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Compare Travel Insurance for China

Heading to China? Compare travel insurance policies designed for Australians travelling to China – covering medical expenses, trip cancellations, natural disasters, lost luggage, and more.

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Trip type Are you looking for cover for one trip or a few trips within the next year? Single Trip: will cover a single trip or holiday overseas which may include visits to more than one country. Annual Multi-trip: covers an unlimited number of trips or holidays in a 365 day period.
Destination Start typing or select the countries or regions you are travelling to. Flight stopovers less than 24 hours don't need to be added unless you're travelling through the USA. Countries within regions can vary. Check with your insurer to ensure you're covered for your planned trip.
Dates For single trips, select the date you depart on your trip and the day that you return.
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The Benefits

Why Choose China Travel Insurance

Comprehensive Overseas Medical Cover

Medical care in China can be expensive, and evacuations from China are extremely costly. And without travel insurance, all medical expenses are your responsibility. A comprehensive China travel insurance policy covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalisation, surgery, prescription medications, and emergency repatriation to Australia – giving you essential financial protection throughout your trip.

Natural Disaster Cover

China is a vast country that experiences a wide range of natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and severe weather events. A comprehensive travel insurance policy purchased before a natural disaster is publicly announced covers trip cancellations, additional travel and accommodation expenses, and other costs incurred as a result of a covered natural event – meaning an act of nature won’t leave you significantly out of pocket.

Trip Cancellation and Travel Delays

Travelling to China typically involves significant upfront costs – long-haul flights, accommodation, and pre-booked tours can all be at risk if something goes wrong before or during your trip. Travel insurance covers unforeseen trip cancellations due to illness, injury, and other events outside your control, as well as out-of-pocket expenses incurred as a result of unexpected travel delays.

Lost Luggage and Travel Documents

Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage is one of the most common claims made by Australian travellers, and travelling through China’s busy airports and transport hubs increases the risk. A comprehensive China travel insurance policy covers the cost of replacing or repairing your personal belongings (including cash, travel documents, and other personal items) so a mishap on the road doesn’t derail your trip.

Adventure Activities Cover

China offers a remarkable range of adventure experiences, from trekking in Yunnan and cycling through rural landscapes to rock climbing and skiing in its northern mountain regions. Cover for higher-risk activities varies between insurers, with some excluded from standard policies. If your itinerary includes any adventure activities, check the specific activity inclusions of your chosen policy and add any necessary optional extras before purchasing.

No Hidden Fees

Our China travel insurance comparison is completely free to use. You’ll be directed straight to the insurer’s website to complete your purchase at their direct price – no markups, no surprises.

Key Considerations

How to Choose China Travel Insurance

Understand the Current Visa-Free Entry Arrangement

Australian citizens can currently enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, or family visits, under a scheme extended through to December 31, 2026. This applies to single or multiple entries within that period. If your stay will exceed 30 days, or if you plan to work or study in China, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa. Entry requirements can change, so always check the current status with the Chinese Embassy in Australia or on Smartraveller before you travel.

Check Government Travel Advisories

The Australian Government’s Smartraveller website currently advises travellers to exercise a high degree of caution in China overall, with specific advisories applying to certain regions including Tibet and Xinjiang. Travelling against a Do Not Travel warning will generally void your travel insurance cover for any incidents arising in the affected area. Always check Smartraveller before and during your trip for the most current advice, as conditions can change at short notice.

Be Aware of Local Laws

China has laws that differ significantly from those in Australia, and visitors are expected to comply with them from the moment they arrive. The Chinese government restricts access to many internet services (including Google, social media platforms, and some messaging apps) and the use of VPNs to circumvent these restrictions is technically prohibited under local law. Travel insurance does not cover fines or legal penalties arising from breaking local laws, so familiarising yourself with the rules before you travel is important.

Include All Destinations in Your Quote

China and Hong Kong are treated as separate destinations by most travel insurance policies. If your trip includes both mainland China and Hong Kong – or other destinations in the region such as Macau – make sure your policy covers all of them. Always list every destination when obtaining a quote to ensure your cover is valid throughout your entire journey.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Pre-existing medical conditions must be declared when purchasing China travel insurance. Given that international-standard medical costs in China can be significant, it is especially important to ensure your policy adequately covers any relevant conditions. Some conditions may be covered automatically, while others require a medical assessment or attract an additional premium.

Tibet Requires Additional Planning

Travel to Tibet is subject to additional entry restrictions – Australian citizens must obtain a Tibet Entry Permit in addition to any required visa, and travel can only be arranged through a specialised travel agency in China. Plus, some insurers may apply exclusions or conditions to travel in Tibet. If Tibet is part of your itinerary, check your policy carefully and confirm with your insurer that you are covered before purchasing.

further reading

Learn More About China Travel Insurance

Expert guides to help you make an informed decision about your China cover.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need travel insurance for China?

Travel insurance is not a legal requirement for entry to China. However, considering there’s no Medicare cover in China (which means all medical costs are your responsibility without insurance, we highly recommend it. Not to mention, a China trip also typically involves significant upfront costs – like flights, accommodation, and tours – that would be at risk without a comprehensive policy with cancellation cover.

Do Australians need a visa to travel to China?

Australian citizens can currently enter mainland China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days for tourism, business, or family visits, under a policy extended through to December 31, 2026. If your trip will exceed 30 days, or if you plan to work or study in China, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa before you travel. Entry requirements are subject to change, so always check the current position with the Chinese Embassy in Australia or on Smartraveller before booking or travelling.

Does China travel insurance cover natural disasters?

Yes, most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, and severe weather events, provided the event was not publicly known at the time you purchased your policy. China is a seismically active country that is also prone to flooding and extreme weather, making this a genuinely important benefit for travellers to the region. If a natural disaster has already been reported in the media at the time of purchase, it will be considered a known event and claims related to that specific incident are unlikely to be covered.

Is Hong Kong covered under China travel insurance?

Not automatically. Hong Kong is treated as a separate destination by most travel insurance policies, even though it is a Special Administrative Region of China. If your trip includes both mainland China and Hong Kong, you must include both as separate destinations when obtaining your quote to ensure your cover is valid in each location. The same applies to Macau.

What if I want to travel to Tibet?

Travel to Tibet requires an additional permit (the Tibet Entry Permit) on top of any visa required for mainland China, and travel must be arranged through a specialised travel agency in China. Some travel insurance policies may apply conditions or exclusions to travel in Tibet. If Tibet is part of your plans, confirm with your insurer that you are covered before purchasing your policy, and check the latest entry requirements on Smartraveller well in advance of your trip.

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