Foreign tourists and businesspeople from 51 countries can stay in the region for six days or 144 hours, given they will pass through Shanghai or the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu. (Photo : Getty Images)
Foreigners without visa can now stay in the Yangtze River Delta region for six days, according to a report by China Daily. The new rule is a product of China's first cross-region visa-free transit policy, which will be implemented starting Jan. 30, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
Foreign tourists and businesspeople from 51 countries can stay in the region for six days or 144 hours, given they will pass through Shanghai or the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu.
Furthermore, passengers must be able to show valid international travel documents as well as booked tickets to qualify.
A similar policy in Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing has already taken effect since 2013. However, this 72-hour visa-free policy is only valid for passengers entering one of the aforementioned cities via an airport. China's new policy expands this rule to include other points of entry such as railway stations and ports.
"This measure aims to transform the city into a regional leader with global influence, which will attract more foreigners to stop in those places and understand local cultures better," said Lu Hanlong, a professor from Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Sociology.
Aside from the addition of the new cross-region visa-free transit policy, travelers without visa can easily transfer to their actual destination thanks to high-speed trains. Nowadays, it only takes travelers around an hour to get to Shanghai or Hangzhou from Nanjing.
Foreign travelers are excited about the new policy, which will make traveling in China much easier and less of a hassle.
"I am excited to hear about the extended visa-free transit policy," said Jennifer Hammond, an American public relations officer, in an interview with China Daily.
"It was quite convenient when I tried the 72-hour one previously, entering Shanghai before heading to Chengdu in Sichuan Province. I would like to try it later when I travel to China again," Hammond said.
Hammond also believes the new policy will entice more foreigners to travel to China.
"It will definitely attract more foreign people who take business trips to China to apply this method to spend a few more days traveling around as a bonus," she said.
