Quick answer
PassportOrdinary French passport
Stay lengthUp to 30 days
Trip purposesbusiness, tourism, family and friend visits, exchange visits, transit
Not coveredWork, study, news reporting, and other activities requiring prior approval
Before booking
Confirm the passport type, stay length, trip purpose, entry date, and return or onward travel. Travelers should also keep hotel booking details and a basic itinerary available for airline check-in, border inspection, and hotel registration.
Arrival checklist
- Passport valid for the trip and matching all reservations.
- Return or onward travel details.
- First-night hotel that can register foreign passports.
- Mobile payment setup, backup card, and small amount of cash.
- Chinese hotel address saved offline.
Suggested first route
First-time visitors usually get the best reliability from Shanghai, Beijing, or a Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai route. Keep the first day light and avoid tight rail or domestic flight connections immediately after landing.