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10 days in China on 240-hour visa-free transit: Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai
Updated 9 November 2026
This route fits inside China's 240-hour visa-free transit — ideal for travellers from the US, Mexico, Indonesia and other countries that are not on the 30-day list. Fly into Beijing, leave from Shanghai to a different country or region (Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore…).
Your exit flight from Shanghai must already be booked, with a fixed date, to a third country or region — not back to where you started.
Beijing, Shaanxi (Xi'an) and Shanghai are all in the scheme, so moving between them is allowed.
Day by day
- Day 1
Beijing: Forbidden City & Jingshan Park
Timed tickets booked in advance; sunset over the palace roofs from Jingshan Park.
- Day 2
The Great Wall at Mutianyu
Early start; cable car up, toboggan down. Roast duck dinner.
- Day 3
Temple of Heaven, hutongs, Summer Palace
Dawn at the Temple of Heaven, afternoon by the lake.
- Day 4
High-speed train to Xi'an (≈4.5 h)
Evening in the Muslim Quarter food street.
- Day 5
Terracotta Army
Half day at the warriors, evening at the Grand Tang Mall.
- Day 6
Xi'an City Wall by bike; fly or train to Shanghai
Overnight in Shanghai.
- Day 7
The Bund, Yu Garden, Pudong views
Xiaolongbao lunch, skyline at night.
- Day 8
Day trip to Hangzhou or Suzhou
Under an hour each way by train.
- Day 9
French Concession and Shanghai Museum
Last shopping; claim tax refund forms.
- Day 10
Fly out from Pudong to your third country
Allow 3 hours at the airport.
Booking checklist
- Check your visa-free options for this route
- Book trains as soon as sales open (about 2 weeks ahead) — how
- Book hotels that accept foreign guests
- Reserve timed tickets for major museums and sights with your passport
- Set up Alipay and mobile data