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240 TWOV question re: Cathay flights with Hong Kong hub

Hi, We are British. We'd like to make use of the visa free exemption and are looking at flights.

Are we able to use Cathay Pacific and fly:

London - Hong Kong (transit only for a few hours not leaving airside) - Beijing - then by train to Xian - by train to Chengdu - by train to Guilin - by train to enter Hong Kong within time allowed? We'd fly back to the UK from Hong Kong.

Not sure if it's allowed if we have passed through Hong Kong on the way but Cathay obviously use Hong Kong as their hub.

thanks!

The 240-hour (10-day) Transit Without Visa (TWOV) in China is designed for travelers who are transiting through mainland China en route to a third country. Since you are British citizens, you are eligible for this scheme at certain entry points, including Beijing.

Regarding your proposed itinerary with Cathay Pacific:

  • London → Hong Kong (transit only, staying airside, no immigration entry into Hong Kong)
  • Hong Kong → Beijing (entering mainland China)
  • Train travel within China: Beijing → Xi’an → Chengdu → Guilin
  • Exit via Hong Kong within the permitted 240-hour window

Key points to note:

  • The TWOV applies to your stay within mainland China only. Transit through Hong Kong before entering mainland China does not affect eligibility. Since you are only transiting in Hong Kong initially (without entering immigration), this is acceptable.
  • Your onward flights from Beijing to a third country (or exit through Hong Kong at the end) must be confirmed within the allowed 240 hours. Entry and exit points must be among those designated for TWOV. Beijing Capital International Airport qualifies.
  • Traveling by train within mainland China is allowed under TWOV, as long as your itinerary stays within the 240-hour limit and you depart China via an approved port of exit (for example, through Hong Kong after your internal train trip).
  • Make sure to carry proof of onward travel (flight ticket from Hong Kong back to the UK) and hotel or train bookings in China, as immigration may ask for evidence of your plans.

In summary, your plan is feasible: the initial airside transit in Hong Kong does not disqualify you from TWOV in mainland China, and using trains internally between approved cities is allowed, provided you exit via an approved port before the 240 hours expire.

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