Taiwanese travel to China rises 20% despite official warnings

Travel from Taiwan to China increased by 19.6% during the first eight months of 2026, according to data from the Taiwan Tourism Administration. This growth outpaced the 15.2% increase in overall overseas travel by Taiwanese citizens. China remains the second most popular destination for Taiwanese travelers, with monthly trips exceeding 300,000 since earlier this year.

Despite the rise in travel, the Taiwanese government maintains an orange-level travel warning for China, Hong Kong, and Macau, advising citizens to avoid nonessential trips. The Mainland Affairs Council has cited risks regarding entry and exit rules, noting that Chinese border officials may inspect personal devices and social media accounts under national security suspicions.

Experts suggest the travel warning may have limited effectiveness for those with essential business or personal needs. While the government previously banned local agencies from soliciting package tours to China due to flight route changes near the Taiwan Strait, companies are still utilizing agencies to organize business and visiting groups, which are not covered by the restrictions.