Quick Answer
China has 38 visa-free ports (cities) where eligible travelers can enter without a visa for 144 hours (6 days) or 72 hours (3 days) depending on the region. This includes major gateways like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu.
Who qualifies? Citizens of 54 countries including the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, Korea, and more.
What Are Visa-Free Transit Ports?
Visa-free transit ports are designated cities where international travelers can:
- Enter China without a visa
- Stay for 72 or 144 hours
- Explore the city and surrounding areas
- Continue to a third country
Important: You must be transiting to a third country (not returning to your origin country).
Complete List of 38 Visa-Free Ports
144-Hour (6-Day) Transit Ports
These cities allow 144-hour visa-free stays:
Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region (3 cities):
- Beijing (Capital Airport PEK, Daxing Airport PKX)
- Tianjin (Binhai Airport TSN, Cruise Port)
- Shijiazhuang (Zhengding Airport SJW)
Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang Region (6 cities):
- Shanghai (Pudong PVG, Hongqiao SHA, Cruise Port)
- Nanjing (Lukou Airport NKG)
- Hangzhou (Xiaoshan Airport HGH)
- Ningbo (Lishe Airport NGB)
- Wuxi (Shuofang Airport WUX)
- Suzhou (not an airport - must enter via Shanghai)
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (10 cities):
- Guangzhou (Baiyun Airport CAN)
- Shenzhen (Baoan Airport SZX)
- Jieyang (Chaoshan Airport SWA)
- Foshan (Shadi Airport FUO)
- Dongguan (via Shenzhen or Guangzhou)
- Zhuhai (via Macau border or ferry)
- Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou
Liaoning Province (2 cities):
- Shenyang (Taoxian Airport SHE)
- Dalian (Zhoushuizi Airport DLC)
Sichuan Province:
- Chengdu (Shuangliu Airport CTU, Tianfu Airport TFU)
Chongqing Municipality:
- Chongqing (Jiangbei Airport CKG)
Xiamen, Fujian Province:
- Xiamen (Gaoqi Airport XMN)
Wuhan, Hubei Province:
- Wuhan (Tianhe Airport WUH)
Kunming, Yunnan Province:
- Kunming (Changshui Airport KMG)
Xi'an, Shaanxi Province:
- Xi'an (Xianyang Airport XIY)
72-Hour (3-Day) Transit Ports
These cities offer 72-hour visa-free stays:
- Harbin (Taiping Airport HRB) - Heilongjiang
- Guilin (Liangjiang Airport KWL) - Guangxi
- Changsha (Huanghua Airport CSX) - Hunan
- Qingdao (Jiaodong Airport TAO) - Shandong
- Xishuangbanna (Gasa Airport JHG) - Yunnan
Port-by-Port Entry Points
Major Airports
Beijing:
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) - Main hub
- Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) - New mega hub
Shanghai:
- Pudong International Airport (PVG) - International hub
- Hongqiao International Airport (SHA) - Domestic + regional
Guangzhou:
- Baiyun International Airport (CAN) - Southern China hub
Chengdu:
- Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
- Tianfu International Airport (TFU) - New airport
Shenzhen:
- Baoan International Airport (SZX)
Seaports (Cruise Ship Entry)
Several coastal cities allow visa-free entry by cruise ship:
- Shanghai International Cruise Port
- Tianjin International Cruise Port
- Guangzhou (Nansha Port)
- Zhuhai (Jiuzhou Port)
- Xiamen International Cruise Center
- Dalian Port
- Qingdao Port
Note: Cruise visa-free policy allows stays of up to 15 days for groups from 59 countries.
How to Use Visa-Free Transit
Step-by-Step Process
1. Before You Fly:
- Book onward ticket to a third country (not your origin)
- Print your itinerary showing departure within 144/72 hours
- Have hotel booking ready (optional but helpful)
2. At Check-in:
- Show onward ticket
- Airlines will verify your eligibility
- You may need to explain the transit policy
3. Upon Arrival in China:
- Go to the "24/72/144-hour Transit" counter
- Complete the arrival card
- Present:
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Onward ticket to third country
- Hotel address in China
4. Get Your Temporary Permit:
- Officer stamps your permit
- You can now exit the airport
- Keep the permit - you'll need it to leave
Eligible Countries (54 Total)
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, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Monaco.
Americas (6 countries)
United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
Oceania (2 countries)
Australia, New Zealand.
Asia (6 countries)
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.
Important Rules to Remember
✅ DO:
- Travel to a third country (different from where you came)
- Stay within the allowed region (e.g., Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang)
- Depart before your time limit expires
- Carry your passport and permit at all times
❌ DON'T:
- Return to your origin country directly
- Overstay your allowed time
- Travel outside the permitted region
- Work or engage in business activities
Example Itineraries
Beijing 144-Hour Transit
Day 1: Arrive at PEK, settle in hotel
- Afternoon: Forbidden City
- Evening: Wangfujing Street
Day 2:
- Morning: Great Wall (Mutianyu)
- Afternoon: Temple of Heaven
- Evening: Peking Duck dinner
Day 3:
- Morning: Summer Palace
- Afternoon: Hutong tour
- Evening: Acrobatic show
Day 4-5: Day trips to Tianjin or Chengde
Day 6: Depart to third country
Shanghai 144-Hour Transit
Day 1: Arrive at PVG, transfer to city
- Evening: The Bund night view
Day 2:
- Morning: Yu Garden
- Afternoon: Shanghai Tower
- Evening: French Concession
Day 3:
- Day trip to Suzhou (gardens)
Day 4:
- Day trip to Hangzhou (West Lake)
Day 5:
- Morning: Tianzifang
- Afternoon: Shopping on Nanjing Road
Day 6: Depart
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Wrong Ticket Routing
❌ Los Angeles → Beijing → Los Angeles
✅ Los Angeles → Beijing → Tokyo
Mistake 2: Wrong Transit Time Calculation
- 144 hours starts from 00:01 the day after arrival
- Calculate carefully to avoid overstay
Mistake 3: Traveling Outside Permitted Region
- Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region: Stay within these 3 cities
- Shanghai region: Stay within Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang
- Violating this can result in fine, detention, and deportation
FAQ
Can I use multiple transit exemptions in a row?
No. You must depart to a third country (not your origin) and wait before entering China again.
What if my flight is delayed?
Contact immigration immediately. Keep your boarding passes as proof.
Can I leave China early?
Yes. You can depart anytime within your allowed period.
Do I need hotel booking?
Not required, but recommended. Immigration may ask for your address in China.
Can I apply for this in advance?
No. This is an on-arrival permit. You cannot apply beforehand.
What happens if I overstay?
- Fine of 500-1000 RMB per day
- Possible detention
- Deportation
- Future entry ban
Summary
China's visa-free transit policy makes it easy to explore major cities without the hassle of visa applications. With 38 ports now offering 72 or 144-hour exemptions, you can turn a layover into a mini-vacation.
Key takeaways:
- 54 countries eligible
- 144 hours in most major cities
- Must transit to a third country
- Stay within permitted region
- Prepare documents before travel
Last Updated: March 2026