You have 8 hours in Shanghai Pudong. The Beijing Tourism Bureau and Shanghai tourism offices both publish layover guides for transit visitors. You could sit in the terminal. Or you could take the Maglev to Longyang Road, metro to People’s Square, walk to the Bund, eat xiaolongbao at Jia Jia Tang Bao, walk the waterfront, and be back at the airport with 90 minutes to spare. For travelers from eligible countries, this is exactly what the transit visa-free policy is designed for. Transit policy full guide: 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free.
Key Takeaways
- 24-hour airside transit: no visa needed, stay in departure zone. All nationalities.
- City visit during layover: requires transit visa-free eligibility (55+ countries). Check eligibility.
- Minimum for a useful city visit: 6 hours at the airport.
- Leave checked bags in airport left-luggage before clearing immigration.
- Best layover airport for city access: Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA). 30 min to city.
- Airport transfers: Full transfer guide.
Which Layovers Are Worth It
| Airport | Min Layover for City Visit | Best Destination | Transfer Time |
| Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) | 5 hours | The Bund, French Concession | 30 min by metro |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | 6 hours | The Bund via Maglev + metro | 40-50 min via Maglev |
| Beijing Capital (PEK) | 6 hours | Wangfujing, hutong walk, Tiananmen Square | 50 min Airport Express |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | 5 hours | Shamian Island, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall | 45 min Metro Line 3 |
| Chengdu (TFU/CTU) | 7 hours | Jinli Street, Kuanzhai Alley, tea house | 50-35 min by metro |
The Process: How to Do a City Visit
- Land and clear customs. Collect your checked bags.
- Leave checked bags at left-luggage facility (行李寄存). Cost: ¥15 to ¥30 per bag.
- Head to immigration. Tell the officer you are using the transit visa-free policy. Show your onward ticket.
- Take the metro or Airport Express to the city.
- Do one thing well rather than trying to cover too much. The Bund walk, one dim sum meal, or one temple is better than a rushed circuit of everything.
- Return to the airport with at least 2 hours before your departure. More for international flights.
- Reclaim checked bags, proceed to check-in.
What You Can Do in Each City
Shanghai (5 to 6 hours at airport)
From Hongqiao: metro to People’s Square (30 min). Walk to The Bund (15 min). Walk the waterfront. Eat xiaolongbao at Jia Jia Tang Bao (Huanghe Road, 15 min walk from People’s Square). Return to Hongqiao in time for check-in.
Beijing (6 to 7 hours at airport)
Airport Express to Dongzhimen. Metro Line 5 to Yonghegong (Lama Temple). Walk the temple. Walk south through hutong alleyways. Lunch at a noodle shop. Metro back to Dongzhimen. Airport Express to PEK.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the transit visa-free rules: 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free Guide. For airport transfer details: Airport Transfers in China.