Boston-PEK-Tianjin and return Tianjin-Shanghai-Boston ?

Guru, I'm afraid you are not eligible because of two reasons. First, you transit in three mainland China cities. Second, you are flying from USA to PRC and then back to PRC. You should go to a third contry after the transit, such as Cananda, Hong Kong, Macau, and some other countries.

I advise you to by an onward ticket from PEK to a third country to make yourself qualify for the 72-hour free transit. After arriving in Beijing, you can apply for a 0-entry visa from the local exit and entry office so that you can go to Tianjin and Shanghai.

I need to end up in Tianjin, but I will I not be eligible if I stop in Beijing along the way? Or is it only because my 72 hours will start in Beijing? Or can I only land in one eligible city? Would it be better to land in Beijing and take a train to Tianjin, or am I not allowed to leave the city?

I can add another location, another country, at the end, but do I need it to be all on one ticket? Or can I buy that separately? Thanks!

Guru, to avail yourself of this policy, you can only transit in one eligible city. You are not allowed to leave the city unless you apply for a normal entry permit at the local exit and entry administration.

You can buy the tickets separately.

So if I have a flight through Guangzhou, with an overnight layover, I can still travel on to Tianjin right, and be eligible? This site says that is one of the cities that a traveler can pass through and still be eligible for this. Or is it that not possible because Tianjin is another province? Does my 72 hours start when I land in Guangzhou?

What is a normal entry permit? So would it be possible to exit the city, if I fly into Beijing or Shanghai instead, if I apply for a... normal entry permit?

Never mind, figured it out! Thank you!

Guru, what you mentioned is still disqualified. If you land in Guangzhou first, then you can't go to Tianjin during your 72 hours free transit. If you really want to go, you should visit local entry and exit management bureau in Guangzhou and apply for a "normal entry permit", L type for example. However, I can't ensure that you will apply successfully. If you fail, you should leave Guangzhou within 72 hours.