Originally Posted by
YuropFlyer
Maybe I missunderstand what you meant above, but in PEK T3 you're perfectly allowed to stay airside. There is a transit passport/boarding pass check, followed by a transit security check one level lower, which gets you directly airside (you'll exit left hand of the regular security check) - no need to take the train, no need to walk much, just exit plane, have your passport and boarding passes checked, go one level down, security check, and you're airside. Definitely NOT "entering" China in the process.
No you don't misunderstand, but I'm not going to go through every permutation of process at other airports when the poster I was responding to is dealing with PVG not PEK. Also, while the T3 situation you describe doesn't entail stamping and "entering" China, there is still that manned checkpoint at PEK T3 that has to be passed; there is no option to just hop off one international flight and go directly to the next international flight boarding gate (or airside lounge) without coming in contact with a uniformed Immigration staff member checking passports and papers. AFAIK there is no international incoming airport in China that permits bypassing an Immigration officer for any passenger even on transit. I suppose it comes down to how you are defining "staying airside." Moot point here, since PVG is the focus of the question and response and the post subject is about ability to leave the airport. No need to get more complicated than needed.