Does 72 hour transit really begin at 00:01am the day Following arrival in Beijing Airport ?

That's an outdated info, and the current policy is that it has to be within the 72-hour limit. Otherwise you'll be denied boarding. One of the Canadian travellers lost at least $4,000 because of this.

THANKS... I knew it sounded TOO good to be TRUE.
I will pay $221 and get a regular tourist visa through an online /mail-in visa service agency.

Is $221 a good price? (It is lowest I can find for mail-in service)
$140 consulate fee + $49 agency fee + $9 shipping to Chicago + $23 return shipping = $221
Thanks for your advice.

That sounds about right. Make sure you request the 10-year, type L visa since it's more bang for your buck.

I am still looking for clarification on the 0:01 on the day following entry into the "Beijing airport."
On FEBRUARY 3, 2016 GARY CHODOROW
posted: on a website
"Per Timatic, all cities except KWL, KMG, and SHE count the 72 hours starting from 0:01 on the day following entry (when the visa waiver is granted)."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr CHODOROW:
My question to you is: Does the 72 hour transit really begin at 00:01am the day Following arrival in Beijing Airport ?
I am a US citizen. I will arrive in Beijing China on 3/20/2017 1:15am and depart 3/23/2017 5:25pm. That is around 88 hours elapsed time. On some websites I have read that the time does not start until 00:01am the day FOLLOWING issue of the 72 hour transit from the "Beijing Airport."
Can you assure me that I will not need to buy a regular tourist visa for China?
I have one reply stating that the 00:01am the day Following arrival in Beijing Airport is outdated information. However your post was on FEBRUARY 3, 2016 BY GARY CHODOROW, so I am hoping it is correct.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Joe Sliger
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyone please comment on Febuary 2017 current status of this "00:01am the day Following arrival in Beijing Airport" issue.
thanks,

Current timatic text:

- at Changsha (CSX), Chengdu (CTU), Chongqing (CKG), Dalian
(DLC), Guangzhou (CAN), Qingdao (TAO), Tianjin (TSN), Wuhan
(WUH), Xi'an (XIY) or Xiamen (XMN) for a max. transit time
of 72 hours, starting from 00:01 on the day following the
day of entry.

- at Beijing (PEK), Guilin (KWL), Harbin (HRB), Kunming
(KMG), or Shenyang (SHE) for a max. transit time of 72
hours;

The other way is to call Beijing airport's immigration office. They have English-speaking staff.