Regulations and No-Fly Zone Guide for Drone Photography in China

1. Legality of Drones in China

Drone photography is allowed in China, but it must strictly comply with the Civil Aviation Law of the People's Republic of China and the Drone Flight Management Regulations. Below are the key regulations:
- Real-name Registration: All drones weighing over 250 grams must be registered through the official platform of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (UOMAPP, or “Drone Real-name Registration System”), obtaining a unique QR code that must be affixed to the drone body.
- Flight Qualifications:
- For ordinary travelers using micro-drones (weight ≤4kg, flight height ≤120 meters), no license is required, but real-name registration must be completed.
- For commercial use or professional aerial photography, a Drone Pilot License must be obtained.

2. Flight Permits and Application Process

• Controlled Airspace: Areas such as airports, military zones, government offices, and densely populated areas are designated as "controlled airspace," where flight permission must be applied for in advance.
• Application Method: Submit through UOMAPP or the local flight control department, providing a flight plan (time, altitude, range, purpose).
• Approval Time: Usually requires 1-7 working days in advance, depending on the region.

3. General Flight Restrictions

• Altitude Limit: The maximum flight altitude for all drones is 120 meters (400 feet).
• Range Limit: Drones must fly within the operator’s line of sight, nighttime flying is prohibited (except under special permits), and they must stay away from crowds, high-voltage lines, railways, and other sensitive facilities.

4. Major No-Fly Zones Nationwide

The following areas strictly prohibit unauthorized drone flights:
- City Core Areas:
- Beijing: No-fly zone within the Sixth Ring Road.
- Shanghai: No-fly zone within the Outer Ring Line (S20).
- Guangzhou/Shenzhen: A 5-kilometer no-fly radius around the city center and important landmarks (such as Canton Tower, Shenzhen Civic Center).
- Sensitive Facilities:
- All military bases, government offices (such as Zhongnanhai), prisons, nuclear power plants, etc., within a 10-kilometer radius.
- International border areas (such as China-Russia, China-Myanmar borders) within a 50-kilometer radius.
- Transportation Hubs:
- Airport surrounding clear airspace (radius of 55 kilometers, altitude restrictions vary by distance).
- High-speed rail lines, major train stations (such as Beijing West Station).
- Key Tourist Attractions:
- Beijing: Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, National Stadium (Bird's Nest).
- Tibet: Within a 3-kilometer radius of the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
- Xinjiang: Some border attractions (such as Kanas) require prior notification.
- Others: Certain areas of Hangzhou's West Lake, Xi'an Terracotta Warriors Museum, Chongqing Hongyadong, etc.

5. Differences in Urban and Scenic Area Management

• Scenic Area Policies: Some scenic areas allow flights in designated areas (such as Zhangjiajie Tianmen Mountain, Guilin Li River), but an additional "aerial photography management fee" (approximately 50-200 RMB) may be required.
• Temporary No-Fly Zones: During large events (such as Shanghai CIIE, Hangzhou Asian Games), the no-fly zones may expand; check local announcements.

6. Practical Suggestions

• Device Selection: Purchase mainstream brand drones like DJI, which have built-in geofencing systems that automatically alert users about no-fly zones.
• Pre-flight Checks:
• Open the drone brand app (such as DJI Fly) to view real-time restricted flight maps.
• Check the local tourism bureau or scenic area website for aerial photography policies.
• Avoid flying during weather warnings (e.g., strong winds, thunderstorms).
• Emergency Handling: If accidentally entering a no-fly zone, the drone may automatically land or return home; immediately contact the local police department to explain the situation.

7. Penalties for Violations

• Unauthorized flights in no-fly zones: Maximum fine of 100,000 RMB, severe cases may result in detention.
• Failure to register or obscuring the QR code: Fine of 500-2000 RMB.

8. Recommended Aerial Photography-Friendly Scenic Spots

• Natural Landscapes: Zhangjiajie, Hunan; Zhangye Danxia, Gansu; Chaka Salt Lake, Qinghai (requires notification).
• Urban Landscapes: Chongqing Chaotianmen night views (altitude limit 80 meters); Qingdao May Fourth Square (non-holiday periods).