Originally Posted by
moondog
The OP doesn't need 72 hours. His plan is completely (as in 100%) viable since his total stay in China <24 hours. We've had many, many threads on this.
ETA: It's also worth noting that TWOV applies at every airport in China that has international flights, but only a handful of cities have the 72 hour exception.
I was not referring to the timing of OP's stay. If he arrives from the US to PVG, he will apply for his TWOV in Shanghai. The rules do NOT permit him to depart next day PEK NRT, as per the below from the Chinese Embassy FAQ regarding TWOV.
7、 In case a foreign national has entered China with the 72-hour transit visa exemption issued by the Capital Airport of Beijing, can he or she apply to leave China from an airport in Shanghai?
Answer: A foreign national with the 72-hour transit visa exemption is not allowed to leave the city where the stopover is permitted. Therefore, a foreign national obtaining the 72-hour transit visa exemption at the Capital Airport of Beijing shall leave China from the same airport in Beijing within the permitted time of stay and may not leave China from an airport in Shanghai.
I am trying to point out to OP, that he runs a real risk of a problem even if he is in China only for 24 hours, because the arriving city and departing city are not the same