Where can you smoke in China?

Beijing and Shanghai are the two most commonly cited examples of cities with comprehensive, actively enforced indoor smoking bans covering restaurants, bars, hotels, and offices. Enforcement in smaller cities is reported to be more inconsistent.

Most major airports and train stations provide designated, often glass-walled smoking rooms rather than allowing smoking throughout the terminal. Look for clear signage — smoking outside those rooms in a terminal is generally not tolerated.

Many hotel chains, especially international ones, now designate entire floors or the whole property as non-smoking. If it matters to you, check a hotel's smoking policy when booking rather than assuming.

Smoking outdoors — streets, plazas, and non-covered public areas — is generally unrestricted outside of specific posted no-smoking zones (some parks and tourist sites do post their own rules).