24 hours vs. 144 hours - does border staff in general know what to do?

Question

Hi, three related questions:1. When entering China (Beijing) by flight and leaving less than 24 hours later again by flight - do I have to explicitly choose 24 hours free transit in contrast to 144 hours free transit at the border? The difference being the allowance to travel freely within all of China with the 24 hours visa, that is not possible with the other. 2. If for any reason (lack of knowledge or experience at airport border controll) I do not get the 24 hours-visa but the 144 hours visa - are checks that I stay within a certain area around Beijing common? (for example checks on trains or bus-rides)3. If I go Beijing to Mongolia or Beijing-North Corea on train and leave China within 24 hours of my arrival: do you think that the Chinese staff at the Mongolian or North Corean border have the knowledge or experience to except my 24 hours free transit?Thanks in advance!

Edith · Answer

1. Yes. You can use 24 hours free transit instead of 144 hours free transit if your layover time is within 24 hours. 2. If you already have Beijing 144 hr free transit, you can only travel within Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province. Going to other areas in mainland China is not allowed.3. I think that the Chinese staff at border should have the knowledge or experience of Chinese 24 hours free transit.

CDKING · Answer

3) You will need to double check but Beijing West Railway station is the only approved international entry/exit point. I think the trains to Mongolia and North Korea leave from a different station and thus not eligible.

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24 hours vs. 144 hours - Does border staff in general know what to do?