Policy Snapshot: What You Need to Know
China Visa Free Travel: Discover a Best Itinerary
China allows visa-free entry for up to 240 hours (10 days) for travelers from 55 countries, covering major entry points in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and more. This policy makes it easier than ever to explore China’s vibrant cities.
We design itineraries that fit perfectly into the 240-hour window, ensuring you maximize your time and comfort while staying fully compliant with immigration rules.
Key Points:
- Up to 240 hours (10 days) stay in China
- Available to citizens of 55 eligible countries
- Must hold a valid passport + onward ticket to a third country/region
- Entry and exit through designated ports across 24 provinces and cities. Free to travel across provinces.
Who Can Use Visa-Free Travel?
Get started with visa-free trips.
Check your Passport
Make sure your nationality is on the official 55 eligible countries list.
Confirm Your Ticket
You must hold a confirmed onward flight ticket to a third country/region (not Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan) within 240 hours.
Choose the Right Port
Enter and exit through one of the 60 designated ports (major airports like Beijing, Shanghai, etc.), and keep your total stay within 240 hours.
| Region | Number of Countries | Eligible Countries for China’s 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe Schengen | 25 | Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland |
| Other Europe | 15 | Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania, Monaco, Belarus |
| Americas | 6 | United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile |
| Oceania | 2 | Australia, New Zealand |
| Asia | 7 | South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia |
A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL
Explore Our Visa-Free Tours
Feeling confused by all the visa-free rules? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered.
China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy can look complicated, but that’s exactly why we designed a series of ready-made itineraries tailored for visa-free travelers.
Each of our tours:
Fully compliant with the visa-free transit policy
Start and end at eligible ports
Hassle-free planning — we take care of the details, you focus on enjoying China
So instead of worrying about routes, ports, or eligibility, you can simply choose a trip and start exploring. From 1-day city highlights to cross-province adventures, we have the perfect visa-free tour for you.
Step 1: Choose Your Destination
Not sure where to start? First, pick your destination. Then explore our curated visa-free tours, each designed to fit perfectly within the 240-hour policy. Whether you have just a half-day layover or a full week to explore, we’ve got the right trip for you.
Step 2: Pick Your Perfect Tour
We’ve divided our visa-free itineraries into three categories so you can match your trip length and style.
Every itinerary is visa-free compliant, designed around eligible ports, with seamless logistics — so you can enjoy the journey without worrying about paperwork.
Perfect if you only have a few hours or 1–2 days in China
Layover-Friendly Half/Full-Day Tours
Best-selling visa-free tours covering China’s most iconic sites
Classic Multi-Day Routes
For travelers who want authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences
Hidden-Gem Short Trips & Combo Packages
Step 3: Check Your Eligibility in 30 Seconds
Client testimonials
Real travelers. Real stories. Real opinions to help you make the right choice.
I've fallen in love with China after this trip
I wish I had come here years ago; every corner we turned felt like stepping into a different world—vibrant, full of surprises, and far beyond what I had imagined. China Explorer Tour has given me an incredible journey. You can trust them—you’re going to have an amazing time!
It was an impaful retreta, highly recommended!
Mount Wutai was an experience of a lifetime. The culture, food, nature, and temple exploration were outstanding. My guides took care of every step and made sure I always felt at home. really enjoyed learning about tea, printmaking, and some of the healing arts. This was very personal as well, with chanting with the monks at sunrise and being able to learn more about the Buddhist way. I highly recommend a trip with this company. have memories that will forever be in my heart.
Stress-free, beautifully organized, and led by a warm, competent team.
The entire experience was flawless from start to finish. On the day of the shoot, the female photographer made me feel completely at ease—she's clearly very talented and passionate about her work. Her photos were simply stunning, and she really captured the essence of the Hanfu experience. The team even went the extra mile by sending more retouched pictures than expected—such a generous gesture! Huge thanks to the wonderful women who made this day unforgettable. I truly and wholeheartedly recommend
China Explorer Tour!
An Unforgettable Chongqing Experience with Lesley
I must say our experience was truly unforgettable. Thanks in large part to our exceptional tour guide, Lesley. Lesley's patience and extensive knowledge made all the difference. We explored numerous spots, and each location was more impressive than the last, showcasing Chongqing's unique landscape. If you would like a Chongqing experience guided by locals themselves, I highly recommend it.
A Fantastic Harbin Experience with China Explorer Tour – Thank You for an Amazing Trip!
We had the best experience in Harbin!!! Thank you so much China Explorer Tour! Super smooth, no hassle with our Harbin trip. Our kids were so happy with the snow and the activities! We will definitely book with China Explorer Tour again! Lesley has been so responsive with all my inquiries since November! Good job! See you again next year!
Traveler Stories and CET Highlights
From one-of-a-kind custom trips to national recognition, discover what sets China Explorer Tour apart—
through the voices of our travelers and the achievements of our team.
A poetic weekend escape. The Journey to the East Venice
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THINGS TO KNOW
Visa-Free Travel Guide & FAQs
Eligible Ports of Entry & Exit (2026)
| Province/City | Eligible Ports (Airports & Seaports) |
|---|---|
| Beijing | Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) |
| Tianjin | Tianjin Binhai International Airport, Tianjin Seaport (Passenger Terminal) |
| Hebei | Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport, Qinhuangdao Seaport (Passenger Terminal) |
| Liaoning | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport, Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport, Dalian Seaport (Passenger Terminal) |
| Shanghai | Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal |
| Jiangsu | Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Wuxi Sunan Shuofang International Airport, Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport |
| Zhejiang | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Wenzhou Longwan International Airport, Yiwu Airport |
| Anhui | Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, Huangshan Tunxi International Airport |
| Fujian | Fuzhou Changle International Airport, Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport, Wuyishan Airport |
| Jiangxi | Nanchang Changbei International Airport |
| Shandong | Jinan Yaoqiang International Airport, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, Yantai Penglai International Airport, Weihai Dashuibo International Airport |
| Shanxi | Taiyuan Wusu International Airport |
| Hainan | Haikou Meilan International Airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport |
| Sichuan | Chengdu Tianfu International Airport |
| Guizhou | Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport |
| Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport |
| Yunnan | Kunming Changshui International Airport |
| Shaanxi | Xi’an Xianyang International Airport |
| Guangdong | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport, Zhuhai Jinwan International Airport, Guangzhou Nansha Seaport (Passenger Terminal) |
| Guangxi | Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, Nanning Wuxu International Airport |
| Other Coastal Ports | Selected international cruise/ferry ports in Liaoning and Hebei (designated passenger terminals) |
Step-by-Step Transit Guide
Am I Eligible? → Check your passport, onward ticket, and entry port
Booking Flights → You must hold a through ticket to a third country (HK/Macau/Taiwan not valid)
Planning Routes → Multiple provinces allowed, but keep within 240 hours
Arrival Process → Have passport, confirmed onward ticket, hotel booking ready
Time Calculation → 240 hours counted from midnight after arrival
💡 Pro tip: Print your flight & hotel confirmations — some immigration officers prefer hard copies.
You need to follow some important travel rules to qualify for the 240-hour visa-free stay. Here’s what you should know:
| Rule Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Stay Duration | Up to 240 hours (10 days) |
| Eligible Travelers | Passport holders from 55 countries |
| Entry and Exit Ports | 65 open ports in 24 provinces, including new airports and cities |
| Allowed Travel Areas | Travel within allowed areas in those provinces; some cover the whole province, others only certain cities |
| Transit Route Requirement | You must travel from China to a third country or region—not back to your original country |
Top Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Booking separate one-way tickets instead of a through ticket
❌ Entering via a non-designated port
❌ Miscalculating time (remember: count starts from midnight after arrival)
❌ Attempting to work, freelance, interview, or stay beyond 240 hours
Major Eligible Ports
You can visit many cool places with the 240-hour China Visa free policy. Big cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou are very popular. In Beijing, you can walk on the Great Wall. In Shanghai, you can see the Bund. If you like pandas, go to Chengdu. Xi’an is where you can see the Terracotta Warriors. These cities have big airports and lots of fun things to do. You can also go to Hangzhou to see West Lake. Kunming is called the “Spring City” because of its nice weather.
Here is a table that shows some top cities and their main entry points:
| City/Province | Main Entry Ports |
|---|---|
| Beijing | Capital International Airport, Daxing Airport |
| Shanghai | Pudong Airport, Hongqiao Airport, Cruise Terminals |
| Guangzhou | Baiyun International Airport |
| Chengdu | Shuangliu International Airport, Tianfu International Airport |
| Xi’an | Xianyang International Airport |
| Hangzhou | Xiaoshan International Airport |
| Kunming | Changshui International Airport |
Can I combine multiple provinces?
Yes — as long as they are within the 24 approved regions.
Can I enter and exit from different ports?
Yes — but both ports must be among the 65 designated ones.
What’s the difference between a through ticket and two separate tickets?
A through ticket = one booking reference (recognized as continuous transit). Two separate tickets may risk rejection.
Which countries are visa-free to China?
People from 55 countries were allowed to enjoy visa-free travel to China for 240 hours:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia.
The above information is for reference only, the specific policy is subject to the announcement of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the local community.
What should travellers consider before taking advantage of China's visa-free travel policy?
- Qualifications and Requirements
Firstly, you should confirm whether your nationality is eligible for your visa-free China travel. We have mentioned the relevant information above, you can check it out.
Secondly, you’d better check specific requirements such as length of stay and point of entry to ensure a smooth China no–visa travel.
- Travel itinerary
Make sure you have planned your travel itinerary. For example, if you are a Singaporean and you want to come to China for a visa-free trip, you need to estimate your expenses first and book your flights, accommodation, etc. afterwards. In addition, remember to prepare all the necessary documents.
- Local Laws and Regulations
You should familiarize yourself with Chinese laws in advance. You may visit different cities and experience different cultures during your visa-free trip to China. However, please note that the laws in China may differ in many ways from the laws in your own country, so take care to obey the laws.
- Language Barriers
Mandarin is the common language spoken in China, so if you want to keep things running smoothly during your China no–visa travel, you may want to learn some daily phrases.
- Currency and Payment Methods
Know the exchange rate between the local currency and your country’s currency and plan your budget. In addition, China has an advanced mobile payment system, so you can also familiarize yourself with payment methods such as WeChat and Alipay!
How has visa-free travelling become easier in China?
As China’s opens up to the outside world, China visa-free travel policy is also gradually improving. Besides, in order to further promote economic and social development and exchanges between Chinese and foreign countries, from December 1, 2019, the transit visa-free stay time of eligible foreigners at Chongqing and Xi’an airports will be extended to 240 hours.
The 240-hour visa-free travel will be implemented at Ningbo Airlines Port which will also be integrated into Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai policies. Travellers can enter or leave through Ningbo Airport, Shanghai sea/land/air ports, as well as Nanjing Airport and Hangzhou Airport; extend the 240-hour visa-free stay of Chengdu Airport to 11 cities including Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya’an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Zhangzhou, Yibin.
What happens if I break the law in China?
Firtsly, all travellers must comply with local regulations during your visa–free travel to China.
Possible penalties for offences include fines, detention and deportation.
For minor offences, such as breaking traffic rules or disturbing public order, you may face a fine or temporary detention. For serious offences, such as drug offences or working illegally, you will need to receive a lengthy prison sentence.
In addition, if you are deported, you may be banned from coming to China for a specified period.