Celebrate China

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR CHINA

With a great wall, spectacular natural wonders, a rich culture and tasty foods, China should be on everyone's bucket list.
Whether it's Shanghai or Beijing, China has an ecletic mix of imperial grandeur and modernity to suit all types of travellers.
As one of the world’s largest countries, it can be a fascinating, yet challenging place to travel. 
Zoom offers unlimited medical cover, emergency assistance, trip cancellation, luggage and more. What are you waiting for? Zoom to a cheap quote today!

WHY BUY WITH ZOOM

Emergency Assistance

emergency assistance

No matter where you are, we're there when you need us most. Our expert emergency assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

travel delays

Travel
delays

Flights do get delayed on occasion, so dont let bad weather dampen your holiday. Get cover for your disruptions with comprehensive cover.

luggage cover

COVER for your luggage

Where there are tourists, there are people ready to exploit them. Take off to China knowing your're covered for theft, loss or damage.

Adventure activities

Adventure PACKED

Whether you're petting pandas or lighting lanterns, make sure you're covered for your travel activities. Learn more about Zoom's Aventure Pack.

money back guarantee

MONEY BACK GUARANTEE*

Our 14 days cooling off period means you can cancel your policy and we'll give you a full refund, no worries.

pregnancy

kids go free

A trip to the land of dragons is perfect for families. All dependants under 19 are included under your Zoom policy at no additional cost. Say what!?

easy claims

easy claims

We've done away with lengthy forms and have kept our claims process simple. We guarantee to assess fully documented claims in a flash.

Car Hire Excess

Peace Of Mind

Zoom to Zen. You can sit back, relax and enjoy your holiday knowing that you're covered by award winning travel insurance.

CHINA TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQ'S

It's stupendous scenery and relentless pace could leave you breathless- as the world's oldest continuous civilisation you'll marvel at the sheer diversity of this ever evolving destination. From booming Beijing to temple-topped mountains China has something for every type of traveller. Be warned that China's crowds can be chaotic and you'll need your wits about you in this massive metropolis. Health care standards can also vary widely throughout this sprawling nation and medical evacuations from China are notoriously expensive.
Take charge with travel insurance when making your way through China.
  • Am I covered for theft?
  • Yes. Scammers and pickpockets have been known to target tourists in China so just make sure that you stay alert and aware, particularly in crowded, tourist hotspots. Zoom will cover you for loss, theft and damage to your luggage and personal effects. If you are robbed it’s important that you get a police report and contact us as soon as possible.

  • Will I be covered for food poisoning?
  • Yes. You would be covered for any medical expenses you incur as a result of contaminated food and water. Be warned that traveller's diarrhoea, including giardia, is common in China. Wash your hands regularly, opt for fully cooked, fresh food and peel fruit before eating. The tap water is China is also not safe to drink. Stick to bottled or boiled water, ask for no ice in your drinks, and check the seal on water bottles (some stores sell boiled water in recycled bottles).

  • Do I need vaccinations to travel to China?
  • Your doctor may recommend vaccinations before you travel to China, depending on your health status and your travel plans. You may need to update any routine vaccinations and consider shots for typhoid, hepatitis A and B, rabies, Japanese Encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis. Consider a prophylactic for malaria if you're travelling to affected areas as well.

  • Am I covered for asthma?
  • The air quality in some Chinese cities is poor and may trigger your asthma.Your asthma would be covered providing that you have no other lung disease, and; you are less than 60 years of age at the date of issue of the certificate of insurance.

    If you have respiratory or other health problems, speak to your doctor prior to travelling. Pollution levels in China will vary day-to-day, so check local reports (eg. aqicn.org/city/beijing/) and consider staying indoors or wearing a mask on bad days.

  • Do you have per item limits?
  • If you have an expensive item that you just can’t leave behind you can insure it separately for up to $5,000. Please note that high value item cover is only available under our comprehensive plan.

  • What is a dependant?
  • This means your dependant children or grandchildren under the age of 19 at the date of policy issue who are travelling with you.

  • Are adventure activities covered? 
  • We automatically cover a wide range of adventure sports including diving, bungee jumping and horse riding and more. You can also buy our Adventure Pack to cover additional adventure sports. 

CHINA QUICK GUIDE

China’s diversity is second to none, a vast country where the ancient world and modern world collide and co-exist side by side, while unforgettable natural landscapes form a distinct array of breathtaking backdrops.
 
This is a country that offers something for everyone. So, pack your bag, grab your passport, and prepare for the trip of a lifetime. Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, cultural connoisseur, shoestring budget traveller, lover of luxury, or looking for bright lights and buzzing metropolises, China has something for you. So, go on. Zoom to it!

No matter which kind of China experience you're planning, Zoom can cover your trip with a range of plans.  You can minimise your costs with Medical Only cover, or choose to buy Comprehensive Travel Insurance for extra protection to cover things like travel delays and cancellation. Compare Zoom's Travel Insurance plans online today.

VISAS FOR CHINA

You’ll need a tourist visa for holidays to China. A standard L tourist visa allows you to stay in China for up to 30 days from the date of entry. If your intended stay is longer than 30 days, you’ll need to state this when applying for your visa. A standard L visa is valid for 90 days, so it’s advised you don’t apply for the visa until your departure date is within one to two months. 

ON ARRIVAL

China’s main international airports are Shanghai Pudong and Beijng Capital Airport. Both are relatively well-organised and efficient, and it’s well sign-marked in English, so navigating is fairly straightforward. Whichever airport you arrive at, expect there to be a lot of people, and there may be some queues. Once you’re through the gates and through the terminal, the easiest way to get into the city is via the train. From Beijing, catch the Airport Express into the city. The journey is less than 30 minutes. If you’re arriving into Shanghai Pudong, take the Mugleve Train. This will have you in Shanghai in only eight minutes. Taxis are also available at both airports. Be sure to get one from an official taxi rank to avoid getting ripped off, and make sure the driver users his meter.

GETTING AROUND

Most major cities in China have a comprehensive light rail or subway network, and these are generally the most efficient way to get around. Buses are also readily available, but be sure to have a map handy for when you get on. Not all conductors will speak English, so use the map to point to where you want to go and they’ll sell you the right ticket. In larger tourist cities, stops are announced in English. Taxis are easy to come by, and rates per kilometre are clearly marked on a sticker on the backside window. A meter should be used at all times but you may find some drivers don’t turn it on, particularly outside major cities. If a driver doesn’t use a meter, make sure you’ve arranged a set price before you start the taxi journey. Majority of drivers won’t speak English so have your destination written down in Chinese.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Soaring mountain ranges, dense jungles, enormous deserts, vast stretches of coastline, and some of the busiest cities in the world. China is one of the most varied destinations on the planet, and the best time to visit all depends on what sort of holiday you want to have. The weather will vary depending on where you are, however spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) is when the weather is at its most pleasant and comfortable. A visit to any of China’s famous mountainous regions is best explored during the warmer months from May to September, however summer is the wet season in China, so expect plenty of rain during July and August. China during winter (November through March) can be bitterly cold but if you can handle it, you’ll be rewarded with some of the best and most beautiful wintry landscapes. It’s also off-peak season, so you’ll enjoy cheaper rates and less tourists.

WHERE TO GO

The Forbidden City, Beijing – a spectacularly extravagant display of ancient Chinese architecture, this was the imperial palace for the Ming and Qing dynasties from 1420 to 1912. Now home to some of China’s most important and interesting cultural and historical relics, it is one of China’s most visited cultural attractions. As the name suggests, this is so much more than just one palace. A mini city of sorts, it’s smack bang in the middle of Beijing and comprises 90 palace compounds with 98 buildings and is surrounded by a 50-metre wide moat.
 
The Great Wall of China – one of the world’s most iconic manmade attractions and now a UNESCO World Heritage listed site, the Great Wall of China is an incredible display of ancient architecture and defence strategy, and an inspiring feat of determination by the Chinese people. Extending more than 8,000 kilometres in length, there are numerous walking trails you can take, all of them offering their own unique highlights.

The Terracotta Army, Xian – this World Cultural Heritage site is considered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. Discovered underground in 1974, the ancient collection features hundreds of life-size terracotta sculptures representing the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China.
 
The Yellow Mountain National Park, Huangshan – A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area has jaw-dropping natural scenery comparable to nowhere else in China. Be sure to stay at least one night so you can arrange to see the beyond-belief sunrise over the mountain peaks, craggy rock formations and many twisted pines.
 
Hangzhou – Hangzhou is referred to as China's “paradise on earth” due to its picturesque landscape, ancient cultural attractions, and the famous West Lake. As well as its well-documented scenic surrounds, Hangzhou is also a city boasting amazing food, entertainment, and a casually cosmopolitan vibe

MUST KNOW TIPS

A lot of people will not speak English, so be sure to have a phrase book or translator app. Alternatively, particularly if travelling, have your destination written down in Chinese to show people when you need to. Do not drink the tap water in China. Expect delays and queues, and take them into account when planning your travel times. Know that driving can be quite a chaotic experience in China. The Chinese don’t use tissues to blow your nose. Instead they will spit. This may seem offensive to you, but it’s just as unattractive to them if you blow your nose into a tissue or hanky. Know that Chinese cities are extremely crowded, and personal space is something that is less of a concern or consideration.

ZOOMING ELSEWHERE?

Are you planning to zoom somewhere else on your holidays? Whether you're holidaying to experience the Chinese culture or sassy Singapore, we've got plenty of helpful advice on other popular travel destinations to check out. What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!