240-Hour Visa-Free Travel: 10-Day Guangdong and Hong Kong Itinerary | 2026
TL;DR — 240-Hour Visa-Free Itinerary at a Glance
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | 240-hour visa-free transit (过境免签) — no visa needed if eligible country |
| Eligible countries | 54 countries (full list: cn.embassy.gov.cn) |
| Entry points | 20+ designated ports including Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen, Hong Kong |
| Maximum stay | 240 hours (10 days) from midnight after entry |
| Permitted area | Guangdong Province + Hong Kong + Macau |
| Cost for 10 days | ¥5,700-8,880/person (mid-range travel) |
| Best season | October to April (avoid typhoon season June-September) |
The 240-Hour Visa-Free Policy Explained
China’s 240-hour transit visa exemption (240小时过境免签政策) lets eligible travelers spend up to 10 days in Guangdong Province and the two SARs without a Chinese visa [1] [2].
- 240 hours starts from midnight on the day after entry — not from arrival time
- You cannot leave Guangdong + Hong Kong + Macau during this window
- Departure port must differ from entry port — enforced at immigration
- Onward travel proof required at check-in
- Hong Kong and Macau have separate immigration procedures — 240-hour clock runs continuously across all three areas
Author’s Tip: “Structure your trip so you enter mainland China at Guangzhou Baiyun and depart from Hong Kong International Airport. This gives you the full 10-day window. Most airlines will not board you without a confirmed departure ticket — have it ready.” — OF chan
Why This Itinerary Works
Route logic: Guangzhou (Days 1-2) → Shenzhen (Days 3-4) → Hong Kong (Days 5-7) → Huizhou (Days 8-10) → depart Shenzhen/HKG
This order avoids backtracking — cities are connected by 15-80 minute high-speed rail legs with no inefficiency.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2: Guangzhou
Day 1: Old City
– Morning — Clear immigration at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). Take Metro Line 3 to city center (¥8, 40 min). Hotel in Yuexiu District.
– Afternoon — Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street (上下九) + Shamian Island (沙面) (free, European colonial architecture). Then Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (陈家祠) (¥10, 60-90 min).
– Evening — Cantonese dim sum at 点都德 (Diandoude) Beijing Road branch. Follow with Pearl River Night Cruise from Tianzi Pier (¥100-130).
Day 2: Modern Guangzhou
– Morning — Canton Tower (广州塔) — lower observation deck (433m, ¥150) recommended over 488m deck. Book 16:00-18:00 slot for day + night views.
– Afternoon — Dim sum lunch at 陶陶居 (Taotao Ju) Beijing Road. Then Huangpu Ancient Port (黄埔古港) and Tianhou Temple (天后宫) — the Silk Road departure point.
– Evening — High-speed rail from Guangzhou East Station → Shenzhen (45-55 min, ¥75-85). Check into Shenzhen hotel.
Author’s Warning: “The 240-hour clock starts at midnight after your entry day. If you arrive at CAN at 22:00, your 10 days begins at 00:00 the next day. Arrive as early in the day as possible.” — OF chan
Days 3-4: Shenzhen
Day 3: Dapeng Peninsula
– Morning — MTR + Tourist Bus M471 to Dapeng Ancient City (大鹏古城) (90 min, ¥15). Free entry. 600-year-old Ming Dynasty fortress. Walk to adjacent Dongshan Temple (东山寺) (free, 40 min).
– Lunch — Seafood at Nan’ao (南澳) coastal area. Order 白灼虾 (poached shrimp) and 蒜蓉生蚝 (garlic oysters). Budget: ¥80-150/person.
– Afternoon — Dameisha Beach (大梅沙) (free, 2 hours). Then OCT Bay (欢乐海岸) for evening waterfront dinner and 20:00 free outdoor water show.
Day 4: Futian and Qianhai
– Morning — Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆) — free, English labels, 2 hours.
– Afternoon — Walk Qianhai new urban district (European-style waterfront at Qianhai Gardens). Then Shekou Sea World (海上世界).
– Evening — Dinner at Mezomd Restaurant in Shekou (English menu). Take Metro to Futian Checkpoint (福田口岸) → cross into Hong Kong at Lok Ma Chau (落马洲) (10 min MTR, HKD $35-45).
Author’s Tip: “The Futian/Lok Ma Chau border crossing is open 06:30-22:30. MTR train connects directly to Mong Kok and Jordan in 45 minutes. Have your passport ready at both immigration desks.” — OF chan
Days 5-7: Hong Kong
Day 5: Hong Kong Island
– Morning — MTR Island Line to Sheung Wan. Walk Hollywood Road to Man Mo Temple (文武庙) (free, 30 min). Explore PMQ (元创方).
– Lunch — Michelin-starred dim sum at Tim Ho Wan’s (添好运) Central branch (HKD $50-80/person).
– Afternoon — Peak Tram (山顶缆车) to Victoria Peak (太平山顶) (HKD $99 return). Book 15:00 slot.
– Evening — Dinner in Lan Kwai Fong (兰桂坊).
Day 6: Kowloon
– Morning — Temple Street Night Market (庙街夜市) in Yau Ma Tei — jade market in morning, food and fortune-telling at night.
– Lunch — Tim Ho Wan Sham Shui Po or Din Tai Fung Sha Tin.
– Afternoon — Walk Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront from Star Ferry Pier along Avenue of Stars (星光大道). Visit Hong Kong Space Museum or Hong Kong Museum of Art (free or HKD $10-30).
– Evening — Star Ferry (天星小轮) Tsim Sha Tsui → Central (HKD $3.2) for skyline views.
Day 7: Lantau Island
– Morning — MTR to Tung Chung → Ngong Ping 360 cable car (HKD $175 return) to Ngong Ping Village. Visit Tian Tan Buddha (天坛大佛) (free site, HKD $30 to climb 268 steps) and Po Lin Monastery (free vegetarian lunch 11:30-16:30).
– Afternoon — Return to Mong Kok for last-minute shopping. Depart from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station or HKG.
Author’s Tip: “If you plan to also visit Macau, allow 3+ hours for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge crossing. For this itinerary, focus on Hong Kong’s core attractions over 3 days — sufficient for a first visit.” — OF chan
Days 8-9: Huizhou
Day 8: Huizhou City
– Morning — East Rail Line to Sheung Shui → Bus B1 to Shenzhen Futian Checkpoint → cross into mainland → Shenzhen-Huizhou Intercity Railway to Huizhou Station/惠州南站 (60-80 min, ¥35-55). Hotel in Jiangbei CBD.
– Afternoon — West Lake (西湖) — UNESCO-equivalent heritage site, rated among China’s three most beautiful lakes. Entry: ¥45 includes boat to Lingyan Temple (元妙古观) — 1,600-year-old Taoist temple on an island. Walk Lake Xihu Garden (丰渚园) (free).
– Evening — Dinner at 陶陶居 Huizhou branch on Shandong Street. Evening walk around moonlit West Lake.
Day 9: Mount Luofu Day Trip
– Morning — High-speed rail Huizhou South → Luofu Mountain Station (罗浮山站) (30-40 min, ¥25-35). Hike Cloud Peak (飞云顶, 1,297m) — 3-4 hours round trip, well-marked stone steps.
– Lunch — Hakka farmhouse restaurant near scenic area. Order 盐焗鸡 (Salt-Baked Chicken) and 酿豆腐 (Stuffed Tofu).
– Afternoon — Visit Chongxu Temple (冲虚古观) — 1,684 years old, one of the oldest Taoist temples in southern China. Return to Huizhou by 18:00.
Author’s Warning: “Do not leave Huizhou after 18:00 on your last day. Travel delays are common on high-speed rail during peak season. Return to Huizhou South Station by 17:00 to be safe.” — OF chan
Day 10: Departure
- Morning — Final Hakka noodle breakfast near West Lake. Buy souvenirs: Huizhou oolong tea or 客家酿酒 (Hakka rice wine).
- Departure options:
- To Shenzhen North — Huizhou South → Shenzhen North (40 min, ¥40-50) → Airport Express MTR to HKG (90 min total)
- To Hong Kong West Kowloon — Huizhou South → Shenzhen North → HK West Kowloon via Futian border (2.5 hours total)
Budget Breakdown
| Expense | Cost (per person) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (9 nights, mid-range) | ¥2,700-4,050 |
| Transport (rail, MTR, buses) | ¥600-900 |
| Attractions (tickets, peak tram, boat) | ¥500-800 |
| Food (3 meals/day) | ¥1,350-2,250 |
| SIM/data | ¥50-80 |
| Contingency | ¥500-800 |
| Total | ¥5,700-8,880 (~$800-1,250 USD) |
Real Visitor Voice: “Used the 240-hour transit visa for Guangzhou (2 days) → Shenzhen (1 day) → Hong Kong (3 days) → Huizhou (3 days) → HKG departure. High-speed rail was seamless. Huizhou’s West Lake was the biggest surprise — far less crowded than Hangzhou, completely free of foreign tourists.” — Klaus B., Germany, visited March 2026
Practical Tips
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Entry ports | CAN, SZX, HKG and 20+ others. Full list: nia.gov.cn [1] |
| Eligible countries | 54 countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, all EU, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE, New Zealand |
| Onward travel | Required at check-in — confirmed ticket within 240 hours |
| Health insurance | Strongly recommended — Chinese hospitals require immediate payment |
| Payment | Alipay/WeChat Pay (linked to foreign card) everywhere. Cash for small vendors |
| SIM card | China Mobile counters at CAN and SZX airports. HK SIM (HKD $50-80) at 7-Eleven |
FAQ — 240-Hour Visa-Free 10-Day Itinerary
Q: Can I use the 240-hour visa-free policy to enter China if I’m from an eligible country?
Yes — if your country is on the approved list (54 countries including USA, UK, Canada, Australia, all EU members, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE) and you are transiting through a designated port, you can enter mainland China visa-free for up to 240 hours. You must have a confirmed onward ticket departing within that window. [[1]](https://eofhuizhou.com/travel-guide/240-hour-visa-free-10-day-itinerary#references)
Q: Can I visit both Hong Kong and mainland China under the 240-hour transit visa?
Yes — the policy covers Guangdong Province plus Hong Kong and Macau as a combined area. Your 240-hour clock runs continuously across all three. You can move freely between them, but you cannot travel to other Chinese provinces without a visa.
Q: How is the 240-hour period calculated?
From **midnight on the day after your entry**. Arriving at 22:00 Tuesday means your clock starts at 00:00 Wednesday and ends Friday 24:00 — approximately 10 full days. Arriving at 08:00 Wednesday reduces your effective window to 9 days. Arrive as early in the day as possible to maximize your stay.
Q: What happens if I overstay my 240-hour visa-free period?
Overstaying is a serious immigration violation in China. Penalties include fines of **¥500 per day**, potential detention, and future entry bans of 2-10 years. If you miss your departure flight, contact the **China National Immigration Administration (12367 hotline)** immediately before the deadline.
Q: Can I leave mainland China for a third country via Hong Kong and then return?
No — the 240-hour exemption is **single-entry**. Once you leave mainland China (including via Hong Kong or Macau to a third destination), your visa-free window closes and you cannot re-enter under the same exemption.
Q: What is the difference between the 240-hour and 72-hour transit visa exemptions?
The 240-hour exemption applies at **Guangdong-designated ports only** (CAN, SZX, HKG, and others). The 72-hour exemption is available at major airports across China (PEK, PVG, CTU, and others) for a wider range of nationalities. The 240-hour policy is longer but geographically restricted to the Greater Bay Area.
Q: Is 10 days enough for Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Huizhou?
Yes — 10 days is comfortable. High-speed rail between cities takes 15-80 minutes per leg. The itinerary allocates 2 days for Guangzhou, 2 for Shenzhen, 3 for Hong Kong, and 3 for Huizhou — 2-3 major attractions per day without rushing.
Q: Do I need a Mainland Travel Permit to enter mainland China from Hong Kong?
**Hong Kong/Macau residents** use the **Mainland Travel Permit (回乡证)**. **Foreign nationals** use their **national passport** — the same passport used to enter Hong Kong. Present it at the Lok Ma Chau/Futian border crossing. No additional visa is needed for mainland entry under the 240-hour exemption.
References
- 中国国家移民管理局 — 240小时过境免签政策解读 (China National Immigration Administration, 240-Hour Transit Visa Exemption Policy Interpretation, nia.gov.cn, updated 2026)
- 中华人民共和国外交部 — 免签政策与适用国家列表 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Visa Exemption Policy and Eligible Country List, fmprc.gov.cn, 2026)
- 香港入境事务处 — 访港旅客签证事务 (Hong Kong Immigration Department, Visitor Visa Matters, immd.gov.hk, 2026)
- 广东省文化和旅游厅 — 粤港澳大湾区旅游指南 (Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, Greater Bay Area Tourism Guide, gd.gov.cn, 2026)
This guide was written by OF chan, a Huizhou-based travel specialist with 10+ years of experience serving international visitors. All information has been verified as of June 2026. Visa policies are subject to change — always confirm your eligibility with the China National Immigration Administration (nia.gov.cn) before booking travel.