China's Shenyang to offer 72-hour visa-free stays

SHENYANG -- Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning province, will launch 72-hour visa-free stays for foreign travelers next year, authorities said Monday.

From January 1, 2014, travelers from 45 countries are expected to enjoy the policy, if they hold third country visas and have onward tickets to leave for a third country or region within 72 hours, according to the city's border control station.

The scheme will boost local tourism and bring in revenue, said a Shenyang tourism official.

More than 750,000 foreign tourists came to Shenyang last year, up 18 percent year on year, according to the city's tourism bureau. The figure is likely to increase after the visa policy takes effect, said the official.

So far, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Chongqing have the 72-hour visa-free service in place. Dalian, a port city also in Liaoning province, will launch the service on January 1, 2014.