Here’s the best-kept secret in travel right now: citizens of 57 countries — including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most of Europe — can enter China without any visa for up to 240 hours (10 days), as long as they’re transiting to a third country. It’s real, it’s generous, and travelers misunderstand it constantly. Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined the scheme on August 20, 2026, bringing the total to 57.
How it works
You fly Country A → China → Country B, where A and B are different countries. On arrival, immigration stamps you in for up to 240 hours. No application, no fee, no embassy visit.
Example that works: London → Shanghai → Tokyo. Example that fails: London → Shanghai → London (that’s a round trip, not transit).
The rules that trip people up
- Your onward ticket must be confirmed. Have the booking ready on your phone — officers do check.
- Stay within the permitted area. The 240-hour policy covers wide regions (e.g., the entire Yangtze Delta around Shanghai, the whole Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area), but you can’t roam the entire country. Check the current zone list for your entry city.
- Register your accommodation. Hotels do this automatically. If you stay with friends or in an Airbnb-style rental, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours. This is the most commonly missed step.
- The clock starts at midnight after arrival, not the moment you land. A small but useful grace.
Don’t confuse this with the 15/30-day visa-free entry that China grants some nationalities (including several European and Asian countries) for direct visits. If your country has that, it’s simpler — no onward ticket needed. Check which policy applies to your passport before you fly.
Is 10 days enough?
For a first taste — absolutely. Our most popular visa-free route is 4 days Shanghai + 3 days Beijing (45-minute high-speed rail between them is not an option; it’s a 5.5-hour ride, or a 2-hour flight — plan accordingly), with an optional Zhangjiajie extension if you’re efficient.
And if 10 days leaves you wanting more, that’s what the concierge is for — we’ll build the full two-week version around a proper tourist visa.