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Thanks JDB and QC.
I will focus on Beijing, Xi’An and Chengdu.
This leaves opportunity for a revisit to other major places in the unlikely event that Mrs Aston wishes to return in 2 or 3 years.I may have further questions later.
Also, do we know why BA dropped Beijing? Aircraft shortage or lack of business travellers?
By the way, are BA flights to/from Shanghai likely to be mostly non Chinese passengers, given the abundance of Chinese carriers all of whom charge a lot less than BA and who can cross Russia for a faster journey?
Thanks JDB and QC.
I will focus on Beijing, Xi’An and Chengdu.
This leaves opportunity for a revisit to other major places in the unlikely event that Mrs Aston wishes to return in 2 or 3 years.I may have further questions later.
If you are going to Chengdu, the city itself isn’t much to write home about (so I wouldn’t necessarily even stay there), but it it is the gateway to see pandas, Dujiangyan (also a possible hotel stay location and cheaper than Chengdu) and QingCheng mountain (the latter two are very close to each other and some of the most special places in China). QC mountain is a spectacular natural and religious site (on the Dujiangyan side) and takes a bit of time to visit. There’s a Six Senses there which is probably by far the cheapest in the brand.
@Aston100 – I think they dropped Beijing for lack of passengers; very empty flights. It’s a pain.
People are very seduced by the bright lights of Shanghai, which is a great place but Beijing is where it’s really at. I have mentioned in other threads that from my observations in these more exotic destinations including Eastern Europe, there seem to be ever fewer Brits but more other Europeans which doesn’t help. There’s talk Beijing will be reinstated.
The Shanghai flights use quite a few local cabin crew who offer a rather superior service vs the usual. Food will still be crap though but more than made up for once you arrive in China and quite different to what generally passes for Chinese food in the UK.
Xian for me was the best place. Hire a bike and spend an hour cycling around on top of their great wall, visit “bar street” at night, and bizarrely the Costa Coffee in the mall was one of the best I’ve been to. Then there’s the warriors which are unlike anything else on earth.
Just wandering around the streets there felt really welcoming.
You do need to get a visa if you have a UK passport if staying more than five days which is a bit of a pain, including an in person visit to the visa centre for all applicants but well worth it. You need to have booked your itinerary to apply for the visa, but you can change it afterwards. When booking hotels, make you put both of your names into the bookings.
In reality, how inconvenient is the visa process?
When I’ve checked a few websites and trip reports, it sounds off-putting.
Like, really strict and/or pedantic about the passport photos (pure white background), specifying the exact number of days you’ll be staying, which must tally with a separate itinerary – does it need to include arrival and departure days in the total tally or just the number of nights? all a bit uncertain and likely to get your visa application rejected.
Detailed employment history… this could get interesting if someone has UK security clearance.
A bit apprehensive about the need to go and visit the embassy or a consulate in-person for finger prints, without a set appointment time – could be there all day? Only on weekdays, so all travellers in your group needing to take time off from work?Maybe some of that is outdated now?
I’m guessing you’ve got a 5 year or 10 year visa given the number of visits you’ve made so only needed to feel the pain once.
I missed getting a five year one thanks to covid. It worked fine without appointments before and the booking system later introduced was a bit of an illusion as they booked so many people into each time slot. With the appointment system in place in 2023, for a 10.00 appointment, we left at about 13.30. It’s basically a bit unpredictable how long the second stage at the counter takes, although you will get through quickly. Anyone with any Chinese connections takes much longer.
They aren’t any more fussy about photos than the passport office and you can still complete the form even if you really can’t get the system to accept one. They don’t take any chances, so you will be photographed again. They do ask for your full itinerary which needs to be supported with flight/hotel confirmations and it makes it easier if both your names are on each confirmation and you print it twice. It’s not an issue if you subsequently change the itinerary.
I need to go again in April after getting a new passport so will report back then.
I need to go again in April after getting a new passport so will report back then.
Thanks – look forward to the feedback.
When we went in 2018 the only place we could get a visa application in in time was Belfast and they were only a subsidiary of Glasgow so even after flying over for the day all they did was check our applications and then send them on to be issued in Scotland.
Ok so after having another look at the process for obtaining a visa, I can’t be arsed to go through all that faffing around, two visits of indeterminate length on weekdays and £130 fee per person (principle rather than cost).
So instead, I’m looking at the newly extended TWOV scheme that allows 240 hours commencing at 00:01 the day after you arrive.
I found confirmation that Hong Kong is viewed as a third country.
I don’t need a visa for Hong Kong.
I’ve never been to Hong Kong.
I’d like to go to Hong Kong.Therefore, I should in theory be able to do one of these:
London > Beijing > Hong Kong > London
Or
London > Hong Kong > Beijing > LondonWith a week or so in both places.
No visa necessary.A potential problem which I can’t currently find a confirmed answer or solution to:
The official rules state amongst other requirements “An interline ticket (connecting ticket) with the confirmed departure date and seat number leaving for a third country or region”
Similar wording on a number of websites (though some don’t say interline, but they all mention a seat number being needed).How am I supposed to get a connecting ticket with confirmed seat numbers with a week long connection, given the two routes I’ve listed?
Also, I guess there’s a risk of boarding denial in London or Hong Kong, depending where I’m flying into Beijing from. Greater likelihood from London due to inexperience of the TWOV scheme and thinking I need a full visa maybe?
So perhaps I should go to Hong Kong first, as the check in staff are probably more familiar with Chinese TWOV rules, though that’s just a guess and possibly a bit racist.Anyway, anyone got any thoughts on this idea, and the likelihood of actually needing a connecting ticket and seat numbers?
Ideally, would look to fly into HKG with BA or maybe Cathay. Use a low cost carrier into Beijing and then fly home with some other airline from Beijing.Thanks.
You don’t need a seat assignment. You need a confirmed seat, which is just their way of saying that standby is not allowed. Separate tickets and different carriers are also fine.
Checking in at any major airport like London or Hong Kong should be no problem, but just in case you get an inexperienced agent be sure to use the correct words (eg “transit without visa” not “transit visa” etc) and perhaps leave a little extra time just in case. Maybe print the tickets on paper and highlight the relevant sections. TWOV has been around for years and it’s really nothing special; I’ve used it dozens of times without any issues.
You don’t need a seat assignment. You need a confirmed seat, which is just their way of saying that standby is not allowed. Separate tickets and different carriers are also fine.
Checking in at any major airport like London or Hong Kong should be no problem, but just in case you get an inexperienced agent be sure to use the correct words (eg “transit without visa” not “transit visa” etc) and perhaps leave a little extra time just in case. Maybe print the tickets on paper and highlight the relevant sections. TWOV has been around for years and it’s really nothing special; I’ve used it dozens of times without any issues.
Thank you for the reply.
Not doubting you, but is there anything you can link to that confirms it’s ok to use separate tickets (and carriers for that matter) and that the talk of seat numbers is a red herring?
Just want to be on firm ground here as I’ve read a number of stories about the unforgiving nature of Chinese airport immigration staff.Thanks
Thank you for the reply.
Not doubting you, but is there anything you can link to that confirms it’s ok to use separate tickets (and carriers for that matter) and that the talk of seat numbers is a red herring?
Just want to be on firm ground here as I’ve read a number of stories about the unforgiving nature of Chinese airport immigration staff.Thanks
The FlyerTalk megathreads cover almost every nuance of possible itineraries with hundreds of examples. Airlines will simply use Timatic, of course. Chinese airport immigration really only cares that you have a compliant itinerary, and it is usually a breeze unless they discover someone trying to play games, in which case all bets are off. An itinerary of LON-PEK-HKG-LON or LON-HKG-PEK-LON is clearly compliant (obviously you can’t route through HKG in both directions). Hundreds of people do TWOV every day and it’s routine, especially in Shanghai and Beijing.
Thank you for that information.
On an itinerary of London Hong Kong Beijing London.
Would you be allowed to fly from London to Hong Kong on a Chinese carrier that does a short (under 24 hours) connection in China where you don’t leave the airport, bearing in mind that you’d be flying back into China from Hong Kong a week later to avail of the TWOV?Ok so after having another look at the process for obtaining a visa, I can’t be arsed to go through all that faffing around, two visits of indeterminate length on weekdays and £130 fee per person (principle rather than cost).
Why would you go twice? I thought they can send your passport by post and you don’t need to collect it in person. If you are worried about security remember this is how your passport got to you in the first place from UKPA.
As for how long it takes, my last one about a year ago, I turned up about 20 minutes before the opening in London to a queue of 10-20 people. I headed straight downstairs and got a queue ticket. I was out of the building about 30 minutes after I arrived.
Yes it’s irritating that you need time off work, though in my case I just took my laptop and planned to work away. Obviously not everyone can do that.
You mentioned photo requirements being stringent – I have no idea about that but I just used my passport photo that I got in a local Tesco against a lit white background as UK passport photo requirements are absurdly strict.
And nobody gets a 5 year visa first time in my experience.
Thank you for that information.
On an itinerary of London Hong Kong Beijing London.
Would you be allowed to fly from London to Hong Kong on a Chinese carrier that does a short (under 24 hours) connection in China where you don’t leave the airport, bearing in mind that you’d be flying back into China from Hong Kong a week later to avail of the TWOV?Yes. For example, LON-PEK-HKG-PEK-LON is compliant for TWOV twice, once in each direction. You can TWOV as often as you want and there is no minimum time that you need to be outside China. It’s irrelevant for TWOV purposes whether you leave the airport (or even the aircraft) or not. It’s LON-HKG-PEK-HKG-LON that isn’t allowed.
@Aston100 – the fee you don’t want to pay on principle is £196 per person!
Chinese immigration staff are very polite but also very punctilious so you need to get your paperwork in order.
Your plan seems to add considerable extra travelling, shorten your holiday and potentially increase cost all to avoid a queue in London…
@Aston-100 Last summer, we did TWOV flying LHR-PKX (BA) / PEK-SIN (SQ).
Doing the same this year but swapping Beijing for Shanghai.
All very easy, but do have printed copies of everything for everyone.On the other hand, why get a visa when it’s not necessary? There are pros and cons in either case, but for a one-off LON-PEK-HKG-PEK-LON flight there’s really no need.
On the other hand, why get a visa when it’s not necessary? There are pros and cons in either case, but for a one-off LON-PEK-HKG-PEK-LON flight there’s really no need.
Because, as described, it’s adding extra flights on separate tickets creating delay risk and the cost of buying those return short tickets might cost the same as a visa while shortening the holiday while also limiting the amount of time that can be spent in China which seems a shame when this was reported as a once ever trip. But each to their own!
@jdb et al. Has anyone been to Chongqing, and is it worth it?!
Apart from the train-through-the-building pressure from the youngster,
I’ve had a morbid fascination with the place since listening to the
excellent BBC series Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel!!@jdb et al. Has anyone been to Chongqing, and is it worth it?!
Apart from the train-through-the-building pressure from the youngster,
I’ve had a morbid fascination with the place since listening to the
excellent BBC series Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel!!Chongqing would be a very long way down any list of Chinese cities for a tourist to visit unless going there to/from a yawn cruise.
@jdb et al. Has anyone been to Chongqing, and is it worth it?!
Apart from the train-through-the-building pressure from the youngster,
I’ve had a morbid fascination with the place since listening to the
excellent BBC series Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel!!Chongqing would be a very long way down any list of Chinese cities for a tourist to visit unless going there to/from a yawn cruise.
Thanks, had guessed as much!! A YouTube/podcast session from the comfort of our sofa
will suffice for now…On the other hand, why get a visa when it’s not necessary? There are pros and cons in either case, but for a one-off LON-PEK-HKG-PEK-LON flight there’s really no need.
Because, as described, it’s adding extra flights on separate tickets creating delay risk and the cost of buying those return short tickets might cost the same as a visa while shortening the holiday while also limiting the amount of time that can be spent in China which seems a shame when this was reported as a once ever trip. But each to their own!
I think I didn’t explain things well.
So here is a boring backstory:
I’m looking to visit as many countries in East Asia and South East Asia as possible in the next few years.
We can usually only travel during English school holidays.
We tend to go for at least 2 weeks (there are exceptions such as May half term this year).
We usually avoid going abroad at Christmas, but that may change in a couple of years.
Currently, this leaves only the Easter and Summer holidays.
By all accounts, summer in China is not a good time to holiday.
So that leaves Easter, which is 2 weeks.
Until yesterday, I thought we’d get China out of the way with a 2 week visit at Easter next year. The itinerary I mentioned left room for a potential return (to Shanghai, Nanking, maybe Yunnan province etc) some other time in the future once we’d done the rest of that part of the world.However, the faff of getting visas is off putting, and £196 pp is just taking the pee.
Yesterday I read the TWOV scheme has been extended to 240 hours. However, the rules seem to say that you can’t leave the city / area of arrival, so I can’t do say Beijing and Xi’An on one 240 hour visit.
However, this has opened the possibility of doing 2 or 3 visits (of 7 to 10 days each time) to China along with (up to 7 days) in one other country/region that I haven’t already visited (and in some cases where they don’t really need more than a week), for the next few Easter holidays.
e.g. Beijing and Hong Kong / Shanghai and Siam Reap / Xi’An + Chengdu and a revisit to a part of Korea we haven’t visited etcAny of you been to mainland China in summer? Late July / early August?
If so, just how bad was it outdoors?Any of you been to mainland China in summer? Late July / early August?
If so, just how bad was it outdoors?We went to Beijing last summer (mid-July). Of course it was hot and humid,
but you just go to the Great Wall at 0730h, not lunchtime. Had a fantastic time,
and if you’ve been to, say, South-East Asia, it’s nothing you can’t cope with.
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