Conclusion and Important Reminder:
For tourists entering Beijing, whether it is a short stopover or a few days of travel, do not take out your drone in any situation in Beijing. There have been several cases of tourists setting up drones at the airport, but the drones have been temporarily detained and are not allowed to be taken out of the airport. They will be retrieved when they return to the airport.
Beijing issues strictest drone ban
Beijing has indeed issued what is known as the "strictest" ban on drones. The newly revised "Regulations on the Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Beijing" was voted and passed on September 13, 2026, and will be implemented from November 15, 2026.
This means that starting from November 15th, even "owning" drones is no longer allowed in Beijing, and core components are also under control. The Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology has included 17 components from the four major systems of aircraft structure, flight control, communication, and power in the list of core components.
Execution time: The new regulations will come into effect on November 15th. Prior to this, there was a buffer period, but the law enforcement against "black flying" by the police has already begun.
Scope of application: This is a local regulation in Beijing and does not mean a nationwide ban on flights. Policies in other regions need to be confirmed separately.
reference：
Beijing approves new drone regulations
By Wang Songsong | chinadaily.com.cn |
Updated: 2026-03-27 21:35
Beijing has passed new regulations to strengthen the management of drones, which will take effect on May 1.
Approved by the Standing Committee of Beijing Municipal People's Congress on Friday, the newly passed regulation covers the operation of unmanned aircraft, stating that all outdoor drone flights in Beijing will require prior approval, while dedicated flight zones will be set up for special operations, including research, education and industrial testing, according to Beijing Daily.
Xiong Jinghua, deputy director of the Standing Committee's legal affairs committee, said at the news conference on Friday that the regulations aim to balance public safety with technological and economic development, it reported.
"The legislation sets clear standards for drone operations, sales, transport and storage, while leaving room for research, production, and other legitimate activities," Xiong said.
The rules also give special attention to education and research applications. Schools and universities can purchase, store, and operate drones through approved channels, to help support teaching, scientific experiments and technology development.
Yanqing district has been chosen for dedicated flight zones, with activities opening gradually under strict safety protocols. Su Lihua, vice governor of Yanqing, highlighted that the district's low-altitude flight management experience and its smart flight network spans 168 square kilometers.
The regulations impose strict control over drone production and distribution. Illegal manufacturing, assembly, modification or tampering is banned, as is the sale or transport of drones and core components within Beijing, unless the drone has completed real-name registration and information verification.
Authorities said the measures reflect Beijing's commitment to ensuring low-altitude safety while supporting innovation and orderly drone development for industry, research and education.