Travel insurance for China & Hong Kong

Few destinations can match the sheer scale and diversity of China. Ancient wonders sit alongside futuristic skylines, remote mountain landscapes give way to bustling megacities, and a culinary tradition stretching back thousands of years means you'll eat well wherever you go. Whether you're walking along the Great Wall, cruising the Li River or watching giant pandas laze in a Chengdu sanctuary, China rewards curious travellers in ways few destinations can. When you’re journeying to the other side of the world on a trip of this scale, travel insurance can give you that extra peace of mind.

Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, deserves a place on your itinerary in its own right. This compact, high-energy city blends East and West in a way that’s entirely its own. Gleaming skyscrapers rise above centuries-old temples. Michelin-starred restaurants sit a short walk from street food stalls. Within 30 minutes of the city centre you can be hiking through lush countryside with views across the South China Sea.

This guide covers the highlights of both destinations, practical information on costs, getting around and entry requirements, and what travel insurance can cover.

Places to go and things to do in China

China is vast. You could visit a dozen times and still not scratch the surface. Here are a few ideas, but you’ll find countless more when researching the country.

Beijing

China’s capital is where imperial history and modern ambition collide most dramatically. The Forbidden City, home to 24 emperors over five centuries, is one of the most remarkable palace complexes in the world: over 900 rooms, sweeping ceremonial courtyards and an atmosphere that makes the weight of history genuinely palpable.

No visit to Beijing is complete without a section of the Great Wall. Mutianyu offers a less crowded experience than the famous Badaling stretch, with the bonus of a toboggan track for the descent. Back in the city, the Temple of Heaven and the traditional hutong alleyways of central Beijing offer a quieter counterpoint to the grand set-pieces.

Shanghai

Shanghai is China at its most cosmopolitan. The Bund, a mile-long waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings, faces one of the world’s most dramatic modern skylines across the Huangpu River. The Shanghai Tower, at 632 metres, is China’s tallest building and offers a breathtaking view from the top.

The former French Concession’s tree-lined streets are ideal for an afternoon wander, with independent cafes, boutiques and art galleries tucked into beautifully preserved old buildings. Shanghai’s food scene is equally impressive, from xiao long bao (soup dumplings) in old-town teahouses to cutting-edge restaurants in contemporary gallery spaces.

Chengdu

Chengdu is where to go for pandas. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, around 18km north of the city centre, gives you the chance to see the animals in naturalistic surroundings. Allow three to five hours and arrive early for the best experience.

Aside from our bamboo-chomping friends there’s also the nearby Leshan Giant Buddha, a striking statue carved into the stone 1,300 years ago. Chengdu is also the capital of the Sichuan province, and Sichuan cuisine is some of the most exciting in China, known for its tongue-numbing use of peppercorns and chilli. Don’t leave without trying a proper hotpot.

Guilin and the Li River

The scenery around Guilin is the stuff of Chinese ink paintings: dramatic karst limestone peaks rising from rice paddies and river plains, often shrouded in mist. A boat trip along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is one of the most scenic journeys in Asia.

If you’re looking for an active holiday, Yangshuo is a lively base for exploring the surrounding countryside by bicycle, kayak or on foot. With over 900 bolted rock-climbing routes, it’s also a serious destination for climbers of all abilities.

Xi’an

Xi’an was the starting point of the ancient Silk Road and home to one of the world’s great archaeological discoveries: the Terracotta Army. The thousands of life-size warriors, horses and chariots buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang around 210 BCE were only uncovered in 1974, and excavation is still ongoing.

The city itself retains a remarkably complete set of ancient walls, ideal for a bicycle ride with views across the rooftops. The Muslim Quarter’s food stalls and covered bazaars make for a vivid evening out.

Places to go and things to do in Hong Kong

Hong Kong packs an enormous amount into a relatively small space. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Victoria Peak

At 552 metres, Victoria Peak is Hong Kong’s highest point and its most famous viewpoint. The Peak Tram, recently upgraded and operating since 1888, makes the ascent an experience in itself. At the top, the panoramic views across the city, harbour and surrounding islands are awe-inspiring, particularly at night when the skyline lights up.

Victoria Harbour and the Star Ferry

The Star Ferry has been crossing Victoria Harbour since 1888, and the short crossing between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island remains one of the best-value experiences in the city. The views of the skyline from the water are iconic. Every evening at 8pm, the Symphony of Lights show illuminates the harbour’s towers in a free waterfront spectacle.

Lantau Island and the Big Buddha

Tian Tan Buddha, known locally as the Big Buddha, is one of Hong Kong’s most recognisable landmarks: 34 metres tall and reached via 268 steps or a 25-minute cable car ride from Tung Chung. The journey by Ngong Ping 360 cable car, sweeping over forest and mountains before dropping into the village below the statue, is half the pleasure.

Mong Kok and the markets

For a more local Hong Kong experience, Mong Kok on the Kowloon peninsula is hard to beat. Some of the most densely populated streets in the world, this neighbourhood is also home to the Temple Street Night Market, the Ladies’ Market and the Flower Market Road. It’s noisy, colourful and chaotic in the best possible way.

Hiking and the outdoors

More than 40 percent of Hong Kong’s land area is protected country park. Couple that with the mountainous terrain and you’ve got yourself a hiker’s dream. The Dragon’s Back trail on Hong Kong Island is one of the most popular routes, offering sweeping coastal views and finishing near Shek O beach. The MacLehose Trail, stretching over 100km across the New Territories, is a more serious undertaking.

How much do things cost?

Costs vary significantly between mainland China and Hong Kong. Mainland China is generally very affordable for UK visitors, while Hong Kong is more comparable to a Western European city in terms of prices.

China uses the Chinese yuan (CNY), also known as the renminbi. Hong Kong uses the Hong Kong dollar (HKD). You can see current exchange rates using our currency converter.

The following data from Numbeo gives an approximate outline of how much things cost in China and Hong Kong.

Post Office can help you prepare your travel money before you go. With our prepaid multi-currency travel card, you can load yuan and Hong Kong dollars to spend throughout your trip without conversion fees. You can top it up through an app or online if you need more.

If you prefer cash, you can exchange money at your local Post Office branch or order online for home delivery. Read our travel money tips for more advice on managing holiday expenses.

Do you need travel insurance for China and Hong Kong?

Travel insurance is recommended by the FCDO for any trip to China or Hong Kong . Neither country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK, which means there is no equivalent of the GHIC card here. If you need medical treatment, you’ll be expected to pay for it, and costs can be substantial if you require surgery.

Beyond medical cover, a trip to China typically involves significant advance spending on flights and accommodation. Travel insurance can help you recover some of those costs if you need to cancel before departure or cut your trip short, for reasons outlined in your policy. It can also help cover lost or stolen belongings, flight delays and a range of other unexpected events that can affect a long-haul trip.

Cover for Macau and Tibet

China’s Special Administrative Regions and autonomous territories each have their own character and, in some cases, their own entry requirements. Here’s what you need to know from an insurance perspective.

Macau

Macau, around an hour from Hong Kong by ferry, is another Special Administrative Region with its own distinct identity: part historic Portuguese colonial city, part world-leading entertainment destination. It’s covered under the same worldwide policy as mainland China and Hong Kong. As with both of those destinations, you’ll need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions and ensure your policy is in force before you travel.

Tibet

Tibet is an autonomous region of China and one of the most restricted destinations in the world for foreign visitors. UK travellers need a standard Chinese visa plus a Tibet Travel Permit, which must be arranged through a registered travel agency and cannot be applied for independently. Entry to Tibet is periodically closed to foreign tourists without prior notice, particularly around politically sensitive dates.

From a travel insurance perspective, Tibet is covered under a worldwide policy in the same way as the rest of China. However, if the FCDO advises against travel to Tibet or any part of it at the time of your trip, travelling against that advice is likely to invalidate your cover. Always check the FCDO’s China travel advice before making plans and before you depart.

Pre-existing medical conditions

There is no GHIC card for China, Hong Kong or Macau, so if you have a pre-existing medical condition, declaring it accurately when you take out your policy is particularly important. Without the safety net of any reciprocal healthcare arrangement, a medical event overseas could result in a significant bill if your policy doesn’t cover it.

At Post Office, we consider all pre-existing conditions. If we’re unable to offer you a policy, we’ll direct you to a specialist partner who may be able to help. Fill in our online form with details of your condition and we’ll let you know what we can offer.

Getting around

China has invested heavily in its transport infrastructure and getting around is generally straightforward, even on a first visit.

• High-speed rail: China’s high-speed train network is one of the most extensive in the world, connecting major cities quickly and comfortably. Beijing to Shanghai takes around four hours. Book tickets in advance through the official 12306 platform or through a third-party booking service
• Domestic flights: For longer journeys, such as Beijing to Chengdu or Shanghai to Xi’an, domestic flights are affordable and frequent. Competition between airlines keeps prices reasonable
• Metro: Every major Chinese city has a modern, reliable metro system. Fares are very low and most systems have English-language signage
• Taxi and rideshare: Taxis are plentiful and cheap by UK standards. DiDi, China’s equivalent of Uber, is widely used and has an English-language version of its app
• Hong Kong MTR: Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway is fast, clean and covers the territory comprehensively. An Octopus card allows tap-and-go payment across the MTR and most other public transport

One practical note: many Western apps and websites, including Google, WhatsApp and most social media platforms, are blocked in mainland China. Consider downloading a VPN before you travel, and make sure maps, translation apps and any bookings are accessible offline or through China-compatible platforms.

Visas and entry requirements

Entry requirements differ between mainland China and Hong Kong.

Mainland China

As of February 17 2026, UK passport holders are now able to travel to China for up to 30 days without a visa, making holidays to China even easier. This includes trips for tourism, business, family visits or transit. The current arrangement is valid up until 31 December 2026.

If you’re planning to stay longer than 30 days, or if your visit is for work, study or journalism, you’ll need to apply for a visa in advance through the Chinese Embassy. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date and have at least two blank pages.

Hong Kong

UK passport holders can enter Hong Kong visa-free for up to 180 days. Your passport must be valid for at least one month after your planned departure from Hong Kong. No advance application is required for tourist visits within this period.