Help please

I planned my travel to China and Thailand last year for December 2020. I am going with my entire family. We have American passports. I was wondering can I use the transit free visa when I arrive Beijing? We want to stay in Beijing for 3 days, Thailand for two weeks, and back to Beijing for 2 days before returning back to the US.
I am not sure if it matters but we have a lay over flight in Canada for an hour.
Thank you.