China
Geocaching HQ encourages geocachers to find at least 20 geocaches before setting out to hide their own geocache. The greater variety of geocaches that someone finds, the better they will understand how to create an enjoyable experience for other geocachers.
Find additional guidance about hiding caches in the Geocaching Help Center.
For publication, geocaches must follow the Geocaching Guidelines.
For caches placed in China the items listed below also apply.
Please note that the guidelines and this listing would be revised from time to time. Please check back regularly for updates.
General information
When will my Geocache be published?
Cache pages are reviewed by Community Volunteer Reviewers to assess compliance with the Geocaching Hiding Guidelines.
Reviewers are strive to begin review of geocaches within 7 days of the date that you submit your cache. Typically, it is much sooner. However, reviews may take longer during periods of high activity, including but not limited to the weeks before or after holidays and large geocaching events.
Include a complete Reviewer Note about your geocache
We ask all cache hiders to provide basic information about their cache in a Reviewer Note. Please clearly and completely describe your cache in detail in your Reviewer Note. Each cache page needs its own description, so please do not say something like "The same as the rest".
Please include three information categories: WHERE, WHAT, and HOW.
WHERE - Always explain the property your cache is placed on - both the ownership and the property use. Any cache should have permission as described in the Guidelines here. Just because the property has no obvious trespassing signs does not mean it's open to geocache placement without permission. For example, temples and churches have green space trails or parks. We expect you to comply with the Guidelines, include documented permission from the location management in your Reviewer Note, and include in the cache description that permission has been granted.
WHAT - Clearly and completely describe the cache container, including physical dimensions, material, shape, contents, and how it is identified as a geocache. Just saying a "plastic container" or a 'Metal box" is incomplete. Some containers are self-explanatory, like a 30 Cal ammo can, a bison tube, a preform, a key container, or a magnetic nano. Still, others need a complete description in your Reviewer Note. We want to know precisely what you've placed in case there are some questions in the future from law enforcement or a property owner.
HOW - Explain how and where your cache is hidden. Please be specific about camouflage and attachment methods to objects or the ground. For example, it might be a bison tube hung with a wire hook over a pine tree's branch about 2 meters off the ground. If your cache is on a signpost or near a sign, please tell us what the sign says.
If you need to include a picture, please upload the image to a Reviewer Note as additional information. Photos are not a substitute for a written Reviewer Note. The image will be archived and not publicly visible when the cache is published.
Future Publication Requests
Cache pages that are requested to be Published on a specific date should be Submitted for Review at least 14 days in advance, ideally 21 days. (It may take longer time if a series/multiple caches are to be Published concurrently, please plan ahead and be patient, be sure to include the GC codes for ALL caches in the series along with each cache in a Reviewer Note.)
When you submit it for Review, include a Reviewer Note stating when you would like it published (date and general time of the day). We will try to accommodate your requests, but cannot make any guarantees. Please keep these requests to a minimum.
No Precedent
Be aware that geocaching guidelines are subject to change. There is no precedent for placing geocaches. This means that the past publication of a similar geocache in and of itself is not a valid justification for the publication of a new geocache. If a geocache has been published and violates any guidelines listed, you are encouraged to report it. However, if the geocache was placed prior to the date when a guideline was issued or updated, the geocache is likely to be grandfathered and allowed to stand as is.
Cache Owner Responsibilities
Please note - YOU will be the one responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of your cache as outlined in the Guidelines. If you are not going to be able to regularly visit and maintain your cache as required then please do not submit these caches. Your prompt attention to any log that indicates things could be amiss will be greatly appreciated by all geocachers. The rule is: if you can't fix it straight away then "Disable" it until you can.
You, as the Cache Owner, may NOT ask “the community” to maintain caches on your behalf. In certain circumstances, you may designate other cachers to assist in maintaining. These other cachers must be active local cachers, local to the area where the cache is placed. However – you – as the cache owner - remain primarily responsible for all maintenance.
Maintain Your Cache
To keep the online cache page up-to-date, the cache owner must:
Monitor logs for reported problems.
Post an Owner Maintenance log after doing maintenance.
Update the cache page if conditions or coordinates change.
Disable a cache page when the cache is not available or you need time to fix reported problems. A cache page can stay disabled for a reasonable amount of time - generally up to four weeks.
Occasionally mark trackables as missing if they are not in the geocache.
Delete logs that appear to be false or inappropriate.
To keep the geocache in proper working order, the cache owner must:
Visit the geocache regularly.
Fix reported problems (such as replace full or wet logbook, replace broken or missing container).
Make sure the location is appropriate and change it if necessary.
Remove the geocache container and any physical stages within 60 days after the cache page is archived.
Cache owners who do not maintain their existing caches in a timely manner may temporarily or permanently lose the right to list new caches on Geocaching.com.
Maintenance Plan
If you do place a geocache far from you, or at a remote area or high D/T area, you must have a maintenance plan.
Please indicate your "Maintenance Plan" in a reviewer note. Your maintenance plan must include these information:
How often will you visit the cache location?
If there’s any maintenance issues of your cache, how soon you could check for it and maintain if necessary?
If you have someone locally set up to watch over the cache for you. Please provide the name and contact information of your local maintainer. Written consent may be requested. Information in Reviewer Notes will auto-archive on publication and will not be available to other players.
Health Score
To help improve the overall caching experience, Geocaching HQ created an algorithm to calculate a hidden Health Score for each geocache.
A low Health Score provides an indication that the cache may need attention from the owner.
The goal is to improve the overall geocaching experience and avoid frustrations due to missing or broken caches.
The algorithm isn't perfect; it cannot read and interpret the text within a cache page - however it does take the following aspects of a page into consideration:
Did Not Find logs(DNF)
Needs Maintenance logs (NM)
Needs Archived logs (NA)
Last find date
Difficulty and terrain rating
If the Health Score of a cache is calculated below a dynamic threshold, an automatic alert email is sent to the cache owner by Geocaching HQ.
A Community Volunteer Reviewer may follow up to perform further actions on the cache page.
Neither Geocaching HQ or the Community Volunteer Reviewer can assess the true status of a cache; it is the responsibility of the cache owner, as part of cache maintenance.
If there are a multiple DNFs logs on a cache - the community may not know if the cache is missing or is simply hard to find.
If a cache page has several posted DNFs - and the cache owner knows that the cache is in definitely in place - they should reassure the community by posting a Note log.
e.g. "There have been a few DNFs, however it is a clever hide! I checked on it this morning. Check the hint!"
If a Community Volunteer Reviewer does not see a posted response from a cache owner on their cache page after several DNF/Maintenance requests, it may be Disabled.
If a cache owner knows with certainty that their cache is in place and ready to be found, they may Enable the cache page, with an explanatory note.
If a cache owner is unable to definitively confirm the status of their cache, the cache page should remain Disabled and a Maintenance visit should be scheduled.
An Owner Maintenance log should only be posted after a maintenance visit has occurred.
Only when a cache is confirmed to be in place and ready to be found should a cache page be Enabled.
The number of "false positives" flagged with this process are minimal compared to the number of abandoned caches that this process will remove from the game.
Disabled Caches
If the cache owner intends to keep the cache in the game, they should:
At least monthly post ongoing status updates on the cache page using a Write Note log
Confirm when a maintenance visit has been completed using an Owner Maintenance log
Use the Enable option when it has been confirmed the cache is ready to be found
A Reviewer may Archive the cache if the cache owner has not posted an update within 30 days.
Requirements for Different Cache Types
Multi-Caches
A Multi-Cache can have physical or virtual stages. When you submit a multi-cache for Review, include a Reviewer Note stating the process of how your multi-cache could be completed.
Physical stages or Virtual stages?
A physical stage is a waypoint where the cache owner has placed an item, such as a container or a tag. A physical stage must be at least 528 feet (161 meters) away from the physical stages of other geocaches.
A virtual stage is a waypoint where the cache owner has not placed an item. Geocachers gather information at virtual stages to help them find or complete the cache. A virtual stage can be within 528 feet (161 meters) of other geocaches.
Puzzle/Mystery/Wherigo Caches
We need to know how your puzzle/mystery/Wherigo cache is solvable, please include this information in a Reviewer Note.
When using a third-party coordinate checker (Certitude, for example), please include the keyword or coordinates needed to pass the checker along with a screenshot of the "success" screen.
Jigidi has expressed concern with the use of their platform for the presentation of complex puzzles in geocaching puzzle caches because geocachers are seeking ways to shortcut the solution in manners not allowed by Jigidi's Terms of Use. When you incorporate a Jigidi (or other online puzzle) as part of your puzzle cache, please include two screenshots with your Reviewer Note - one showing the puzzle at least 90% (but less than 100% completed) using the number of pieces that your submitted cache uses, and the second showing the completed puzzle with the completion message and the side panel with the details.
Please do not put your 'posted' coordinates in areas where people should not search such as freeways, private residences, railroads, off-limits locations, or other areas where access is restricted. Lakes and street corners are fine. I know your cache page says the cache is not at the posted coordinates, but people do search those coordinates. We have many new cachers who are using cell phones and may not look at the cache page.
Challenge Caches
Before submitting a Challenge Cache, please click here to read the article in the Geocaching Help Center.
The challenge requirements should be simple, and easy to explain, follow and document. A long list of rules or restrictions may prevent publication.
A challenge cache needs to appeal to and be attainable by a reasonable number of cachers. The China Reviewer consider the "reasonable number of cachers" to be 5 (in addition to the cache owner); qualifying cachers must reside within the local area. For example, if a challenge cache is placed in Shanghai, the qualifying geocachers must reside in Shanghai. Please provide a name list of the geocachers who qualified in a Reviewer Note.
Challenge cache owners must demonstrate that there are plenty of qualifying caches to meet the challenge at the time of publication.
Please do not submit a challenge cache in an area where a very similar or identical challenge cache already exists.
Challenge caches are sometimes difficult to review for publication due to the subjectivity involved. Meaning, one person’s opinion can differ from another’s, which can cause issues in the review process. One of the major goals of the 2016 guideline update for challenge caches was to reduce some of that subjectivity. However, we can’t completely remove subjectivity from the process.
“Very similar” is subjective so that reviewers will be able to determine what is appropriate to publish for an area or not, based on existing nearby challenges. Please work with your reviewer to make sure your challenge cache complies with the local interpretation of the guidelines.
Event Caches
Events are social gatherings of geocachers and are not just an excuse to get a “smiley". Events that are requested in areas where there are no local geocachers or only geocachers that are with the CO's party, may be declined as private events to gain a new smiley.
Event Stacking (CITO also apply)
When two or more events take place at times and in locations close to one another, this is referred to as “event stacking”. This is not allowed as these events usually target the same attendees. To avoid the appearance of event stacking, the “5/50 Rule” will be applied to all events submitted for review in China:
Events must be separated in time by at least 5 hours unless the events are located at least 50 km from one another. “Separation in time” means the time between the end of the earlier event and the start of the later event. If events are separated by more than 5 hours, then event stacking is not a consideration.
Event Timing (CITO also apply)
Events as state are the social aspect of caching, and events that are deemed to be at unsocial hours for the local region and unlikely to attract other caching parties, may be disallowed.
Event Requirements
Events must be open to all participants and may not require any purchase or minimum spending as a condition of attendance. If an event is held at a venue such as a restaurant or café, the event host must ensure that participants are not required to make a purchase to attend or participate in the event. In some cases, written confirmation from the venue may be required to verify that no purchase or minimum spending is required.
CITO Event Caches
Cache In Trash Out® (CITO) events are a way for the geocaching community to take care of the natural areas we enjoy while geocaching. At CITO events, geocachers and community groups work together to improve parks and other outdoor environments. They clean up litter, plant trees, remove invasive species, build trails, and more.
Plan Ahead
Please indicate the disposal of collected trash in a reviewer note.
CITO events require certain level of cooperation and planning upfront. You are encouraged to approach municipality office and ask them for cooperation. They may help you to identify suitable area to clean & connect you with responsible land manager to agree on details like timing, tools and resources and disposal of collected trash.
Restricted Areas
This listing is not all-inclusive as some land managers may have instituted policies we are not yet aware of or may have amended their posted policies. If you have additional information, please send an email with your contact information to a local reviewer.
Airports & Train Stations
Geocache listings with coordinates/waypoints (physical or virtual) will not published near or at airports or train stations.
Churches & Temples
Written permission is required for caches placed within the church or temple property or boundary (the boundary includes any wall, gates, statues, parking area, bushes, or fence) before caches can be placed. Permission is also needed for waypoints (physical or virtual) of locations within the church or temple boundary.
Foreign Embassies and Consulates
No geocaches allowed on or near Foreign Embassies and Consulate property
Military Areas
No geocaches allowed on or near all military areas.
Playground Equipment
Playground equipment is off limits. DO NOT place your cache on the playground equipment. Geocaches should be placed a minimum of approximately 20 meters away (approximately) from any type of playground equipment.
It is suggested that a picture from different viewing angles be sent along with a Note to Reviewer when submitting a geocache where playground equipment exists. All pictures sent to a reviewer will auto-archive on publication and will not be available to other players.
School Grounds and Proximity
Geocaches that are on or adjacent to school grounds or school property will not be permitted.
However, if you have a strong reason for placing a cache within the school grounds or on school property, you MUST express written permission on file from that school administrator. A statement of permission must be placed on the cache page, along with any restrictions for that location.
If entering the school area requires an appointment and can only be arranged through third-party services that require players to register an account, this is not permitted - even if you have obtained permission from the school.
Most common issues that prevent a cache from being published
Too Close to Another Cache
Geocaches and ANY physical stages of different geocaches must be at least 161 meters apart.
You should check your location first before placing a cache to see what is there. You can use the planning map which shows you caches on a map with a 161 meter red circle around them. You won't be able to see where hidden stages are (and the reviewers won't tell you!). You'll need to go and find those caches yourself.
Click here to read the article about the planning map in the Geocaching Help Center.
Too Far from Home Location
It’s best to place physical caches in your usual caching area, as large distances have historically caused maintenance issues.
Caches need to be maintained, and that may be hard to do if the cacher lives far away. If the cache disappears, gets wet or damaged, needs a new logbook, etc.... the cachers need to fix the problem in a timely manner.
Before caches can be listed on the website, the reviewer must know how they will be properly maintained. If you plan to place a geocache far from your home location, please include a “Maintenance Plan” in a Reviewer Note.
Commercial Content
Commercial caches are not allowed. This means you cannot mention a business by name however trivial or even a seemingly innocent mention such as, park next to Starbucks or the path starts at the 7-11 make reference to a business. Oblique references may also not be allowed. For example, "bus stop where I'm lovin' it" is clearly a reference to McDonald. Commercial requirements also apply to non-profit businesses as well.
For Event caches, it's okay to mention the event location in the cache page, but it must not be included in the cache title.
Click here to read more explanation of commercial guidelines in the Geocaching Help Center.
Agenda
Cache pages perceived to promote an agenda or highlight a cause will not be published. Geocaching is a fun, family-friendly game, not a platform for promoting a cause. In geocaching, an agenda is content that highlights a cause, promotes a cache owner's personal opinion or hidden intention. Also, cache pages cannot require or encourage players to place more caches.
In short, a cache page cannot:
tells geocachers how to think or feel
ask geocachers to do something
raise awareness of a cause
requires or encourages finders to place caches
Click here to read more explanation of agenda guidelines in the Geocaching Help Center.
Permission
Please remember that having public access to a location does not automatically mean permission is not required. Even if a location can be easily reached, permission is still needed for caches placed on public property, especially when they are attached to structures, including but not limited to walls, fences, or railings that separate or secure different areas.
As stated in the guidelines posted here, all caches must have permission for placement.
Don't damage property or nature
Sometimes your geocache may comply with the geocaching guidelines, but placed in a manner that geocachers searching for the cache could be causing damage from their searching activity. Some typical damage caused might be walking in landscape planting, moving rocks in a drainage area and not returning them as designed, moving retaining wall blocks and not returned them correctly, or scraping the ground bare while searching for a very difficult cache. We have seen this happen. If we believe your cache placement may result in damage to an area, we may ask you to relocate it. If damage to an area from searching for a cache already published is reported, the cache will be archived. No reason to give geocaching a bad name because of our searching activities.
As per the guidelines: "Do not place caches in a location that requires or encourages geocachers to damage, deface, or destroy public or private property, especially archaeological or historical sites."
Reviewers for China
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