Three schemes, pick yours
30-day visa-free entry now covers 77 countries (most of the EU, plus many across Asia-Pacific and the Americas). 240-hour (10-day) visa-free transit covers 57 nationalities arriving with a confirmed onward ticket to a third region. Hainan runs its own island-wide visa-free list. Hong Kong and Macau are separate regimes entirely.
The transit rules people trip on
The 240-hour clock starts at 00:00 the day after entry; you must stay within the permitted provinces (the zone has expanded repeatedly — check the current map); and 'third region' means Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan or another country — not a domestic flight. Breaking the zone = an overstay fine and a stamp you don't want.
Where this is heading
The lists keep growing — Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam joined transit eligibility in August 2026 alone. Rules refresh faster than guidebooks print. Always confirm against the National Immigration Administration notice or your airline before booking.
Registration matters
However you enter: hotels register you automatically; if you stay in a private apartment, you must register at the local police station within 24 hours (72 in rural areas). It's free and takes minutes.