Travel insurance for China
A guide for Canadians travelling to China
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to China. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in China like hiking, biking and whitewater rafting.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical emergencies, trip issues and lost luggage.
China is comparable in size to Canada, but that’s where the similarities end. High-speed trains link major cities, but the pace slows through smaller towns and rural regions. In Beijing, visit the vast courtyards of the Forbidden City, join the throng of daily life on Gui Street, trying street food as you wander, and hop a train to the Great Wall of China. Shanghai is all glass towers and neon-lit streets, but you can walk into the city’s colonial past along the Bund. It’s also worth travelling to see the underground army of Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, cruising between the limestone peaks of the Li River near Guilin, and a whole lot more. Wherever you’re headed, being prepared makes all the difference.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your trip to China. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in China
Getting your heart rate up in China is easy. Hike rugged sections of the Great Wall, where steep stone steps and uneven paths make it far more challenging than it looks. In Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, challenging trails wind between towering sandstone pillars and cliffside walkways add to the thrill. Further west, in Yunnan, take a multi-day trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest river canyons in the world (walk over the glass bridge if you dare), while in Sichuan, Mount Emei combines hiking with steep ascents and dramatic viewpoints (go in spring or autumn for the best weather). Winter brings skiing to resorts near Beijing and in the northeast around Harbin, while warmer months lend themselves to cycling through Yangshuo’s karst landscapes or rafting sections of the Yulong River.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for China
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be glad you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Fell down some steps at the Great Wall of China? Wiped out rafting the Yulong River and ended up in hospital? Ate dodgy dumplings and got a bad bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Emergency evacuation
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
Trip interruption
No matter how good of a time you’re having, things can happen that mean you have to finish your trip early or you’re unable to participate in your full planned itinerary. If you get severely injured or sick while you're travelling, or you get a call from back home and learn that an immediate family member has unexpectedly passed away, you may not be able to complete the rest of your planned trip. World Nomads offers trip interruption coverage that may help you get reimbursed for prepaid, non-refundable travel costs if your plans change for a covered reason.
Tips for travelling to China
- Set up key apps before you arrive, including translation tools and mobile payment platforms like WeChat and Alipay, as cash is used less often in cities
- Download maps for offline use or use a VPN if needed, as some websites and apps are restricted
- Carry your passport with you, as ID checks are required for trains, hotels and some attractions
- Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases or have them saved on your phone – English isn’t widely spoken outside major tourist areas.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for China. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit China?
Yes, Canadians generally need a visa to visit China however sometimes there are ‘visa-free periods’ (there is a visa-free period going from February to December 2026, for instance). You’ll need to apply in advance, and requirements can change, so check the latest information before you travel.
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Is China safe for travellers?
China is generally considered safe, with low levels of violent crime. Petty theft can occur in busy areas, so keep an eye on your belongings. You may want to consider travel insurance for unexpected situations.
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What is the best time to visit China?
Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the most comfortable times to visit. Summers can be hot and humid, while winters are cold, especially in the north.
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Can I use Google, Instagram and other apps in China?
Many Western apps and websites are restricted in China. Travellers often use a VPN to access them, but regulations can change.
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What currency is used in China?
China uses the Chinese yuan (RMB). Mobile payments via apps like WeChat Pay and Alipay are widely used, especially in cities.
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What is the best way to get around China?
High-speed trains are one of the easiest and fastest ways to travel between cities. Domestic flights are useful for longer distances.
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Can I drink tap water in China?
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled or boiled water.
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Do I need travel insurance for China?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.