Top 10 Travel Ideas for a Visa Free Transit Tour in China
Last updated:December 20th, 2024

China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy lets you explore the country without a visa while transiting to a third destination. This policy allows you to enjoy a China tour of up to 10 days. To make the most of your visa-free stay, we’ve compiled the top 10 destinations and itineraries for an unforgettable and hassle-free trip.

Beijing

Mutianyu Great Wall in BeijingMutianyu Great Wall in Beijing

You can stay at a hotel at the foot of the Great Wall the night before, so you can wake up early the next day to admire the stunning view of the Great Wall winding over the mountains, bathed in the morning sunlight. You may also see the higher parts of the wall partially shrouded in a sea of clouds.

Xi'an

Terracotta Warriors in Xi'anTerracotta Warriors in Xi'an

Xi'an used to be the capital city of the Tang Dynasty about 1200 years ago. It has a rich blend of history and culture. The historical heritage found in Xi'an is well preserved and maintained, such as the Ancient City Wall. People can walk or bike on this 12-meter wall.

To get a better understanding of Chinese history, you can visit the Terracotta Warriors, a collection of thousands of life-sized statues that were buried with an ancient emperor, Qinshihuang. Also, you can climb Mount Hua between the clouds to find the hidden waterfalls and capture the wondrous views of the mountain temples.

Kunming, Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan

Stone Forest in KunmingStone Forest in Kunming

Located in the southwest part of China, Yunnan is home to a large number of ethnic minorities, each with their own distinct cultures and traditions. Also, it offers a wide variety of natural scenery, from towering mountains to tropical rainforests. With mild climate, Yunnan has become one of the most popular places to visit in China.

Kunming, Dali and Lijiang are the top 3 cities we recommend. In Kunming, you will see the Stone Forest, a formation of eroded limestone that results in unique shapes that resemble trees or animals. Next, spend 2 or 3 days in Dali. Bike around Erhai Lake, and you will find 3 ancient towns: Dali Ancient Town, Xizhou Ancient Town, and Shuanglang Ancient Town.

Finally, in Lijiang, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a must-see attraction. It provides both natural beauty and outdoor adventure. You can hike on the trails or take a cable car to access different parts of the mountain and enjoy the unique snowy scenery of this mountain.

Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou

West Lake in HangzhouWest Lake in Hangzhou

Next, immerse yourself in the water town of Suzhou, which is called "Oriental Venice." If you're hesitating about visiting the Humble Administrator's Garden or Lingering Garden, our suggestion is that you visit both of them. Because they have different styles. The Humble Administrator's Garden has more trees and flowers, while the Lingering Garden has unique buildings. Finally, finish your Suzhou tour by taking a boat drifting on the river in Zhouzhuang Water Town.

Wrap up your China tour in the last city, Hangzhou. Stroll around the West Lake and feel the breeze brushing your hair. After that, head to Lingyin Temple. You will get a chance to learn about how Chinese people pray for blessings.

Chengdu and Leshan

Giant Buddha in LeshanGiant Buddha in Leshan

When you talk about Chengdu, the first thing that comes to mind is giant pandas. There are lots of giant panda research bases in Chengdu, and even some of them provide giant panda volunteer programs that allow you to experience being a volunteer for giant pandas for one day. Except for pandas, Sichuan cuisines are delicious enough that you do not want to miss them, especially Sichuan hot pot. Before you try the local food, you can visit the Sichuan Cuisine Museum to learn about how Sichuan dishes are made and what foods Sichuan people like. Leshan Giant Buddha will surely wow you. Built about 1000 years ago, the 71-meter Buddha sits by the river.

Guilin

Li River in GuilinLi River in Guilin

For a more in-depth tour, take an exclusive car to Longsheng County to admire the Longji Rice Terraces. They are a series of terraced fields carved into the mountainside in Longsheng County, offering you a glimpse into traditional farming practices and breathtaking panoramic views.

Zhangjiajie

Stunning mountains in ZhangjiajieStunning mountains in Zhangjiajie

Have you ever imagined visiting Hallelujah Mountain in the movie Avatar? In Zhangjiajie, your dream will come true. The towering mountains in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park are actually the prototype of Hallelujah Mountain. Spend another day visiting Tianmen Mountain. You can climb up the 999 stairs to Heaven's Gate. Finally, enjoy your own leisure time in Fenghuang Ancient Town. There will be a special light show at night in this town.

Jinan, Qufu and Tai'an in Shandong

Baotu Spring in JinanBaotu Spring in Jinan

This time, you will visit three cities in Shandong Province: Jinan, Qufu, and Tai'an. Among them, Qufu is the birthplace of Confucius. By visiting the Cemetery of Confucius and Temple of Confucius in Qufu, you will get a deep dive into Confucianism.

For more natural landscapes, visit Jinan and Tai'an. You can take a boat drifting on the Daming Lake and then head to Baotu Spring, which is called the best spring in China. Finish your tour by hiking on Mountain Tai in Tai'an. It's one of China's most famous and culturally significant mountains, offering stunning sunrise and sunset views. It has a long history; many Chinese emperors would perform ceremonies at Mountain Tai to worship heaven.

Luoyang and Dengfeng in Henan

Shaolin Temple in DengfengShaolin Temple in Dengfeng

If you're a Kung Fu lover, Henan Province is perfect for you. The best place to learn Chinese Kung Fu is Shaolin Temple on Song Mountain, Dengfeng. Shaolin Temple has played a significant role in Chinese Buddhism and is considered the birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism.

Keep moving towards the west and you will get to Luoyang. It was a key city along the ancient Silk Road, contributing to cultural exchanges between the East and West. In Luoyang, Longmen Grottoes and White Horse Temple are both worth visiting. They hold religious and historical importance for ancient China.

Harbin

The Ice and Snow World in HarbinThe Ice and Snow World in Harbin

It may be the best city for transport in the winter, especially during your Christmas holiday. In winter, Harbin has the best view of ice and snow. Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, one of the four biggest ice and snow festivals in the world, is held in Harbin every winter. During the festival, you will see numerous ice sculptures and buildings in a theme park called Harbin Ice and Snow World. Besides, you can challenge the longest ice slide in the world at the park. The theme will change based on the zodiac animal of the year. If you're looking for adventure, spend a day at Yabuli Ski Resort and enjoy skiing on the endless snow slopes.

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Second Honeymoon My wife and I celebrated our 20th anniversary by spending a few weeks touring around Asia. We loved how Odynovo worked with us to craft a tour of what we wanted to see and how we wanted to see it. This was our first time traveling with a private tour guide, and it was truly amazing. they took care of all transportation, tickets, and everywhere we went we had someone who not only spoke our language, but was also very well-versed in the places we were visiting. We saw Beijing and then took a bullet train to Xi'an. In both cities we had tour guides who had done this "a thousand times," and as a result knew all the tricks on where to take the best pictures, what lines to stand in, where to eat, and what not to waste your time seeing. At one point our guide pulled out ponchos from her backpack when it started to rain, while another helped us haggle for a good price on a new suitcase. We were surprised by how much we loved China, and it is safe to say that is because of the quality of service we got from Odynovo. Oh, and the hotels were great, too! In our first hotel my wife fell in love with her breakfast soup that she had to have every morning, while in Xi'an we were right around the corner from the Muslim Night Market and were able to get to it in less than 5 minutes of walking.We are already looking to see what tours we will be doing next through Odynovo, as the service was amazing, the quality was remarkable, and the cost was very worth it for what we received.
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05 Aug 2025

Beijing Beauty It started off with a friendly face at the airport, with Roy, our tour guide.The week has been such a pleasure and a treat. From adventures to The Great Wall, Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City, to local markets, delicious Beijing food and roof top tea houses.Roy and our driver, Mr. Zhou, were prompt in picking us up and driving us around safely.The knowledge and fact about history and Beijing that Roy knows and explains is amazing and the fact he could answer my weird and inquisitive history questionsnwoth ease was a treat.He made it so easy to enjoy ourselves and absorb all that was around us, he even takes great photos too! 😊Polite, kind and thoughtful and ever patient in letting us take our time with things that interested us.I would highly recommend this tour and Roy again and again.
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05 Aug 2025

Amazing travel experience My name is Zarah M. Babangida a Nigerian and i visited Beijing with my colleagues from the office. During our 5 day stay in Beijing, Ms. Eva Ma, was our Tour guide and from the minute we came through the Arrival Gate of the Airport, we were embraced by her alluring smile and warm welcome. She remained consistent with her warmth, a kind and intelligent professional who exuded unique passion not just for her job as a tour guide but, even more so as a proud Chinese woman. Her outstanding insight and knowledge of the sweet Chinese history and heritage left us in awe. I couldn't be more proud and thankful that she was assigned to our group and she made our stay exciting, fun-filled effortless and knowledge packed. I absolutely commend her dedication to work which she depicted throughout our stay. I recommend her to every visiting tourist because to know Eva, is to love her. If it were up to me, i will increase her bonuses or upgrade her salary as i am sure most tourists would want or revisit for her sake first and then perhaps other reasons.Thank you Eva and keep the passion up🙌.
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