Visiting Japan and willing to visit a contact in Beijing for a week

Rebecca, there are chances that you can get the tourist entry permit (L type) from Japan even though you are merely a tourist in Japan. The express service takes two or three working days in general, but you need to get the approval of the consular officer first. If you visit the embassy on Wednesday, you may get the L type on Friday.

In case that you can't obtain it from Japan, you can visit Beijing first and then head to Korea. After the stay in Korea, you can re-enter Beijing, use the 72-hour free transit again and then go to another country. The two separate trips allow you to avail yourself of the free transit policy both times. The documents needed are your passport, a confirmed onward flight ticket and your entry permit to the next destination. The service is free of charge.