Trip type
China as a destination
Use 30-day visa-free entry when your listed passport, purpose, and stay length qualify and China is the main destination of your trip.
Visa-free comparison
30-Day Visa-Free vs 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free
Use this page to understand which China entry route better fits your trip. Some travelers may qualify for both, but the best option depends on your passport, route, stay length, entry port, and destination cities.
Trip type
Transit through China
Use 240-hour transit visa-free entry only when your route continues to a third country or region and stays inside the allowed area.
Geography
Destination scope matters
30-day visa-free entry is not tied to the transit permitted-area table. 240-hour transit is limited to approved ports and permitted stay areas.
Quick decision guide
Choose by trip pattern, not only by passport.
A destination trip to China is usually different from a transit route through China. The 30-day policy is passport-based for eligible ordinary passport holders; the 240-hour policy is route-based and limited to approved ports and stay areas.
Question
30-Day Visa-Free Entry
240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Entry
Best for
Travelers from listed countries using an ordinary passport for tourism, business, family/friend visits, exchange visits, or transit for up to 30 days.
Travelers transiting through China to a third country or region, with confirmed onward travel within 240 hours.
Route requirement
China can be the main destination, if your passport and purpose qualify.
You must be traveling from one country or region, through China, onward to a different third country or region.
Where you can go
Not limited by the 240-hour transit regional table, but you must still follow entry, activity, and local rules.
Limited to approved ports and permitted stay areas. Do not assume every city in China is allowed under transit visa-free entry.
Stay calculation
Up to 30 days, calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry.
Up to 240 hours, with the stay period calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry.
When to prefer it
Use this for ordinary China destination trips, multi-city trips, or destinations outside the 240-hour permitted areas when your passport qualifies.
Use this for short stopovers or regional trips where your itinerary clearly meets the transit pattern and stay-area rules.
Geographic scope
Where each option can be used.
This is the key difference for itinerary planning: 30-day visa-free entry is for eligible destination travel, while 240-hour transit visa-free entry is restricted to approved ports and permitted stay areas.
30-Day Visa-Free Entry
All provinces / areas permitted.
For listed ordinary passport holders and eligible short-stay purposes, China can be your main destination. The 240-hour permitted-area table does not apply to this option.
Route pattern
Destination trip to China.
Geographic scope
All provinces / areas permitted, subject to regular entry, activity, and local rules.
Use when
Your destination is outside the 240-hour transit area, or you want a simpler China-focused itinerary.
240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Entry
Only approved transit areas.
This option is for route-based transit to a third country or region. You must enter through approved ports and remain inside the linked permitted stay areas.
Route pattern
Country / region A → China → country / region B.
Geographic scope
Limited to the permitted areas listed below.
Use when
You have a confirmed onward ticket and your China stop stays within the permitted area.
240-Hour Permitted Stay Areas
Transit geography is limited by province or city.
For 240-hour transit visa-free entry, all-area entries mean the full province, municipality, or region is permitted under the policy. Starred entries mean only the named cities are permitted.
Beijing
All areas permitted.
Tianjin
All areas permitted.
Hebei
All areas permitted.
Liaoning
All areas permitted.
Shanghai
All areas permitted.
Jiangsu
All areas permitted.
Zhejiang
All areas permitted.
Anhui
All areas permitted.
Fujian
All areas permitted.
Shandong
All areas permitted.
Henan
All areas permitted.
Hubei
All areas permitted.
Hunan
All areas permitted.
Guangdong
All areas permitted.
Hainan
All areas permitted.
Chongqing
All areas permitted.
Guizhou
All areas permitted.
Shaanxi
All areas permitted.
Shanxi
*Taiyuan City and Datong City ONLY
Heilongjiang
*Harbin City ONLY
Jiangxi
*Nanchang City and Jingdezhen City ONLY
Guangxi
*Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang, Qinzhou, Guigang, Yulin, Hezhou, Hechi, and Laibin ONLY
Sichuan
*Chengdu, Zigong, Luzhou, Deyang, Suining, Neijiang, Leshan, Yibin, Ya’an, Meishan, and Ziyang ONLY
Yunnan
*Kunming, Yuxi, Chuxiong, Honghe, Wenshan, Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dali, and Lijiang ONLY
Important: Cross-province travel is allowed only within the permitted stay areas under the 240-hour policy. Always verify with official channels before booking complex routes.
When in doubt
Use the simpler legal route for your trip.
If your passport qualifies for 30-day visa-free entry and China is your main destination, that route may be simpler than trying to force a transit pattern. If your passport does not qualify for 30-day visa-free entry, a properly structured 240-hour transit itinerary may still work if all conditions are met.
Verify before travel
Official sources can change.
Use this comparison as a practical guide, then verify your final decision with official channels, your airline, or immigration inspection at the port.