Beijing 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit (Now 240h)
Visa-free transit rules, entry steps, designated ports & routes — updated for the 240-hour (10-day) policy
Transit rules vary by nationality and route — check if you qualify in 30 seconds →
Is your route eligible? The A→B→C rule: your onward ticket must go to a third country or region — not back to where you came from.
Check my 240h eligibility →Requirements for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit
- Valid ordinary passport
- Practical tip: passport validity should cover your stay and onward travel — some airline check-in systems apply their own rules, so confirm with your airline if your passport is close to expiry
- Confirmed onward ticket to a third country
- Hotel booking or accommodation address
- WeChat Pay activated for cashless payments
- Essential apps downloaded (WeChat, Alipay, Metro, Didi)
Two documents do the heavy lifting: a valid ordinary passport and a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region (with seat and date). The old 72-hour and 144-hour tiers have been consolidated into this single 240-hour policy.
Entry Process at Beijing
- Before boarding: your airline checks the onward ticket — have the third-country booking ready.
- On arrival: go to the 240-hour transit inspection counter and fill in the arrival card.
- At border inspection: receive the temporary entry permit; the 240-hour clock starts at the moment of entry.
- During your stay: tourism, business, visits and family reunions are fine — work, study and news reporting still require a visa.
- Before 240 hours are up: exit through any designated port in China — it does not have to be Beijing.
Permitted Area from Beijing
240h visa-free transit available. You may enter and exit via any of the 65 designated ports across 24 provincial-level regions and travel across provinces within the permitted areas for up to 240 hours (10 days). Region: Beijing.
Cross-province travel within the permitted areas is officially allowed — you can enter in one city and depart from another, as long as both are designated ports.
240h Transit Ports in Beijing
| Port | Type | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital International Airport | Airport | PEK |
| Beijing Daxing International Airport | Airport | PKX |
Why Transit Through Beijing?
Beijing is China’s cultural heart and one of the world’s greatest cities. With Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Daxing (PKX) both designated 240-hour transit ports, it’s a natural choice for visa-free transit.
240h Itinerary — Beijing in Up to 10 Days
The 240-hour visa-free transit gives you up to 10 days in China. This two-day core itinerary works on any timeline — stretch it across the full permitted stay, or use it as-is.
Day 1: Imperial Beijing
Morning — Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City Start early. Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest public square. Enter the Forbidden City through the Meridian Gate — allow 3-4 hours to explore the 980 buildings across 72 hectares. Audio guides are available at the entrance.
Afternoon — Jingshan Park & Wangfujing From the north gate of the Forbidden City, cross the street to Jingshan Park. Climb the hill for the best panoramic view of the entire Forbidden City. Then walk or take the Metro to Wangfujing for shopping and street food.
Evening — Houhai Nightlife The Houhai area comes alive at night. Bars and cafes line the lake. For a cultural experience, catch a Peking Opera show at the Liyuan Theatre (performances at 7:30 PM daily).
Day 2: Temple, Hutongs & Modern Beijing
Morning — Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) Take Metro Line 5 to Temple of Heaven Gate. This is where emperors prayed for good harvests. The Circular Hall is one of the most photographed buildings in China. Arrive before 8 AM to see locals doing tai chi in the park.
Midday — Nanluoguxiang & Drum Tower Get lost in Beijing’s most famous hutong (alley) neighborhood. Sample donkey burgers (lǔròu huǒshāo) from street vendors, browse quirky boutiques, then climb the Drum Tower for views of the old city.
Afternoon — 798 Art District China’s premier contemporary art zone. Former military factory turned gallery complex with international exhibitions, design shops, and excellent coffee. Take Metro Line 14 to Wangjing South Station.
If pre-booking beats queueing for you, Klook lists Beijing attraction tickets, Great Wall day trips, and airport transfers — handy for locking in the essentials before your flight touches down.
Getting From the Airport
From Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
- Metro Line 3 (Airport Express): Direct to city center — 30 min to Dongzhimen, ¥25
- DiDi (Rideshare): ~40 min to city center, ¥120-180
- Taxi: ~45 min to city center, ¥150-200
Getting Around Beijing
Beijing’s metro is extensive (800+ km, 27 lines). Get a Yikatong Card (¥20 deposit) at any metro station for seamless travel. All major attractions are Metro-accessible.
Key lines:
- Line 1: Tiananmen East, Wangfujing
- Line 2: Qianmen, Dongzhimen (connects to Airport Express)
- Line 5: Temple of Heaven
- Line 8: Nanluoguxiang, Drum Tower
WeChat Pay & Alipay
Essential at PEK arrivals. Look for carrier counters in T3. You can link an international credit card — no Chinese bank account needed.
240h Extended Route: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei
With 240h, cross-province travel is allowed within the permitted areas — Tianjin and Hebei are the classic add-ons:
Tianjin (1 day) — 30 min by high-speed train from Beijing A fascinating blend of European architecture and Chinese culture. The Italian Style Town and Ancient Culture Street are highlights. Take G-trains from Beijing South or Tianjin Station (¥55-66, 30 min).
Great Wall at Mutianyu (1 day) — 70 km from Beijing Unlike the crowded Badaling section, Mutianyu is fully restored and much quieter. The toboggan ride down is a highlight. Take Bus 916 from Dongzhimen to Huairou, then change to Bus F80.
Chengde Mountain Resort (1-2 days) — 3 hours by train A UNESCO site where Qing emperors summered. The largest imperial garden in China, surrounded by temples. Take K-trains from Beijing Station (¥60-80, 3.5h).
Luggage Storage
| Location | Cost | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PEK T3 Arrivals (Left Luggage) | ¥50-80/day | 24h |
| Beijing Railway Station | ¥40-60/day | 8:00-20:00 |
| Beijing West Railway Station | ¥40-60/day | 8:00-20:00 |
Practical Tips
- WiFi: Free WiFi at PEK and major metro stations
- Language: Download Google Translate with offline Chinese before arrival
- SIM Card: China Mobile counters at T3 arrivals (¥150-250 for 30 days, unlimited data)
- Best Time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) for weather
Emergency Contacts
- Beijing Tourism Hotline: +86-10-12301
- Police: 110
- Ambulance: 120
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep ChinaNeighbor free. We only recommend services we believe are genuinely useful for China travelers.
Related Resources
Beijing 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit — FAQ
Can I visit the Great Wall during a 144-hour (240-hour) transit in Beijing?
Yes. The Great Wall at Mutianyu or Badaling is a classic 240-hour transit activity. Cross-province travel within the permitted areas is officially allowed, and Mutianyu is in Huairou District — well inside Beijing municipality. Budget a full day including transport.
Which Beijing airports support 240-hour visa-free transit?
Both: Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) are designated 240-hour transit ports. You can enter through one and exit through the other, or leave China from any other designated port.
Can I go to Tianjin during my Beijing transit without a visa?
Yes. Beijing's permitted area covers the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and under the 240-hour policy cross-province travel is allowed across all 24 participating provincial regions. Tianjin is 30 minutes by high-speed train.
Do I need a visa to leave Beijing Capital Airport during transit?
No visa is needed if your nationality is on the 57-country eligible list and you hold a confirmed onward ticket to a third country or region. After border inspection at the 240-hour transit counter you receive a temporary entry permit valid for up to 240 hours (10 days).
How early should I arrive at PEK for the transit procedure?
The transit inspection itself happens after landing — factor in 1-2 hours at the 240-hour transit counter during peak arrivals, similar to a visa-on-arrival queue. Your airline checks the third-country ticket before boarding, so have that booking handy at check-in.
Source: National Immigration Administration — Visa-Free Transit Policies, updated 2026-08-20. Data verified 2026-09-06.
Your trusted guide for life in China.
© 2026 China Neighbor ·Original article: · Last verified:Sep 6, 2026
Reproduction requires attribution with a link to the original.