passing through beijing on the way to usa.

You'd better apply for a double entry visa, it's true that maybe one entry will be used up during your 13.5 hours transit stop on your way to New York.

In fact, a visa is not required for the 13.5 hours stopover at Beijing airport if you won't leave the airport, however, some immigration officers are not familiar with the visa rule, once he/she stamps entry record on the single entry visa visa, you don't have visa to enter Beijing for five days on your return journey.