In China, smoking is generally limited to outdoors or designated areas, with indoor bans enforced more in big cities.
Indoor bans are widely enforced in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, and less consistently in smaller cities. Beijing and Shanghai are commonly cited as strictly covering restaurants, hotels, and other indoor public spaces under indoor smoking bans.
Designated outdoor or ventilated smoking areas are common at airports, train stations, and office buildings — look for the signage rather than assuming a spot is fine.
Which cities enforce it strictly
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.
The details
Airports & train stations
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.
Hotels
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.
Outdoor spaces
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).
Frequently asked questions
Can I smoke in a restaurant in Beijing or Shanghai?
No — both cities are widely reported to strictly enforce indoor smoking bans covering restaurants, along with hotels and other indoor public spaces.
Are there smoking rooms at Chinese airports?
Most major airports provide designated, often enclosed smoking rooms rather than allowing smoking throughout the terminal. Look for signage; smoking outside those rooms is generally not tolerated.
Do smaller cities enforce smoking bans as strictly?
Enforcement outside major cities like Beijing and Shanghai is reported to be more inconsistent — treat indoor smoking as generally discouraged rather than assuming a relaxed rule everywhere.
Can I smoke on the street?
Generally yes, outside of specific posted no-smoking zones — some parks and tourist sites post their own rules, so watch for signage.
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