Can I take a domestic flight between visa-free cities like Shanghai and Beijing?
Nope. The 240-hour policy restricts you to a single region. If you enter in Shanghai, you can only move within Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang. Same for Beijing—you're limited to Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei. To go from Shanghai to Beijing, you'd need a proper visa. I've had clients who tried to book a flight and got denied boarding—don't do it.
What if I leave China earlier than 240 hours—any issue?
No issue at all. You can depart any time within the 10 days. Just make sure your exit flight goes to a different country. Some travelers worry about 'overstaying'—as long as you're within 240 hours, you're fine. They even stamp the exit at passport control.
Can I extend my 240-hour stay if I want to see more?
No extension is possible. You must leave within 240 hours of arrival. If you need more time, you'll have to apply for a tourist visa before your trip. I've had travelers who fell in love with Chengdu and tried to stay—they ended up with a fine and a ban. Not worth it.
Is the 240-hour policy the same as the old 144-hour?
The 240-hour policy expanded the 144-hour pilot. Now you get 10 days instead of 6, and more ports are included. But the same regional restriction applies. If you see outdated guides mentioning 144-hour, ignore them—this policy started in 2024 and has been fully implemented.
Do I need a hotel booking for visa-free transit?
Yes, immigration may ask for proof of accommodation. Book a refundable hotel on Booking.com (they accept international cards) and cancel later if plans change. But be honest—I've seen people lie and get blacklisted. Show your first night's reservation.
Do I need a visa if my itinerary is US → Shanghai → Tokyo → US?
This works, but careful: your transit must be to a third country, not back to the US directly from Shanghai. The itinerary you described: US→Shanghai (stopover), then Shanghai→Tokyo, then Tokyo→US is valid because you are transiting through Shanghai en route to Tokyo. But if you go US→Shanghai and then Shanghai→US directly, that does not qualify because you are returning to your point of origin without a third country.
Can I use the 240-hour exemption for land border crossings?
Yes, for some ports. For example, you can enter Shanghai by air and exit by sea (cruise) or rail (to Hong Kong via high-speed train). But land border crossings between mainland ports and Hong Kong/Macau follow different rules. Always check the official list of designated ports. For the Shanghai zone, you can exit by cruise from the Shanghai International Cruise Terminal, but you must have a cruise ticket.
Can I extend my 240-hour stay?
Officially, no extension is allowed. You must leave before midnight of the 10th day. Overstaying will get you fined (500 RMB per day) and possibly banned. However, if you have a genuine emergency, go to the local Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. But don't count on it.