Flying a drone in China as a tourist is possible in some rural areas, but the rules are strict and getting stricter. Drones must be registered under the Civil Aviation Administration of China's (CAAC) real-name system on its UOM platform, hobby flights are limited to uncontrolled airspace below 120 m, and cities, airports, military areas and many tourist sites are no-fly zones. UK government travel advice says the import, possession and use of drones in China are strictly regulated and suggests contacting the CAAC before travel.
The 2024 rules
China's Interim Regulations on the Flight Management of Unmanned Aircraft took effect on January 1, 2024. They sort drones into classes by weight and performance (micro, light, small, medium and large) and set what each can do without approval.
- Micro drones, the lightest class, have strict height and speed limits; a 50 m height limit is reported for them. Which class your drone falls into depends on its weight and performance.
- Light drones can fly up to 120 m in uncontrolled airspace without approval.
- Airspace above 120 m, and areas around airports, borders, military zones, power and transport facilities, is controlled. Each flight there needs prior approval.
Registration
Registration is done online through the CAAC's UOM platform. It's built for Chinese users: instructions are in Chinese, and you need a Chinese mobile number to verify. Travelers usually buy a Chinese SIM card first. After registering you receive a QR code to attach to the drone.
Reports from 2026 indicate that drones may also need to be electronically activated or unlocked after registration before they will fly. Confirm the current process before your trip.
Cities and sights
- Beijing has adopted much stricter local drone rules in 2026, and travelers report that even bringing a drone into the city without permission can lead to confiscation and a fine. Leave the drone out of a Beijing itinerary.
- Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other big cities sit under controlled airspace around their airports and have extensive no-fly areas.
- Tourist sights: parks, scenic areas and heritage sites often ban drones. Temporary bans are common during events.
- Never photograph military or sensitive facilities.
Fines for unregistered or unauthorized flights can run to thousands of yuan, with confiscation, and serious airspace violations can bring detention.
Customs and travel
Keep the drone in your carry-on with batteries protected, and carry your receipt. Rules for carrying drones through some cities, including on connecting flights, have tightened, so check your full route. Our traveling with a drone guide covers airline battery rules.
Which drone to bring
If you plan to fly in the countryside, after registering:
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: 249 g, omnidirectional sensing for mountain and karst landscapes.
- DJI Mini 5 Pro: 249 g with a 1-inch sensor for misty dawn light.
- DJI Neo: 135 g, simple palm launches for short clips.
An in-app map is a safety aid, not permission. The local rules still apply.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Check with the CAAC or the Chinese embassy before you travel.
Compare other Asian destinations in drone laws by country.
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