I have not booked it yet, but one of the low fare quotes I got from LAX to BKK stops in Shanghai on the return for 16 hours. Can I leave the airport w/o buying a visa? Has anyone had a long layover in Shanghai Pudong airport? Any help appreciated.
16 Layover in Shanghai
See this link: https://thepointsguy.com/2017/04/china-without-a-visa/
And this from the U.S. State Department Web site:
Transiting China:
When transiting certain international airports, you may stay in mainland China without a Chinese visa.
The duration of allowed stay and how broadly you may travel varies by region.
Transiting without a visa requires a valid passport, a visa for your onward destination (if necessary), and an onward ticket from the same location.
You must inform your airline upon check-in, and get an endorsement stamp at the immigration desk before leaving the airport.
Consult the Chinese Embassy/consulate for a current list of eligible airports and more detailed guidance.
A friend transiting Beijing was able to visit the Great Wall earlier this year without a visa.