VISA REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER REMINDERS

VISA REQUIREMENTS

  • Passports with at least 6 months of validity prior to travel and have 2 blank pages for visa.
  • Obtain necessary Visa from the Embassy / Consulate of PR of China in your respective countries (if applicable) prior to your travel, which can only be obtained through online application and appointments with the visa center in your country.
  • It is advisable to apply for a China visa at least 30 days before your travel date.
  • Visa category – L (tourist – preferable as it does not require an invitation letter from China BUT MUST PRODUCE PROOF copy of a round trip ticket and hotel reservation) or F (study tour, academic visit).

For further information, step by step details for visa application including passport and photo requirements, related documents, online application form and appointment dates, please visit:  https://www.visaforchina.cn

Recommended mobile apps when travelling to China:

  • China is becoming a cashless society, and physical cash transactions are less. Most merchants in China, including street vendors and taxi drivers, now receive electronic payment from WeChat Pay (WeixinPay) and AliPay. You are strongly encouraged to download one of the following apps before travel to China using your registered mobile number that will be used during stay in China.
    • WeChat – WeChat or Weixin in Chinese is a Chinese instant messaging, social media and mobile payment app. Link: https://www.wechat.com
    • Alipay – Foreign visitors to China can link their VISA or MASTER credit cards to take advantage of Alipay’s widespread acceptance by merchants across the country. Alipay is not designed or intended for use by foreign users in their home country or anywhere outside of China. Website: https://global.alipay.com
  • A reliable VPN service for accessing sites that are unavailable in China, such as YouTube, Whatsapp Messenger and Facebook during your stay.
  • International roaming services provided by your Telco for travel to China.

Preparation upon arrival and departure at Baiyun International Airport

  1. Ensure your international roaming network for mobile is turned on upon landing.
  2. You are required to scan, fill up and complete the China Health Declaration via WeChat on arrival at the airport. (NOTE: Please ensure WeChat is downloaded before departure).
  3. To scan the QR Code, open the WeChat application, go to ‘Discover’ and select ‘Scan’.
  4. In the Health Declaration Form, please indicate the following information for the Local contact number:Name                        :               Gao Huijun
    Mobile No               :               8618666277343
  5. Please take a screenshot of the QR Code for your record.
  6. You will also need to fill a physical Arrival Form (please ensure you have a pen with you) before Immigration Clearance.
  7. As of 30th August 2023, all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Travellers are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival in China.
  8. Other arrival and departure guide at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport can be viewed at : https://www.gbiac.net/byairport-web/index)

DIRECTIONS FROM GUANGZHOU BAIYUN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO JIANGUO HOTEL, GUANGZHOU

  • JIANGUO HOTEL, GUANGZHOU 广州建国酒店 (Chinese Characters for Hotel Name to show to taxi driver)
  • Address: No.172 Linhe Middle Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510610 China (HOTEL ADDRESS IN CHINESE：广东省广州市天河区林和中路172号)

Transportation option to reach the hotel:

Taxi (Taxis in China Generally are Cashless – Use Alipay or WeChat Pay for transactions)

  • 40 – 45-minutes’ drive from the Baiyun International Airport
  • The average cost from the airport to the hotel is estimated between CNY140 – CNY170 (USD12 – USD15) excluding surcharges, tolls or delays. Charges will vary; therefore, it is advisable to check the price with the operator before travelling;
  • You can find taxis 24 hours a day outside the Main Terminal of Terminal 1, in taxi lines or in Terminal 2, the taxis are located at the boarding point – Door 52 (International).
  • Recommended taxi companies:
    • Baiyun Taxi Group (Tel. 8620-8769-3477)
    • Guangjun Taxi Group (Tel. 8360-0000)

Metro Line 3

  • Guangzhou Metro Line 3 is dedicated to link the Baiyun International Airport and the downtown area covering Tianhe District;
  • The Station at Airport South (Terminal 1 – Arrival), Airport North (Terminal 2 – Departure)
  • Operation Time:
    • Terminal 1         –              06.02 – 00.08(next day)
    • Terminal 2         –              06.00 – 23.15
  • Ticket Fare: Between CNY2 – CNY10 (USD0.30 – USD1.50)
  • Exit at Guangzhou East Railway Station. Jianguo Hotel is 380m from Guangzhou East Railway Station (EXIT F, has a short climb of stairs) and 900m from Linhexi Metro, walking distance (However, participants with heavy luggage etc. may consider taking a taxi to the hotel if necessary).

ARRIVAL GUIDE

  1. Flight arrival
    Passengers who have relatives and friends picking up are advised to inform them in advance of the terminal where your flight will arrive.
  2. Quarantine inspection and Border inspection
    Passengers shall pass the entry quarantine and enter the border control area.
    Please fill in your ARRIVAL HEALTH DECLARATION FORM via Wechat Application.
    Passengers from yellow fever areas should present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to the quarantine inspector; inbound passengers suffering from fever, diarrhoea, AIDS, venereal disease, mental illness, and open tuberculosis, please proactively declare to the quarantine agency.
    Passengers should submit their travel documents, boarding passes, and “Foreigner Entry Card” to the immigration border police. After the police check, they can enter the country with the entry border seal.
  3. Baggage claim
    Please find the carousel where your checked baggage is located on the flight displays according to your flight number.
    In order to prevent false claim and wrong taking, on-site staff may conduct random inspections and check the baggage tag/number and the barcode on the ticket, please keep your baggage ticket and cooperate.
  4. Customs inspection
    Please go to the customs for inspection and cooperate with the customs staff during inspection. If you have any declarable items, please take the entry declaration passage, otherwise take the green passage.
  5. Quarantine inspection
    All carry-on luggage must be checked by X-ray machine.
  6. Leave the airport
    In order to protect your personal rights and the safety of your personal and property, please do not accept any services offered by any personnel without official airport work certificates outside the airport control area.  Please do not take vehicles without operation qualification and soliciting passengers without permission.

DEPARTURE GUIDE

  1. Arrival at the terminal
    Passengers are advised to arrive at the terminal 3 hours in advance.
    Please confirm your target terminal by checking the airline information.
  2. Check-in and Baggage drop-off
    Passengers may complete check-in and baggage drop-off at the corresponding airline counter by presenting valid identity certificates and air ticket.
    Please be aware of the check-in time of your flight to avoid any miss.
    Self-service check-in and baggage drop-off are available on-site. It is recommended to complete check-in procedures online in advance.
  3. Security check and quarantine inspection
    Please prepare your air tickets and valid documents such as ID card or passport, and hand them to the security inspector for inspection.
    Please fill in your EXIT HEALTH DECLARATION FORM via Wechat Application.
  4. Customs inspection
    Please go to the customs for inspection. If you have any declarable items, please take the red passage, otherwise take the green passage.
  5. Border inspection
    Foreign travelers must fill in the “Foreigner Exit Card” (not required for Chinese citizens), and wait in line to go through the exit formalities.
  6. Waiting and boarding
    Please follow the instructions on the flight displays and guide signs to wait/board at the corresponding boarding gate 30-40 minutes before departure.