Travel to China without a Visa – Spend 6 or 12 Days in Beijing, Shanghai…

The People’s Republic of China is full of unique attractions and a dream destination for many. Some travellers might be distorted by China’s complicated visa application process, that’s rather expensive as well (more than €100 per person). There is a way to circumvent this – the 144-hour visa free transit rule. It allows travellers to spent up to six days in certain regions without applying for a full visa – but has restrictions as well:

1. Your stay may not exceed 144 hours (six days) – in some regions even 72 hours (three days).
2. Your stay in China must be a transition on a trip between to other states. Your itinerary has to be Country A -> China -> Country C.
   • Country A and Country C have to be different states.
3. You have to proof your possession of a valid ticket to Country C upon entry.
4. Your stay is restricted to the province that issues your short term visa. You must not leave it!

Country C is Near to Your Origin

Example: Germany – China – Switzerland – Germany

The transit rule allows you to travel nonstop from Germany to Shanghai, stay there for six days and fly back to Germany with a stop in Switzerland. In this case, your stay in China is a transit on your trip from Germany to Switzerland. This will work with more countries, even lying closer together, like:

• United States -> China -> Canada -> United States
• United Kingdom -> China -> France -> United Kingdom
• Netherlands -> China -> Belgium -> Netherlands

Routings like this can usually booked on one ticket within an airline alliance. Like United Airlines and Air Canada (Star Alliance) from American airports, Air France & KLM (SkyTeam) from Europe or British Airways & Iberia (Oneworld) for England & Spain. This is an example for Star Alliance carriers Lufthansa & Swiss:

Country C is Near to China

Example: Switzerland – China – Hong Kong – China – Switzerland

The second option is a routing that does not include a neighbouring country to your origin, but a neighbouring country to China. Interesting fact: Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan do not count as Chinese soil in this context. You can purchase either two seperate tickets like Hometown – Shanghai – Hometown and Shanghai – Hong Kong – Shanghai. Even easier – you can take advantage of a fare with free stopovers like this one:

Between your flight to Hong Kong and your flight back home, you can spend 2 x 6 days in Beijing, regardless of how long you plan to stay in Hong Kong. Theoretically, you can leave Hong Kong the same day you arrive and spend almost two visa free weeks in Beijing. Other fares may allow a stop in Beijing on one, and a stay in Shanghai on the other leg.

Conditions & Proceedings

The visa free transit is available for most EU citizens, US citizens, Canadians, Australians, Russians and a bevy of other nationalities (the full list can be seen here). You must arrive and leave via the same airports. Your port of entry also determines how long you may stay and which regions you may visit:

Port of Entry	Max. Duration	Valid for
Shanghai	144	Shanghai, Jiangsu & Zhejiang Province
Nanjing	144	Shanghai, Jiangsu & Zhejiang Province
Hangzhou	144	Shanghai, Jiangsu & Zhejiang Province
Beijing	144	Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei Province
Tianjin	144	Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei Province
Shijiazhuang	144	Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei Province
Qinhuangdao	144	Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei Province
Guangzhou	144	Guangdong Province
Shenzhen	144	Guangdong Province
Wuhan	144	Wuhan
Dalian	72	Liaoning Province
Shenyang	72	Liaoning Province
Xi’an	72	Xi’an
Xiamen	72	Xiamen
Qingdao	72	Shandong Province
Chengdu	72	Chengdu
Kunming	72	Kunming

Since you’re not allowed to leave the region you’ve originally entered, you can only explore a certain part of the country. But especially the Beijing & Shanghai area offer more than enough to do in six days!

Experience shows that the strictest control happens at the check-in counter of your departure airport. If you’re rejected by Chinese immigration, your airlines has to pay for your deportation (i.e. flight back home). Because of this, you need to show either your visa or onward ticket when checking in on any flight to the country. Counter staff is sometimes reluctant to check you in – we suggest to refer to the Chinese embassy’s official website in such cases.

In contrast, Chinese immigration is usually fast and smooth. Most airports have a special counter for visa free transit. More often then not, queues are much shorter there than at regular immigration counters. You need to show your valid passport, your onward ticket (preferrably a printed version) and the filled Arrival Card For Temporary Entry:

You can find this form (with a blue edge in contrast to the regular yellow edged immigration card) in the immigration area of your arrival airport. If you’re lucky, flight attendants will hand them out during your flight. Most airlines only have regular immigration cards in on board.

What to do in China?

While being limited to a specific region is not the best solution for an extended trip – especially the Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei province as well as the Shanghai, Jiangsu & Zhejiang province visas offer a lot of attractive destinations.

Beijing, Tianjin & Hebei Province

Beijing is not only the capital of China, it is also the closest metropolis to the Great Wall. The most famous section of China’s national symbol is at Badaling, just a 90 minute bus ride away from the city center. In addition to this, within Beijing’s city limits lie marvels like the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and Tian’anmen Square, that is sorrounded by governt buildings and hosts Mao’s tomb.

If you prefer modern day China, you can go shopping at Wangfujing Dajie or enjoy western style nightlife around Houhai lake. Be sure not the miss the Summer Palace in the Nothern part of the city, sorounded by one of Beijing’s many beautiful parks.

To leave the city, you can take advantage of China’s amazing high speed rail system. Trains to neighbouring Tianjin leave almost every ten minutes and take as little as 30 minutes for the 120 kilometers between the two railway stations. Tianjin itself is home to more than 10 million inhabitants and features beautiful colonial architecture.

Information & Tips for Beijing

Beijing, China’s capital, is home to major historical sites like the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, and nearby sections of the Great Wall. The local currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and mobile payments via apps like WeChat Pay or Alipay are more common than cash or cards. Prices vary—public transport and local food are inexpensive, while hotels and tourist areas can be more costly. The weather includes hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters, with spring and autumn offering milder, more comfortable conditions.

We’ve compared various esim providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:

The Best eSIM Plans for China 🇨🇳 Compared

→ All Dealz for Beijing

Shanghai, Jiangsu & Zhejiang Province

The whole city of Shanghai itself is a modern day marvel, from the astonishing views from either side of Huangpu river to the shining lights of Nanjing Donglu. But outside the cities borders within and Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province lie even more sights to behold.

Just a seventy minute train ride from Hongqiao Railway Station lies Hangzhou. The city is famous for its iconic West Lake, which is printend on each CNY 1 note. Further, the city offers remote monasteries around the lake as well as a well restored old town.

When leaving Shanghai in North West instead of South West direction, the train tracks will guide you to Suzhou. The city is famous for its canals and gardens, earning the nickname Venice of the East (just as approx. twenty other Asian cities). It’s beauty makes it a hotspot for Chinese as well as international tourists. 100 kilometers further in the same direction lies Nanjing. The city has been China’s capital twice before the gorvernment moved to Beijing both times, the last time in 1949.

The city is a matter of national pride, hosting the tomb of the first Ming emporer (who drove the Mongols out of the country) and Sun Yat-sen (Sun Zhongshan), the founder of the Republic of China. The impressive Nanjing Massacre Memorial remembers the atrocities committed by Japanese Soldiers within the city during World War II.

Information & Tips for Shanghai

Shanghai is known for its stunning skyline, with landmarks like the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Bund, and the futuristic Pudong district. The city also offers cultural sights like the Yuyuan Garden and the Shanghai Museum. The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and credit cards are widely accepted. Shanghai is a relatively expensive city, particularly in tourist areas, but affordable options are available for food and accommodation. The weather is humid subtropical, with hot, rainy summers and mild winters, making the best time to visit during spring and autumn when temperatures are more comfortable.

We’ve compared various esim providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:

The Best eSIM Plans for China 🇨🇳 Compared

→ All Dealz for Shanghai

Information & Tips for Hangzhou

Hangzhou is famous for its breathtaking natural beauty, especially the iconic West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site dotted with temples, pagodas, and gardens. Other notable attractions include the Lingyin Temple, the Hefang Street Ancient Culture Block, and the Xixi National Wetland Park. The currency is the Chinese yuan (CNY), and credit cards are widely accepted. Hangzhou is a moderately priced city, with options ranging from budget-friendly local eateries to more luxurious dining and lodging. The weather is humid subtropical, featuring hot, humid summers and cool, damp winters. The ideal times to visit are during spring and autumn, when the climate is most comfortable for sightseeing.

We’ve compared various esim providers, such as eSIM4Travel, RedteaGo, and Textr. To see which plan is best for your travel needs and which network offers the best coverage, feel free to read our detailed guide:

The Best eSIM Plans for China Compared

→ All Dealz for Hangzhou

Of course, if you’re planning a longer trip, you can and should apply for a regular visa with a single or mutiple entries.

Cover Picture: © Fotolia.com / aphotostory