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Visa & Entry
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China 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit: Complete Guide 2026
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Learn how to use China's 240-hour visa-free transit to explore Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hunan and Yunnan in 10 days. Step-by-step guide for 55 eligible countries.
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Key Takeaways
- Citizens of 55 countries can stay in China for up to 10 days under the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, with entry at 65 ports across 24 provinces
- Cross-region travel is now allowed within transit zones, enabling multi-destination itineraries combining Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hunan, and Yunnan
- 76 countries enjoy unilateral visa-free entry for 15-30 days, separate from the transit policy
- Over 30 million foreign travelers used visa-free entry in 2025, a 49.5% year-on-year increase
- Indonesia was added to the transit visa-free list in June 2025, expanding Southeast Asian access
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Content Outline
- What Is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy?
- Which Countries Are Eligible?
- How to Apply at the Port of Entry
- Where Can You Travel: Regional Breakdown
- Sample 10-Day Itineraries for Key Regions
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
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What Is the 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit Policy?
China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, launched in December 2024, allows eligible foreign travelers to stay in designated transit zones for up to 10 days without a visa. This replaced the previous 72/144-hour policies and represents a significant expansion in both duration and geographic coverage.
The most important change is the allowance for cross-region travel. Under the old rules, travelers were confined to a single city or province. Now, visitors can move freely within the entire transit zone, making multi-city and even multi-province itineraries possible for the first time.
In 2025, visa-free foreign entries reached 30.08 million, a 49.5% increase over the previous year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Total inbound crossings exceeded 82 million, up 26.4%.
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Which Countries Are Eligible?
The 240-hour transit visa-free policy currently applies to citizens of 55 countries, including:
**European nations**: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and more.
**Americas**: United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.
**Asia-Pacific**: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia (added June 2025).
**Other**: Russia and others.
Separately, China's unilateral visa-free entry policy covers 76 countries, allowing 15-30 day stays without a transit requirement. If your country is on the unilateral list, you do not need the transit policy at all.
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How to Apply at the Port of Entry
The 240-hour transit visa-free process is straightforward but requires specific documentation:
**Step 1**: Hold a valid passport from one of the 55 eligible countries, with at least 3 months of remaining validity.
**Step 2**: Possess an interline ticket with confirmed date and seat to a third country or region. Your onward destination must be different from your departure country.
**Step 3**: Arrive at one of the 65 designated ports of entry. Major ports include Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, Kunming Changshui, and Hangzhou Xiaoshan.
**Step 4**: Fill out the arrival card at the visa-free transit channel, stating your transit purpose and intended destinations within China.
**Step 5**: Receive a temporary stay permit allowing up to 240 hours (10 days) from the time of entry.
**Important**: You must depart China within 240 hours from a port within the same transit zone. Overstaying will result in penalties and future entry restrictions.
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Where Can You Travel: Regional Breakdown
The 65 ports span 24 provinces, organized into transit zones that allow free movement within each zone:
**Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Zone**: Enter via Beijing and explore the capital, Tianjin, and Hebei Province. Ideal for cultural and historical tourism.
**Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang Zone**: Enter via Shanghai or Hangzhou and visit Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuzhen, Moganshan, and the broader Jiangnan region. This is the most popular zone for first-time visitors.
**Guangdong Zone**: Enter via Guangzhou or Shenzhen and explore Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, and the broader Pearl River Delta. A gateway to Lingnan culture, Cantonese cuisine, and coastal resorts.
**Hunan Zone**: Enter via Changsha and visit Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Fenghuang Ancient Town, and the Xiangxi region. The newly launched Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Zone adds extra appeal.
**Yunnan Zone**: Enter via Kunming and explore Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna, and the diverse ethnic minority cultures of southwest China.
**Hainan Zone**: Enter via Haikou or Sanya and enjoy tropical beaches, rainforests, and the visa-free island province's unique resort offerings.
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Sample 10-Day Itineraries for Key Regions
Itinerary A: Jiangnan Discovery (Shanghai-Zhejiang Zone)
- Days 1-2: Shanghai (Bund, French Concession, Yu Garden)
- Days 3-4: Hangzhou (West Lake, Longjing tea village, Lingyin Temple)
- Day 5: Wuzhen water town (overnight stay)
- Days 6-7: Moganshan (bamboo forest hiking, boutique homestay)
- Days 8-9: Suzhou (classical gardens, silk museum, Pingjiang Road)
- Day 10: Depart from Shanghai
Itinerary B: Lingnan and Avatar Land (Guangdong-Hunan)
- Days 1-3: Guangzhou (Canton Tower, dim sum tour, Shamian Island, Chen Clan Academy)
- Day 4: High-speed rail to Changsha (2.5 hours), evening food tour
- Days 5-6: Changsha (Yuelu Academy, Orange Isle, Hunan Provincial Museum)
- Days 7-9: Zhangjiajie (Avatar mountains, glass walkway, Tianmen Mountain)
- Day 10: Depart from Zhangjiajie or return to Guangzhou
Itinerary C: Ethnic Yunnan (Yunnan Zone)
- Days 1-2: Kunming (Stone Forest, Green Lake Park, flower market)
- Days 3-5: Dali (Erhai Lake cycling, Three Pagodas, Bai tie-dye workshop)
- Days 6-8: Lijiang (Old Town, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Naxi culture)
- Day 9: Xishuangbanna (tropical rainforest, Dai water-splashing culture)
- Day 10: Depart from Kunming
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Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
**Mistake 1: Booking a return ticket to the same country.** The transit visa requires an onward ticket to a third country. A round-trip ticket from and to the same country does not qualify. Solution: Book a one-way ticket to China and a separate onward ticket to a different country.
**Mistake 2: Entering and departing from different transit zones.** You must enter and leave from ports within the same transit zone. Entering in Guangdong and departing from Shanghai is not permitted. Solution: Plan your entry and exit ports within the same zone.
**Mistake 3: Confusing unilateral visa-free entry with transit visa-free.** The 76-country unilateral visa-free policy allows direct entry without a transit requirement. The 55-country transit policy requires an onward ticket. Check which list your country is on before planning.
**Mistake 4: Not registering accommodation within 24 hours.** Foreign visitors must register their accommodation at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. Most hotels handle this automatically, but homestay and apartment renters must do it themselves.
**Mistake 5: Underestimating travel time between regions.** While cross-zone travel is allowed within a transit zone, distances can be significant. A 10-day window goes quickly. Solution: Focus on one or two adjacent provinces rather than attempting to cover too much ground.
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Plan Your Trip with ChinaTravelPlus
Ready to make the most of your 240-hour visa-free transit? Our team specializes in crafting custom itineraries that maximize your 10-day window across Guangdong, Zhejiang, Hunan, and Yunnan.
- **Customized private tours**: Sam@ChinaTravelPlus.com
- **Group booking inquiries**: Luppy@ChinaTravelPlus.com
- **Explore all destinations**: chinatravelplus.com
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> **Published**: 2026-05-12
> **Updated**: 2026-05-12
> **Author**: ChinaTravelPlus Editorial Team
> **Website**: chinatravelplus.com
> **Slogan**: More Than Travel. It's the Plus That Matters.