China Embassy in Singapore announced on July 23, 2023 that the 15-day visa-free policy would be resumed for Singapore passport holders since July 26, 2023, either for the purpose of business activities, sightseeing, visiting families and relatives, or transit. The policy has been suspended for over 3 years after the outbreak of Covid-19. 

Singapore citizens having obtained a China visa, their visa will still be valid before the expiration date. Those having lodged the submission but not getting the visa yet, the application will be processed as before. Those planning to stay in China for more than 15 days, a visa will still be needed.
 

For travelers of other 52 nationalities, including UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, and Australia, they can take advantage of 144-hour visa free transit to visit China on their way to a third country/region.
 

For instance, Mr. Shors from UK will fly from London to Bangkok, with a connection in Beijing. In the case, there is no need for him to apply for a China visa if the overall transit time is less than 144 hours. During the layover, he can apply for a temporary stay permit at the airport, which is totally free, to travel around in the wider Beijing transit area, which also includes Tianjin and Hebei Province. 
 

On his way back to UK from Thailand, he can choose another China airport to make the transfer, like Shanghai or Guangzhou, and apply for another 144-hour visa-free transit, so as to visit the areas accordingly. 
 

This saves those travelers both time, money and effort from applying a China visa in advance. 
 

Some of the Applicable Cities for 144-Hour Visa Free Transit: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming, Xiamen 
 

This policy is even friendlier, for it is applicable to almost all nationalities and at most airports in China. The disadvantage is that one will only be allowed to stay for at most 24 hours. Leaving enough time for arrival and departure procedures, they can only make a brief visit in downtown. 
 

More China visa exemptions are available, but with many restrictions, like Hainan 30-Day Visa Free Access. Click to see more China Visa Exemption.