China is too big to plan as one trip, so pick a city or a region and link the rest by high-speed train or domestic flight. Before you buy a ticket, work out which entry rule covers your passport. China now has three visa-free routes for foreigners, and the one you qualify for decides how long you can stay and whether you need a flight onward to a third country. This page puts the official rules in one place, with the date we checked them, and then covers the three practical problems that catch first-time visitors: paying, staying online, and booking trains.
It is a planning guide, not legal advice. Entry rules change often, so confirm on the official page linked next to each rule before you book.
Do you need a visa? Three visa-free routes
| Route | Who | Stay | Main catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unilateral 30-day visa exemption | Ordinary passports from 50 countries on the NIA list | Up to 30 days | Not on the list (for example the US or India)? This route does not apply to you |
| 240-hour (10-day) transit | Ordinary passports from 57 countries, including the US | Up to 10 days in the permitted area | You must be travelling on to a third country or region with a confirmed onward ticket |
| Mutual exemption agreements | A smaller set of countries with a bilateral deal | Set by each agreement | Thailand is one; see the one-line note below |
If your country is on neither list, you apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy, consulate or visa application centre before you travel. We do not cover visa applications on this page.
Route 1: the 30-day unilateral visa-free list
The National Immigration Administration (NIA) publishes the list, compiled from Ministry of Foreign Affairs announcements. Our copy is the version dated 17 February 2026, checked on 17 October 2026. It says that nationals of the listed countries holding ordinary passports may enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, exchange visits or transit, for stays of up to 30 days, counted from 00:00 on the day after entry.
- Europe (35): Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
- Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand.
- Asia (7): Bahrain, Brunei, Japan, Kuwait, Oman, South Korea, Saudi Arabia.
- Americas (6): Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Peru, Uruguay.
Three things to know:
- The United States is not on this list. US passport holders either apply for a visa or qualify through the transit route below. Other large markets, including India, are also absent from the official list.
- It has an end date. The Chinese government portal reported in November 2025 that the scheme was extended to 31 December 2026, with Sweden added from 10 November 2025. Russia's exemption was separately extended to 31 December 2027 (announced 20 May 2026). We did not find an official extension of the general scheme beyond 2026. If you travel in 2027, check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Chinese embassy in your country first.
- It is for short visits only. Work, study and journalism need the proper visa.
The list changes by announcement, sometimes with little notice, and secondary websites quote different totals (45, 48 and 50 all appear). Treat the NIA page as the reference and check it again in the week you buy your flight.
Route 2: 240-hour visa-free transit
This is the route that most often surprises visitors. The NIA page (20 August 2026) says China applies it to nationals of 57 countries, who may enter through any of 65 designated ports in 24 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, and stay in the permitted areas for up to 10 days. You need an ordinary passport and an onward ticket with a confirmed seat and departure date to a third country or region. Inside the permitted area you may travel, do business, visit and meet family; work, study and journalism still need a visa.
Eligible countries per the NIA:
- Europe (40): Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
- North America (2): Canada, United States.
- South America (4): Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico.
- Oceania (2): Australia, New Zealand.
- Asia (9): Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam.
The port and area table on the NIA page is published as an image. We read it: for Beijing, the eligible ports are Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport, and the permitted stay area is Beijing Municipality. Other regions have their own ports and areas, so check the table for the city you are flying into.
Practical points:
- Your route must be A to China to B. Travel China Guide (not an official source) says A and B must be different countries or regions, and that Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan can serve as A or B. The NIA text says "third countries or regions". Confirm your exact routing with your airline before you buy.
- Everyone else gets 24 hours. The NIA says all open ports apply a 24-hour transit rule to nationals of every other country, provided you hold an onward ticket and stay inside the port's restricted area. Leaving the area needs a temporary entry permit.
- The NIA page does not state a passport validity rule. The UK government, for example, tells British travellers to hold six months' validity, so allow generous validity and ask your airline.
Regional route: 30 days in Hainan only
The NIA page on regional visa-free policies (20 August 2026) adds a separate route for Hainan Province: ordinary passports from 61 countries may enter through any open port in Hainan and stay within Hainan for up to 30 days. The list includes the United States, which is not on the national 30-day list. It does not let you leave Hainan. Our Sanya travel guide has the full country list and the 19 countries that are on the Hainan list but not the national one.
A one-line note for Thai passport holders
Thailand and China have a mutual visa exemption in force since 1 March 2024, with stays of up to 30 days (NIA list of mutual agreements). Thai readers can find the full details on our Thai-language China guide.
Arrive prepared: arrival card and hotel registration
Since 20 November 2025, foreign visitors can complete the arrival card online before they fly. The NIA lists the official channels as its website, government service platforms, the NIA 12367 app, and WeChat and Alipay mini-programs. The form is at s.nia.gov.cn. The service is free, and the NIA has warned about counterfeit websites that charge fees, so reach the form only through the official routes. If you cannot submit it in advance, the NIA says you can fill it in on devices at the port, and paper cards remain available.
Foreigners staying in hotels are registered by the hotel. For stays outside hotels, such as a friend's flat or a rental, the NIA says the guest or the host must register with the police within 24 hours of arrival, and a nationwide online service (21 September 2026) now makes that possible without visiting a station.
Paying in China: Alipay and WeChat Pay
In big cities many shops, restaurants and taxis expect mobile payment, so set it up before you leave. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) announced on 1 March 2024 that Alipay and Tenpay (WeChat Pay) would streamline foreign-card binding and ease identity checks, and would raise the single-transaction limit for foreign users from USD 1,000 to USD 5,000 and the annual limit from USD 10,000 to USD 50,000. These are system limits; they do not guarantee that your card will bind.
What we can say from official sources is limited. The success of card binding depends on your card issuer, and we did not test any card. So:
- Install and register both apps at home and try to bind your card on your home internet connection.
- Ask your bank whether foreign online and overseas transactions are enabled and what currency conversion fees apply.
- Carry some yuan in cash for small vendors and for the day an app fails (our recommendation).
Internet and apps: what is blocked
This is a factual note so you can prepare, not a guide to bypassing the rules. Wikipedia's list of sites blocked in mainland China, an open encyclopedia and not an official source, records that many foreign services are blocked, including Google Search, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and X. Policies change and enforcement varies, so test your own apps before relying on them.
- Maps and navigation: a western map app may work poorly on mainland networks. Install an offline map or a map app used in China and learn it at home.
- Messaging: agree a fallback channel with family and your hotel before you travel.
- Roaming and local SIMs: some visitors use international roaming or a data plan from a foreign operator; vendors describe the behaviour differently and results vary. Read the vendor's terms and local rules yourself. We do not recommend or explain VPN use, because China restricts unauthorised VPN services.
High-speed trains with 12306
China Railway's 12306 site and app have an English version. The Beijing government's guide for foreigners (published in 2021, so treat details as dated) says tickets are real-name, that buyers can use a valid passport at ticket windows, and that the English site covers registration, ticket purchase, changes, refunds and order lookup. You also show the same document at the station gate. Practical advice from us:
- Register and verify your identity on 12306 before you leave home; do not leave it for the day you need a ticket.
- Tickets for China's long public holidays sell out fast, so book as soon as the window opens in the app.
- Carry the passport you booked with and allow extra time to get into the station.
City guides
We build China city by city, with a guide, a where-to-stay page that uses hotel details checked against each hotel's own site, and pages for the headline attractions.
Beijing
The capital: the Forbidden City (booked ahead by passport, closed Mondays), Tian'anmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall. Both Beijing airports are eligible ports for the 240-hour transit rule.
- Beijing travel guide: Forbidden City, Great Wall, airports and seasons
- Where to stay in Beijing: areas and 9 hotels checked against their own sites
- Forbidden City tickets: CNY 60 or 40, passport booking, closed Mondays
- Mutianyu Great Wall: tickets, booking, cable car and how to get there
- Summer Palace Beijing: ticket prices, opening hours and routes
Xi'an
The Ming city wall, the Muslim Quarter and the Terracotta Army, which every visitor must book by name with a passport.
- Xi'an travel guide: Terracotta Army, City Wall, airport and seasons
- Where to stay in Xi'an: areas and 11 hotels checked against their own sites
- Terracotta Army tickets: CNY 120, real-name booking, hours
Zhangjiajie
Wulingyuan's sandstone pillars (the Avatar mountain), Tianmen Mountain's cave gateway and the old town of Fenghuang.
- Zhangjiajie travel guide: Wulingyuan, Tianmen Mountain, flights and seasons
- Where to stay in Zhangjiajie: areas and 10 hotels checked
- Zhangjiajie National Forest Park tickets: CNY 236, Bailong Elevator
- Tianmen Mountain: tickets, routes A B C and the cable car
Chengdu
Pandas, Sichuan food and tea houses, with two airports and a named-ticket Panda Base. Leshan Giant Buddha is a day trip, and Jiuzhaigou needs 2 to 3 days.
- Chengdu travel guide: pandas, districts, airports and day trips
- Where to stay in Chengdu: areas and 11 hotels checked against their own sites
- Chengdu Panda Base tickets: CNY 55, booking up to 14 days ahead, hours
- Leshan Giant Buddha from Chengdu: tickets, boat and how to go
- Jiuzhaigou from Chengdu: tickets, 41,000 daily quota and transport
Chongqing
A hill city of lit cliffs, a cable car over the Yangtze and a monorail through apartment blocks, with Wulong's natural bridges as a day trip.
- Chongqing travel guide: Hongya Cave, cableway, metro and seasons
- Where to stay in Chongqing: areas and 8 hotels checked against their own sites
- Hongya Cave (Hongyadong): entry, hours and how sources disagree
- Yangtze River Cableway: operator hours, tickets and stations
- Wulong Three Natural Bridges from Chongqing: fees and hours compared
Guangzhou and Shenzhen
Two Guangdong cities under an hour apart by train, with the Canton Tower, dim sum, Chimelong Safari Park and the Canton Fair, and the easiest crossings from Hong Kong. The 140th Canton Fair runs to 4 November 2026.
- Guangzhou and Shenzhen travel guide: Hong Kong crossings, XRL fares and districts
- Where to stay in Guangzhou and Shenzhen: areas and 12 hotels checked against their own sites
- Canton Fair 140th session: dates, buyer badge steps, pickup points and hotels
- Canton Tower: opening hours, ticket prices compared and how to get there
- Chimelong Safari Park: tickets, hours, closed zones and routes
Yunnan
Kunming, Dali and Lijiang: old towns, Erhai Lake and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, with altitude and rain to plan around. Stone Forest tickets follow a real-name rule that affects foreign visitors.
- Yunnan travel guide: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, flights, Laos train and altitude
- Where to stay in Yunnan: areas and 12 hotels checked against their own sites
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain: tickets, cable cars, closures and altitude
- Stone Forest from Kunming: real-name tickets for foreigners, fees and shuttle
- Lijiang Old Town: the CNY 50 maintenance fee and how to walk it
Guilin and Yangshuo
Limestone peaks on the Li River, with bamboo rafts, cycling lanes and the Longji rice terraces.
- Guilin and Yangshuo travel guide: Li River, Longji, airport links and rain by month
- Where to stay in Guilin and Yangshuo: areas and 8 hotels checked
- Li River cruise: boats, piers, WeChat tickets and the foreign visitor hotline
- Longji rice terraces: fees, Ping'an versus Jinkeng and when to go
- Reed Flute Cave: fee and hours compared across sources
Harbin
China's ice city: the Ice and Snow World (28th edition announced, no date or price yet), Sun Island and Central Avenue, four hours from Beijing by high-speed train.
- Harbin winter travel guide: ice festival, weather, trains
- Where to stay in Harbin: areas and 10 hotels checked
- Harbin Ice and Snow World 2026/27: dates, tickets, hours
Hangzhou and Suzhou
A canal-and-garden pair about 1.5 hours apart by train: West Lake (free to walk), Lingyin Temple (free but booked by name) and Suzhou's World Heritage gardens.
- Hangzhou and Suzhou travel guide: West Lake, gardens, trains
- Where to stay in Hangzhou and Suzhou: 8 areas, 12 hotels
- West Lake: free walking, boat prices, routes
- Lingyin Temple: free entry, booking, hours
- Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou: tickets, hours, booking
Xiamen
A walkable Fujian port city with the car-free World Heritage island of Gulangyu, Zhongshan Road and Nanputuo Temple, and the base for the Fujian Tulou. Its airport is planned to move from Gaoqi to Xiang'an at the end of 2026.
- Xiamen travel guide: Gulangyu, tulou, the airport move and best months
- Where to stay in Xiamen: areas and 10 hotels checked against their own sites
- Gulangyu: ferry fares, piers, passport and sight fees compared
- Fujian Tulou from Xiamen: clusters, fees and transport
- Nanputuo Temple: history, hours and how to get there
Sanya (Hainan)
China's tropical south coast, with a 30-day Hainan-only visa-free route for 61 countries (including the US), the Yalong and Haitang bays, the 108 m Guanyin at Nanshan, Wuzhizhou Island and the duty-free mall with its collect-at-the-airport rule.
- Sanya travel guide: Hainan visa-free entry, bays, airport links and storm season
- Where to stay in Sanya: bays compared and 12 hotels checked
- Hainan duty free for foreigners: CNY 100,000 limit and quantity table
- Wuzhizhou Island: tickets, boat times and who is refused
- Nanshan and the Guanyin statue: hours, fees and routes
More English city guides are on the way. For cities that do not yet have an English guide, see the Thai-language China hub.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit China as a tourist?
It depends on your passport. Passports from the 50 countries on the NIA's unilateral list can enter without a visa for up to 30 days. Passports from the 57 transit countries, including the US, can stay up to 10 days if they are travelling on to a third country or region. Everyone else normally needs a visa before departure. Check the NIA pages linked above.
Can US citizens visit China without a visa?
Not on the 30-day list, which does not include the United States. US citizens are on the 240-hour transit list, so they can enter visa-free through an eligible port if they hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region and stay inside the permitted area. A plain round trip to the US does not qualify.
Is the 30-day visa-free entry still valid?
As of 17 October 2026 it is in force. Official announcements we read give 31 December 2026 as the end date for the general scheme (Russia: 31 December 2027). We found no official extension beyond that date, so verify before travelling in 2027.
Do I need to fill in an arrival card?
Yes. Since 20 November 2025 you can complete it online before arrival on the official NIA channels, free of charge. You can also use devices at the port or a paper card. Avoid unofficial sites that charge for it.
Can I pay with my foreign credit card?
Alipay and WeChat Pay support foreign cards, and the PBOC announced limits of USD 5,000 per transaction and USD 50,000 per year for foreigners in March 2024. Whether your own card binds depends on your issuer, so test it before you fly and carry cash as a backup.
Does Google work in China?
Not on ordinary mainland networks, according to the lists we cite. Prepare offline maps and a fallback way to contact people, and test your apps before you rely on them.
Can I book Chinese trains myself?
Yes. The English versions of the 12306 website and app accept foreign passports after identity verification, and ticket windows sell to foreigners who show a valid passport.
How did you check these rules?
On 17 October 2026 we opened the NIA pages on unilateral visa exemption, transit, arrival cards and accommodation registration, the Chinese government portal reports, and the Beijing government page on PBOC measures. We read the NIA's port table image for the Beijing entries only. We did not test 12306 registration or any card binding, and the Beijing government train guide we cite dates from 2021.
How this guide compares
We opened China Highlights' Beijing guide, Travel China Guide's Beijing and 240-hour transit pages, Lonely Planet's Beijing page and Nomadic Matt's China travel guide (updated April 2026) as benchmarks. Travel China Guide's transit page is detailed and includes full port tables; China Highlights' pages push tour packages. Lonely Planet's Beijing page is a hub of stories, and Nomadic Matt's China guide, in the text we could fetch, does not cover visa-free entry or mobile payment. This page puts the official country lists, the dated end of the 30-day scheme, the US exclusion, the arrival card, payments, internet limits and rail booking on one page, each with an official link and a check date.
Links on this page and our earnings
This page has no booking buttons. The city pages carry search buttons that, as of 17 October 2026, open the providers' own search pages. We have no registered affiliate link for Beijing and earn nothing from them yet. When that changes, the box will say so and the links will be labelled. Our disclosure page explains how affiliate links work and what we never do.
Official sources and further reading
- National Immigration Administration (NIA): List of Countries Covered by Unilateral Visa Exemption Policies (17 Feb 2026)
- NIA: Visa-Free Transit Policies (24-hour and 240-hour, 20 Aug 2026)
- NIA: Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies for Foreign Nationals (20 Aug 2026)
- NIA: Details of Mutual Visa Exemption Agreements (April 2025)
- NIA: Beware of Fraudulent Websites for Arrival Card Filling (5 Dec 2025)
- NIA: online arrival card form
- NIA: Online Accommodation Registration for foreigners staying outside hotels (21 Sep 2026)
- Chinese government portal (Xinhua): China widens visa-free access, 240-hour transit ports and extension to 31 Dec 2026 (4 Nov 2025)
- Chinese government portal (Xinhua): visa-free policy for Russian citizens extended to 31 Dec 2027 (20 May 2026)
- Beijing government foreign affairs office: PBOC measures to facilitate foreigners' payments (1 Mar 2024)
- Beijing government: how foreigners buy train and air tickets (2021)
- China Railway 12306 (English)
- GOV.UK: China travel advice, entry requirements (example of a passport validity rule for UK citizens)
- Wikipedia: Websites blocked in mainland China (not an official source)
- Travel China Guide: 240-hour transit explainer (not official)
- China Highlights: Beijing Travel Guide (benchmark)
Prices, schedules and entry rules change. Figures here are approximate as of 2026; always confirm on the official or operator page before you book. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
