China Tour Questions and Answers, China Travel Q&A

Answered by Borut | Nov. 10, 2025 23:53

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If I am not wrong, your intention is to use the following itinerary:

UK - Beijing (a short layover - transit) - Hong Kong - mainland China (Guangzhou, Beijing) - UK

If so, your itinerary is definitely and without any doubt eligible for 240 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. I will explain a couple of details:

- During your short layover in Beijing you will just walk from one gate to the other and you do not need to perform any formality nor to fill out any forms. Also, you will not be a subject of immigration and customs inspections. You will just encounter a security check on your path. So, this is it as far as your short Beijing is concerned.
- You will visit both Hong Kong and Macau and from there depart toward Guangzhou. If you depart from Hong Kong the most convenient way is to take a train from Hong Kong West Kowloon station directly to Guangzhou. If you depart from Macau, your best option is to cross via Hengqin border crossing and to take a taxi to nearby (1.5 km) Hengqin Town train station or directly to Zhuhai train station (16 km). If you take Hengqin train station, you will encounter trains departing 2 - 3 times every hour to Zhuhai train station from where you can take a huge number of direct trains to Guangzhou South train station. Please, keep in mind that Hengqin is the only overland border crossing toward mainland China that is eligible when traveling on 240 hour visa free transit.
- It is essential to have your exit ticket or to be precise Beijing to UK ticket at hand (as a printout - best or at least as a screenshot on your smartphone) because you will be asked at Hengqin border crossing to present it.
- When you clear Hengqin border formalities you are free to enjoy your time on your own and to travel on the route you have presented.

Have a nice visit to China.

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Answered by Jason | Nov. 11, 2025 01:32

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Amazing, thank you! :)

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Answered by Borut | Nov. 11, 2025 08:52

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You're welcome :)

Just one, tiny correction. When I said that Henqin is the only overland border crossing toward mainland China when traveling on 240 hour visa free transit, I meant to say the only border crossing from Macau toward mainland China eligible for those traveling on 240 hour visa free transit. In general there are other overland border crossings that are eligible in general like Hong Kong West Kowloon train station for taking a direct trains from Hong Kong toward mainland China destinations like Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Guilin and many other, then HZMB bridge when traveling from Hong Kong to Zhuhai... In any case, Henqin should be your choice if you decide to cross the border from Macau to mainland China.

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Answered by Jason | Nov. 12, 2025 00:12

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Actually our plans have changed due to flights now- we have to return to HK for our flight to Beijing, so the potential trip would
ook like:
LHR
Beijing (transit only)
HK (6-8 days)
Then
HK
Goungzhou (2-3 days)
HK
Beijing for 4 nights
LHR

Would this still work?

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Answered by Borut | Nov. 12, 2025 02:57

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Yes, your new itinerary is definitely and undoubtedly eligible for 240 hour visa free transit. Basically, here we have:

UK - mainland China - Hong Kong > 24 hour visa free transit, no need to perform any formality. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, this scheme is fulfilled and you can start a new one:

Hong Kong - mainland China (Guangzhou + Beijing) - UK > 240 hour visa free transit, the recommended way to travel from Hong Kong to Guangzhou is by direct train from Hong Kong West Kowloon station to Guangzhou.

I strongly advise you to have your Beijing to UK flight ticket printed out in order to expedite the entire process. You will perform all the formalities, exit from Hong Kong and entry into mainland China in the same place - Hong Kong West Kowloon train station where both, Hong Kong and mainland Chinese immigration/border authorities are co-located in the same premises. Having that in mind, allow some 90 minute before your scheduled train departure. Have a wonderful journey.

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