China Visa
The PRC follows the international system
and issues visas according to its laws and
regulations which may be modified from time
to time. The information provided on this
page is about entry to the PRC mainland
only: it does not include entry rules for
Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan. In some limited
situations visa is not required, but most
foreign travellers need one. Generally,
travellers requiring one must obtain it
prior to travel, but there are a few
exceptions.
Foreign travellers holding connecting
tickets to pass through China are exempt
from visa requirements provided they stay in
the transit area of the airport for a no
longer than 24 hours.
Visas can be issued for various durations;
immediate or later start dates, and allow
one, two (dual), or multiple entries. Any
exit from the mainland of the PRC, including
to Hong Kong and Macau will require that you
have a valid entry to the mainland to permit
you to re-enter. Otherwise you will need to
apply for a new one at a consulate (or
equivalent in Hong Kong) before entry is
permitted.
The Chinese visa is usually a paper sheet
glued into your passport but it can
occasionally be a rubber stamp.
Read more about China Visas
144-Hour Visa-Free Transit
Since Jan. 30, 2016, the 144-Hour Visa-Free
Policy has been implemented in the city to
facilitate passport holders of 53 countries
and regions to enjoy a visa-free stay up to
144 hours when taking an international
transfer via Shanghai Lukou Airport, and
passengers can travel to Shanghai and
Zhejiang as well.
The 144-hour visa-free transit policy has
been carried out in Shanghai, Jiangsu,
Zhejiang, and Guangdong to facilitate
international travelers to China. It allows
passengers from 53 countries or regions to
transit in the above cities or provinces for
no more than 144 hours (6 days) without
holding a visa.
Areas Allowed to Stay
If transiting in Shanghai, Jiangsu and
Zhejiang: passengers can move around the
three places.
If transiting in Guangdong, passengers can
travel within Guangdong Province.
List of Qualified Countries
Countries having access to this policy are
almost the same as those enjoying 72-hour
visa-free transit policy, including:
24 Schengen Agreement Countries: Austria,
Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland
15 Other European Countries: Russia, the
United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria,
Romania, Ukraine, Serbia, Croatia,
Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia
(FYROM), Albania, Belarus, Monaco
6 American Countries: the United States,
Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
2 Oceania Countries: Australia, New Zealand
6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore,
Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar
Eligible Transit Ports
The 144-hour visa-free transit program has
been implemented in Shanghai Lukou Airport
of Jiangsu, Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport of
Zhejiang, and all air, sea and railway ports
of Shanghai, including Pudong Airport,
Hongqiao Airport, Shanghai Port
International Cruise Terminal, Wusong
Passenger Transport Center and all railway
stations in Shanghai. Passengers can enter
and leave from any of the above ports.
As for Guangdong, passengers can enter via
Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Bao'an
Airport, or Jieyang Chaoshan Airport, but
they can exit from any port in Guangdong.
Read details about 144-Hour Visa-Free
Transit.
Things to do in Guangzhou
Guangzhou is the largest city
in the world’s largest conurbation (the Pearl
River Delta: pop. 65 million). A leading
commercial and industrial city, it has 11
districts under its jurisdiction with a total
area of 7,434 square km (2,870 sq mi). At the
end of 2019, the population of the city's
administrative area was estimated at 15,300,000.
Guǎngzhōu (广州), once better known
internationally as Canton, has been China's
busiest trading centre for centuries. Despite
breakneck redevelopment up to and after the 2010
Asian Games, much of the metropolis still hums
along at a pleasantly sedate pace, where narrow,
leafy streets conceal temples and mosques,
pockets of colonial-era heritage, traditional
dim-sum eateries, distinctive qílóu shophouses
and Lǐngnán architecture. Equally, you can
embrace modernity via the 21st-century
architectural landmarks of the showpiece
Zhūjiāng New Town, such as the late Zaha Hadid's
Opera House and the slim-waisted Canton Tower,
rising up over the Pearl River, which cuts a
lazy swathe through the city.
Canton Tower
The landmark of
Guangzhou, also known as the Guangzhou TV &
Sightseeing Tower and is one of the world's
most remarkable new buildings. It serves not
only as a popular tourist destination but
also as an intensive facility for radio and
television transmission. The tower is
450-meter-high and have an amazing Bubble
Tram (spherical cabins) that allows you to
experience the beautiful panoramic views of
Guangzhou.
Useful Information
Address: No.222 Yuexiang West Road, Haizhu
District, Guangzhou
The Opera House
The Opera House in
Guangzhou does not only host spectacular
international music acts and theatre
performances (in both English and Chinese),
but is also an eye-catching sight due to its
interesting architectural composition.
Whether or not you're a theatre-goer, the
structure makes for a worthwhile visit.
Useful Information
Address: Zhujiang West Road 1, Guangzhou
Phone: +86 20 3839 2888
Chimelong Safari Park
Chimelong Safari Park is
the biggest wild animal theme park in Asia
and home to over 500 species and 20,000 rare
animals such as pandas and white tigers. The
park/zoo features safari on wheels where
visitors are allowed to drive their cars
inside the stock area. This is a large-scale
park where you can have an intimate
experience with animals, and you can surely
spend a wonderful time here with your
family.
Useful Information
Address: Dashi Street, Panyu District,
Guangzhou