The Far East Frontier: My Insider Take on Touring in China

If you’re anything like me—and I’m guessing you are, working in the unpredictable world of touring—the ultimate reward is the unrivaled access to global cultures and the logistical challenges we conquer daily. We crave the new cultures, the unfamiliar logistics, and the chance to meet incredible people almost every day. We’ve all seen Europe, the US, and maybe even Australia and South America multiple times over.

But let’s be honest: China is still the less-charted territory.

I’ve been fortunate enough to tour in China nearly every year for the last decade (barring the pandemic), watching the market open up and evolve. It’s a fascinating, complex, and incredibly rewarding place to put on a show.

I wanted to share my personal observations and key operational insights. A quick disclaimer: This has been my reality, based on extensive work across various provinces. Touring is always different, and I'd love to hear about your experiences, too!

The Non-Negotiable: Getting Your Visa Right

This is where the tour starts, and it’s where friction can happen quickly if you don't jump on it.

The visa process takes time because the local Chinese promoter needs to get official government approval before they can even send you the invitation. Once they do, you take that to your local embassy to get that coveted visa sticker in your passport.

• My Advice: Start this conversation yesterday. If your budget allows, I strongly recommend using a reputable visa agent. It’s worth the cost just to have someone guide you through the process and save you headaches.

• A Major Trap: Promoters sometimes suggest a Business Visa (M-Visa), saying it will be fine. It won't. You are working. You must secure the Work Visa (Z-Visa). Pushing back on this upfront prevents a huge problem later. Especially when you have multiple shows in China chances are high that there will be passport control at one of the venues.

• Timeline This is not something that you can obtain in 2 weeks. You need a minimum of 4 weeks prep time for your visas. 

The Production Rollercoaster: Approvals and Gear

Getting a show approved and built in China involves two unique hurdles: government content approval and a gear scarcity challenge.

The Paperwork and the Stage Design

Before you can even load in, the government needs to approve your show design. I’ve personally had designs rejected in the past, which forced us to create an entirely new visual package. This is a massive, unexpected budget and time killer.

Equipment Reality

You need to start the gear conversation immediately. It can be tough to secure the high-end equipment you are used to seeing in other territories. A lot of the available gear is either dated or, frankly, knock-off versions. You have to be flexible and creative here.

• The Communication Chain: You need a reliable Liaison Officer (LO) traveling with you. But on top of that, you need a dedicated, competent translator for every department—audio, lighting, video, stage. Your local crew will not speak English in most cases, and you cannot afford production errors due to translation issues.

  
  

Cultural Ministry and the Setlist

This is a detail that often surprises people: your setlist must be approved by the local Ministry of Culture, and this can change per province. If your artist’s music includes profanity or sensitive themes, you may need to prepare clean (no profanity) versions of your songs to perform.

Bringing Your Own Gear

If you’re traveling with your own freight, talk to your freight agent about the Carnet well in advance. Not all provinces will acknowledge its use. The safest bet is to clear customs in one of the major cities like Beijing or Shanghai before moving on.

Show Vibe and Audience Dynamic

Be prepared for a different energy when you hit the stage.

Indoors, the audience is almost always seated if the capacity

is over four thousand, and pyrotechnics are a no-go. This is a huge shift from the standing, surging crowds we typically see globally. The vibe is more reserved; the applause is polite, and the energy is less vibrant between songs. Give your artist a heads-up so they can manage their expectations and stage banter.

• The Festival Exception: Outside (at a festival), the crowd is standing and feels more familiar, though still often more reserved than a typical European festival crowd.

  
  

The Landscape is Shifting: I was happy to see Travis Scott play a show in Sanya earlier this year where he had his full production bells and whistles, and the crowd was allowed to stand. It’s happening because Sanya is investing heavily in tourism, showing that if the local government is motivated, the rules can bend!

The Great Firewall of China: Your Survival Kit

This is the biggest operational roadblock for Westerners. They block Google, Gmail, Dropbox, Netflix—all the tools we use to run a global tour. You will be disconnected if you don't prepare.

• VPN is Your Lifeline: You need a VPN. Get two. Seriously. Install them and test them before you leave home, as some work in one city but not the next.

• My Pro Tip: The eSIM Hotspot: I find the most reliable method is getting an international eSIM card. Use your phone as a hotspot. Routing your data this way often allows you to access all those critical Western webpages and apps without issue.

  
  

Bits and Bobs: The Small Stuff That Matters

These are the tiny logistical details that can throw a wrench in your day:

• Power Banks and Batteries:

  • Power Banks: Must have the CCC logo on them. They will confiscate any others when flying.

  • Batteries: Must be carried on, not checked. They are incredibly strict and will remove you from a flight if you try to check them in.

• Lighters: No carry-on, no checked bag. If you need one, you’ll be buying a new one in every city you fly to.

• Guest List Logistics: You need the person’s full name and ID number. The tickets are tied directly to their ID for venue entry.

• Digital Currency: Forget Apple Pay or Google Pay. Many places won’t even accept your credit card. Set up AliPay before you go. It's the only way to function on the ground.

• The Communication App: You need WeChat. This one app is WhatsApp, Uber, and your main communication tool, all rolled into one. Everyone uses it to get around and talk.

  
  

If you’re heading to China soon and want to talk through some of the customs, logistics, or challenges, please feel free to reach out. At Lobby Call, we’re always happy to share our insights and help make your tour run smoothly. Photo credit: Aris Chatman

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