Yes, nearly all foreign nationals — including citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — need a tourist visa (L-visa) to enter mainland China. There are limited exceptions, such as 15-day visa-free entry for cruise ship passengers in Shanghai, Guangdong province, or Hainan Island, but these are rare and location-specific.
Example:
A U.S. tourist flying from Los Angeles to Beijing will need to apply for a tourist visa in advance at the Chinese Embassy or Consulate in the U.S. However, a traveler arriving in Hainan on a cruise from Vietnam might enjoy visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
