Good news for tourists who have wanted to come to China but don’t bother to get a Chinese visa: A 72-hour visa-free policy for foreign visitors from 45 or 51 countries who have outbound air tickets and visas to a third country, applied in 11 cities in China. The 11 cities are Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Guilin, Guangzhou, Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Dalian and Shenyang.
This move will bring much convenience for tourists who would like to take a short stay in China. The policy only applies for foreign tourists who have outbound air tickets and visas to a third county. Each time, tourists can only stay 72 hours in one city. They are not allowed to go to other cities.
Note:
1. It only applies to passengers who transiting through designated airports. The destination and place of departure cannot be the same.(e.g Auckland – Shanghai – Auckland)
2. It does not apply to passengers who travelling by train, ship or other transportation.
3. Visitors are not allowed to leave the city to other cities during the 72-hour visa-free period, except that visitors transitting from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport can visit the whole Zhejiang Province. Tourists must depart from the city where you arrive in. For example, when arrived at the Shanghai Pudong Airport, tourists must depart from Shanghai, not from the Beijing Capital International Airport or other airports.
4. The 72 hours will be counted from the time when the transit permit is granted, not from the time when the flight land at the airport. The details may vary in different airports.
For Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Kunming and Hangzhou, the policy applies for citizens from 51 countries.
51 Qualified Countries:
24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Demark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
13 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia (FYROM), Albania
6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand
6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
For Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Shenyang, Dalian, the policy applies for citizens from 45 countries.
45 Qualified Countries:
24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Demark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
7 Other European Countries: Russia, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine
6 American Countries: the United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand
6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
Recommended 3 days’ itinerary in these cities:
Beijing: Beijing Capital International Airport
Day 1 Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven
Day 2 Great Wall, Ming Tombs
Day 3 Hutong, Panda Zoo, Summer Palace
Shanghai: Shanghai Pudong Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport
Day 1 Yuyuan Garden, Jade Buddha Temple
Day 2 Shanghai Pearl Tower, Nanjing Road, the Bund
Day 3 Zhujiajiao Water Town
Xi’an: Xi’an Xianyang Airport
Day 1 Bell Tower, Great Mosque, Ancient City Wall
Day 2 Terra Cotta Worriors, Huaqing Spring, Tang Dynasty Show
Day 3 History Museum of Shaanxi Province, Wild Goose Pagoda.
Guilin: Guilin Liangjiang Airport
Day 1: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo
Day 2: Longji Terrace
Day 3: Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill
Guangzhou: Guangzhou Baiyun Airport
Day 1 Yuexiu Park, Five Ram Statues, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Day 2 Guangzhou Tower, Ancestral Temple of the Chen Family, Shamian Islet
Day 3 Shawan Ancient Town
Hangzhou: Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport
Day 1 Xixi Wetland
Day 2 West Lake, Lingyin Temple
Day 3 Song Dynasty Town
Chengdu: Chengdu Shuangliu Airport
Day 1 Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Day 2 Dujiangyan Irrigation, Qingcheng Mountain
Day 3 Sanxingdun Museum
Kunming: Kunming Changshui Airport
Day 1 Dianchi Lake, Kundu Bar Street
Day 2 Stone Forest
Day 3 The Golden Temple
Chongqing: Chongqing Jiangbei Airport
Day 1 Liberation Stele, Nanshan Scenic Area
Day 2 Hongya Cave
Day 3 Ciqikou Ancient Town
Shenyang: Shenyang Taoxian Airport
Day 1 Shenyang Snow World
Day 2 Shenyang Palace Museum Shenyang North Tomb
Day 3 Museum of Liaoning Province
Dalian: Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport
Day 1 Dalian Discoverland Theme Park, Dalian Golden Beach
Day 2 Bangchui Islet, Tiger Beach Sea Park
Day 3 Binhai Road
