Toronto -- HK -- Shanghai -- cruise to Japan -- Shanghai -- Toronto

Hi there,

Me and my hubby (both Canadian) will fly in from Toronto to Hong Kong, staying 2 days, fly to SH, staying 2 days, then board a 7-night cruise to Japan and visit 3 ports there. Our cruise will then return to SH, disembark and we will fly home that same afternoon to Toronto. I was told that we still need a China Tourist visa. Can we make use of either the 15-day visa-free policy or the 144 hour Visa-Free policy without applying for a China Visa? Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Bel