China rules for visitors

Tipping

Tipping isn't customary in mainland China — not at restaurants, in taxis, or at hotels.

Drinking

The legal purchase age for alcohol is widely documented as 18.

Smoking

Indoor smoking bans are widely enforced in major cities — Beijing and Shanghai are commonly cited as strictly covering restaurants, hotels, and other indoor public spaces.

Jaywalking & traffic

Many Chinese cities use camera enforcement at pedestrian crossings, and rules around traffic turning on red vary by city and junction. The safest approach is to follow the signal at the crossing rather than assume it's clear just because other pedestrians are moving — look both ways and treat every intersection as its own situation.

Vaping

Rules for e-cigarettes and vapes differ from those for regular cigarettes and are reported to have tightened in recent years.

Drones

Real-name registration for drones is widely reported as required, and many urban and sensitive areas are no-fly zones.

Medications

Carry prescription medications in their original packaging, ideally with a doctor's note describing what they are and why you need them.

Photography

Avoid photographing military installations, government buildings, and border or security checkpoints. Airport and train-station security areas can also be sensitive. Outside of those categories, photographing people and places in public is generally fine with the usual courtesy — ask before a close-up photo of someone, and put the camera away if a guard or sign tells you to.

Security checks

Bags go through X-ray screening at metro stations and train stations pretty much everywhere, similar to airport security. Budget a few extra minutes when catching a train, especially with luggage. Water bottles are sometimes tested or need to be opened — procedures can vary by station and city.

ID carrying

It's generally a good idea to carry your passport (or at minimum a clear photo or copy, with the original reachable) any time you're out. Hotels and many ticketed attractions are reported to require the physical passport, not just a photo, for check-in or entry.