Drone regulations in China
Last update on 01.10.2021 | 35 Kommentare
China, as the home country of DJI, is very liberal in dealing with drones. However, there are a few things you need to consider if you want to fly a multicopter in China. In this post you will learn the most important rules.
Flying a drone is allowed in China. In large metropolitan areas or near government buildings or in politically troubled areas, we would, however, exercise particular caution and prefer to forego one or the other aerial image.
Please note that Hong Kong and Macao regulate the operation of drones differently:
- The rules in Hong Kong
- The rules in Macao
Registration of drones in China
Registration of drones with a take-off mass of more than 250 grams has been required since June 2017. It seems like foreign pilots do not have to register (exception: DJI drones), but we recommend that you check with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC) for any changes before traveling to China.
A special case are drones from DJI. As soon as you are in China, according to our information, a message appears asking for registration, regardless of your country of origin. So DJI pilots can’t avoid registering.
You can register online here. To do this, simply follow the instructions, which are in Chinese. If you have no way to translate the pages, this blog post has some very helpful tips on how to fill them out.
Important: You need a Chinese phone number to register. That should not be a problem. Either you have Chinese friends who can help you or you buy a Chinese SIM card. Apparently, only larger stores in the country sell them to tourists.
Another note: You may have to enter an email address in the drone portal. Note that Gmail is blocked in China. If possible, use another mail service.
Overview: Drone rules in China
Drone labels can be ordered here
More information for drone pilots in China
In China, drones may be operated up to a weight of 7 kilograms. Additional approval from the CAAC is required for a higher take-off weight and for commercial copter missions. Your drone can fly up to 500 meters away from you.
You can find out about multicopter insurance in our article.
Good to know: no-fly zones in China
Beijing is in a no-fly zone. Multicopters are not allowed to fly on the 6th Ring Road.
Before starting your drone, try to find out about temporary drone bans, for example during celebrations or important events.
Readers of our blog also had the problem that a no-fly zone was set up along the great wall and their copter could not take off. So do not be disappointed if a flight at a well-known sight does not work as planned.
We have researched the listed drone regulations for China to the best of our knowledge. We can not guarantee the correctness of the information. If you want to be on the safe side, please contact the Chinese aviation authority. Alternatively, you can also ask the embassy in your country for further information about the regulations. Please leave us a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your copter in China!
Drone regulatins in Pakistan
Hi Chinese one is not very accurate. Beijing is in a no-fly zone. You can fly a drone within the 6th ring road which is about 50 km from the city center.
I mean you can NOT.
Cool Victor, thanks for your comment. I will update/extend the article as soon as possible.
Hi there, sorry I don’t really understand. So I bought my spark from Beijing, but I can’t fly it in beijing? I have to leave Beijing to make my first flight?? Or is there something I missed? Thanks
hi, exactly. You can’t fly within the 6th ring. DJI will update the firmware of your drone when you will first turn it on. This update will add the list of nofly zones in China. On your phone screen, you will see the map and the following message: “No GPS signal”. Therefore your drone won’t be able to take off. You can still pay a trip to the wall and do great shots there, after CAAC registration. I do own a Mavic Air, and I do have the same issue. Bought it here, can’t fly it here.
yes, your understanding is correct. Beijing city is in a strict no-fly zone. Have you ever seen a single aircraft including a helicopter in the sky during your stay? ;-P
I was not able to fly my Mavic Pro in Beijing. I had to go to Badaling Great Wall of China. https://youtu.be/P_M1Tj055jE
Hi can I use my mavic pro in chiina
Yes I think so 🙂
Hi, i actually have seen chinese people piloting one above the Xi Lake in Hangzhou. so my guess is that it is possible.
@Folkert, you can! Just check out the no fly zones here: http://www.dji.com/fly-safe/category-mc?w&www=v1
What about Tibet? Any idea?
You can’t fly it in Lhasa and anywhere near military facilities.
i am in FengHuang, China now (Nov 1, 2017). DiSTANCE LIMIT of 50 meters. 50 meters!
I am getting ready to purchase a drone for an upcoming trip to China. Any recommendations on beginner models? Are visitors required to register their drones with China?
Hi Deborah,
I think the DJI Mavic Air is a good drone for the beginning. And yes, you also need to register your drone in China.
Mavic Air without any hesitation. The best drone so far to travel with. If you want an advice, purchase the bundle. You’ll get 3 batteries. It’s very frustrating to find the perfect spot, and run out of juice after few minutes.
My son had a stopover in Shanghai. This was very difikult because he had to take his Suitcase from one to next plane , althow same china airline with all checkings. Most have only with chinese advices. 1 Battery from 2 he had to put in his handbag . You need at least 3 hours.
Good to know, thank you Majew!
For CAAC registration requires you to have a celllphone number in china before moving on.
Do you need it or no?
I will be heading there in a few days.
With my dji spark.
You need it to fly legally.
Hi ime going to base camp, can i fly there?
Hello there,
I’m planning to take my drone to Tibet and Xinjiang in August. Initially, I will be arriving at Beijing International Airport then will be taking 3 internal flights within China.
Do anyone know about rules in Tibet for drones?
Thank you
#BK
Given the recent political situation in Xinjiang – where as many as a million Uyghur people are in concentration camps, the whole place is a police state, and it is increasingly difficult for foreigners to visit – I’d be really surprised if they let you in there with a drone. Maybe only for really touristy places.
Interesting ! Where are these camps? Can you give GPS coordinates? Thank you!
The camps are not advertised by the Chinese state, so you can’t just go and get GPS coordinates. That said, Shawn Zhang in Canada has researched the question and has coordinates of some of them:
https://medium.com/@shawnwzhang/latest-re-education-campaign-in-karshgar-xinjiang-167668ad5729
don’t fly in the city. You should be OK.
Hey BK,
How did your Tibet and Xinjiang plan pan out? I’ll be taking my spark in to Tibet this October. Did you register your drone with the CAAC?
Thanks!
#CAO
You need to register you drone in CAAC(http://uas.caac.gov.cn) before you fly it in china (if fly under 120metre height and in eye-view(500meter),you do not need a drone license, but you need to register the drone and paste the genertated QR Code on you drone.
Unfortuanltely ,seems that site have not an english version…
hi.. I am in shanghai on a visit and bought a drone for my kid. will I be permitted to carry this from shanghai to HK and from there to India? if so, cabin or check-in luggage?
you must put the batteries in your cabin luggage if you board the flight in China.
Thank you. This helps.
Does anyone know how long it takes for the whole registration process to complete and be approved. Going to China last min and bringing a drone
Do we have any news taking drones to Xinjiang? I will not be using it there, but as I’m backpacking through China, it’ll be in my pack.