, national phone code is +86.
Coin value in China is yuan or yuan (RMB). ATMs that accept Visa, Mastercard and other credit cards are widespread. Such cards can also be used at larger hotels, restaurants and shopping malls in the cities.
Please note that various websites, such as Gmail, Google, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook etc., are blocked in China.
Public offices and banks are open 0900-1700, some places with a two hour break in the middle of the day. Markets, shops and restaurants are often open from 0800-2200. Small, 24-hour grocery stores are common in the larger cities. Public offices are closed on weekends, while shops, banks and post offices are usually open seven days a week, with the exception of public holidays.
Regular holidays are January 1st, May 1st and National Day October 1st (most often three days off). Traditional holidays follow the Chinese lunar calendar and the time varies from year to year. Chinese New Year is in January/February (usually five days off), Tomb Sweeping Day in early April, Dragon Boat Festival in May/June and Mid Autumn Festival in September/October.
Expect a great deal of travelers and low availability, such as train tickets and hotel rooms during the Chinese holiday holidays. Please note that holidays near official holidays can be turned into working days to compensate.
The current measures 220 volts, but in some places the adapter must be used because of the design of the plug itself. The mobile network is well-developed, and Norwegian mobile subscriptions usually work in China. It is possible to buy Chinese prepaid cards that can be used throughout China, but identity papers must be presented.
Norwegian Embassy and Consulates in China
The Norwegian Embassy in Beijing
Phone: +86 10 8531 9600
Email: emb.beijing@mfa.no
Website: https://www.norway.no/en/china/
The Norwegian Consulate General in Shanghai
Phone: + 86 21 6039 7500
E-mail: cg.shanghai@mfa.no
Website: https://www.norway.no/en/china/norway-china/shanghai/
The Norwegian Consulate General in Guangzhou
Phone: +86 20 3811 3188
Email: cg.guangzhou@mfa.no
Website: https://www.norway.no/en/china/norway-china/consulate-general-in-guangzhou /
The Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2546 9881
Email: hong-kong@norwayconsulate.com
Website: https://www.norway.no/en/china/norway-china/honorary-consulate-in-hong- King /
The Norwegian Honorary Consulate in Mongolia
Phone: +852 2546 9881
E-mail: norway@consulate.mn
https://www.norway.no/en/china/norway-china/honorary-consulate-in-mongolia/
In urgent need of help, Norwegians in China can call the embassy in Beijing and the consulates in Shanghai and Guangzhou directly.
Outside working hours, the call is transferred to the Foreign Ministry’s Operational Center (UDops) in Oslo. UDops is open 24 hours a day. You can also call via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ central table on (+47) 23 95 00 00.