{
  "schemaVersion": "2.0",
  "version": "af8831b0d7bb",
  "generatedAt": "2026-10-13T10:41:25.277Z",
  "notice": "Source review is not a live availability guarantee. Interpret each field by status, not by whether value is nonempty. Preserve conditions, unknowns, source dates and traveler-report attribution.",
  "license": {
    "id": "CC-BY-4.0",
    "name": "CC BY 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "credit": "China Footnotes (chinafootnotes.com)",
    "covers": "Our own text and data",
    "excludes": "Photos keep the licence shown with each photo; linked source documents keep their own rights.",
    "text": "Our own text and data are licensed CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/): reuse and adapt them, credit China Footnotes (chinafootnotes.com) and link to the page you used. Photos keep the licence shown with each photo; linked source documents keep their own rights."
  },
  "about": "Dated log of rule changes for visitors to China: country-wide rules (visa, transit, arrival card, paying) and the booking rules of places in this guide. Temporary notices (closures, events) are not here; see /api/updates. Each entry cites the official page it rests on. Newest first on the page; order in this file does not matter.",
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-13",
  "latest": "2026-09-21-online-stay-registration-nationwide",
  "latestByTopic": {
    "visa": "2026-09-21-online-stay-registration-nationwide",
    "book-ahead": "2026-07-09-shanghai-museum-americas-booking",
    "payments": "2026-05-27-wechat-pay-first-card-90-days",
    "arrival-card": "2025-12-02-arrival-card-copycat-warning",
    "getting-around": "2025-06-28-shanghai-metro-tap-card"
  },
  "latestByPlace": {
    "shanghai-museum-peoples-square": "2026-07-09-shanghai-museum-americas-booking",
    "shanghai-science-and-technology-museum": "2026-02-17-shanghai-science-museum-reopens",
    "lingyin-temple": "2026-02-01-lingyin-temple-no-on-site-registration",
    "chengdu-panda-base": "2026-01-29-chengdu-panda-base-14-days",
    "three-gorges-museum": "2025-10-01-three-gorges-museum-walk-in",
    "national-museum-of-china": "2025-08-01-national-museum-booking-limits",
    "shaanxi-history-museum": "2025-01-14-shaanxi-history-museum-5-day-release",
    "shanghai-museum-east": "2024-09-15-shanghai-museum-east-walk-in",
    "forbidden-city": "2023-11-01-forbidden-city-half-day-slots"
  },
  "entries": [
    {
      "id": "2026-09-21-online-stay-registration-nationwide",
      "date": "2026-09-21",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "title": "Staying outside a hotel? You can now register online anywhere in China",
      "before": "Online registration was a pilot in seven provinces from 20 March 2026; elsewhere you went to the police station.",
      "after": "If you stay with friends or in a rented home, you or your host can register within 24 hours online: on the NIA website, in the NIA 12367 app, or in its WeChat or Alipay mini program. Police stations still accept it in person. Hotels still register you at check-in.",
      "who": "Visitors not staying in a hotel, and their hosts",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741542/c1806111/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2026-09-21",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741542/c1771531/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration (Announcement 2026 No. 1)",
          "publishedAt": "2026-03-20",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-08-20-transit-57-countries",
      "date": "2026-08-20",
      "dateKind": "announced",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-transit-240",
      "title": "Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam join the 240-hour transit",
      "before": "55 countries could use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit.",
      "after": "57 countries. The NIA's page now lists 65 ports in 24 provincial-level regions.",
      "who": "Kyrgyz and Vietnamese passport holders transiting to a third country",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=transit-240].countries.length",
          "value": 57
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=transit-240].countries[name=Kyrgyzstan].name",
          "value": "Kyrgyzstan"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=transit-240].countries[name=Vietnam].name",
          "value": "Vietnam"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147468/c217849/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2026-08-20",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-05"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20260820/bcaad9737db44e6ab788dfd785832b6b.html",
          "publisher": "Shanghai Municipal People's Government",
          "publishedAt": "2026-08-20",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-11"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-07-09-shanghai-museum-americas-booking",
      "date": "2026-07-09",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "shanghai-museum-peoples-square",
      "title": "Shanghai Museum on People's Square: book ahead for the Americas exhibition",
      "before": "Individual visitors could walk in without a reservation.",
      "after": "Until 14 November 2027 the building shows only the Americas exhibition. Book ahead on the museum's WeChat mini program, or on trip.com from overseas; the on-site office sells only what is left.",
      "who": "Everyone visiting the People's Square building",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "shanghai-museum-peoples-square",
          "path": "booking.required",
          "value": "yes"
        },
        {
          "placeId": "shanghai-museum-peoples-square",
          "path": "booking.validTo",
          "value": "2027-11-14"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.shanghaimuseum.cn/mu/frontend/pg/en/service/visit-west",
          "publisher": "Shanghai Museum",
          "publishedAt": "2026-06-30",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-10"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/shanghai-museum-peoples-square"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-05-27-wechat-pay-first-card-90-days",
      "date": "2026-05-27",
      "dateKind": "announced",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "payments",
      "title": "WeChat Pay: no card fee for 90 days after you first link a foreign card",
      "after": "From the first payment, people who link an international card to WeChat for the first time pay no card fee for 90 days in a row, on up to ¥1,000 a day, Tencent says. Payments under ¥200 stay fee-free for all foreign-card users.",
      "who": "First-time WeChat Pay users with a foreign card",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.tencent.com/tencent-announces-three-initiatives-to-make-inbound-payments-for-international-visitors-easier-than-ever-during-apec-2026/",
          "publisher": "Tencent",
          "publishedAt": "2026-05-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://english.beijing.gov.cn/travellinginbeijing/essentials/inboundtourismfacilitationmeasures/202603/t20260326_4566766.html",
          "publisher": "Beijing Municipal People's Government",
          "publishedAt": "2026-03-26",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "anchor": "fees",
      "before": "60 days, under the waiver announced in May 2025.",
      "path": "/before-you-go/payments#fees"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-05-20-visa-free-russia-2027",
      "date": "2026-05-20",
      "dateKind": "announced",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Visa-free entry for Russians extended to the end of 2027",
      "before": "The trial was due to end on 14 September 2026.",
      "after": "Russian ordinary passport holders can keep staying up to 30 days without a visa until 31 December 2027.",
      "who": "Russian ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Russia].until",
          "value": "2027-12-31"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://nl.china-embassy.gov.cn/fyrthx/202605/t20260520_11914508.htm",
          "publisher": "Embassy of China in the Netherlands (MFA press conference transcript)",
          "publishedAt": "2026-05-20",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-02-17-shanghai-science-museum-reopens",
      "date": "2026-02-17",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "shanghai-science-and-technology-museum",
      "title": "Shanghai Science and Technology Museum reopens after renovation; book online",
      "before": "Closed for renovation.",
      "after": "The museum reopened on trial with limited, real-name tickets booked online. From 23 February 2026: Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00–17:00, closed Mondays.",
      "who": "Everyone visiting the museum",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "shanghai-science-and-technology-museum",
          "path": "booking.required",
          "value": "yes"
        },
        {
          "placeId": "shanghai-science-and-technology-museum",
          "path": "hours.closedDays",
          "value": [
            "mon"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://whlyj.sh.gov.cn/wbzx/20260211/96b8e43e2d7c478895adfd26fcc27fbc.html",
          "publisher": "Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism",
          "publishedAt": "2026-02-11",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/shanghai-science-and-technology-museum"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-02-17-visa-free-list-50",
      "date": "2026-02-17",
      "dateKind": "listed",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "China's 30-day visa-free list names 50 countries",
      "before": "38 countries after the November 2024 expansion, with more added during 2025.",
      "after": "The NIA's list dated 17 February 2026 names 50 countries for up to 30 days. US passports are not on it.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the listed countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries.length",
          "value": 50
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147418/n147463/c183390/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2026-02-17",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-10"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-02-17-visa-free-uk-canada",
      "date": "2026-02-17",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "The UK and Canada join the 30-day visa-free list",
      "before": "British and Canadian visitors needed a visa, or the 240-hour transit.",
      "after": "British and Canadian ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days without a visa, until 31 December 2026.",
      "who": "British and Canadian ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=United Kingdom].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Canada].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.mfa.gov.cn/fyrbt_673021/202602/t20260215_11860462.shtml",
          "publisher": "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China (spokesperson)",
          "publishedAt": "2026-02-15",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-02-01-lingyin-temple-no-on-site-registration",
      "date": "2026-02-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "lingyin-temple",
      "title": "Lingyin Temple: on-site registration ends; waitlist online, no-shows suspended",
      "before": "Visitors without a booking could register at an on-site window.",
      "after": "The on-site registration windows closed. Instead, join the online waitlist by 20:00 the day before. A first no-show blocks booking for 30 days, a second for 60, a third for 90.",
      "who": "Everyone visiting Lingyin and Feilai Peak",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "lingyin-temple",
          "path": "booking.walkIn",
          "value": "no"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://westlake.hangzhou.gov.cn/col/col1639430/art/2026/art_f91a9febdd1a4c24b40a22234dc262e9.html",
          "publisher": "Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2026-01-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/lingyin-temple"
    },
    {
      "id": "2026-01-29-chengdu-panda-base-14-days",
      "date": "2026-01-29",
      "dateKind": "listed",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "chengdu-panda-base",
      "title": "Chengdu Panda Base: book up to 14 days ahead, not 7",
      "before": "Tickets could be booked up to 7 days ahead.",
      "after": "Real-name tickets can be booked up to 14 days ahead, one ticket per ID per day, until the day's quota runs out.",
      "who": "Everyone booking the Panda Base",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "chengdu-panda-base",
          "path": "booking.advance.opensDaysAhead",
          "value": 14
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.panda.org.cn/cn/news/notice/2026-01-29/8851.html",
          "publisher": "Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding",
          "publishedAt": "2026-01-29",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.panda.org.cn/cn/news/notice/2024-09-24/8553.html",
          "publisher": "Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding",
          "publishedAt": "2024-09-24",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/chengdu-panda-base"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-12-02-arrival-card-copycat-warning",
      "date": "2025-12-02",
      "dateKind": "announced",
      "kind": "notice",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "arrival-card",
      "title": "NIA warns of copycat arrival card sites that charge money",
      "after": "The official online arrival card is free. Use s.nia.gov.cn, the NIA 12367 app or the QR code at the port.",
      "who": "Everyone filling in the arrival card online",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1755806/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2025-12-02",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-10"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/arrival-card"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-12-01-lingyin-temple-free-book-ahead",
      "date": "2025-12-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "lingyin-temple",
      "title": "Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak become free, but you must book a slot",
      "before": "Entry needed a paid ticket.",
      "after": "Entry is free with a real-name booking in the 杭州灵隐飞来峰 mini program (Alipay or WeChat), up to 7 days ahead; no same-day bookings. Visitors from outside the mainland book with a passport.",
      "who": "Everyone visiting Lingyin and Feilai Peak",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "lingyin-temple",
          "path": "booking.required",
          "value": "yes"
        },
        {
          "placeId": "lingyin-temple",
          "path": "admission.hasTicket",
          "value": "no"
        },
        {
          "placeId": "lingyin-temple",
          "path": "booking.advance.opensDaysAhead",
          "value": 7
        },
        {
          "placeId": "lingyin-temple",
          "path": "booking.advance.sameDayPossible",
          "value": "no"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://westlake.hangzhou.gov.cn/col/col1639430/art/2026/art_02cd460e696847cfb8f3d9951424e77d.html",
          "publisher": "Hangzhou West Lake Scenic Area Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2026-01-29",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/lingyin-temple"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-11-20-arrival-card-online",
      "date": "2025-11-20",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "arrival-card",
      "title": "The arrival card can be filled in online before you fly",
      "before": "Paper cards, kiosks or a QR code at the border.",
      "after": "Fill it in before you land at s.nia.gov.cn, in the NIA 12367 app, or in the WeChat or Alipay mini program. The border still offers a QR code, kiosks and paper cards.",
      "who": "Foreign visitors entering China",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://en.nia.gov.cn/n147413/c187308/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2025-11-03",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-10"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/arrival-card"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-11-05-transit-65-ports",
      "date": "2025-11-05",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-transit-240",
      "title": "240-hour transit adds five Guangdong ports near Hong Kong and Macao: 65 in all",
      "before": "60 entry ports.",
      "after": "Guangzhou Pazhou port, Hengqin, the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, Zhongshan port and Hong Kong West Kowloon station (high-speed rail) became entry ports for the 240-hour transit, making 65 ports in 24 provincial-level regions.",
      "who": "Transit passengers of the eligible countries",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n897453/c1751080/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2025-11-03",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-11-03-visa-free-extended-2026",
      "date": "2025-11-03",
      "dateKind": "announced",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "30-day visa-free entry extended to the end of 2026, and Sweden added",
      "before": "The policy was due to end on 31 December 2025.",
      "after": "For most listed countries it now runs to 31 December 2026; Sweden joined the list.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the listed countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Sweden].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202511/04/content_WS690964b0c6d00ca5f9a0749d.html",
          "publisher": "State Council (english.www.gov.cn)",
          "publishedAt": "2025-11-04",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-05"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-10-01-three-gorges-museum-walk-in",
      "date": "2025-10-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "three-gorges-museum",
      "title": "Three Gorges Museum: no booking, walk in with ID",
      "before": "Visitors had to book ahead.",
      "after": "Walk in with a valid ID. The museum may post crowd warnings on its WeChat account when it gets busy.",
      "who": "Everyone visiting the main museum in Chongqing",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "three-gorges-museum",
          "path": "booking.required",
          "value": "no"
        },
        {
          "placeId": "three-gorges-museum",
          "path": "booking.walkIn",
          "value": "yes"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.3gmuseum.cn/web/article/1430010139317059584/web/content_1430010139317059584.html",
          "publisher": "Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum",
          "publishedAt": "2025-09-30",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/three-gorges-museum"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-09-15-visa-free-russia-trial",
      "date": "2025-09-15",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Russia joins the 30-day visa-free list as a one-year trial",
      "after": "Russian ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days without a visa, from 15 September 2025 to 14 September 2026.",
      "who": "Russian ordinary passport holders",
      "supersededBy": "2026-05-20-visa-free-russia-2027",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202509/t20250902_11700533.html",
          "publisher": "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China",
          "publishedAt": "2025-09-02",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202509/content_7038859.htm",
          "publisher": "Chinese central government (gov.cn) / Xinhua",
          "publishedAt": "2025-09-02",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-09-01-shanghai-museum-walk-in",
      "date": "2025-09-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "shanghai-museum-peoples-square",
      "title": "Shanghai Museum on People's Square: walk in without booking",
      "before": "Visitors needed a reservation.",
      "after": "Individual visitors could enter without a reservation; major exhibitions could still require one.",
      "who": "Individual visitors",
      "supersededBy": "2026-07-09-shanghai-museum-americas-booking",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/m/article/id/I00004797",
          "publisher": "Shanghai Museum",
          "publishedAt": "2025-08-25",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-10"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/shanghai-museum-peoples-square"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-08-01-national-museum-booking-limits",
      "date": "2025-08-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "national-museum-of-china",
      "title": "National Museum of China: one booking a week per account, up to 7 days ahead",
      "after": "Book up to 7 days ahead, in three entry slots; tickets are released daily at 17:00. Each account can book once a week for up to 5 people; each ID up to 4 times a month. Three no-shows block booking for 30 days. Closed Mondays except public holidays.",
      "who": "Everyone booking the National Museum",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "national-museum-of-china",
          "path": "booking.advance.opensDaysAhead",
          "value": 7
        },
        {
          "placeId": "national-museum-of-china",
          "path": "booking.advance.releaseTime",
          "value": "17:00"
        },
        {
          "placeId": "national-museum-of-china",
          "path": "hours.closedDays",
          "value": [
            "mon"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.chnmuseum.cn/gbgg/202507/t20250725_272247.shtml",
          "publisher": "National Museum of China",
          "publishedAt": "2025-07-25",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/national-museum-of-china"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-07-17-mutual-malaysia",
      "date": "2025-07-17",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-mutual",
      "title": "Malaysia moves from the one-sided visa-free list to a mutual agreement",
      "before": "Malaysians came in under China's one-sided visa-free policy (since 1 December 2023).",
      "after": "Malaysian ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days under a mutual visa exemption agreement.",
      "who": "Malaysian ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=mutual].countries[name=Malaysia].name",
          "value": "Malaysia"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html",
          "publisher": "China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements",
          "publishedAt": "2026-07-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption)",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-07-16-mutual-azerbaijan",
      "date": "2025-07-16",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-mutual",
      "title": "Azerbaijan and China drop visas for each other's citizens",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.",
      "who": "Azerbaijani ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=mutual].countries[name=Azerbaijan].name",
          "value": "Azerbaijan"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html",
          "publisher": "China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements",
          "publishedAt": "2026-07-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption)",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-06-28-shanghai-metro-tap-card",
      "date": "2025-06-28",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "getting-around",
      "title": "Shanghai metro: tap a contactless bank card at the gate, on every line",
      "before": "You needed a metro code in an app, a transport card or a single-journey ticket.",
      "after": "UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB contactless cards (some chip types excluded) work at the gates across the whole network, after a trial on the Maglev.",
      "who": "Visitors riding the Shanghai metro",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20250627/d8f21f2e7d3b45a5b03757e35039b806.html",
          "publisher": "Shanghai Municipal People's Government",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "anchor": "metro",
      "path": "/before-you-go/getting-around#metro"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-06-15-beijing-metro-jcb-amex",
      "date": "2025-06-15",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "getting-around",
      "title": "Beijing metro gates take JCB and American Express too",
      "before": "Visa and Mastercard only.",
      "after": "All 29 lines, including the two airport express lines, take UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, JCB and American Express contactless cards at the gate.",
      "who": "Visitors riding the Beijing metro",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/news/202506/t20250616_4114250.html",
          "publisher": "Beijing Municipal People's Government",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "anchor": "metro",
      "path": "/before-you-go/getting-around#metro"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-06-12-transit-indonesia",
      "date": "2025-06-12",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-transit-240",
      "title": "Indonesia joins the 240-hour visa-free transit",
      "before": "54 countries were eligible.",
      "after": "Indonesian citizens can use the 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit, making 55 eligible countries.",
      "who": "Indonesian passport holders in transit to a third country",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=transit-240].countries.length",
          "value": 55
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=transit-240].countries[name=Indonesia].name",
          "value": "Indonesia"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n897453/c1722957/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-12",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-06-09-visa-free-gulf-four",
      "date": "2025-06-09",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain join the 30-day visa-free list",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders from the four countries can stay up to 30 days without a visa. The trial first ran to 8 June 2026 and was later extended to 31 December 2026.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the four countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Saudi Arabia].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Oman].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Kuwait].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Bahrain].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202505/content_7025629.htm",
          "publisher": "Chinese central government (gov.cn) / Xinhua",
          "publishedAt": "2025-05-28",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://bio.visaforchina.cn/BRN4_EN/tongzhigonggao/552376639691034668.html",
          "publisher": "Chinese Visa Application Service Center (notice on extending visa-free entry)",
          "publishedAt": null,
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-06-01-mutual-uzbekistan",
      "date": "2025-06-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-mutual",
      "title": "Uzbekistan and China drop visas for each other's citizens",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.",
      "who": "Uzbek ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=mutual].countries[name=Uzbekistan].name",
          "value": "Uzbekistan"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html",
          "publisher": "China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements",
          "publishedAt": "2026-07-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption)",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-06-01-visa-free-latin-america-five",
      "date": "2025-06-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay join the 30-day visa-free list",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders from the five countries can stay up to 30 days without a visa. The trial first ran to 31 May 2026 and was later extended to 31 December 2026.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the five countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Brazil].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Argentina].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Chile].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Peru].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Uruguay].until",
          "value": "2026-12-31"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202505/content_7023886.htm",
          "publisher": "Chinese central government (gov.cn) / Xinhua",
          "publishedAt": "2025-05-15",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://bio.visaforchina.cn/BRN4_EN/tongzhigonggao/552376639691034668.html",
          "publisher": "Chinese Visa Application Service Center (notice on extending visa-free entry)",
          "publishedAt": null,
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-05-28-wechat-pay-new-card-60-days",
      "date": "2025-05-28",
      "dateKind": "announced",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "payments",
      "anchor": "fees",
      "title": "WeChat Pay: 60 fee-free days for first-time foreign-card users",
      "after": "Link an international card to WeChat Pay for the first time and the 3% fee is waived for 60 days from your first payment, on up to ¥1,000 a day (at most ¥30 saved per payment). Payments under ¥200 are fee-free for all foreign-card users.",
      "who": "Visitors paying with a foreign card linked to WeChat",
      "supersededBy": "2026-05-27-wechat-pay-first-card-90-days",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://wb.beijing.gov.cn/en/express/202505/t20250529_4101522.html",
          "publisher": "Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing",
          "publishedAt": "2025-05-28",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://english.beijing.gov.cn/travellinginbeijing/essentials/inboundtourismfacilitationmeasures/202603/t20260326_4566766.html",
          "publisher": "Beijing Municipal People's Government",
          "publishedAt": "2026-03-26",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-10"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/payments#fees"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-05-06-national-museum-verified-accounts",
      "date": "2025-05-06",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "national-museum-of-china",
      "title": "National Museum of China: only verified accounts can book",
      "before": "Any account could book.",
      "after": "Bookings need an account verified by the national online ID service or WeChat. The notice does not say how foreign passport holders verify.",
      "who": "Everyone booking the National Museum",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.chnmuseum.cn/gbgg/202504/t20250414_271459.shtml",
          "publisher": "National Museum of China",
          "publishedAt": "2025-04-15",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/national-museum-of-china"
    },
    {
      "id": "2025-01-14-shaanxi-history-museum-5-day-release",
      "date": "2025-01-14",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "shaanxi-history-museum",
      "title": "Shaanxi History Museum: new booking system, tickets released 5 days ahead",
      "after": "Tickets for the main building are released 5 days ahead at 17:00 (Qin-Han hall at 17:30), on the new booking system.",
      "who": "Everyone booking the Shaanxi History Museum",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "shaanxi-history-museum",
          "path": "booking.advance.opensDaysAhead",
          "value": 5
        },
        {
          "placeId": "shaanxi-history-museum",
          "path": "booking.advance.releaseTime",
          "value": "17:00"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.sxhm.com/info/announcement/detail/17187.html",
          "publisher": "Shaanxi History Museum",
          "publishedAt": "2025-01-13",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/shaanxi-history-museum"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-12-17-transit-240-hours",
      "date": "2024-12-17",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-transit-240",
      "title": "72- and 144-hour transit replaced by a single 240-hour stay",
      "before": "Visa-free transit of 72 or 144 hours, through 39 ports in 19 provincial-level regions.",
      "after": "240 hours (10 days) for 54 countries, through 60 ports in 24 provincial-level regions. You still need an onward ticket to a third country or region.",
      "who": "Passport holders of the eligible countries in transit",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=transit-240].countries.length",
          "value": 54
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202412/17/content_WS6760ead6c6d0868f4e8ee0c1.html",
          "publisher": "State Council (english.www.gov.cn)",
          "publishedAt": "2024-12-17",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-11"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-11-30-visa-free-30-days",
      "date": "2024-11-30",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Visa-free stays go from 15 days to 30, and nine more countries join",
      "before": "Up to 15 days visa-free for the listed countries.",
      "after": "Up to 30 days. Nine more countries, Japan among them, joined, making 38.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the listed countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries.length",
          "value": 38
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Japan].name",
          "value": "Japan"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202411/22/content_WS67407351c6d0868f4e8ed533.html",
          "publisher": "State Council (english.www.gov.cn)",
          "publishedAt": "2024-11-22",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-11"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-11-08-visa-free-south-korea-nordics",
      "date": "2024-11-08",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "South Korea, the Nordics and four more European countries join the visa-free list",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders from Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein and South Korea could stay up to 15 days without a visa, until 31 December 2025.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the nine countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Slovakia].name",
          "value": "Slovakia"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Norway].name",
          "value": "Norway"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Finland].name",
          "value": "Finland"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Denmark].name",
          "value": "Denmark"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Iceland].name",
          "value": "Iceland"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Andorra].name",
          "value": "Andorra"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Monaco].name",
          "value": "Monaco"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Liechtenstein].name",
          "value": "Liechtenstein"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=South Korea].name",
          "value": "South Korea"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202411/t20241101_11520010.html",
          "publisher": "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China",
          "publishedAt": "2024-11-01",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-10-15-visa-free-portugal-greece-cyprus-slovenia",
      "date": "2024-10-15",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Slovenia join the visa-free list",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders from the four countries could stay up to 15 days without a visa, until 31 December 2025.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the four countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Portugal].name",
          "value": "Portugal"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Greece].name",
          "value": "Greece"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Cyprus].name",
          "value": "Cyprus"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Slovenia].name",
          "value": "Slovenia"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202409/t20240930_11501298.html",
          "publisher": "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China",
          "publishedAt": "2024-09-30",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-09-24-chengdu-panda-base-resellers",
      "date": "2024-09-24",
      "dateKind": "listed",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "chengdu-panda-base",
      "title": "Chengdu Panda Base: Trip.com and other apps sell tickets again",
      "before": "From 1 January 2024 tickets were sold only on the base's own WeChat account and mini program.",
      "after": "The base lists Meituan, Trip.com, Douyin and two Chengdu WeChat accounts as authorised sellers, next to its own WeChat channels. Without a Chinese mobile number, buy on Trip.com, or at the cash and card window when tickets are left.",
      "who": "Everyone booking the Panda Base",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.panda.org.cn/cn/news/notice/2024-09-24/8553.html",
          "publisher": "Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding",
          "publishedAt": "2024-09-24",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.panda.org.cn/cn/news/notice/2023-12-18/8271.html",
          "publisher": "Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding",
          "publishedAt": "2023-12-18",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/chengdu-panda-base"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-09-15-shanghai-museum-east-walk-in",
      "date": "2024-09-15",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "shanghai-museum-east",
      "title": "Shanghai Museum East: individual visitors walk in with valid ID, no booking",
      "before": "Booking needed.",
      "after": "Individual visitors can enter without booking through the B1 east entrance with valid ID. The Ancient Civilisation exploration hall and the digital gallery still need a booking. Closed Tuesdays.",
      "who": "Individual visitors",
      "fields": [
        {
          "placeId": "shanghai-museum-east",
          "path": "booking.required",
          "value": "no"
        },
        {
          "placeId": "shanghai-museum-east",
          "path": "booking.walkIn",
          "value": "yes"
        },
        {
          "placeId": "shanghai-museum-east",
          "path": "hours.closedDays",
          "value": [
            "tue"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/article/id/I00004683",
          "publisher": "Shanghai Museum",
          "publishedAt": "2024-09-10",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/shanghai-museum-east"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-09-13-beijing-metro-tap-foreign-card",
      "date": "2024-09-13",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "getting-around",
      "title": "Beijing metro: tap a foreign Visa or Mastercard at the gate",
      "after": "Overseas Visa and Mastercard contactless cards started working at Beijing metro gates.",
      "who": "Visitors riding the Beijing metro",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/news/202506/t20250616_4114250.html",
          "publisher": "Beijing Municipal People's Government",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "anchor": "metro",
      "path": "/before-you-go/getting-around#metro"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-07-01-visa-free-australia-nz-poland",
      "date": "2024-07-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Australia, New Zealand and Poland join the visa-free list",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders from Australia, New Zealand and Poland could stay up to 15 days without a visa, until 31 December 2025.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the three countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Australia].name",
          "value": "Australia"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=New Zealand].name",
          "value": "New Zealand"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Poland].name",
          "value": "Poland"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://wb.beijing.gov.cn/home/index/wsjx/202406/t20240625_3727614.html",
          "publisher": "Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing (reposting the MFA notice)",
          "publishedAt": "2024-06-25",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-05-28-mutual-georgia",
      "date": "2024-05-28",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-mutual",
      "title": "Georgia and China drop visas for each other's citizens",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.",
      "who": "Georgian ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=mutual].countries[name=Georgia].name",
          "value": "Georgia"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html",
          "publisher": "China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements",
          "publishedAt": "2026-07-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption)",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-05-07-visa-free-extended-2025",
      "date": "2024-05-07",
      "dateKind": "announced",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Visa-free entry for the first 12 countries extended to the end of 2025",
      "before": "The trial for these countries was due to end on 30 November 2024.",
      "after": "China extended visa-free entry for France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg to 31 December 2025.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the 12 countries",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/jiedu/tujie/202405/content_6949641.htm",
          "publisher": "Chinese central government (gov.cn) / Xinhua",
          "publishedAt": "2024-05-07",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-04-19-shanghai-museum-english-booking",
      "date": "2024-04-19",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "shanghai-museum-peoples-square",
      "title": "Shanghai Museum: English booking site, and tickets 14 days ahead",
      "before": "Bookings opened 7 days ahead; there was no English booking channel for overseas visitors.",
      "after": "Overseas visitors could book on the museum's English site with an email address, and get the booking QR code by email. Bookings opened 14 days ahead.",
      "who": "Overseas visitors to Shanghai Museum",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.shanghaimuseum.net/mu/frontend/pg/article/id/I00004643",
          "publisher": "Shanghai Museum",
          "publishedAt": "2024-04-19",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "supersededBy": "2025-09-01-shanghai-museum-walk-in",
      "path": "/places/shanghai-museum-peoples-square"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-03-14-visa-free-six-more",
      "date": "2024-03-14",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "Six more European countries get 15 days visa-free, Switzerland among them",
      "before": "Six countries (France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia) were on the trial.",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg could stay up to 15 days without a visa, at first until 30 November 2024.",
      "who": "Ordinary passport holders of the six countries",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Switzerland].name",
          "value": "Switzerland"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Ireland].name",
          "value": "Ireland"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Hungary].name",
          "value": "Hungary"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Austria].name",
          "value": "Austria"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Belgium].name",
          "value": "Belgium"
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=visa-free-30].countries[name=Luxembourg].name",
          "value": "Luxembourg"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.mfa.gov.cn/wjbzwfwpt/kzx/tzgg/202403/t20240307_11255438.html",
          "publisher": "Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China",
          "publishedAt": "2024-03-07",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-03-01-mobile-pay-limits-raised",
      "date": "2024-03-01",
      "dateKind": "announced",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "payments",
      "title": "Alipay and WeChat Pay limits for foreign visitors raised to US$5,000 a payment",
      "before": "US$1,000 a payment and US$10,000 a year.",
      "after": "The central bank said the per-payment limit for overseas users would rise from US$1,000 to US$5,000, and the yearly limit from US$10,000 to US$50,000.",
      "who": "Visitors paying with Alipay or WeChat Pay and a foreign card",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2024zccfh/7/index.htm",
          "publisher": "State Council Information Office briefing (gov.cn)",
          "publishedAt": "2024-03-01",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "anchor": "limits",
      "path": "/before-you-go/payments#limits"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-03-01-mutual-thailand",
      "date": "2024-03-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-mutual",
      "title": "Thailand and China drop visas for each other's citizens",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.",
      "who": "Thai ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=mutual].countries[name=Thailand].name",
          "value": "Thailand"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html",
          "publisher": "China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements",
          "publishedAt": "2026-07-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption)",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual"
    },
    {
      "id": "2024-02-09-mutual-singapore",
      "date": "2024-02-09",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-mutual",
      "title": "Singapore and China drop visas for each other's citizens",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.",
      "who": "Singaporean ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=mutual].countries[name=Singapore].name",
          "value": "Singapore"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html",
          "publisher": "China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements",
          "publishedAt": "2026-07-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption)",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual"
    },
    {
      "id": "2023-12-01-visa-free-trial",
      "date": "2023-12-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-visa-free-30",
      "title": "One-sided visa-free entry begins as a trial for six countries",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia could stay up to 15 days without a visa.",
      "who": "Passport holders of the six countries",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/news/202311/t20231125_3309521.html",
          "publisher": "Beijing Municipal People's Government (Xinhua)",
          "publishedAt": "2023-11-25",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-11"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-visa-free-30"
    },
    {
      "id": "2023-11-28-12306-passport-online-check",
      "date": "2023-11-28",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "getting-around",
      "title": "12306 checks foreign passports online, so no station visit before buying trains",
      "before": "You had to show your passport at a station window before buying online.",
      "after": "On the 12306 rail site and app, foreign passport holders can verify their identity online, automatically or by uploading a passport photo for manual review. Station windows still do it too.",
      "who": "Foreign visitors booking trains on 12306",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://wb.beijing.gov.cn/home/index/wsjx/202311/t20231129_3320443.html",
          "publisher": "Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing (China Railway)",
          "publishedAt": "2023-11-29",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "anchor": "trains",
      "path": "/before-you-go/getting-around#trains"
    },
    {
      "id": "2023-11-17-transit-norway",
      "date": "2023-11-17",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-transit-240",
      "title": "Norway joins the 72/144-hour visa-free transit",
      "before": "53 countries were eligible.",
      "after": "Norwegian citizens can use the 72- and 144-hour visa-free transit, making 54 eligible countries.",
      "who": "Norwegian passport holders in transit to a third country",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=transit-240].countries.length",
          "value": 54
        },
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=transit-240].countries[name=Norway].name",
          "value": "Norway"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202311/content_6915808.htm",
          "publisher": "Chinese central government (gov.cn) (reposting the NIA)",
          "publishedAt": "2023-11-17",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-transit-240"
    },
    {
      "id": "2023-11-10-mutual-kazakhstan",
      "date": "2023-11-10",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "china",
      "topic": "visa",
      "anchor": "route-mutual",
      "title": "Kazakhstan and China drop visas for each other's citizens",
      "after": "Ordinary passport holders can stay up to 30 days per stay and 90 days in any 180 days, both ways, under a mutual visa exemption agreement.",
      "who": "Kazakh ordinary passport holders",
      "fields": [
        {
          "topic": "visa",
          "path": "routes[id=mutual].countries[name=Kazakhstan].name",
          "value": "Kazakhstan"
        }
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://cs.mfa.gov.cn/zggmcgx/cgqzapecswlxk/ylb/202607/t20260716_11984014.html",
          "publisher": "China Consular Service (MFA), list of mutual visa exemption agreements",
          "publishedAt": "2026-07-16",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        },
        {
          "url": "https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741577/c1731181/content.html",
          "publisher": "National Immigration Administration (Q&A on mutual visa exemption)",
          "publishedAt": "2025-06-27",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/before-you-go/visa#route-mutual"
    },
    {
      "id": "2023-11-01-forbidden-city-half-day-slots",
      "date": "2023-11-01",
      "dateKind": "effective",
      "kind": "rule",
      "scope": "place",
      "topic": "book-ahead",
      "placeId": "forbidden-city",
      "title": "Forbidden City tickets split into morning and afternoon slots",
      "after": "Book a morning or an afternoon slot on the Palace Museum WeChat mini program. Morning tickets must be scanned by 12:00; afternoon tickets from 11:00.",
      "who": "Everyone visiting the Palace Museum",
      "sources": [
        {
          "url": "https://www.dpm.org.cn/announce_detail/261778.html",
          "publisher": "The Palace Museum",
          "publishedAt": "2023-10-24",
          "accessedAt": "2026-10-13"
        }
      ],
      "addedAt": "2026-10-13",
      "path": "/places/forbidden-city"
    }
  ]
}