5 things people get wrong
The 240-hour transit requires moving on to a third country or region. US → Shanghai → US doesn’t qualify. US → Shanghai → Tokyo does. So does US → Shanghai → Hong Kong. (On the 30-day visa-free list, round trips are fine.)
For entry rules it cuts the other way, twice. Hong Kong / Macao / Taiwan do count as a third region — so mainland → HK is a valid onward leg for the 240-hour transit. But popping over to HK mid-stay ends that transit stay; you only come back if your next route qualifies again on its own.
No — the clock starts at 00:00 the day after you land. Your arrival day is free, on both the 30-day visa-free entry and the 240-hour transit. Land at 09:00 on July 1: the 240 hours count from 00:00 July 2. Use the calculator in your result card above.
Depends on the path. The 30-day visa-free entry covers all of mainland China. The 240-hour transit limits you to permitted areas in 24 provinces — and some provinces only allow specific cities (Shanxi: Taiyuan and Datong only). Hainan visa-free means Hainan only.
Only if you stay in a hotel — they register you automatically at check-in. In an Airbnb, or staying with friends? You must register at the local police station within 24 hours of arrival. This applies on every entry path, visa or visa-free.
Special cases
These rules change. Get a heads-up.
Windows end, countries get added, ports change — this page's data is re-checked against official sources on a schedule. Leave your email and I'll tell you when the rules for your passport change. You'll also get the first-72-hours checklist PDF.