240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China
China is implementing a 10-day (240 hours) visa-free transit policy. The transit program allows visitors who have existing flight bookings from China to a third country (region) to snag a visa on arrival at a Chinese airport (port) and stay for 10 days before departure. Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan all count as third destinations.
Passport holders of 54 countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, can enter visa-free through any of the 60 open airports (ports) in 24 provincial regions, covering popular tourist cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu and Guangzhou.
Read more about 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit in China.
Meanwhile, citizens from 38 countries can enter China visa-free for up to 30 days.
Day 1 Beijing
Day 2 Beijing
The Forbidden City (UNESCO) is the imperial place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties ruled for nearly 500 years (1420-1911). Experience the architectural splendor of the palaces, ceremonial courtyards, and private quarters.
The Temple of Heaven (UNESCO), where ancient Chinese emperors made sacrifices to Heaven and prayed for bountiful harvests, demonstrates the supreme achievement of traditional Chinese architecture.
Good to know: Usually the guide service for a full day tour is about from 9:00 to 17:00, and the evening time is on your own. If needed, your guide is happy to offer some tips or help you buy tickets for evening entertainment.
Ideas for leisure time: If you are interested in Chinese Kung Fu, the Legend of Kung Fu is a good choice for tonight. It is stunning Kung Fu show with a great story line and martial arts skills.
Day 3 Beijing
Take an outside tour to the Olympic Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest, and the National Swimming Centre, also known as the Water Cube.
Ideas for leisure time:
1. Enjoy the Peking Duck dinner at time-honored restaurant - Quanjude or Bianyifang. The duck is characteristic with its crispy skin, tender meat and the fragrance from the fruit-wood.
2. Watch a breathtaking acrobatic show at Chaoyang Theater or Tiandi Theater.
Day 4 Beijing – Xi’an (by bullet train)
Day 5 Xi’an
The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a Tang Dynasty landmark, is a seven-story pagoda initially constructed in 652 AD. One of the pagoda's many functions is to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by the Buddhist translator and traveler - Xuanzang.
Ideas for leisure time: Enjoy a tasteful Dumpling Banquet followed by an exquisite traditional Tang Dynasty Show.
Good to know: If you have an extra day in Xi’an, you could explore the Mount Hua and get impressed of its unique natural beauty. Or to take a day trip to Luoyang by bullet train and visit the Longmen Grottoes, one of the Three Most Famous Buddhist Grottoes in China.
Day 6 Xi’an - Luoyang (by bullet train)
The Muslim Snack Street is full of mouth-watering delicacies and snacks.
Day 7 Luoyang
The White Horse Temple was etablished in the year 68 AD, and it was the first Buddhism temple in China. According to historical record, there was a white horse that first carried the Buddhism script from India to here, hence it was named White Horse Temple.
Day 8 Luoyang – Hangzhou (by bullet train)
Day 9 Hangzhou
The Six Harmonies Pagoda is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture. You can get a panoramic view of the Qiantang River on the very top.
Day 10 Hangzhou – Suzhou (by bullet train)
The Dragon Well Tea Plantation is one of the origin places of Dragon Well Tea, also called Longjing Tea. The first picked tea leaves of the new harvest were once reserved solely for the Emperor and transported to him via the Grand Canal in ancient China.
Day 11 Suzhou
Take a small boat trip along the Grand Canal and get close to the world's oldest and longest canal.
The Lingering Garden is known as one of the “Four Famous Classic Gardens” in China, and was listed as the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1997. The garden was built in the year of 1593. As a classic example of the refined art of gardening in ancient China, it highlights the delicate courtyard, magnificent halls, the green mountain, clear water and luxuriant trees.
Day 12 Suzhou – Shanghai (by automobile)
Day 13 Shanghai
The Shanghai Museum has a collection of 120,000 pieces of Chinese ancient treasures. Optional tour: Top of the Pyramid - The Exhibition of Ancient Egyptian Civilization is on display from July 19th, 2024 to August 17th, 2025.
The Bund,featured outstanding European colonial architectures, is full of new skyscrapers and historical buildings in the center of Shanghai.
Day 14 Shanghai
- Private tour guide
- Private air-conditioned car or coach
- Land transfers between airport or train station and hotel
- First entrance tickets as listed
- Chinese lunch as listed
- Centrally located hotels with breakfast
- Train tickets (2nd class seat) as listed
- Service charge & government taxes
- International flight
- Personal expenses such as laundry, drinks, phone bills, optional activities
- Tips for guides and drivers
- China Visa
- Travel insurance