China Visa Free Cities and Regions - Visit Major China Destinations Without Visa
Notice on Latest Visa and Entry Policies for Foreigners Entering China - Updated on January 24, 2024:
1. Booking of flights and hotels, China itineraries and invitation letters are not required for application of Chinese Tourist Visa for U.S.nationals.
2. 15 Days Visa Exemption Policy is now available for other 6 countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia. China will be 15-day visa free for Ireland and Switzerland soon.
3. China will gradually phase out the appointment system for visa applications. As of now, nearly 100 Chinese embassies and consulates abroad have implemented the "walk-in" system, and it is expected that all Chinese embassies and consulates abroad will have implemented the "walk-in" system by the end of this year.
4. Starting from 00:00 on November 1, 2023, individuals entering or exiting the country are exempt from filling out the "People's Republic of China Health Declaration Card for Entry/Exit."
5. Norway has become the 54th country whose passport holders can transit without visa up to 72/144 hours in China.
6. The 15-day visa-free entry policy for Singaporean citizens has been resumed.
7. Starting from August 30, 2023, individuals traveling to China will no longer be required to undergo pre-entry COVID-19 nucleic acid or antigen testing.
8. Make the following adjustments to the visa and entry policies for foreigners entering China, effective from 00:00 March 15, 2023 Beijing time:
1). The entry function of visas which were issued before March 28, 2020 and still valid will be restored.
2). Overseas visa offices will resume issuing various types of visas (including Tourist Visa) for foreigners to travel to China, with specific requirements detailed in the visa application guidelines of Chinese embassies or consulates.
3). Port visa offices will resume issuing various types of port visas for lawful purposes.
4). The policies of visa-free entry for Hainan, Shanghai International cruise arrival, Guangdong for Tourist group entry of foreigners from Hong Kong, Macau, and ASEAN tourist groups entering Guilin, Guangxi will be restored.
9. Attention on China Group Visa on Arrival in Nepal: needs minimum 4 applicants, and no maximum limit. All applicants from one list must all come to the Visa Center for application.
10. U.S. citizens holding multi-year multiple-entry visas issued before March 28, 2020, whose visas temporarily lost entry functionality between March 28, 2020, and March 14, 2023, due to the pandemic, are eligible to apply for compensation. Those who choose to apply for compensation will receive a free 3-year multiple-entry visa. Those who choose to waive the compensation can apply for a new 10-year multiple-entry visa at the regular fee.
China Discovery will keep focusing on the updates of the latest Chinese visa and entry policy! You can also call +86 010 12367 (Official telephone number of China National Immigration Administration) to check further information. Welcome to join in our Facebook Groups to catch up with the latest news!
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Are you thinking it’s really troublesome to obtain a visa for Beijing or Shanghai in China? You get the right
place here! Taking advantage of China’s different visa-free policies is an excellent way to enjoy a China tour
without visa, because it ideally saves lots of your time, money and energy making paperwork before departure.
Currently, China provides transit visa exemption (TWOV), firsthand visa-free entry and a few special visa
waiver programs in different cities and regions. Just go through related requirements, a fast and convenient
entry, a “no-visa” trip to China is at your fingertips.
Top tourist destinations like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, etc are supporting
international transit travelers to enjoy a transit visa-exempted layover tour for 1 to 6 days (144 hours).
Downtown sightseeing and iconic visiting of Great Walls, Giant Pandas..can be easily achieved. Hong Kong and
Macau SARs (Special Administrative Regions), Hainan Province even allows direct visa-free month-long holiday
for certain visitors.
Looking for the most suitable city applicable to the free visa? Follow us to find the perfect one matching
your travel plan.
China Visa-free Destinations
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Beijing - A Gateway to Great Walls of China
Entry Ports (2): Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK); Beijing West Railway Station
Movement Areas: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province
Highlights: Great Wall Hiking, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace, HutongsBeijing is the current great capital of China, one world-known magnificent city with distinctive Chinese imperial characteristics and the largest number of UNESCO World Heritages (7 properties). A China Great Wall tour usually begins from Beijing. Now the Beijing Capital Airport flies nearly 35,000 flights to 145 overseas cities of 68 countries and regions. Beijing West Railway Station runs daily high speed bullet train to Hong Kong with a journey of about 9 hours.
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Shanghai - The Oriental Paris to Meet Eastern-Western Culture
Entry Ports (5): Shanghai Pudong (PVG) & Hongqiao International Airport (SHA, Shanghai Railway Station, Shanghai Wusongkou & Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal
Movement Areas: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Any City in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces
Highlights: The Bund, Yu Garden, Shanghai Museum, Shanghai Word Financial Center, Nanjing RoadShanghai is the largest city and the most prosperous and fashionable city in mainland China. It is an international metropolis showing the "Modern China" and a often-used hub for further travel to Hangzhou, Suzhou, Huangshan in Eastern China. Shanghai Pudong Airport is connected with over 110 cities of 48 foreign states. Shanghai Railway Station delivers through normal-speed train (Z99) to Hong Kong weekly. International cruise may dock at Shanghai before heading to South Korea, Japan or to Thailand, Singapore.
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Xian - Ancient Capital & Home of Terracotta Warriors
Entry Port (1): Xian Xianyang International Airport
Movement Areas: Xian, Xianyang
Highlights: Terracotta Warriors, Ancient City Wall, Muslim Quarter, Bell & Drum Tower, Shaanxi History Museum, Hanyangling MuseumXian in central-northwest China was the starting point of ancient Silk Road, and now is a top cradle of China’s civilization of 13 regimes and an international tourist city with six World Heritage properties, including the most-known Terracotta Warriors of the First Qin Emperor. While transiting in Xian, you could visit Xian and Xianyang, the two former capitals to witness the authentic Chinese ancient prosperity, old-time society livings through the ancient ruins, historic sites and popular local snacks.
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Guangzhou - Door to Guangdong-HK-Macau Greater Bay Area
Entry Port (1): Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
Movement Areas: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Any City in Guangdong Province
Highlights: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Guangzhou Tower, Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall, Shamian IslandGuangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province located in Pearl River Delta, is a thriving international business center as well as a huge and comprehensive transportation hub in Southern China. Famous for the annual Canton Fair and representative economic power, Guangzhou also own many ancient ruins and modern revolutionary sites. It is the ideal place to experience notable Lingnan culture and delicious Cantonese Cuisine. Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is the only port used for 144-Hour Visa-free Transit passengers, which operates approximately 200 international air routes to 91 cities in 52 countries.
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Shenzhen - China’s Silicon Valley & Neighbor of Hong Kong
Entry Port (1): Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport (SZX)
Movement Areas: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhuhai, Any City in Guangdong Province
Highlights: Window of the World, China Folk Culture Village, Happy Valley, Dafen Oil Painting VillageShenzhen is the first Special Economic Zone in China that precisely proved success of China’s Reformation and Opening, a leading technology and innovation city highly reputed as home base of Tencent, Huawei, ZTE, DJI, BYD, and a vital bridge connecting Hong Kong and mainland China. Shenzhen Bao’an Airport so far has linked with about 60 international destinations in the world. Want to travel Shenzhen and Hong Kong without visa? better plan a stopover tour in Shenzhen first and then move on to Hong Kong via specific 9 exit ports in Shenzhen.
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Chengdu - Home of the Giant Pandas
Entry Port (1): Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
Movement Areas: Chengdu, Dujiangyan, Leshan, Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya'an, Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, Yibin (11 cities within Sichuan Provinces)
Highlights: Chengdu Giant Panda Tour, Mt. Qingcheng, Kuanzhai Alley, Wenshu Yuan Monastery, Renmin Park, Jinli Old Street, Sichuan Cuisine, Sichuan OperaChengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, is the hometown to Pandas and gateway to Jiuzhaigou Valley and else destinations in Sichuan, also an important transportation hub in Southwestern China. A China Panda Tour always comes first for each Chengdu visitors. A 6-day layover is enough to experience leisure life style of Chengdu, taste spicy Sichuan food, view delicate Sichuan embroidery, get to cultural and historical spots, or make a sweaty trekking in the renowned Taoist mountain Qingcheng.
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Chongqing - Mountain City for Yangtze River Cruise
Entry Port (1): Chongqing Jiangbei Airport
Movement Areas: Chongqing, Dazu, Wulong
Highlights: Three Gorges Museum, Hongya Cave, CiqikouChongqing is a national modern manufacturing industrial base neighboring Chengdu to the west, an elusive “Mountain City” famous for spicy hotpot. It is also the upstream point of Yangtze River Cruise and the best place to know the spectacular China's Three Gorges. During the transit, you can visit downtown Chaotianmen, try spicy hot pot, transfer to World Heritages - Dazu or Wulong. A downstream cruise of Three Gorges along Yangtze River is only valid if obtained a China Visa.
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Xiamen - Beautiful Coastal City with Gulangyu Island
Entry Ports (3): Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN), Xiamen Wutong Ferry Terminal, Xiamen International Cruise Center
Movement Areas:Guyangyu Island, Xiamen
Highlights: Gulangyu Island, Nanputuo Temple, Xiamen University, Zhongshan Road Walking StreetXiamen is a Special Economic Zone city in Fujian Province, which is famed for the World Cultural Heritage - Gulangyu Island, very comfortable climate, fresh air, pretty island scenery and title of “Most Romantic Leisure City” in China. The city encourages both air and cruise tourists to stop by and quickly look and feel its charm and light-some atmosphere. You may have a Hakka Tulou Tour from Xiamen if holding a regular China Visa.
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Tianjin - The Biggest Harbor City in Northern China
Entry Ports (2): Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN), Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
Movement Areas: Tianjin, Beijing, Chengde (Jinshanling Great Wall), Any City in Hebei Province
Highlights: Huangyaguan Great Wall, Five Great Avenues, Ferris Wheel-Eye of Tianjin, Italian Style StreetTianjin is one of the four direct-controlled municipalities in China, which borders Beijing and Hebei Province. Tianjin has played important role in canal transport since ancient times, and till now, it still serves as an vital port in Northern China. During the 144-hour layover, you’re strongly suggested to pay a quick visit to Huangyaguan Great Wall, western style architectures and other major attractions in Tianjin, then transfer to Beijing to explore the profound capital city of over 3,000 years’ history.
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Kunming - Spring City in Colorful Yunnan
Entry Port (1): Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)
Movement Areas: Kunming City
Highlights: Stone Forest, Green Lake (Cui Hu), Gragon Gate, Flower & Birds MarketLocated on Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in Southwestern China, Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan Province. It is a essential gateway to South and Southeast Asia for China, a famous “Spring City” with pleasant days all year round and a frequently-used transportation hub to Dali and Lijiang in Kunming. When transiting through China in Kunming, you may visit the Stone Forest - a World Natural Heritage of Karst formation, go to Green Lake to watch local daily life or visit ethnic village to catch a glimpse of diverse minority culture.
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Qingdao - City of Sail & Tsingtao Beer
Entry Ports (2): Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO), Qingdao Port
Movement Areas: Qingdao, Jinan, Yantai, Weihai, Rizhao, Any City in Shandong Province
Highlights: Qingdao Beer Museum, Laoshan Scenic Area, Olympic Sailing Center, May Fourth Square, Zhaoqian Pier, Golden Beach, Qingdao Catholic ChurchQingdao is a nice sea port city and capital of Sailing in China, a world-known beer city situated in east coast of Shandong Province. Gorgeous seaside landscape, exotic buildings, different kinds of themed museums (wine, film, Olympic sail, tobacco, etc. ) and the very excellent-tasted Tsingtao Beer are all must do things for each foreign guest.
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Guilin - Hideaway in Idyllic Beauty
Entry Port: Guilin Liangjiang Airport
Destinations: Guilin, Yangshuo, Longsheng
Highlights: Li River Cruise, Yangshuo Biking, Longsheng Rice Terrace, Feed Flute Cave...Situated in Guangxi, Guilin has been long world known as a beautiful destination with amazing Karst scenery and terrific countryside walking experience.During 72-hour stopover tour in Guilin, it’s highly recommended to view the moving painting by a Li River Cruise, take a Yangshuo Biking, or spend some days on beautiful lined rice terrace in Longsheng. Tourists can fly to Guilin from Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Bangkok, and else cities in South and Southeast Asia.
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Harbin - Eastern Moscow & City of Ice and Snow
Entry Port: Harbin Taiping Airport
Destination: Harbin
Highlights: Ice and Snow World, Yabuli Ski Resort, Zhongyang Pedestrian Street, Saint Sophia Cathedral...Harbin is the capital city of Heilongjiang Province, serving as transportation hub in Northeastern China. Notable as “Ice City”, Harbin is a super popular winter destination where you can experience skiing, view large-scale and lifelike ice sculptures, buildings in Baroque style, and touch the real Frozen world. Harbin Airport currently runs flights to South Korea, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Vietnam, mainly to destinations in Southeast Asia and North America.
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Changsha - the Gateway City to Zhangjiajie
Entry Port: Changsha Huanghua International Airport
Destinations: Changsha, Zhangjiajie, Hengyang, Yueyang, Any City in Hunan Province
Highlights: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Fenghuang Ancient Town, Mt. HengChangsha is the capital city of Hunan Province, known for the Mawangdui Tomb of Han Dynasty and current transportation hub in China. Most tourists travel to Zhangjiajie from Changsha, or transfer to Fenghuang Ancient Town or other destinations within Hunan. You can fly to/off Changsha from Mandalay, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Bangkok, Frankfurt, Osaka, Singapore, Tokyo, etc.
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Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei
(Jing-Jin-Ji Region)Entry Ports (6):
Beijing - 2, Tianjin - 2, Hebei - 2
Movement Areas: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei Province
Recommended Travel Routes:
Beijing → TianJin → Beijing
Beijing → Chengde (Hebei)
Beijing → Tianjin
Tianjin → Beijing
Tianjin → Beijing → Tianjin
Popular Tour Packages:
3 Days Beijing Tour from Tianjian
4 Days Beijing to Tianjin Layover Tour
5 Days Essence Tianjin Beijing Tour -
Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang (Yangtze River Delta)
Entry Ports (8):
Shanghai - 5, Hangzhou - 1, Nanjing - 1, Ningbo - 1
Movement Areas: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing..
All Cities in Zhejiang & Jiangsu
Recommended Travel Routes:
Shanghai → Hangzhou
Shanghai→Hangzhou/Suzhou→Shanghai
Shanghai → Suzhou → Hangzhou
Popular Yangtze River Delta Tours:
5 Days Yangtze River Delta Tour
5 Days Shanghai Hangzhou Tour
4 Days Shanghai Suzhou Excellent Tour -
Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Jieyang (Guangdong Province)
Entry Ports (3):
Guangzhou-1, Shenzhen-1, Jieyang-1
Movement Areas: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, All Cities in Guangdong
Recommended Travel Routes:
Guangzhou → Shenzhen
Guangzhou→Foshan→Guangzhou
Guangzhou → Foshan → Shunde → Guangzhou
Popular Guangdong Tours:
4 Days Guangzhou Shenzhen Trip
4 Days Foshan Guangzhou Tour
6 Days Best of Guangdong Tour -
Shenyang-Dalian
(Liaoning Province)Entry Ports (2):
Shenyang - Shenyang Taoxian Airport
Dalian - Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport
Movement Areas: Shenyang, Dalian, All Cities in Liaoning
Recommended Travel Routes:
Shenyang → Dalian
Dalian → Shenyang
Popular Dalian Tours:
2 Days Essence of Dalian Tour
3 Days Dalian City Break
5 Visa-Free Regions in China - Direct Entry Without Visa
Except the above transit visa free cities and areas, below are five regions available for direct entry, no transit routes required, but there are limitation of nationality and transport form, group size.
Duration of Stay: 7 days - 180 days
Top Places to Visit: Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Lantau Island, HK Disneyland, Repulse Bay
Duration of Stay: 14 days - 1 year
Top Places to Visit: Ruins of St. Paul's, Macau Tower, Macau Museum, A-Ma Temple
Duration of Stay: 144 hours (6 days)
Destinations: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Shunde, Jiangmen, total 10 cities in PRD
Duration of Stay: 30 days
Destinations: Sanya, Haikou, Any City in Hainan Province
Entry Ports: Shanghai - 2 (Shanghai Port & Wusongkou International Cruise Terminals)
Duration of Stay: 15 days at most
Destinations: Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, Xiamen, Hainan,... (3 cities & 8 provinces in coast area)
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