Answered by ZUPAN | Oct. 24, 2019 23:53
Indeed, if you want to enjoy 72 hour visa free transit or 144 hour visa free transit that will be introduced starting from December 1 in Xi'an, you are not allowed to have a stop in Beijing or in any other part of the mainland China immediately before your arrival in Xi'an. If you have two consecutive stops within mainland China, you are immediately limited to just 24 hour visa free transit. Also, after you have stayed in Xi'an, you are not allowed to have a stop within mainland China, but you have to travel nonstop to some other country or eligible territory.
People who would like to enjoy visa free transit scheme is less frequented Chinese destinations usually combine Hong Kong and Macau with their visa free transit travel plans because those two territories are considered a third country for visa free transit purposes. So, think about this when you create your itineraries.