Answered by Borut
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Jan. 21, 2024 23:55
Matthew, since your layover in Beijing is shorter than 24 hours, you will be covered by 24 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. This is the most important detail.
To be allowed to exit the airport, you will approach transit counter immediately upon your landing in Beijing where you will apply for a temporary entry permit. This application is for free and it is not a visa. This is just a permit that you can exit the airport and explore the city on your own. I strongly suggest you to print out your flight tickets and your hotel booking confirmation if you plan to stay at the hotel. After a very short check, you will be granted a permit and you will exit the airport.
As far as your baggage is concerned, if you are traveling on a single ticket, your baggage will be tagged all the way to New Zealand, so you do not have to bother with it in Beijing. Just for your peace of mind, just check this detail at the check-in in UK. I am 99% certain that this will be the case, but an additional confirmation is always welcomed.