Key Highlights
China has significantly expanded its transit visa-free policy, extending stays from 72/144 hours to 240 hours (10 full days) for citizens of 54 countries. This groundbreaking policy now covers 24 provinces and 60 ports of entry, creating unprecedented opportunities for tourism and business exploration.
Whether you're planning a leisure trip to explore China's rich cultural heritage or conducting business reconnaissance in the world's second-largest economy, this extended visa-free window opens doors to comprehensive exploration and meaningful engagement.
Revolutionary Policy Changes: What's New
Approved by the State Council, China's National Immigration Administration has implemented comprehensive improvements to the transit visa-free policy, creating a more accessible and extensive framework for international visitors.
Extended Stay Duration
From: 72 hours and 144 hours
To: 240 hours (10 full days)
Expanded Port Access
From: 39 ports of entry
To: 60 ports of entry (including 3 aviation ports)
Broader Geographic Coverage
From: 19 provinces/regions
To: 24 provinces/regions
60 Designated Ports of Entry
The expanded policy now covers 60 ports of entry across 24 provinces, including airports and seaports:
Major Airport Ports
- β’ Beijing: Capital International Airport, Daxing International Airport
- β’ Shanghai: Hongqiao International Airport, Pudong International Airport
- β’ Guangzhou: Baiyun International Airport
- β’ Shenzhen: Bao'an International Airport
- β’ Chengdu: Shuangliu International Airport, Tianfu International Airport
- β’ Xi'an: Xianyang International Airport
- β’ Hangzhou: Xiaoshan International Airport
- β’ Nanjing: Lukou International Airport
Regional Airport Ports
- β’ Tianjin: Binhai International Airport
- β’ Dalian: Zhoushuizi International Airport
- β’ Qingdao: Jiaodong International Airport
- β’ Xiamen: Gaoqi International Airport
- β’ Kunming: Changshui International Airport
- β’ Haikou: Meilan International Airport
- β’ Sanya: Phoenix International Airport
- β’ Urumqi: Diwopu International Airport
Seaports (Passenger)
- β’ Shanghai Seaport, Tianjin Seaport, Dalian Seaport
- β’ Qinhuangdao Seaport, Lianyungang Seaport, Xiamen Seaport
24 Provinces/Regions Coverage
Transit visa-free travelers can move freely across 24 provinces/regions during their 240-hour stay:
Northern China
- β’ Beijing Municipality
- β’ Tianjin Municipality
- β’ Hebei Province
- β’ Shanxi Province
- β’ Liaoning Province
Eastern China
- β’ Shanghai Municipality
- β’ Jiangsu Province
- β’ Zhejiang Province
- β’ Anhui Province
- β’ Fujian Province
- β’ Jiangxi Province
- β’ Shandong Province
Central & Southern China
- β’ Henan Province
- β’ Hubei Province
- β’ Hunan Province
- β’ Guangdong Province
- β’ Guangxi Autonomous Region
- β’ Hainan Province
Western China
- β’ Chongqing Municipality
- β’ Sichuan Province
- β’ Guizhou Province
- β’ Yunnan Province
- β’ Shaanxi Province
Northwestern China
- β’ Gansu Province
- β’ Xinjiang Autonomous Region
Cross-Provincial Travel Freedom
Transit visa-free travelers can move freely between all 24 provinces/regions during their 240-hour stay, allowing for comprehensive exploration of China's diverse landscapes, cultures, and business opportunities across different regions.
Eligibility and Requirements
The 240-hour transit visa-free policy applies to citizens of 55 countries who meet specific requirements for transit travel through China.
55 Eligible Countries
Europe (40 countries)
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway
Americas (6 countries)
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Oceania (2 countries)
Australia, New Zealand
Asia (7 countries)
South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia
Essential Requirements
- Valid International Travel Documents: Passport or other internationally recognized travel documents
- Confirmed Onward Ticket: Confirmed date and seat on connecting flight to a third country/region
- Transit Purpose: Must be transiting through China to a third country/region
- Entry Point: Must enter through one of the 60 designated ports of entry
Permitted Activities
During your 240-hour stay, you can engage in various activities across the permitted provinces:
Permitted Activities
- Tourism and sightseeing
- Business meetings and negotiations
- Visiting friends and relatives
- Cultural exchanges and visits
- Market research and exploration
Restricted Activities
- Employment or work activities
- Formal study or education
- News reporting or journalism
- Other activities requiring prior approval
Note: These activities require proper visa applications in advance
Tourism Opportunities: 10 Days to Explore China
With 240 hours (10 full days) and the ability to travel across 24 provinces, you can now experience China's incredible diversity, from ancient cultural sites to modern metropolitan areas, natural wonders to technological marvels.
Suggested Tourism Routes
ποΈ Cultural Heritage Circuit (8-10 days)
Route: Beijing (3-4 days) β Xi'an (2-3 days) β Shanghai (3 days)
- β’ Days 1-3: Forbidden City, Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace (Beijing)
- β’ Days 4-6: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter (Xi'an)
- β’ Days 7-9: Yu Garden, The Bund, Shanghai Museum, French Concession (Shanghai)
- β’ Note: High-speed rail between cities (4-6 hours), allowing comfortable travel
ποΈ Natural Wonders Journey (9-10 days)
Route: Zhangjiajie (3 days) β Guilin (3 days) β Hainan (4 days)
- β’ Days 1-3: Avatar Mountains, Tianmen Mountain, Glass Bridge (Zhangjiajie)
- β’ Days 4-6: Li River cruise, Yangshuo countryside, Reed Flute Cave (Guilin)
- β’ Days 7-10: Sanya beaches, Yalong Bay, duty-free shopping (Hainan)
- β’ Note: Domestic flights recommended for long distances (2-3 hours each)
ποΈ Modern China Experience (8-10 days)
Route: Shanghai (3 days) β Shenzhen (2-3 days) β Chengdu (3-4 days)
- β’ Days 1-3: Financial District, tech parks, Pudong skyline (Shanghai)
- β’ Days 4-6: Silicon Valley of China, electronics markets, OCT Loft (Shenzhen)
- β’ Days 7-10: Giant Panda Base, Sichuan cuisine, Jinli Ancient Street (Chengdu)
- β’ Note: Flights between cities (2-3 hours), allowing time for business meetings
Cross-Provincial Travel Benefits
The expanded policy allows seamless travel across provincial boundaries, enabling you to:
- Experience Regional Diversity: From northern plains to southern tropics, each region offers unique landscapes, cuisines, and cultures
- Flexible Itinerary Planning: Design your own route based on interests, with no restrictions on inter-provincial movement
- Comprehensive Cultural Immersion: Experience China's 5,000-year history alongside its rapid modernization
Business Exploration: Discovering China's Market Potential
The extended 240-hour window provides unprecedented opportunities for business reconnaissance, market research, and relationship building in the world's second-largest economy. With access to 24 provinces, you can explore diverse regional markets and industrial clusters.
Strategic Business Exploration Routes
πΌ Manufacturing & Technology Hub Tour
Route: Shanghai β Suzhou β Shenzhen β Guangzhou β Chengdu
- β’ Financial services, international trade (Shanghai)
- β’ Advanced manufacturing, industrial parks (Suzhou)
- β’ Electronics, innovation ecosystem (Shenzhen)
- β’ Export manufacturing, logistics (Guangzhou)
- β’ Western China gateway, tech development (Chengdu)
πΎ Agriculture & Resources Circuit
Route: Beijing β Shandong β Anhui β Hunan β Hainan
- β’ Policy centers, agricultural technology (Beijing)
- β’ Agricultural machinery, food processing (Shandong)
- β’ Grain production, rural development (Anhui)
- β’ Rice production, agricultural innovation (Hunan)
- β’ Tropical agriculture, marine resources (Hainan)
β‘ Energy & Infrastructure Exploration
Route: Beijing β Shanxi β Inner Mongolia β Xinjiang (if accessible)
- β’ Energy policy, renewable technology (Beijing)
- β’ Coal industry, energy transformation (Shanxi)
- β’ Wind power, mining resources (Inner Mongolia)
- β’ Belt and Road projects, energy resources (Western regions)
Business Activities You Can Pursue
Market Research Activities
- Industry cluster visits and analysis
- Trade show and exhibition attendance
- Supplier and partner identification
- Market size and competition assessment
- Consumer behavior observation
Relationship Building
- Business meetings and negotiations
- Government liaison visits
- Industry association networking
- Cultural exchange activities
- Partnership exploration meetings
Practical Tips for Your 240-Hour Journey
To maximize your 10-day visa-free experience in China, here are essential tips for smooth travel and productive visits:
πΊοΈ Important: China's Vast Geography
China is enormous - covering 9.6 million square kilometers with distances that can be deceiving on maps. Plan your itinerary carefully considering travel time:
- Beijing to Shanghai: 1,300km - 4.5 hours by high-speed rail, 2 hours by flight
- Shanghai to Guangzhou: 1,200km - 7 hours by high-speed rail, 2.5 hours by flight
- Beijing to Urumqi: 3,000km - 35+ hours by train, 4 hours by flight
- Recommendation: Limit your itinerary to 2-3 major regions to avoid spending most time traveling
π Entry and Documentation
- β’ Ensure passport validity (6+ months remaining)
- β’ Print confirmed onward flight tickets
- β’ Prepare hotel bookings or invitation letters
- β’ Download offline translation apps
- β’ Keep emergency contact information handy
π³ Payment and Connectivity
- β’ Set up mobile payment apps (Alipay, WeChat Pay)
- β’ Carry some cash for small vendors
- β’ Get local SIM card or international roaming
- β’ Download VPN for internet access
- β’ Use ride-hailing apps (Didi, Uber)
π Smart Transportation Planning
- β’ Book high-speed rail tickets in advance (12306.cn)
- β’ Choose flights for distances over 1,000km
- β’ Allow full travel days for long-distance moves
- β’ Download transportation apps (12306, Ctrip)
- β’ Consider city metro day passes
π€ Business Etiquette
- β’ Bring business cards with Chinese translation
- β’ Respect hierarchy in business meetings
- β’ Allow time for relationship building
- β’ Learn basic Mandarin greetings
- β’ Understand gift-giving customs
β οΈ Important Reminders
- Time Limit: Strictly adhere to the 240-hour limit; overstaying can result in penalties
- Geographic Restrictions: Stay within the permitted 24 provinces/regions
- Activity Limitations: Avoid work, study, or journalism activities
- Exit Requirements: Depart from any of the 60 designated ports
Conclusion: Your Gateway to China Awaits
China's revolutionary 240-hour transit visa-free policy represents a historic opportunity for international visitors to experience the depth and breadth of Chinese culture, business environment, and market potential. With 10 full days and access to 24 provinces through 60 ports of entry, you can now plan comprehensive journeys that were previously impossible under shorter visa-free periods.
Whether you're drawn by China's ancient cultural heritage, fascinated by its rapid technological advancement, or interested in exploring business opportunities in the world's second-largest economy, this extended visa-free window provides the time and flexibility to pursue meaningful engagement.
From the Great Wall of Beijing to the tropical beaches of Hainan, from the tech hubs of Shenzhen to the natural wonders of Zhangjiajie, China's diversity can now be experienced in a single, well-planned journey. For business explorers, the policy enables comprehensive market research, relationship building, and strategic planning across multiple regions and industries.
Ready to Explore China?
Take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to discover China's tourism treasures and business potential. Your 240-hour journey of discovery starts with a single flight booking.
Remember: This policy applies to citizens of 54 eligible countries with valid travel documents and confirmed onward flights to third countries.
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