10 day Itinerary Ideas?

Question

I will be entering China on the 240 hour visa free ruling, in September this year.

Am i right in thinking I can now travel around within China?

I'm thinking of flying into Beijing and out of Shanghai. I believe this is allowed?

How long should i spend in each? At this stage the only thing I have on my to do list is to see the Great Wall. And i plan to take the train from Beijing to Shanghai.

Is there anywhere else inbetween/nearby that I should think about visiting? Would i even have time?

Answer

The 240-hour visa-free transit (VFTF) in China allows you to stay in certain regions for up to 10 days without a traditional visa, but there are some important restrictions you need to consider for your planned itinerary.

First, yes, you can travel within the permitted region of your entry city. For Beijing, the allowed region includes Beijing itself and nearby areas in Hebei province and Tianjin. However, the 240-hour VFTF is not valid for travel throughout the entire country. Traveling to cities outside the designated region, such as Shanghai, would normally require a separate visa. Therefore, flying into Beijing and then out of Shanghai under the 240-hour VFTF is not permitted unless Shanghai is specifically part of the eligible transit zone, which it currently is not. To do a multi-city trip including Shanghai, you would need to obtain a regular Chinese visa in advance.

If you want to stay within the eligible region (Beijing + nearby Hebei and Tianjin), here are some itinerary ideas for 5–10 days:

Beijing (3–4 days): Visit the Great Wall (Mutianyu or Badaling), Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven, and Summer Palace.
Tianjin (1–2 days): Explore the European-style architecture in the city center, Italian Concession, and Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel.
Hebei province day trips (1–2 days): Places like Chengde (Imperial Mountain Resort) or Shanhaiguan (where the Great Wall meets the sea).

If you decide you really want to see Shanghai, Suzhou, or Hangzhou, you will need to apply for a standard Chinese visa ahead of time. Under a single-entry visa, you could plan a trip as:

Beijing: 4–5 days
Train to Shanghai: 1-day high-speed train
Shanghai: 3–4 days exploring the Bund, Yu Garden, French Concession, and nearby Suzhou or Hangzhou

Regarding travel between Beijing and Shanghai, the high-speed train is very convenient and takes about 4.5–6 hours depending on the train. Flying is quicker in duration but involves airport procedures, so the train is often preferred for comfort and city-center arrival.

In summary, under the 240-hour VFTF, you are limited to the Beijing transit region. For a multi-city itinerary including Shanghai, you must get a regular visa in advance. Within Beijing and nearby areas, you can comfortably plan 5–10 days and include both cultural sites and Great Wall excursions.

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