Travel Guide · Before Travel · 01
Visa & Entry
Understand China's visa options, the 240-hour transit exemption, and the documents you'll need so your journey begins without friction.
Understand China's visa options, the 240-hour transit exemption, and the documents you'll need so your journey begins without friction.
A clear-eyed view of what you need before you arrive.
Most travellers visit China on a tourist (L) visa, but the rules of entry have changed meaningfully. As of late 2024, China offers a 240-hour visa-free transit for citizens of 54+ countries, allowing short stays across most regions — a remarkable opening for guests joining a focused retreat.
Beyond the rule book, we recommend treating entry as part of your preparation, not a last-minute step. A 30-minute review with our team usually saves hours at the consulate — and the peace of mind is worth the call.
Four routes into China — pick what fits your passport.
The standard route for most travellers. Apply via the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre (CVASC) in your country; standard processing is 4–7 working days.
Citizens of 54+ countries can transit through China visa-free for up to 240 hours, across most regions. Ideal for guests joining a 5–10 day retreat.
Passport holders from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE, and a growing list may enter China without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
For group retreats and corporate gatherings, we can arrange a business (M) visa with an official invitation letter issued by our partner organisation.
What to do, in order, before you fly.
Allow at least 4–6 weeks of lead time. Book your retreat first (we hold a flexible deposit), then we issue an invitation letter and a day-by-day itinerary suitable for the consulate. Bring your passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages), a recent photo, flight confirmation and hotel bookings.
Once the visa lands, photograph every page. We will never need the physical passport, but it should travel with you — and the photo backup has saved more than one guest at a regional airport.
Send us your passport nationality and travel dates — we will confirm the right route within one business day.