Stay2CN Community Update | 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit | May 2026
Big news for anyone planning a South China route: as of November 2025, Guangdong Province added 5 new ports to the 240-hour visa-free transit program.
This means you can now enter through places like Chaozhou, Jieyang, and others that weren't on the original list. For anyone doing a South China loop, this is a game changer.
What Changed in Late 2025
The original 60 ports expanded to 65 total. The new additions are all in Guangdong, making it easier than ever to start a trip in the Pearl River Delta region without a visa.
Combined with the 55 eligible countries, the policy is now more flexible than ever.
My Actual Route Using the New Ports
I recently helped a friend plan this route, and it worked flawlessly:
Day 1–3: Fly into Guangzhou → explore the city, eat dim sum, walk along the Pearl River Day 4–5: Train to Shenzhen (30 mins!) → tech district, coastal parks, border vibe Day 6–7: Ferry to Hong Kong → day trip or overnight (counts as third country for transit purposes) Day 8–9: High-speed rail to Guilin → those famous karst mountains you've seen in every China photo Day 10: Fly out from Guilin to Bangkok
Total: 10 days, zero visa stress, and you hit three completely different vibes of China.
Pro Tips for South China Transit
• Guangzhou's metro now accepts Apple Pay and foreign cards directly at the gates — no need to fumble with QR codes if your phone isn't set up yet
• The ferry from Shenzhen to Hong Kong is faster and more scenic than the train for first-timers
• Guilin in autumn (Oct–Nov) is absolutely magical — rice terraces turn golden
• English is surprisingly good in Shenzhen compared to other mainland cities
Common Question: Can I Enter Through One Port and Exit Through Another?
Yes. The 240-hour rule allows entry through ANY eligible port and exit through ANY eligible port. You don't need to use the same one. This makes open-jaw itineraries totally viable.
Has anyone tried the new Guangdong ports yet? Or planned a Pearl River Delta → Guilin route? I'd love to hear how it went.
Posted on 2026-5-22 15:34:45