Airline transit visitors to China no longer have to be entertained by the inside of an airport. A new regulation frees up passengers who previously were stuck in airports unless they applied for a visa in advance. Implemented earlier this year, travelers with layovers in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou can exit the airport for up to 72 hours without a visa. Forty-five countries can transit in China visa-free, including the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, Singapore, and Australia. Airline passengers must hold a third country ticket, meaning the journey cannot be a round trip visit or a one-way journey. The regulation is now being extended to Kunming in southern China, allowing more transit travelers to enjoy a taste of China’s city life on their layover.

For more information on traveling in China, visit the Chinese Embassy website