What is China’s visa-free transit policy?

Designed for international transit passengers from 55 countries, China’s visa-free transit policy allows stopovers in 24 provinces of mainland China for 144 hours to 240 hours (10 days) without requiring a visa in advance. Available at as many as 60 entry points across mainland China, the visa-free transit facility lets you plan stopover tours in Beijing, Hainan, Macau, Hubei, Hunan, Liaoning, and others while traveling on USA to China flights with connections to a third country.

Countries eligible for visa-free transit in China

55 countries, including the United States, are eligible for China’s 72 to 240 hours visa-free transit policy. The citizens of 6 countries from the Americans, 7 countries from Asia, 2 from Oceania, and 40 countries from Europe can visit and explore designated areas of China for up to 240 hours (10 days) without a Chinese visa when traveling between two countries on multi-city flights, for instance, USA to Philippines via China. The US, Canada, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, UAE, Japan, Singapore, and Qatar are among the countries eligible for visa-free transit in China.

Requirements for visa-free transit stopovers in China

If you’re a US citizen, you must book flights from USA to Beijing with a stopover transit to some third country. Precisely, the final destination should not be the country of your travel origin.

If Philippines or Vietnam is your final destination, you must have confirmed airline tickets to Manila or Ho Chi Minh City from China within the visa-free transit period. If you plan a 72-hour transit stopover in China, your onward travel to the final destination should start within 72 hours.

In addition to the above, requirements for China’s visa-free transit policy, 72 hours to 240 hours, include your valid passport and visa or residence permit to the destination country.

How to apply for China’s 10-day visa-free transit: A quick guide

The process to get transit visa-free stay in China for up to 10 days or 240 hours is simple and straightforward.

Before boarding your flight with any of the top 10 airlines from USA to China, you need to inform the airline about your plans for a visa-free transit stopover in China. The airline will notify China’s immigration authorities on your behalf. After arrival, proceed to the “Transit Without Visa” (TWOV) desk at the port of entry.

Eligible foreign citizens require a temporary entry permit for transit visa-free stay in designated regions of China. At the port of entry, be it Beijing or Shanghai, you need to apply for a temporary entry permit by filling out the arrival card form and any other form mandated by the Chinese immigration authorities.

China’s temporary entry permit for transit travelers will be granted to you after satisfactory inspection of your documents – passport, visa to the destination country, onward flight ticket, and/or hotel booking confirmation in a designated region of China.

You can go through customs and enter China for a visa-free stopover up to 10 days only after you obtain the temporary entry permit.

I am a Filipino American with a US passport. Are Filipino Americans eligible for China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy?

Since Filipino Americans are US citizens, they are eligible for a visa-free transit stopover in China for up to 240 hours or 10 days. Besides, you need to meet the other eligibility requirements listed above, such as a multi-city itinerary with a significant layover in China and confirmed onward travel booking to a third country. iEagle, the most trusted air-ticketing partner for Filipinos, Americans, and other immigrants in the US, offers phone-only budget flight deals.

The post How to Get Visa-free Transit Stopover in China for 72 to 240 Hours: A Guide for 55 Countries Including USA appeared first on iEagle.com Travel Magazine.

Check out the 10 best airlines to fly to China from USA in 2025 and 2026. The list is curated considering a number of factors, like budget, nonstop travel, one-stop transit, layover tours, transit visa, onboard seating, inflight facilities, etc.

EVA Air

On the list of top US to China airlines, EVA Air is one of the 10 safest full-service carriers, according to 2025 AirlineRatings. As part of Star Alliance, EVA Air flights from US to China are operated from major American gateways like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Houston, Chicago, and New York via its hub airport in Taiwan.

For a comfortable long-haul journey, EVA Air provides a range of cabin experiences. Their top-tier Royal Laurel Class (Business Class) features lie-flat seats, exquisite dining with a selection of exclusive wines, and branded amenity kits, along with access to VIP lounges. EVA Air’s Premium Economy Class is an award-winning product, which offers industry-best seats with 42-inch pitch, a “cradle motion” recline mechanism, and enhanced entertainment systems.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines’ nonstop US to China service comprises flights to Shanghai from Los Angeles, Seattle, and Detroit, Michigan. Delta and China Eastern have partnered to enhance travel options, operating nine routes between China and USA. Delta covers over 250 US domestic destinations, and China Eastern offers flights to 145 destinations across China and Hong Kong, flying customers out to a larger network with better flexibility and more choices.

Delta Air Lines offers complimentary Starbucks service onboard and Chinese meals that can be pre-reserved 24 hours in advance. For enhanced in-flight experience, Delta One® offers Westin Heavenly® In-Flight Bedding and TUMI amenity kits with Kiehl’s Since 1851® Deluxe skin care products, along with loungewear.

United Airlines 

United Airlines’ US-China network for 2025-2026 includes daily nonstop flights from Chicago and Newark to both Beijing and Shanghai, in addition to Newark-Hong Kong and San Francisco-Chengdu. United Airlines flights from the US to China are especially appealing to business class travelers. United offers the luxurious United Polaris® Business Class, featuring lie-flat seats, bespoke dining, premium bedding, and exclusive Polaris Lounge access.

United also prioritizes family travel with Family Seating assistance, ensuring children under 12 can sit next to an accompanying adult at no extra charge. United Airlines’ interline and codeshare partnership with Air China enhances connectivity for United passengers to their final destinations from the primary gateway cities in China.

American Airlines

Among the best airlines to fly to China from USA, American Airlines’ Dallas to China flights are in demand throughout the year. Check out iEagle.com for budget flight tickets to Shanghai and Beijing from the US. Though American Airlines directly flies to Shanghai, its strategic relationship and codeshare partnership with China Southern Airlines provides seamless access to a broad network beyond Shanghai in China.

American offers its premium Flagship® Business experience. This includes lie-flat seats, a comprehensive free entertainment selection, and access to exclusive Flagship® Lounges, ensuring an elevated pre-flight and in-flight journey. Recognizing the importance of cultural comfort, American also staffs its transpacific routes with Chinese-speaking flight attendants.

Furthermore, to streamline the departure experience, eligible AAdvantage members can utilize American Airlines’ TSA PreCheck Touchless ID lanes. This innovative service offers expedited, contactless security screening at participating US airports, leveraging facial recognition technology for efficiency.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific flights from US to Hong Kong further connect to mainland China, including major cities like Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG), Chengdu (TFU), Chongqing (CKG), and Guangzhou (CAN), owing to its extensive intra-Asia network as a founding member of the Oneworld Alliance. Cathay Pacific offers premium cabin options, notably the new “Aria Suite” on select Boeing 777-300ERs for greater personal space, comfortable seating, and an upgraded dining experience with selections like prosecco and dishes from renowned restaurant partners.

In 2025, the Skytrax World Airline Awards ranked Cathay Pacific among top three airlines globally, and also adjudged it as “World’s Best Economy Class Airline” for the second consecutive year. Cathay Pacific bagged the “World’s Best Inflight Entertainment” award for its state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system, which includes 4K content and a wide array of movies, TV shows, and music, frequently updated with new titles including Disney+ Originals.

Air China

Air China is one of the best airlines for nonstop flights from USA to China. The People’s Republic of China operates daily flights to Beijing and Shanghai from major US cities – Washington D.C., New York, Houston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

On Air China flights, travelers experience a genuine taste of Chinese hospitality and culture from the moment they step onboard. For families, Air China supports family check-in for adults traveling with 1-2 children on the same booking and offers pre-select special meals for children and infants. Premium passengers enjoy special services, like complimentary chauffeured car transfers in select Chinese cities (e.g., Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) and personal escort services at Beijing Capital Airport (T3).

China Eastern

Among the top 10 airlines operating between US and China, China Eastern Airlines has nonstop flights to Shanghai Pudong from Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. As one of China’s largest carriers, China Eastern also provides onward connections from Shanghai to over 145 destinations across mainland China and Hong Kong. Furthermore, its partnership with Delta Air Lines enables passengers from China to travel beyond New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

On China Eastern Airlines flights, Business Class passengers can expect larger, often reverse herringbone lie-flat seats with in-built massage features, individual interactive entertainment systems, and laptop power points. China Eastern also provides special meals for dietary requirements (pre-orderable) and offers assistance for family travelers with infants or young children, and passengers with disabilities.

China Southern

You can book China Southern’s nonstop US-China flights to Guangzhou (CAN) from Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco. The airline deploys mostly moder Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A330s for these long-haul routes.

For families, China Southern allows children aged two and above to occupy seats at a corresponding child fare, and outlines policies for the carriage of infants and unaccompanied minors (from 5 to under 12 years old, with prior arrangement). This Chinese Airline has codeshare agreements with other international carriers like American Airlines and Qatar Airways offering integrated travel with reciprocal mileage earning and redemption opportunities.

The post What are Best Airlines to Fly to China from USA? Top 10 Picks for Your Travel between USA and China appeared first on iEagle.com Travel Magazine.

Standing on the Baima Mountain in Chongqing, each of the two massive statues – one male and one female – holds a rotating platform. Swinging from ground level to the sky high reach, the Flying Kiss Ride overwhelms you with a most enticing panorama of lofty mountains and lush green valleys. Reflecting/enlivening the Chinese mythical story of two lovers, the statues appear to blow kisses as they reach the peak. 

China elevates cultural love through its Flying Kiss Ride in a contrasting theme park environment, and this cultural emblem is catching the attention of globetrotters.

In a short time, the Internet is overwhelmed with this not-to-miss ride story. The Flying Kiss Ride not just boosts your adventure streak, but takes you on a trip to a mythological love story. Its surrounding waist-high security gates simultaneously protect and allow you to move freely across the platform. Notably, the no-safety-harness feature makes it one of the most terrifying rides that you have ever come across in your lifetime. The climax of your adrenaline rush, as you reach the highest elevation, will efface the COVID backdrop in the blink of an eye.  

Travel enthusiasts’ elation can be clearly gauged by the stunning amalgamation of history and amusement in this thrilling ride. Get ready for an upbeat adventure on the Flying Kiss Ride in China.

The Flying Kiss Ride  (Baima Mountain) is a 2.5-hr road trip from the Chongqing International Airport and is a 3-hr drive from Beijing. Both Chongqing and Beijing are just a short domestic flight away from Shanghai International Airport. You can also enjoy breathtaking sightseeing across tea plantations and mountain valleys en route before hopping on to the thrilling ride.

Don’t let the pandemic beat your lust for adventure. Book your flights from USA to Beijing or Shanghai for cheap airfares and set the clock back to the pre-pandemic times. Log on to iEagle.com and get set – go!  

The post China’s Brand New ‘Flying Kiss Ride’ is World’s Tallest Attraction with No Seat Belts and Safety Gears appeared first on iEagle.com Travel Magazine.

Though the transit visa exemptions in China are the same for travelers from a total of 53 countries across the world, different hours-based types of visa-free transit to China apply to different cities and provinces. The nationals of the below listed 53 countries can make the most of the policy while traveling on Air China flights from USA or some other airline transiting through China.

Details of transit visa exemptions in China

In most cases, the traveler will only be allowed to visit certain cities during their layover in China. Travelers entering China via Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, and Qinhuangdao are allowed to travel within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the ones entering via Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing are allowed to travel within Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu province.

China’s 144-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy:

If you travel to another country of destination within 144 hours of your landing in China, to say, from USA to Shanghai flights, you need not have a transit visa to China. Further, you must also have a valid passport from one of the 53 countries that China’s visa-free transit policy is extended to. The 53 countries include 24 Schengen and 15 other countries in Europe, six countries in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, and the UAE.

China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy was first implemented in East China’s Shanghai-Jiangsu-Zhejiang area and later was expanded to North China’s Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. In January 2019, the government decided to implement it in the cities of Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, and Chengdu. Eventually, later this year all the international airports under Guangdong province started following this policy. Starting December 2019, the 144-hour visa-free transit policy is set to cover 20 cities with four railways, eight land entries, and 27 ports. The 20 cities include Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenyang, Dalian, Qingdao, Chengdu, Xiamen, Kunming, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Jieyang.

China’s 72-hour Visa-Free Transit Policy:

To be eligible the 72-hour transit visa exemptions in China, you should carry a confirmed flight ticket to another country of destination and travel to the final destination within 72 hours of transit through the participating ports of entry in China. Having a valid passport from one of the 53 countries listed above is an eligibility criterion, according to the China visa-free transit guide. Changsha, Guilin, and Harbin are within the ambit of 72-hour visa-free transit in China.

China’s 24-hour Direct Transit Policy:

The eligibility norms for 24-hour visa-free transit in China are the same as those for the above-mentioned types of China’s visa-free transit policy. If you travel to another country of destination within 24 hours of your landing in China, to say, from USA to Beijing flights, you need not have a transit visa to China. However, a confirmed travel booking to the final destination is mandatory. Most ports of entry in China offer 24-hour visa-free transit to the eligible foreign nationals.

Countries eligible for China’s visa-free transit policy

The countries eligible for China’s visa-free transit policy are include 24 Schengen countries in Europe – Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Among them are 15 other European countries – Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, Serbia, UK, and Ukraine.

Six countries in North and South America – Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and the US; Two Oceanic countries – Australia and New Zealand; Six Asian countries – Brunei, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, and the UAE are also eligible for the transit visa exemptions in China.

Visa-free Entry to Hainan in South China:

Foreign travelers from a total of 59 eligible countries can travel to South China’s Hainan province and stay for up to 30 days without a visa. The eligibility norms for visa-free entry to Hainan in South China are different from those for transit visa exemptions in China. China’s visa-free policy for Hainan Province does not require travelers to hold a confirmed travel reservation to a third country. However, they are allowed to visit Hainan only on travel bookings made through travel agencies registered in Hainan and approved by China’s National Tourism Administration.

The 59 countries, the citizens of which are eligible for visa-free entry to Hainan province, include 25 Schengen and 15 other European countries, six countries in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and UAE.

Furthermore, travelers planning to obtain any of the above-mentioned visa exemptions are advised to confirm their eligibility with their local Chinese embassy or the concerned port of entry in China prior to departure. The Chinese State Council has also released a tool to help potential travelers to determine their eligibility based on their nationality and the port of entry in China.

The post China’s Visa-free Transit Policy: A Complete Guide on Transit Visa Exemptions in China appeared first on iEagle.com Travel Magazine.

1. Don’t talk about politically sensitive or uncomfortable topics

The Chinese are often uncomfortable discussing political topics, religious policies, territorial and economic conflicts with foreigners as there are chances it may cause embarrassment to their country. Refrain from talking about death or mentioning a person who has recently passed away as it is a quite serious topic to Chinese. Talking about politically sensitive or uncomfortable topics stands as one of the most important in the list of what not to do in China as a tourist.

2. Don’t disrespect the customs of minorities and temples

With around 55 minority groups in China, they have their own traditions and customs. They do not allow anyone to touch the objects related to their ancestors and worship. It is also important to remove your hat, sunglasses, and shoes before entering temples in China. Pointing your finger at the statues and stepping on the doorsills is also one of the things not to do in China.

3. Don’t make personal contacts such as hug or kiss

The Chinese are considered to be less affectionate and most of them consider handshakes, hugs, and kisses unnatural; so it is best to just greet them verbally or with a slight nod instead. Owing to traditions and religions, the Chinese consider the head more sacred than other parts of the body. Do remember while in China that a touch or a pat on the head could be considered disrespectful.

4. Don’t forget table manners while using chopsticks

If you are planning on using a pair of chopsticks in China, do not forget its etiquette. The Chinese believe that chopsticks are only used to eat and not to point at anything. Don’t place chopsticks inside a bowl after your meals; rather place it on the top. Messing up the chopstick etiquette is on the list of things not to do in China as a tourist.

5. Don’t just rely on your credit card

The Chinese rarely use credit cards; however, they prefer mobile and cash payments. If you go on a shopping spree in China, relying solely on a credit card might turn out a disaster. It is better to install an application like WeChat, which they frequently use for payments.

6. Don’t use unlicensed transport services

It is usually not recommended that you board an unlicensed taxi as most of the drivers lack English knowledge. The most reliable means of transport are public busses or taxis operated by legal companies with their name on the doors. Licensed taxi drivers use a meter to calculate the fare; this will save you the trouble from getting ripped off. So from the list of things not to do in China, make sure you choose the proper means of travel for a hassle free journey.

7. Never show up empty-handed

The Chinese are habituated to exchanging small gifts frequently and not just on special occasions. For instance, if you are dining at a person’s house or attending a pre-planned meeting, do make sure to take a gift along as a goodwill gesture or a token of friendship. Ignoring the social etiquette is also on the list of things not to do in China. You won’t be penalized or punished for not exchanging gifts though.

8. Refrain from tipping in places that also serve Chinese people

The Chinese do not follow practice of tipping in return for any service provided to them. When you tip the restaurant staff or bellmen, they might eventually return the money back in a state of confusion. In order to refrain from putting yourself in an awkward situation, make sure to restrain your generous tipping nature.

Also Know: 7 Things not to Do in Thailand as a Tourist

9. Keep a VPN handy while traveling to China

When you are in China, do not forget that their firewall blocks multiple sites including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. However, to access these sites you’ll need a VPN. While purchasing a VPN, do not forget to check if it covers China as well.

10. Remember to take your own toilet paper

Except star-rated hotels in China, many other places do not provide toilet paper in restrooms. While traveling to supermarkets or on trains, you might find tissue dispensers but with nothing inside them. Believe it or not, no one likes to get stranded inside restrooms without toilet papers in times of emergency. Luckily for you, local shops sell packets of tissues for cheap prices, so make sure to grab one.

Along with the list of what not to do in China as a tourist, Fly High also brings you much more information about other tourist destinations across the world. Fly High is a subsidiary of iEagle Travel, a leading international travel organization booking cheap flights on Air China, Cathay Pacific and other major airlines.

The post What to Know before You Visit China: 10 Things not to Do as a Tourist appeared first on iEagle.com Travel Magazine.