Originally Posted by
rankourabu
This is false. PEK does not require a visa for 24 hour transits - and you can leave the airport. CAN does not require a visa for a same-day transit - and you can leave the airport as well.
Check the China forum, there are many lengthy threads.
I personally have done 23hrs in Beijing and 47hrs in Shanghai in the last two years without any visas.
That's great, I wish the consulate would have told us that! We'll probably give it a go, the worst they can say is no.