China Layover Guide: Medication Rules, Customs & 24-Hour Transit Tips

A China layover can be either completely boring (gate → gate) or surprisingly useful (hot shower, real food, a quick city walk). The difference is whether you can enter China during transit and what rules apply to you.

This guide is built for layover reality: 24-hour transit, 144-hour visa-free transit, and the stuff people panic about at 2am—medication, customs, and overnight layovers.

Quick Facts

Question	Practical answer
Do you need a visa for a layover?	Sometimes. Many travelers can use transit without visa (24-hour) or 144-hour (eligible passports/ports).
Can you leave the airport?	Often yes, if your transit permission allows entry and your airline/route qualifies.
Bringing prescription medication?	Usually fine in personal quantities if you keep original packaging and basic documentation. Declare if uncertain.
Overnight layover	Possible: pick airport hotel (easy) or city hotel (if you can enter).
24-hour vs 144-hour	24-hour = simple “quick entry” transit; 144-hour = longer stay but more eligibility rules.

Important 2026 Notes

China transit policies change. Before you plan a “layover city tour,” confirm three things:

• Your routing is truly transit (A → China → C, not A → China → A)
• Your entry airport/port supports the transit option you want
• Your airline will actually check you in and issue boarding passes accordingly

Note: Policies change frequently. Verify current rules with your airline or Chinese embassy before travel.

Do You Need a Visa for a China Layover?

It depends on your passport, your routing, and whether you plan to enter China or stay airside.

In plain English, there are three common layover situations:

1. Airside-only transfer: you do not pass immigration. You stay in international transit and don’t “enter” China.
2. 24-hour transit entry (common): you enter China for a short stop (rules vary by port/airline), then depart onward.
3. 144-hour visa-free transit (more planning): you enter China and stay up to 144 hours in an allowed region if you meet eligibility requirements.

If you’re unsure, ask your airline this exact question: “Can I enter China during my layover using transit without visa?”

Can You Leave the Airport During a Layover?

Usually yes if you’re granted transit entry. Practically, you need:

• A valid passport
• A confirmed onward ticket to a third destination
• Enough time (immigration + customs + getting back to the airport)

Time rule of thumb: If your layover is under 8 hours, leaving the airport is rarely worth it unless you’re very experienced and the airport is close to the city.

Medication Rules for Transit (Layover-Safe Checklist)

Most travelers bringing normal prescription medication for personal use have no issues. The goal is to look like a normal human with a normal pharmacy bag—not a traveling apothecary.

Do this:

• Keep meds in original packaging with your name if possible
• Bring a doctor’s note or prescription photo for controlled or high-quantity meds
• Carry meds in your hand luggage (lost bags + time zones = pain)
• Pack only personal quantities for the trip (not “startup inventory”)

If you’re carrying something sensitive (strong pain meds, stimulants, large quantities), the safest approach is to declare and be ready to explain what it is. When in doubt, keep it boring.

Related deep dive (arrival-focused): Bringing medicine to China.

What Happens at Customs During a Layover?

If you stay airside, you usually won’t do full customs.

If you enter China:

1. You clear immigration (passport + entry permission)
2. You may pass customs screening (bags may be scanned)
3. If you later depart, you’ll do outbound security and immigration as required

Customs is generally looking for restricted items and commercial quantities. For normal travelers, it’s often quick.

Overnight Layover Hotels (Airside vs Landside)

Your options depend on whether you can enter China:

• Airside hotel / transit hotel: best if you can’t or don’t want to enter. It’s the easiest “sleep without drama” move.
• Airport-area hotel (landside): good if you can enter but don’t want to go far. Often a 10–20 minute ride.
• City hotel: only if your layover is long enough and transit entry is confirmed. Great for a real meal and shower, terrible if you misjudge traffic.

24-Hour Transit vs 144-Hour Transit (Quick Comparison)

Option	Best for	Main limitation
24-hour transit entry	Short layovers where you want a quick rest or city peek	Short time window; rules vary by port/airline
144-hour visa-free transit	Long stopovers where you want a mini-trip	Eligibility depends on passport + entry port + allowed region

144-Hour Eligibility (Short Version)

China’s 144-hour visa-free transit applies to certain passports and specific entry points/regions. If you’re eligible, it’s one of the best “free mini-trips” you’ll ever take.

If you want the full 144-hour deep dive (ports, zones, requirements), keep reading below—this article includes it.

Entry Points and Travel Zones

The 144-hour policy operates in specific zones. You can only travel within the zone where you entered.

Shanghai/Jiangsu/Zhejiang Zone

Entry Points:

• Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
• Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)
• Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal
• Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal
• Nanjing Lukou International Airport
• Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport

Travel Area: Shanghai + all of Jiangsu Province + all of Zhejiang Province

Major Cities: Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Wuxi, Ningbo

Beijing/Tianjin/Hebei Zone

Entry Points:

• Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
• Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX)
• Tianjin Binhai International Airport
• Tianjin International Cruise Home Port
• Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport
• Qinhuangdao Port

Travel Area: Beijing + Tianjin + all of Hebei Province

Major Cities: Beijing, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, Qinhuangdao (Great Wall sections)

Guangdong Zone

Entry Points:

• Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
• Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport
• Jieyang Chaoshan International Airport
• Multiple land/sea ports

Travel Area: All of Guangdong Province

Major Cities: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Dongguan, Foshan

Other Zones

Zone	Entry Point	Travel Area
Chengdu	Chengdu Shuangliu/Tianfu Airport	Chengdu + Leshan
Chongqing	Chongqing Jiangbei Airport	Chongqing Municipality
Xi'an	Xi'an Xianyang Airport	Xi'an + nearby areas
Kunming	Kunming Changshui Airport	Kunming city
Xiamen	Xiamen Gaoqi Airport	Xiamen city
Wuhan	Wuhan Tianhe Airport	Wuhan city
Qingdao	Qingdao Jiaodong Airport	Qingdao + nearby areas
Dalian	Dalian Zhoushuizi Airport	Dalian city
Shenyang	Shenyang Taoxian Airport	Shenyang + Dalian
Harbin	Harbin Taiping Airport	Harbin city
Guilin	Guilin Liangjiang Airport	Guilin city

Requirements

1. Valid Passport

• Valid for at least 3 months beyond your stay
• Should have blank pages for stamps
• Must be from an eligible country

2. Confirmed Onward Ticket

This is the most important requirement.

You must have a confirmed ticket to a third country/region—not back to your origin.

Valid examples:

• USA → Shanghai → Japan ✓
• Australia → Beijing → Hong Kong ✓
• UK → Guangzhou → Vietnam ✓
• Germany → Shanghai → Macau ✓

Invalid examples:

• USA → Shanghai → USA ✗ (same as origin)
• UK → Beijing → UK ✗ (same as origin)

Note: Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan count as "third destinations" for this policy.

3. Transit Purpose

The visa-free policy is technically for transit passengers. You're transiting through China on your way to another destination.

In practice, this means:

• Tourism is permitted
• Business meetings are permitted
• You just need the valid onward ticket

4. Stay Within Designated Area

You must stay within the travel zone of your entry point:

• Enter Shanghai → Stay in Shanghai/Jiangsu/Zhejiang
• Enter Beijing → Stay in Beijing/Tianjin/Hebei

Leaving the zone = violation of the visa-free terms.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Before Your Flight

1. Verify eligibility – Check your passport country and intended entry point
2. Book onward ticket – To a third country, departing within 144 hours
3. Print documents:
   • Passport copy
   • Flight itinerary (both flights)
   • Hotel confirmation
   • Travel plan (optional but helpful)

At Check-In (Origin Airport)

1. Inform airline staff you're using 144-hour visa-free transit
2. Show both tickets (to China and onward)
3. Airline may need to verify eligibility before boarding
4. Get boarding pass for China flight

During Flight

1. Complete arrival card (if provided on flight)
2. Look for "Arrival Card for Foreigners" (外国人入境卡)
3. Fill in accurately—errors cause delays

At Chinese Immigration

1. Go to correct lane:

   • Look for "144-Hour Visa-Free Transit" or "过境免签" signs
   • Some airports have dedicated counters

2. Present documents:

   • Passport
   • Completed arrival card
   • Onward ticket (printed or digital)
   • Return ticket (if requested)

3. Answer questions:

   • Purpose of visit (tourism, transit, business)
   • Where you'll stay
   • Travel plans

4. Receive stamp:

   • "144h免签" stamp with date
   • Your 144 hours starts NOW
   • Note the exact exit deadline

Typical Processing Time

Situation	Time
Dedicated 144h counter	5-15 minutes
Regular immigration (slow period)	15-30 minutes
Busy periods (holidays)	30-60 minutes
Issues with documentation	1+ hours

Calculating Your 144 Hours

The 144 hours (6 days) starts from midnight on the day after your arrival.

Example

Event	Time
Land in Shanghai	March 10, 2:00 PM
144 hours starts	March 11, 12:00 AM (midnight)
144 hours ends	March 17, 12:00 AM (midnight)
Must exit by	March 16, 11:59 PM

Important: You must EXIT China before the 144 hours expires, not just check in for your flight.

Practical Guidance

• 144 hours = 6 full days of daytime exploration
• Book departure flight for Day 6 with comfortable margin
• International flights: Check in 3 hours early
• Don't cut it close—overstaying has serious consequences

What You Can Do

Permitted Activities

Activity	Permitted
Tourism	✓ Yes
Business meetings	✓ Yes
Visiting friends/family	✓ Yes
Attending conferences	✓ Yes
Shopping	✓ Yes
Medical checkups	✓ Yes

Not Permitted

Activity	Permitted
Employment/work	✗ No
Study (beyond short visits)	✗ No
Journalism	✗ No
Religious activities (formal)	✗ No
Leaving designated zone	✗ No

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Wrong Itinerary Structure

Wrong: USA → China → USA Right: USA → China → Japan → USA

Wrong: UK → China → UK Right: UK → China → Hong Kong → UK

2. Booking Beyond 144 Hours

If your departure is more than 144 hours after arrival, you won't qualify.

3. Leaving the Travel Zone

Each entry point has a specific travel zone. Leaving it—even accidentally—violates the terms.

Example: Enter through Shanghai, decide to visit Beijing = violation.

4. Not Having Printed Tickets

While digital tickets often work, printing reduces problems:

• Immigration officers may prefer paper
• Phone battery/connectivity issues
• Faster processing with printed documents

5. Arriving Without Hotel Booking

Having a confirmed hotel booking helps:

• Shows clear travel plans
• Required by regulations
• Speeds up immigration process

6. Miscounting Days

The 144 hours is precise. Miscounting by even a few hours = overstay.

Extending Your Stay

Can You Extend the 144 Hours?

Generally no. The 144-hour policy is designed for transit, not extended stays.

If You Need More Time

Options:

1. Apply for a visa – At Chinese embassy before travel
2. Leave and re-enter – Exit to Hong Kong/Macau, return with new 144h
3. Emergency extension – Only for genuine emergencies (medical, flight cancellation)

Exit and Re-Enter Strategy

Some travelers "chain" 144-hour periods:

1. Enter Shanghai (Day 1-6)
2. Exit to Hong Kong
3. Fly from Hong Kong to Guangzhou
4. New 144-hour period (Day 7-12)

Caution: This works but immigration may question repeated use. Have clear documentation for each segment.

Best Itineraries for 144 Hours

Shanghai + Surroundings (6 Days)

Day	Location	Highlights
1	Shanghai	Arrive, Bund evening walk
2	Shanghai	Yu Garden, French Concession
3	Suzhou	Day trip—gardens, canals
4	Hangzhou	West Lake, tea villages
5	Shanghai	Shopping, museums
6	Shanghai	Departure

Beijing Intensive (6 Days)

Day	Location	Highlights
1	Beijing	Arrive, Tiananmen area
2	Beijing	Forbidden City, Jingshan Park
3	Beijing	Great Wall (Mutianyu or Badaling)
4	Beijing	Temple of Heaven, hutongs
5	Beijing	Summer Palace, Olympic Park
6	Beijing	798 Art District, departure

Guangdong Triangle (6 Days)

Day	Location	Highlights
1	Guangzhou	Arrive, Shamian Island
2	Guangzhou	Chen Clan Academy, dim sum
3	Shenzhen	Modern city, shopping
4	Shenzhen	Tech scene, OCT Loft
5	Guangzhou	Markets, temples
6	Guangzhou/Shenzhen	Departure

Chengdu Express (6 Days)

Day	Location	Highlights
1	Chengdu	Arrive, teahouses
2	Chengdu	Panda Base, Wenshu Temple
3	Leshan	Giant Buddha day trip
4	Chengdu	Sichuan cuisine, temples
5	Chengdu	Jinli Street, people watching
6	Chengdu	Departure

Practical Tips

At the Airport

1. Follow signs for "144-Hour Visa-Free" or "过境免签"
2. Print your onward ticket – Digital is accepted but paper is safer
3. Know your hotel address – In Chinese characters
4. Have travel plan ready – Brief description of what you'll do
5. Be patient – Processing takes time
6. Don't argue – Stay calm if questioned

During Your Stay

1. Keep passport with you – Police can check anytime
2. Hotel registration – Hotels register you with police automatically
3. Don't overstay – Consequences are severe
4. Stay in zone – Don't leave the permitted area
5. Keep tickets accessible – May need to show at checkpoints

For Departure

1. Arrive early – International flights need 3 hours
2. Verify terminal – Some cities have multiple airports
3. Check stamp date – Confirm you're leaving in time
4. Exit before midnight – On your last day

FAQ

Can I enter China with just a one-way ticket to China?

No. You must have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country.

Does Hong Kong count as a third country?

Yes. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan all count as "third destinations."

Can I book my onward flight after arriving?

Not recommended. Immigration may refuse entry without confirmed onward travel.

What if my flight is cancelled?

Contact the Entry-Exit Administration for an emergency extension. Keep all documentation of the cancellation.

Can I re-enter China on another 144-hour visa-free transit?

Yes, but not from the same origin. You need to have traveled to a third destination between entries.

Do I need travel insurance?

Not required, but strongly recommended.

Can I use 144-hour visa-free for business?

Yes, for meetings and conferences. Not for employment.

What happens if I overstay?

Serious consequences:

• Fines (¥500-10,000 per day)
• Detention
• Deportation
• Future visa denial
• Entry ban

Is land border crossing possible?

Some zones allow land crossings (e.g., Shenzhen from Hong Kong), but most travelers use airports.

Can I visit Tibet or Xinjiang?

No. These areas require special permits not available under visa-free transit.

What should I do if I get sick?

Seek medical care normally. If hospitalization prevents departure, contact the Entry-Exit Administration for guidance.

Compare: 144-Hour vs. Tourist Visa

Feature	144-Hour Transit	Tourist Visa (L)
Cost	Free	$140+ (US citizens)
Duration	6 days	30-90 days
Application	At airport	Embassy, weeks ahead
Travel area	Restricted zone	Nationwide
Requirement	Onward ticket	None
Extendable	No	Sometimes
Best for	Short stops	Extended travel

When to Get a Visa Instead

• Trip longer than 6 days
• Want to visit multiple regions (e.g., Beijing AND Shanghai)
• Tibet, Xinjiang, or other restricted areas
• No suitable onward destination
• Planning to work or study

Entry Point Contacts

Shanghai

Pudong Airport Immigration:

• Location: Arrival Hall
• Hours: 24/7
• Dedicated 144h counter: Yes

Beijing

Capital Airport Immigration:

• Location: Arrival Hall, Terminal 2 & 3
• Hours: 24/7
• Dedicated 144h counter: Yes

Daxing Airport Immigration:

• Location: Arrival Hall
• Hours: 24/7
• Dedicated 144h counter: Yes

Guangzhou

Baiyun Airport Immigration:

• Location: Arrival Hall
• Hours: 24/7
• Dedicated 144h counter: Yes

Summary Checklist

Before departure:

• Passport valid 3+ months
• Passport country on eligible list
• Confirmed onward ticket to third country
• Onward flight within 144 hours of arrival
• Entry point on approved list
• Printed itineraries (both flights)
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Travel plans stay within zone

At immigration:

• Use 144-hour visa-free lane
• Present passport + tickets
• Complete arrival card accurately
• Receive stamp with date
• Note exact exit deadline

During stay:

• Keep passport accessible
• Stay within designated zone
• Don't overstay
• Enjoy China!

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Planning your visa-free China trip? The China Survival Kit includes city guides, payment setup, essential apps, and everything you need for 144 amazing hours in China.