China FREE Layover Tour: Explore Beijing & Shanghai

By Kyra
September 7, 2026

If you have a long layover (8+ hours) at Beijing Capital Airport or Shanghai Pudong Airport, why stay in the terminal? Take advantage of China's 240h visa-free transit policy and join our free half-day tour (totally free!) to explore these fascinating cities!
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Is the Free Layover Tour really free?

Trip.com Group launches free layover tour image from China daily
Yes! Trip.com offers these Beijing and Shanghai layover tours for free - no hidden costs. We take care of all transportation, attraction tickets, and even internet access during the tour. Just relax and explore these fascinating cities during your stopover.
Please note that to ensure everyone has a good experience, each tour is limited to the capacity of the tour bus and is on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour will proceed as long as there is at least 1 participant.
Where Can I Join the China Free Layover Tour?
Currently, free layover tours are available in Beijing and Shanghai through Trip.com:
Beijing Capital Airport (PEK)
📍 Meeting Point: T3 International Arrivals exit (next to Manner Coffee)
⏰ Operating Hours: 7:30-13:00; 13:30-21:00
*All time displays are in local Beijing time (GMT+8).
Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG)
📍 Meeting Point: Shanghai Tourist Information & Service Store (1/F, Terminal 1 International Arrival Hall)
⏰ Operating Hours: 9:00-14:00; 10:00-16:00; 18:00-23:00
*All time displays are in local Shanghai time (GMT+8).
>> Shanghai Pudong International Airport Info, Departure & Arrival Flight Deals
Who is the Free Layover Tour Suitable For?
1. International transit passengers
Passengers whose flights stop in Beijing or Shanghai for 8-24 hours
Travellers who do not want to stay in the airport and want to explore the city briefly
2. Visa-free transit passengers
Foreigners who meet the 24/240-hour transit visa-free policy (including passports of 54 countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States)
Must hold a ticket to a third country, e.g. London → Beijing → Japan
>> Search Flights to & From Shanghai Pudong International Airport
👇View more China visa and entry information
3. Travellers with limited budgets
Free guides and transportation to reduce the cost of short-term stays
4. First-time visitors to China
Use the transit time to experience Chinese culture and prepare for in-depth tourism in the future.
Trip.com Beijing Free Layover Tour
Beijing Free Layover Tour Routes
We offer 2 exciting routes everyday for free! You can pick the perfect tour for you based on your preferences and layover time.
Option 1: Great Wall Tour (7:30-13:00):
📍 Depart from Beijing Capital International Airport. Meet at the T3 International Arrivals exit (next to the Manner coffee shop), and hop on our tour bus!
➡Great Wall of Badaling (Head straight to one of the earliest and best preserved parts of the Great Wall of China.)
🛫Return to Beijing Capital International Airport (Enjoy your ride back and catch your next flight!)
Option 2: Highlights Half-Day City Tour (13:30-21:00):
📍 Depart from Beijing Capital International Airport. Meet at the T3 International Arrivals exit (next to the Manner coffee shop), and hop on our tour bus!
➡Temple of Heaven (Witness the imperial religious building.)
➡Qianmen Street (Wander around the Old Beijing style pedestrian street with filled with historic shops.)
➡Tiananmen Square (Set foot on the "Gate of Heavenly Peace" city square.)
🛫Return to Beijing Capital International Airport (Enjoy your ride back and catch your next flight!)
How to Join the Beijing Free Layover Tour
📍 Beijing Capital International Airport. Meet at the T3 International Arrivals exit (next to the Manner coffee shop)


>> 🏨 Stay near Beijing Capital Airport (or book airport shuttle hotels) for priority access to the FREE Beijing Express Tour!
Trip.com Shanghai Free Layover Tour
Shanghai Free Layover Tour Routes
We'll be offering 3 exciting routes everyday for free! You can pick the perfect tour for you based on your preferences and layover time.
Option 1: Highlights Half-Day City Tour (9:00-14:00):
📍 Depart from Shanghai Pudong Airport. Meet at the Shanghai Tourist Information & Service Store at 1/F International Arrival Hall of Terminal 1, and hop on our tour bus!
➡Yu Garden (Immerse yourself in traditional Chinese architecture and gardens.)
➡The Bund (Witness Shanghai's iconic and futuristic skyline.)
🛫Return to Shanghai Pudong Airport (Enjoy your ride back and catch your next flight!)
Option 2: Local Lifestyle Citywalk Tour (10:00-16:00):
📍 Depart from Shanghai Pudong Airport. Meet at the Shanghai Tourist Information & Service Store at 1/F International Arrival Hall of Terminal 1, and hop on our tour bus!
➡Wukang Road & Wuzhong Market (Experience the charm of local lifestyle.)
➡People's Square & East Nanjing Road (Discover Shanghai's evolving history.)
➡The Bund (Witness Shanghai's iconic and futuristic skyline.)
🛫Return to Shanghai Pudong Airport (Enjoy your ride back and catch your next flight!)
Option 3: Huangpu River Cruise Sightseeing Night Tour (18:00-23:00):
📍 Depart from Shanghai Pudong Airport. Meet at the Shanghai Tourist Information & Service Store at 1/F International Arrival Hall of Terminal 1, and hop on our tour bus!
➡Huangpu River (Hop on a river cruise with breathtaking city views)
➡Yu Garden (Immerse yourself in traditional Chinese architecture and gardens.)
🛫Return to Shanghai Pudong Airport (Enjoy your ride back and catch your next flight!)
How to Join the Shanghai Free Layover Tour
📍 Meet at the Shanghai Tourist Information & Service Store at 1/F International Arrival Hall of Terminal 1


>> 🏨 Stay at hotels near Shanghai Pudong Airport (or hotels with airport shuttle) and get early access to the FREE Shanghai Express Tour!
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