Some potentially good news for travelers hoping to visit China in 2023.
After nearly three years of being largely cut off from the world, Chinese authorities announced the lifting of several major Covid-related entry restrictions that take effect on January 8.
Among these, China has dropped quarantine requirements for all international arrivals, its most significant move yet as it veers away from its stringent zero-Covid policy. But who can visit?
Here, we address some of the major questions that might be on travelers' minds right now as they start planning their 2023 journeys.
Can foreigners travel to China for leisure tourism now?
China isn't rolling out the red carpet for international leisure tourists looking to experience the country's many attractions just yet.
Borders remain largely closed to foreigners, apart from business or family visits, though the government has signaled it is looking to ease restrictions in this area, too. No timeline has been announced.
According to the government notices, for now it plans to focus on facilitating visa applications for foreign nationals traveling to China for business, employment, study, family visits and reunions.
George Cao, CEO of Dragon Trail International, a China-focused marketing and research company, tells CNN Travel via email that several things need to happen before the country will reopen to leisure tourists following the lifting of quarantine.
"The next step is for China to once again start issuing visas for the purpose of tourism. Although this is part of the reopening plan that has been announced, we don't yet have an official date," he says.
"It's also crucial for the international flight schedule to increase, which will make it easier to get to China and also bring down flight prices, which are still well above pre-pandemic levels. This has already started for certain destinations -- for example, many flights between China and South Korea, and between China and Singapore have resumed already."
But it's not clear yet how quick the process will be for other destinations/routes, he adds.
As noted, quarantine is no longer required as of January 8. (Prior to that date inbound travelers have been subjected to five days of hotel quarantine and three days of self-isolation at home upon arrival.)
Travelers heading into China now are only required to take a nucleic acid test 48 hours before departure. Those with negative results no longer have to apply for a green health code from Chinese embassies and consulates abroad before entering.
They do however need to fill in the results in their customs health declaration forms. If they test positive, they will not be permitted to travel to China until their tests come back negative.
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Though foreign leisure tourists can't visit yet, the changes are particularly welcome for Chinese nationals studying or working outside the country. Those who could not afford the sky-high prices of plane tickets and lengthy hotel quarantines have not been able to go home for nearly three years.
Is international tourism important to China?
Even when borders do open to international tourists, the question of how much demand there is in both the short- and long-term remains.
"This is a big unknown at the moment, and will be one of the most critical factors in the recovery of inbound travel into China in the months and years to come," says Cao.
"The Chinese government has increasingly recognized the importance of inbound travel, and China was one of the world's leading tourism destinations in 2019, with 65.7 million arrivals."
He adds his company expects that the government will allocate more resources to the promotion of inbound travel in the years to come, "to rebuild and expand this market, and develop new destinations and itineraries for international visitors."
What are the current Covid restrictions in China?
China abruptly abandoned its long-held zero-Covid policy in early December following nationwide protests over its heavy social and economic toll.
Authorities rolled back mass testing, lockdowns and allowed positive patients to quarantine at home.
Mobile phone health QR codes still exist but are no longer widely enforced for those entering public spaces or riding public transportation.
Technically there are no government mandates in place concerning face masks/social distancing. But those visiting indoor public spaces or riding on public transportation will likely be asked to put on a mask.
There's one major shadow hanging over China's reopening plans -- Covid-19. Cases have skyrocketed in recent weeks as restrictions loosened.
The outbreak has overwhelmed hospitals and crematoriums, triggered shortages of basic medicines, and sparked fears of an even darker month ahead as experts warn of a spread to less resourced rural areas during the upcoming Lunar New Year.
And now, the World Health Organization is accusing China of "under-representing" the severity of its Covid outbreak and has criticized its "narrow" definition of what constitutes a Covid death, as top global health officials urge Beijing to share more data about the explosive spread.