Updated 6 October 2026 · LocalKey consultant team
As of 6 October 2026, the US State Department rates mainland China Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution" (updated 3 September 2026), Hong Kong SAR Level 2 and Macau SAR Level 3, "Reconsider Travel"; the UK FCDO, which uses no numbered levels, does not advise against travel to any part of mainland China (updated 27 August 2026).
Crime, scams, health, solo and LGBTQ travel and apps are covered in our China safety overview. This page explains the advisories themselves: what the levels mean, who and where they single out, why Hong Kong and Macau differ, how UK advice works, and what to do before you book.
What does Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" mean on the US 1–4 scale?
Level 2 is the second of four US State Department advisory levels and tells US citizens to "be aware of increased risks to safety and security", with the specific risks set out in each country's advisory. Mainland China is at Level 2 in the advisory updated 3 September 2026.
The State Department's explainer page (last updated 11 August 2025) says an advisory describes risks and recommended precautions for US citizens, not foreign nationals. It defines the levels as follows.
| Level | Name | What the State Department says (explainer updated 11 August 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Exercise normal precautions | "The lowest advisory level for safety and security risks"; there is some risk in any international travel. |
| Level 2 | Exercise increased caution | "Be aware of increased risks to safety and security. Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory." |
| Level 3 | Reconsider travel | — |
| Level 4 | Do not travel | "The highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks"; US citizens are advised not to travel to the country, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. |
Level 2 is common: the State Department's advisory data feed, retrieved on 6 October 2026, lists 223 advisories, with 85 at Level 1, 86 at Level 2, 27 at Level 3 and 25 at Level 4. Under the same explainer, Levels 1 and 2 are reviewed every 12 months, Levels 3 and 4 at least every six months, and any advisory is updated when conditions change substantially.
The China advisory (updated 3 September 2026) opens with this headline:
Exercise increased caution in mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of unjust arrest or detention.
It adds that "some areas have increased risk" and says expansive national security, counterespionage and data security laws give officials broad discretion to detain or interrogate foreign nationals, putting US citizens at risk "for conducting even routine business, research, or expression in the public domain".
Who and which areas does the US China advisory single out?
The US China advisory (updated 3 September 2026) names five groups who may be targeted, from US citizens of Chinese heritage to people with US government connections, and it singles out the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures and the Tibet Autonomous Region. It also warns about exit bans and says China does not recognise dual nationality.
According to the advisory updated 3 September 2026, the people who may be targeted are:
- US citizens of Chinese heritage or origin
- people involved in business disputes, or with ties to US firms in disputes in China
- people with current or prior affiliation with US law enforcement, the military or intelligence
- people on US government-funded programmes
- people with current or former connections to the US government
On exit bans, the same advisory says travellers may only learn of one when they try to leave China. It notes that China does not recognise dual nationality, and the US advisory strongly encourages dual nationals and US citizens of Chinese descent to enter China on a US passport with an appropriate Chinese visa.
On areas, it says extra security checks, police presence and surveillance are common in Xinjiang and the Tibetan Autonomous Prefectures, where curfews and travel restrictions can be imposed at short notice. China has severely restricted US consular officers from travelling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, so the US ability to provide emergency consular services there is severely limited (all updated 3 September 2026). Separately, UK FCDO advice (updated 27 August 2026) says travel to Tibet needs a permit arranged through a specialist travel agent in China and an organised tour.
The advisory's other cautions (updated 3 September 2026) apply everywhere: assume security services can read emails, texts and social media posts sent to or from China; avoid demonstrations; do not use illegal drugs in China or before you go; and do not pack bullets, cartridges or any munitions, even remnants. If arrested, US citizens should ask police to notify the US Embassy in Beijing immediately. Scams, health and day-to-day safety are covered in our China safety overview.
Why are Hong Kong and Macau rated differently from mainland China?
The US rates Hong Kong SAR Level 2 because of the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and Macau SAR Level 3, "Reconsider Travel", because of a limited ability to provide emergency consular services as well as arbitrary enforcement of local laws (both updated 3 September 2026). The UK FCDO does not advise against travel to either SAR (Hong Kong page updated 1 April 2026, Macao page updated 11 December 2025).
| Destination | US level (updated 3 September 2026) | Main US reason | UK FCDO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland China | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | Arbitrary enforcement of local laws, exit bans, risk of unjust arrest or detention | No advice against travel (updated 27 August 2026) |
| Hong Kong SAR | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | Arbitrary enforcement of local laws | No advice against travel (updated 1 April 2026) |
| Macau SAR | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | Limited ability to provide emergency consular services; arbitrary enforcement of local laws | No advice against travel (updated 11 December 2025) |
For Macau, the US advisory (updated 3 September 2026) explains that China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires US diplomatic personnel, including those accredited to Macau, to apply for and receive visas before entering Macau, even in an emergency, and that this can take a week or longer. Macau does not recognise dual nationality. The FCDO Macao page (updated 11 December 2025) says the Safeguarding National Security Law covers activities in and outside Macao and that crime levels are low.
For Hong Kong, the US advisory (updated 3 September 2026) says the 2020 National Security Law and the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance apply to everyone in Hong Kong, including foreigners. Since a change to the implementing rules on 23 March 2026, refusing to give Hong Kong police passwords or help decrypt personal electronic devices in national security cases is a criminal offence; this applies to everyone in Hong Kong, including on arrival or when transiting Hong Kong International Airport. Hong Kong does not recognise dual nationality, and the advisory says to avoid demonstrations. The FCDO Hong Kong page (updated 1 April 2026) likewise says national security laws apply inside and outside Hong Kong regardless of nationality, and that people must comply with national security investigations, including sharing full access to electronic devices.
How does UK FCDO travel advice work without numbered levels?
The UK FCDO has no numbered levels: it either formally advises against "all but essential travel" or "all travel" to a country or part of one, or it does not. For China, its advice (updated 27 August 2026 and still current on 6 October 2026) lists no part of mainland China under either warning.
According to "About FCDO travel advice" (updated 24 September 2025), the FCDO advises against travel only when the risk to British nationals is "unacceptably high", for example because of armed conflict, military coups, civil unrest, disease outbreaks or natural disasters. Its maps show "all travel" areas in red and "all but essential travel" areas in amber, and each country page's "Warnings and insurance" section lists every area under such advice. The same page says "your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from FCDO".
The FCDO also stresses the limits of its advice. Its China page (updated 27 August 2026) says "No travel can be guaranteed safe", and its general guidance (updated 24 September 2025) adds that "only you can decide whether you should travel" and that it cannot give tailored advice for individual trips. The same guidance (updated 24 September 2025) says the FCDO draws on embassies, local authorities and sometimes intelligence, can publish several updates a day in a crisis, and offers email alerts for each country.
What the China page does carry (updated 27 August 2026) is a set of warnings rather than restrictions: notes on flash floods and landslides in Gyirong County, Shigatse, Tibet, near the Nepal border (dated 26 August 2026), and the May–November typhoon season. It also says national security laws have broad scope, there is a risk of arbitrary detention, including of British nationals, and exit bans can be imposed.
Can you travel to China now, and what should you do about insurance, STEP and updates?
As of 6 October 2026, neither government tells its citizens not to travel to mainland China: the US rates it Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution" (updated 3 September 2026), and the FCDO lists no mainland area under advice against travel (updated 27 August 2026). The groups, exit-ban and Xinjiang and Tibet cautions described above still apply; the US advisory highly recommends travel insurance and FCDO guidance says to buy cover as soon as possible after booking.
Before you book, we suggest working through this checklist:
- Insurance. The US China advisory (updated 3 September 2026) says "we highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel" and to check evacuation assistance, medical insurance and trip-cancellation cover. The US country information page (updated 12 March 2026) strongly recommends supplemental medical-evacuation insurance, notes that US Medicare and Medicaid do not apply overseas and that most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept US health insurance, and says public hospitals in China require pre-payment before treating foreigners. FCDO guidance (updated 2 August 2024) says to buy insurance as soon as possible after booking, make sure it covers existing physical or mental health conditions and planned activities, and check cover for hospital treatment, emergency transport, repatriation and every place you visit, even in transit.
- Registration (US citizens). Enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get updates and alerts from the US embassy or consulate; it also helps the embassy contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency (China advisory, updated 3 September 2026).
- Alerts (UK travellers). Sign up for the FCDO's China travel advice email alerts, which the China page offers (updated 27 August 2026).
- Where to check updates. The State Department's China Travel Advisory; US Embassy Beijing on X, WeChat and Weibo, which the advisory (updated 3 September 2026) says to follow; and the FCDO China page. Check again close to departure.
- If something goes wrong. Save China's emergency numbers and read what to do if you lose your passport.
Advisories and entry rules are separate. Check your passport on our visa-free countries tool, and see the 240-hour visa-free transit rules and the 30-day visa-free entry rules; the FCDO (updated 27 August 2026) says British citizens can enter visa-free for up to 30 days until 31 December 2026. US passport holders can follow the entry steps in our guide to travel to China from the USA. For everything else to sort before you fly, use our first-time China visitor checklist.
Plan your China trip with LocalKey
LocalKey can help you plan the trip once you have read the advice: your own China trip — planned, booked and backed. It is not a group tour, and LocalKey does not replace official advice; you should still read the advisories themselves.
Independent means travelling on your own with the LocalKey app and 24/7 backup. Add-ons are available on demand, including airport pickup, a private car and driver, and a local guide. The guide is an optional add-on.
For Private Guided, a private guide and a car with driver are with you across the trip, which suits first-timers who want someone to handle tickets, check-ins and the paperwork side of travel.
Explore private China tours, or ask a 1:1 specialist about your route through Beijing, Hong Kong or Macau. Your specialist plans and books the trip, and the team backs it with 7×24 WeChat/WhatsApp support while you travel. Travelling with children? See our China family tours, and check that your insurance covers every traveller.
Sources
- US Department of State — Travel Advisories (levels explained), last updated 11 August 2025 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- US Department of State — Travel Advisories data feed (223 advisories by level), retrieved 6 October 2026 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- US Department of State — China Travel Advisory, Level 2, updated 3 September 2026 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- US Department of State — Hong Kong SAR Travel Advisory, Level 2, updated 3 September 2026 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- US Department of State — Macau SAR Travel Advisory, Level 3, updated 3 September 2026 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- US Department of State — China international travel information, last updated 12 March 2026 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- US Department of State — Smart Traveler Enrollment Program — verified_on 2026-10-06
- UK FCDO — About FCDO travel advice, updated 24 September 2025 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- UK FCDO — China travel advice, updated 27 August 2026 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- UK FCDO — China: warnings and insurance — verified_on 2026-10-06
- UK FCDO — Hong Kong travel advice, updated 1 April 2026 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- UK FCDO — Macao travel advice, updated 11 December 2025 — verified_on 2026-10-06
- UK FCDO — Foreign travel insurance, updated 2 August 2024 — verified_on 2026-10-06
