starting Cruise in Hong kong and ending cruise in Shanghai

My clients will be staying in Hong Kong 2 days prior to cruise. Cruise also stops half way through in Bejing and clients are going to stay in hotel for 2 nights instead of the ship and they will end in Shanghai for 2 nights. Does this mean they do not need a visa. Total on their own is 96 hours not including Hong Kong. Does this mean they do not need an entry permit.