240-Hour Visa-Free China Itineraries for Foreigners: 5 10-Day Themed Routes

China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy offers foreign travelers 10 full days to explore the country’s diversity—no tourist visa needed. For first-time visitors, extending each themed route to 10 days lets you dive deeper into local culture, history, and scenery without feeling rushed. This guide expands 240-Hour Visa-Free China Itineraries for Foreigners across five core themes, with detailed daily breakdowns.

1. Historical Heritage Route: Beijing → Xi’an → Pingyao (10 Days)

This extended route traces China’s imperial legacy across three iconic destinations, spanning 2,500+ years of history.

• Days 1–3: Beijing (Imperial Grandeur)

Day 1: Arrive and settle in; visit Tiananmen Square (China’s political heart) and the Forbidden City (600-year-old imperial palace), with a guided tour to understand dynastic governance.

Day 2: Explore the Great Wall’s Mutianyu section (less crowded than Badaling, with cable car access) and the Summer Palace (a royal retreat with lakes and gardens).

Day 3: Dive into ancient philosophy at the Temple of Confucius and Lama Temple (Tibetan Buddhism’s northern hub), then wander hutongs (narrow alleyways) to see traditional courtyard homes.

• Days 4–5: Travel to Xi’an & Adjust

Day 4: Take a 4.5-hour high-speed train to Xi’an; check into a hotel near the City Wall and explore the Muslim Quarter (evening snacks like yangrou paomo—lamb soup with bread).

Day 5: Visit the Shaanxi History Museum (1 million+ artifacts, including Tang Dynasty gold) to contextualize Xi’an’s role as China’s ancient capital.

• Days 6–8: Xi’an (Tang & Qin Dynasties)

Day 6: Tour the Terracotta Army (morning, to avoid crowds) with a focus on the unexcavated pits and archaeologists’ work; afternoon visit the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang.

Day 7: Cycle the 13.7-km Xi’an City Wall (Ming Dynasty) at sunrise, then explore the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (a Tang Dynasty Buddhist landmark) and its music fountain show.

Day 8: Day trip to Hua Shan (one of China’s Five Great Mountains), known for its steep cliffs and cable car rides—hike to the West Peak for panoramic views.

• Days 9–10: Pingyao & Departure

Day 9: Take a 2-hour high-speed train to Pingyao Ancient City (a UNESCO site); walk its 600-year-old city walls, visit the Rishengchang Exchange (China’s first bank), and stay in a traditional courtyard inn.

Day 10: Explore Pingyao’s folk museums (paper-cutting, shadow puppetry) before taking a train back to Beijing/Xi’an for departure.

2. Traditional Culture Route: Chengdu → Lijiang → Baisha → Shangri-La (10 Days)

Immerse yourself in China’s ethnic and artistic traditions, from Sichuan’s opera to Tibet-influenced Yunnan.

• Days 1–3: Chengdu (Sichuan Culture)

Day 1: Arrive and visit the Chengdu Panda Base (morning, when pandas are active); afternoon relax in a teahouse with a Sichuan opera performance (don’t miss the face-changing act).

Day 2: Explore Wuhou Temple (dedicated to Zhuge Liang, a Three Kingdoms strategist) and Jinli Ancient Street (handicrafts like bamboo weaving and Sichuan pepper products).

Day 3: Day trip to Leshan Giant Buddha (1-hour high-speed train)—a 71-meter stone Buddha carved into a cliff; hike the 九曲栈道 (Nine-Bend Plank Road) for close-up views.

• Days 4–5: Travel to Lijiang & Adjust

Day 4: Fly to Lijiang (1.5 hours); check into a Naxi-style inn in Dayan Ancient Town (UNESCO site) and wander its cobblestone streets.

Day 5: Visit Black Dragon Pool Park (panoramic views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) and learn Naxi Dongba hieroglyphs (one of the world’s last living pictographic scripts) at a local museum.

• Days 6–8: Lijiang & Baisha (Naxi Heritage)

Day 6: Day trip to Baisha Old Town (10 km from Lijiang)—a quieter, less commercialized Naxi village with tie-dye workshops and views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain ; try Naxi food like 腊排骨 (cured pork ribs) soup.

Day 7: Hike a section of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain’s lower trails (no heavy gear needed) or take a cable car to Blue Moon Valley (turquoise lakes).

Day 8: Explore Shuhe Ancient Town (between Lijiang and Baisha) for traditional woodcarving and silk embroidery; evening attend a Naxi bonfire dance with locals.

• Days 9–10: Shangri-La & Departure

Day 9: Take a 2.5-hour bus to Shangri-La (Tibet Autonomous Prefecture); visit Songzanlin Monastery (the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan) and walk through Dukezong Ancient Town.

Day 10: Explore Pudacuo National Park (alpine lakes and meadows) before flying back to Chengdu for departure.

3. Culinary Delights Route: Guangzhou → Foshan → Shunde → Shanghai (10 Days)

A food lover’s journey through Lingnan and East China’s most iconic culinary regions.

• Days 1–3: Guangzhou (Cantonese Classics)

Day 1: Arrive and start with dim sum at a local tea house (try 虾饺 (shrimp dumplings) and 烧卖 (siu mai)); afternoon visit Shamian Island (colonial-era buildings with cafes).

Day 2: Explore Guangzhou’s food markets: Qingping Market (seafood and local snacks like 鱼皮 (fish skin salad)) and Xiaobei Road (Middle Eastern-Cantonese fusion).

Day 3: Day trip to Conghua Hot Springs (1-hour drive); relax in hot springs and enjoy 温泉鸡 (hot spring chicken) for lunch.

• Days 4–6: Foshan & Shunde (Lingnan Gastronomy)

Day 4: Take a 1-hour subway to Foshan—visit Ancestral Temple (home to Wing Chun kung fu exhibits, honoring Ip Man and Bruce Lee) and try Foshan’s 双皮奶 (double-skin milk) .

Day 5: Take a 30-minute bus to Shunde (UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy); tour a local restaurant’s kitchen to learn how to make 顺德鱼生 (Shunde sashimi) and 均安蒸猪 (Jun’an steamed pork) .

Day 6: Explore Shunde’s Qinghui Garden (a classical Lingnan garden) and sample street food like 伦教糕 (Lunjiao rice cake) before returning to Guangzhou.

• Days 7–10: Shanghai (East China Flavors)

Day 7: Take a 4-hour high-speed train to Shanghai; check into a hotel near Tianzifang (street food hub) and try 生煎包 (pan-fried buns) and 葱油饼 (scallion pancakes).

Day 8: Explore Shanghai’s food neighborhoods: Yu Garden (traditional 小笼包 (soup dumplings)) and Xintiandi (fusion dishes like foie gras xiaolongbao).

Day 9: Day trip to Hangzhou (1-hour high-speed train)—enjoy 西湖醋鱼 (West Lake vinegar fish) and 龙井虾仁 (Longjing shrimp) at a lakeside restaurant; visit Meijia Wu Tea Plantation for fresh Longjing tea .

Day 10: Try Shanghai’s breakfast classics (豆浆油条 (soy milk and fried dough sticks)) before departure.

4. Modern China Route: Shanghai → Hangzhou → Shenzhen → Hong Kong (10 Days)

Witness China’s rapid innovation, from futuristic skyscrapers to tech hubs.

• Days 1–3: Shanghai (Urban Innovation)

Day 1: Arrive and visit the Bund (colonial-era buildings vs. Pudong’s skyline); ride the maglev train (431 km/h) from Pudong Airport to Longyang Road.

Day 2: Explore Pudong’s Lujiazui area (Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower’s observation deck); afternoon visit the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum.

Day 3: Wander Tianzifang (artistic alleys with boutique shops) and Xintiandi (modernized shikumen (stone-gate) houses); evening enjoy a cocktail with skyline views.

• Days 4–5: Hangzhou (Tech & Nature Blend)

Day 4: Take a 1-hour high-speed train to Hangzhou; visit Alibaba’s headquarters (tour by appointment) to learn about China’s e-commerce industry.

Day 5: Explore West Lake (boat cruise and Su Causeway) and visit the China National Silk Museum (modern silk tech exhibits); evening try Hangzhou’s 东坡肉 (Dongpo pork).

• Days 6–8: Shenzhen (Tech Hub)

Day 6: Take a 2.5-hour high-speed train to Shenzhen; visit the Shenzhen Museum (city’s transformation from fishing village to tech hub) and Huaqiangbei (electronics market).

Day 7: Tour Huawei’s campus (arrange in advance) or visit the Shenzhen Bay Technology Ecology Park; afternoon relax at Dameisha Beach.

Day 8: Explore OCT-LOFT (art district with galleries and design studios) and try Cantonese seafood at a local market.

• Days 9–10: Hong Kong (Cross-Border Modernity)

Day 9: Take a 30-minute high-speed train to Hong Kong (check visa-free eligibility—many nationalities get 7 days ); visit Victoria Peak for skyline views and Tsim Sha Tsui’s shopping streets.

Day 10: Explore Hong Kong’s tech scene (Hong Kong Science Park) or relax at Repulse Bay before departing from Hong Kong International Airport.

5. Natural Scenery Route: Guilin → Yangshuo → Longji Rice Terraces → Zhangjiajie (10 Days)

Chase China’s most breathtaking landscapes, from karst mountains to surreal sandstone pillars.

• Days 1–3: Guilin (Karst Introduction)

Day 1: Arrive and take a cruise along the Li River (1.5 hours) from Guilin to Yangshuo—pass limestone peaks like Elephant Trunk Hill; check into a Yangshuo inn.

Day 2: Rent a bike to explore Yangshuo’s countryside: ride along the Yulong River (stop for a bamboo raft ride) and visit Moon Hill (hike to its natural arch).

Day 3: Explore Yangshuo’s West Street (souvenir shops and local snacks like 啤酒鱼 (beer fish)) and take a night cruise on the Li River (lit by lanterns).

• Days 4–6: Longji Rice Terraces (Rural Landscapes)

Day 4: Take a 2-hour drive from Yangshuo to Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon’s Backbone)—stay in a Yao ethnic village homestay .

Day 5: Hike the terraces between Ping’an Village and Dazhai Village (morning mist creates a magical effect); visit Huangluo Yao Village (known for women with 2-meter-long hair) .

Day 6: Learn to plant rice (seasonal) with local farmers or try Yao embroidery; afternoon drive back to Guilin.

• Days 7–9: Zhangjiajie (Surreal Peaks)

Day 7: Fly from Guilin to Zhangjiajie (1.5 hours); check into a hotel near Wulingyuan Scenic Area (inspiration for “Avatar’s” floating mountains).

Day 8: Explore Zhangjiajie National Forest Park: take the Bailong Elevator (glass elevator on a cliff) and hike the Yuanjiajie Scenic Area (see the “Avatar Hallelujah Mountains”).

Day 9: Visit Tianmen Mountain: take the Tianmen Mountain Cable Car (world’s longest) and walk the glass skywalk; evening try Tujia ethnic food like 腊肉 (cured meat).

• Day 10: Departure

Fly from Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport to your next destination; reflect on China’s diverse natural beauty.

Tips for 240-Hour Visa-Free China Itineraries for Foreigners

• Transport Booking: Use Trip.com (English-friendly) to book high-speed trains and flights in advance—10-day routes rely on timely transfers.

• Accommodation: Choose centrally located hotels/inns (e.g., near train stations in cities) to save travel time; in rural areas (Longji, Baisha), opt for homestays for cultural immersion.

• Visa Checks: Carry your passport and flight itinerary at all times—border officials may ask for proof of transit during your trip.

Each 10-day route lets you experience China’s depth without rushing. With 240-Hour Visa-Free China Itineraries for Foreigners, your first trip will be filled with memorable moments, whether you’re hiking ancient terraces, tasting regional dishes, or exploring imperial history!