In the last few weeks and days, there’s been some news about China that affects foreign travelers. I haven’t seen a lot of press about these changes, but since I have a trip to Mainland China in a few months, I’m paying attention. My current trip itinerary has me visiting Japan followed by a flight to Shanghai. Now, I’m considering extending my trip to visit Beijing to see the Great Wall of China.
Changes to China’s Visa-Free Rule
Apparently, getting a visa to visit China is an expensive and tedious process. But China’s visa-free transit policy previously allowed visitors from certain countries (including the USA) to stop in certain cities in China for up to 6 days without a visa when traveling to or from another nearby country. But, you could had to stay within that city/region for your visit.
A few days ago, China announced changes to the visa-free transit policy. Now, you can stay up to 10 days, and 21 new ports of entry have been added. In addition, visitors no longer have to stay in the same city and can travel across regions within China. That’s huge news! See this article here for more information.
US Department of State Downgraded China Travel Warning
A few weeks ago, the US Department of State downgraded China from a Level 3 “reconsider travel” to a Level 2 warning “exercise increased caution”. This happened after a successful prisoner swap. Are relations between the USA and China improving?
Adding Beijing to my Itinerary
Before this visa policy change, if I entered China in Shanghai, I could only visit Shanghai. Now, I can travel to other parts of China during the same visit. Adding a trip to the Great Wall of China would be very doable.
There is a bullet train between Shanghai and Beijing that takes 4 1/2 hours. I would only really need to add 2 days to my trip length.
However, my biggest concern is finding new flights home using miles. My daughter and I are currently booked in Premium Economy seats on American Airlines for the 13-hour flight from Shanghai to DFW. If I change our flights to a few days later, the price in miles goes up, and I don’t have the AA miles to cover it. Of course, I could always switch to sitting in regular economy. But the flight is so long that I really don’t want to.
I’m currently looking at other airlines and award options, and I plan to think about things for a few days before I make changes.
What do you think of these changes to China’s visa-free policy and the travel warning downgrade? Are you more likely to visit Mainland China now?
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
The relaxed policies are for the government’s benefit, not yours or mine. There remains a possibility, albeit low, of false arrest.
I don’t exclude going to China but don’t think it is likely in the next 10 years.