Question 1

1. Can I combine China with Southeast Asia in one trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The most practical combination is China with Vietnam, accessible by direct train from Hanoi to Nanning or by flight. A typical circuit: fly into Shanghai or Beijing, travel the Golden Triangle, fly to Hanoi or Bangkok, travel Southeast Asia, fly home. The 240-hour transit visa-free applies if you are transiting through China on the way to another country.

Question 2

2. What is the China to Vietnam border crossing like?

Accepted Answer

The Nanning to Hanoi train crosses at Dong Dang/Friendship Pass. The journey takes about 12 to 14 hours with border processing. The border crossing is slower than flying. The train is atmospheric and passes through the karst landscape of Guangxi before crossing into Vietnam. Some travelers find it the most memorable part of a China-Vietnam trip.

Question 3

3. Can I use the China transit visa-free for a multi-country trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The 240-hour transit visa-free (10 days in a Chinese city) is perfectly designed for a multi-country itinerary that passes through China. Flying Tokyo to Beijing to Bangkok, for example, qualifies: Tokyo is A, Beijing is the transit (B), Bangkok is C. You can spend up to 10 days in Beijing without a visa. Full guide: 240-Hour Transit Visa-Free.

Question 4

4. How do I get from China to Japan?

Accepted Answer

Fly. Multiple direct routes: Shanghai to Tokyo (2.5h), Beijing to Tokyo (3.5h), Shanghai to Osaka (1.5h). China and Japan are close geographically. A China-Japan combination is one of the most popular multi-country circuits in Asia.

Question 5

5. What is the best multi-country itinerary that includes China?

Accepted Answer

Japan (1 week) + China Golden Triangle (1 week) + Vietnam (1 week) = 3 weeks covering Asia's three most visited and most distinct countries. Fly into Tokyo, take the ferry or fly to Shanghai, travel Beijing-Xi'an-Shanghai by G-train, fly to Hanoi, travel Vietnam south, fly home from Ho Chi Minh City.

Multi-Country Asia

Multi-Country Asia: Combining China with Japan or Vietnam

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