The Drone Weather Forecast zone map has 1,163 drone zones in China, from DJI FlySafe. 1,051 of them close the airspace from the ground up. Another 111 set a height limit: you may fly below it without asking. Below are the zone types, the largest zones, the rules at a glance and the official links to request permission when you need to fly inside a zone.
Zone types
| Zone | Count | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 🟥 Prohibited | 729 | No flying from the ground up without a special permission: the area closest to airport runways, prisons, military sites, capital-city no-fly areas. |
| 🟧 Authorization required | 322 | You may fly only with an authorization from the aviation authority or the airspace manager, for example around airports and in controlled airspace. |
| 🟪 Height limit | 111 | You may fly below the height of the zone without asking; above it you need an authorization. Typical of the outer steps around airports. |
| 🟩 Recommended | 1 | Places set aside for drone flying, such as model aircraft fields. |
Drone rules in China at a glance
- Aviation authority: Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)
- Maximum height: 120 m (394 ft) above the ground, unless an authorization allows more. Suitable (uncontrolled) airspace ends at 120 m true height; micro drones (under 250 g) are limited to 50 m.
- Registration: Every civil drone must be registered under the owner's real name on the CAAC UOM platform before use. Since 1 May 2026, new drones only work after registration. Official page
- Official map: CAAC UOM platform
- Micro, light and small drones flying in suitable airspace do not need a flight activity application.
How to get authorization to fly in a restricted zone
Steps and links from official sources, checked in September 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official website (CAAC) before you fly.
- Check on the UOM platform whether your site is suitable airspace or controlled airspace (above 120 m, around airports, restricted and military areas, borders, key facilities). Official page
- For controlled airspace, submit a flight activity application on the UOM platform before 12:00 on the day before the flight. Official page
- Fly only after the air traffic management agency approves; it answers by 21:00 on the day before. Official page
- Flying a DJI drone? With the authorization in hand, request an unlock on DJI FlySafe. DJI's unlock does not replace the authority's permission.
Check zones and weather before you fly
The Drone Weather Forecast app shows these zones on a map with their real shapes and height limits, next to the hourly wind, gusts, rain, KP index and satellites for your drone model.
Frequently asked questions
Where can't you fly a drone in China?
Around airports, military bases and other restricted areas. The app's map has 1,051 zones in China where you cannot fly from the ground up without an authorization; the official map is CAAC UOM platform. Temporary restrictions can appear at any time, so check before every flight.
Do I need permission to fly a drone near an airport in China?
Yes. Flying inside an airport zone or other restricted airspace needs an authorization. Responsible authority: Civil Aviation Administration of China. The official steps and links are on this page.
How high can you fly a drone in China?
Up to 120 m (394 ft) above the ground under the general rules, unless an authorization allows more. Near airports the limit can be lower, or zero. Suitable (uncontrolled) airspace ends at 120 m true height; micro drones (under 250 g) are limited to 50 m.
Where does this zone data come from?
From DJI FlySafe's GEO zones: no official zone dataset in China can be used in the app yet. DJI's GEO zones are a safety layer built into DJI drones, not the official airspace: the binding zones and rules are the ones published by the aviation authority, Civil Aviation Administration of China (official map: CAAC UOM platform).
Zone counts and names: DJI FlySafe, as shipped in the Drone Weather Forecast app on October 14, 2026. A safety guide, not the official airspace: the aviation authority publishes the binding zones and temporary restrictions.