A year on from the introduction of Shanghai's 144-hour visa free transit policy, 39,000 overseas travellers have benefited, Pudong Times reported on Feb 7.

The policy came into effect on Jan 30, 2016 and applies to travellers from 51 countries including the United States, Japan, South Korea, France and Germany, who arrive in China to visit not only Shanghai but also Jiangsu and Zhejiang province.

Since the implementation of the policy, Pudong airports have handled more than 36,000 transit passengers, a year-on-year increase of 80 percent compared to the previous 72-hour visa-free entry for international transit passengers. The data has been collected by the Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection and indicates the success of a much lauded policy.

The Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection also offers a special passageway for travellers wanting to have a visa-free transit.