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Recently, terms like "city不city" (literally meaning "city or not", a playful phrase about urban life) have taken social media by storm, and "China Travel" has become a top trending search, with over 1 billion views.

Since the start of this year, China has rolled out a bunch of new policies that make it easier for foreigners to visit.

For foreigners looking to visit China, there are now several travel options available. Here's a breakdown of what you can do.

Option 1: 24-hour transit visa-free entry

If you are flying to a third country and have a layover in China, you can enjoy a 24-hour visa-free stay. This gives you the chance to explore Shanghai or any other city for a day without needing a visa.

The 24-hour visa-free policy applies to citizens of all countries and is available at all international airports in China.

Foreigners traveling on international flights, ships, or trains, and transiting through China to a third country or region can stay in China for up to 24 hours without leaving the port of entry. They can complete the transit procedure with a valid passport and a confirmed onward ticket, without needing a Chinese visa.

For those who need to enter the country temporarily due to transit through multiple ports, they must apply to the border inspection authorities for a 24-hour temporary entry permit.

Option 2: 72- /144-hour transit visa-free entry

If your layover is longer, you can also obtain a temporary entry permit with your connecting flight ticket and enjoy 72-hour or 144-hour transit visa-free entry. This policy currently applies to citizens of 54 countries:

Europe (40 countries): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, Russia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Belarus, Norway.

Americas (6 countries):United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile.

Oceania (2 countries): Australia, New Zealand.

Asia (6 countries): South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar.

Currently, China offers the 144-hour transit visa-free policy in multiple cities, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Kunming, and 10 other cities. Additionally, Changsha, Harbin, and Guilin have implemented a 72-hour transit visa-free policy.

Option 3: Unilateral visa exemption

A unilateral visa exemption allows citizens of one country or region to enter another without needing a visa, without requiring reciprocal visa-free entry for citizens of the other country.

China currently offers unilateral visa exemptions to citizens of 16 countries: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Brunei, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, New Zealand, and Poland.

For example, this year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, and China has granted unilateral visa exemption to French citizens. French passport holders can enter Shanghai without a visa and stay for up to 15 days.

Option 4: Port visa

China's port visa is similar to the "visa on arrival" offered by other countries. The term "port visa" refers to a method of visa application, rather than denoting a specific visa category such as "business" or "tourist."

Foreigners holding ordinary passports with an urgent need to enter China but insufficient time to apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate may apply for a port visa for entry. It is advisable to submit the application in advance to the port visa authorities.

The port visa allows a stay for up to 30 days and permits a single entry.

Foreign travelers are assisted with customs procedures at the immigration hall of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.

Nearly 2 million foreigners make visa-free visit to China from July to August       

About 1.96 million foreign nationals entered China via visa-free polices from July to August, a 117 percent year-on-year increase, the National Immigration Administration announced on Tuesday.

A total of 110 million visits by domestic and foreign tourists have been recorded from July to August, marking a 30 percent increase compared to the same period last year, the National Immigration Administration added. Among them, foreign nationals made 10.89 million entries and exits, a 52.8 percent year-on-year increase.

Mainland residents accounted for about 55.38 million entries and exits, marking a 28.1 percent increase from the same period last year. Residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan had about 44 million entries and exits, a 27.6 percent year-on-year increase.

During the period, the average daily crossings reached nearly 1.78 million. The highest daily entry and exit volume was recorded on August 24, reaching nearly 2.24 million, accounting for 97.2 percent of the historic peak.

Additionally, the authorities also inspected a total of 5.64 million entries and exits of transportation planes, vehicles, ships and trains, a 32 percent increase from the same period last year.

Source: SHINE, https://www.shine.cn/feature/lifestyle/2409037058/; https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202409/03/WS66d67f27a3108f29c1fc9d85.html