Guangzhou Airport Layover Tour: Make the Most of Your Transit in the Flower City

Guangzhou, known as the "Flower City" and a dynamic hub in South China, offers far more than just an airport stopover. Whether you have 3 hours or a full day between flights, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)’s convenient location and efficient transportation links let you dive into the city’s unique blend of Cantonese culture, delicious cuisine, and iconic attractions. This guide will help you navigate visa policies, transit logistics, and curated itineraries to turn your layover into an unforgettable mini-adventure.

Visa-Free Transit Policies for Guangzhou Layover
24-Hour Visa-Free Transit
All open ports of entry in China implement a 24-hour transit visa-free policy for citizens of all countries. Foreign nationals holding valid international travel documents and confirmed onward tickets who are transiting through China to a third country or region by international aircraft, ship, or train, and whose stay in China does not exceed 24 hours and who do not leave the designated port area, are exempt from visa requirements. If they need to leave the designated port area, they must apply for a temporary entry permit from the border inspection authorities at the port of entry.

1. Official Definition
Foreign travelers holding valid international travel documents (passport valid for at least 3 months) and confirmed connecting tickets with fixed dates and seats for a third country/region (round trips to the same country are invalid) may stay visa-free for up to 24 hours when transiting through Guangzhou.

2. Eligibility
Citizens of all countries and regions (no nationality restrictions)

3. Stay Rules
Stay duration: Calculated from the time of entry, no more than 24 hours.

4. Application Process & Materials
Automatic application: Eligible travelers can directly go through immigration inspection upon arrival; no advance procedures or additional materials are required beyond valid passport and connecting tickets.

5. Key Notes
If travelers need to leave the airport restricted area due to special circumstances, they must apply for a temporary entry permit at the airport border inspection office and provide relevant supporting documents.

72-Hour Visa-Free Transit
1. Policy Positioning
Implemented since August 1, 2013, it is one of the earliest visa-free transit policies in Guangzhou, designed to facilitate short-term visits for transit travelers within Guangdong Province.

2. Eligibility
Citizens of 53 designated countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Russia, Brazil, etc.

3. Core Requirements 
· Valid passport with a validity period of at least 3 months from the date of entry.

· Confirmed connecting tickets (air, cruise, etc.) with fixed dates and seats for a third country/region within 72 hours, with different departure and destination countries/regions.

· No adverse records (visa refusal history, illegal entry/residence/employment in China within the past 5 years);

· Travelers from yellow fever endemic countries/regions must hold a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate

4. Stay Rules
· Stay duration: Up to 72 hours, calculated from 00:00 on the day after entry.

· Activity scope: Entire administrative area of Guangdong Province; travelers can take public transportation to any city in Guangdong during the stay period.

5. Application Process
· Prior notification: Inform the airline crew of the intention to apply for 72-hour visa-free transit before boarding the flight to Guangzhou;

· Arrival procedures: After arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, follow the signs for incoming passengers to the inspection and quarantine and immigration inspection channels;

· Document submission: Go to Immigration Channels 2-4 (marked for 72-hour transit travelers) and submit valid passport, third-country/region visa (if required), completed entry card (including Chinese accommodation address), and 72-hour connecting tickets;

· On-site approval: Receive a temporary entry permit on-site after border inspection review.

6. Baggage Handling 
If travelers choose to check through baggage to the third country/region, the baggage will be inspected at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and no need to be reclaimed; if baggage needs to be reclaimed, it can be picked up after completing immigration procedures.

144-Hour Visa-Free Transit (Recommended for Guangdong Exploration) 
1. Policy Positioning 
Implemented since May 1, 2019, it is a key upgraded visa-free transit policy in Guangdong Province. It expands the stay duration and entry-exit ports on the basis of the 72-hour policy, further facilitating transit travelers' in-depth visits and business activities in Guangdong.

2. Eligibility
Citizens of 54 designated countries (same as the 72-hour policy), including 24 Schengen Agreement countries, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, etc.

3. Core Requirements
· Valid passport with a validity period of at least 3 months from the date of entry;

· Confirmed connecting tickets (air, cruise, etc.) with fixed dates and seats for a third country/region within 144 hours, with different departure and destination countries/regions;

· No adverse records (visa refusal history, illegal entry/residence/employment in China within the past 5 years);

· Travelers from yellow fever endemic countries/regions must hold a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate.