Visa for transit in Beijing airport

Hi, I hope you can help!

I hold a British passport and I plan to fly to Manila, Philippines in Dec 2012.
I have booked two flights separately (London to Beijing and a domestic flight from Beijing to Manila).

I will have a stopover/ layover in Beijing of approx 12 hours from when I arrive in Beijing until the next flight to Manila. As this is a long layover I was hoping to leave the airport and see a few sights in Beijing or stay in a hotel to rest.

Also on my return to London again I have a 14 hour stopover/ layover and definatly need to stay at a hotel.

Can you confirm if I would need one (such as for transit or from looking on the internet is there an option to request for a 'stopover' 24 hour permit from Beijing immigration at the airport?) to do this as it is less than 24 hours each time and I have a ticket with my name booked for the onward flight to Manila or London.


Any help would be greatly appreciated.