Ultimate Zhangjiajie Visa-Free Travel Guide 2025

Do I need a visa for traveling to Zhangjiajie?

Zhangjiajie, home to China's first national forest park and inspiration for Avatar's floating mountains, is covered by China's convenient visa-free policies that make it accessible to international visitors. Whether arriving through Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport or other major ports of entry in China, travelers can experience a smooth journey. Visitors from countries like Singapore can enjoy 30-day visa-free access, while travelers from the United States, Canada, and other eligible countries can take advantage of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy when Zhangjiajie is part of their transit route through China. These policies allow tourists to explore the breathtaking natural wonders and unique landscape of Zhangjiajie with minimal visa complications.

If you don't qualify for visa-free entry or transit, you'll need to apply for a regular Chinese visa.

Zhangjiajie Visa-Free Entry

30 Days Visa Free - Countries Mutual Exemption of Visa with China

Citizens of below countries holding a valid ordinary passport are exempt from visa requirements for entry, exit, or transit in the territory of the other contracting party, with a single stay not exceeding 30 days and a cumulative stay not exceeding 90 days within 180 days.

Eligible countries include Asian countries: Thailand, Singapore, Maldives, Kazakhstan, the UAE, Qatar, Armenia, Georgia, Brunei; European countries: Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, San Marino; African countries: Mauritius, Seychelles; Oceania countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Samoa; North American countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Bahamas; South American country: Suriname.

30 Days China Visa Free - Eligible Countries

China has launched a 30 Days Visa-free Policy for 37 eligible countries, including several European nations — Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. In Oceania, Australia and New Zealand are listed, while in Asia, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan are included.

Ordinary passport holders of the above-mentioned countries can enter China visa-free for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit for no more than 30 days until December 31, 2025. Read more »

Zhangjiajie 240-Hour Visa-free Transit

The policy allows citizens from 54 eligible countries to visit Zhangjiajie without a visa. To qualify, you need a valid passport (with at least 3 months validity) and confirmed onward travel tickets (flight, train, or cruise) to a third country or region within 240 hours of entry.

Zhangjiajie Visa-Free Transit Requirements

1. Citizenship from one of the 54 eligible countries

54 Countries Qualified for 240-Hour Visa-Free Transit (Enlarge to See Full List)

2. Valid passport or international travel document

Your passport or travel document must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your intended stay. Some travelers may also need a valid visa for their onward destination, depending on the requirements of that country.

3. Confirmed onward travel tickets to a third country/region

Your itinerary must meet specific routing requirements. China (including Zhangjiajie) must be a transit point between your departure country and onward destination - these must be different countries or regions. Please note that Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan are considered separate regions from Mainland China for transit purposes.

Valid Route Examples:

1. US → Shanghai → Zhangjiajie → Hong Kong

2. South Korea → Zhangjiajie → Beijing → UK

3. Singapore → Chengdu → Zhangjiajie → Beijing → Japan

4. Entry through one of China's 60 designated ports

China's 240-Hour Visa Free Transit policy is available at 60 ports of entry across the country, including Zhangjiajie Hehua International Airport and other major transportation hubs like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. You can enter through any of these designated ports, provided you meet the transit requirements.

5. Understanding Your 240-Hour Stay

Your visa-free period begins at midnight (00:00 GMT+8) the day after your arrival. For instance, if you arrive on April 20, 2025 at 13:00, your visa-free period will start on April 21, 2025 at 00:00. During these 240 hours (10 days), you're free to engage in tourism, business activities, or visiting friends and family. You can travel between different cities and provinces within China, as long as they are covered by the visa-free transit policy.

Zhangjiajie Transit Visa-Free Process - 6 Steps to Follow

① Inform the airline that you will apply the 240-hour visa-free transit when boarding.

② Upon arrival at your port of entry, proceed to the waiting area and complete an Arrival Card.

③ Present your completed Arrival Card at the 240-hour visa-free counter.

④ Receive your Temporary Entry Permit stamp on your passport. (If you already have a Chinese visa, specify that you wish to use the visa-free transit instead.)

⑤ Collect your luggage and clear customs and immigration.

⑥ Begin your exploration of Zhangjiajie.

How to Plan Your Visa-Free Travel to Zhangjiajie

Essential Zhangjiajie (3~5 Days)

Travel Plan	Itinerary	Features	Recommended Tour
Plan A	Day 1: Arrival Day 2: Ten-Mile Gallery + Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain Day 3: Tianmen Mountain	Must-visit highlights	3 Days Classic Zhangjiajie Natural Wonders Tour
Plan B	Day 1: Arrival Day 2: Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge + Yellow Dragon Cave Day 3: Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain Day 4: Tianmen Mountain	Classic and most famous sites	4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Adventure with Glass Bridge
Plan C	Day 1: Arrival Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Huangshi Village + Golden Whip Stream) Day 3: Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain Day 4: Tianmen Mountain + Transfer to Fenghuang Day 5: Fenghuang Ancient Town, drive back to Zhangjiajie	Side trip to Fenghuang Ancient Town for a cultural break	5 Days Amazing Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town Tour
Plan D	Day 1: Arrival Day 2: Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (Huangshi Village + Golden Whip Stream) Day 3: Yuanjiajie + Tianzi Mountain Day 4: Tianmen Mountain + Transfer to Furong Day 5: Furong Ancient Town, drive back to Zhangjiajie	Thousand-year old charming town on a waterfall	5 Days Fantastic Zhangjiajie Tour with Furong Ancient Town

Learn more about How to Spend 5 Days (Arrival + 4 Days) in Zhangjiajie ⋙

Visa-Free Combo: Zhangjiajie & Beyond

Cities	Highlights	Recommended Tour
Beijing + Zhangjiajie	Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven	6 Days Beijing to Zhangjiajie Fantastic Adventure Tour
Shanghai + Zhangjiajie	The Bund, Yuyuan Garden, Nanjing Road	6 Days Shanghai Zhangjiajie Highlights Tour with Glass Bridge Experience
Hong Kong + Zhangjiajie	Victoria Peak, Star Ferry, Hong Kong Skyline	6 Days Zhangjiajie Essence Tour from Hong Kong
Chengdu + Zhangjiajie	Chengdu Panda Base, Renmmin Park, Leshan Giant Buddha	6 Days Zhangjiajie Tour from Singapore with Chengdu Stopover 7 Days Chengdu Zhangjiajie Wonders Tour
Kunming + Zhangjiajie	Stone Forest, Green Lake, Lijiang Old Town (customizable)	6 Days Enchanting Zhangjiajie Tour from Kunming
Chongqing + Zhangjiajie	Hongya Cave, Wulong Karst, Yangzte River Cruise	6 Days Chongqing Zhangjiajie Surreal Adventure with Wulong Karst 7 Days Chongqing Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Tour

Travel Zhangjiajie with China Discovery

To help you enjoy a worry-free trip to Zhangjiajie and the whole China, we suggest you travel with China Discovery. Our experienced travel expert will help you arrange the accommodation, transportation and everything well to let you spend all your effort and time on the sightseeing. If you have any other ideas or questions about your Zhangjiajie tour, please feel free to contact us. We will help you plan your enjoyable trip with sincerity and professionalism!

We have helped many global travelers enjoy their memorable trips to Zhangjiajie for the past few years. Among them Mr. Elie & his wife from Belgium enjoyed 5 days in Zhangjiajie during their 69 days China trip customized with us and shared us their travel story. Travel with China Discovery to create your wonderful Zhangjiajie trip memories! Our best Zhangjiajie tours include classic trip to Zhangjiajie National Park, Glass Bridge, Tianmen Mountain and China tours with Zhangjiajie, Guilin, etc.

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Recommended Tours

Top 3 tours chosen by most customers to explore in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us.

4 Days Zhangjiajie Exciting Adventure with Glass Bridge and Tianmen Mountain

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5 Days Amazing Zhangjiajie & Fenghuang Ancient Town Tour

Zhangjiajie / Fenghuang / Zhangjiajie

7 Days Chongqing Yangtze River & Zhangjiajie Tour

Chongqing / Yangtze Cruise / Yichang / Zhangjiajie

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Questions & Discussions

Following are latest questions and answers from our webusers and customers. You can learn many useful information from the discussion and cases. You can also join in the discussions or ask your own question. Our experts will help you ASAP.

Alan Vickery

240 hour visa for China

Hi, I’m a UK citizen and am travelling to China in April for 10 days before moving onto South Korea. I was in London on Friday and went to the Chinese embassy and the Chinese Visa service to check about the 240 hour exemption. They were very vague in their response which alarmed me - can you confirm that I can travel and get my 240 hour visa on arrival? Thank you.

2025-02-10 17:31

Hi,

Yes UK passport holders can enjoy 240-hour visa free transit in China's Mainland as long as your itinerary is qualified and ticket to a third country or region is confirmed. You can find a tour on our website to ask for further details.

China Discovery 2025-02-11 16:11

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