144 hour Visa-free - if coming in to Beijing can you only stay in Beijing area

Hey there. Husband is coming to Beijing from NZ/Australia with a single entry/single exit visa. We will head off to Egypt for a holiday then back here to Beijing before he flies back to NZ after about 5 days. My question - when we come back from Egypt he will have to get the 144hour free option. BUT does this only restrict him to be in Beijing, as we had planned to go to Xian and possibly Guilan. Thanks for your help.