whoever Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 hi, does anybody know if it's difficult to get a 24h transit visa in Guanghzou? Staying between 2 flights for 14h, so i'm keen to go check out the city.... thanks for any info have a good weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornerstone Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Not sure if this applies to GZ, but in Beijing I've managed it. You're not supposed to leave the airport, but once you're through passport control, there's not much they can do if they don't know. Worth a go in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panermaniac Posted November 10, 2012 Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Shanghai wasn't a problem for me, as I've heard for Beijing, but for the "smaller" airports, I'm not sure. Boy, would that be fun though Jump in a taxi and say "Wǒ xiǎng qù wàn biǎo gōngchǎng" (i want to go to a replica watch factory) and see what happens! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoever Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Shanghai wasn't a problem for me, as I've heard for Beijing, but for the "smaller" airports, I'm not sure. Boy, would that be fun though Jump in a taxi and say "Wǒ xiǎng qù wàn biǎo gōngchǎng" (i want to go to a replica watch factory) and see what happens! hahaha, i'll do that! But i'm not sure if i can trust you on this! Maybe it says: Please, get me to the darkest porn club in town..... which would be interesting too!! How do you say, "get me to the main railway station please"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoever Posted November 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2012 Shanghai wasn't a problem for me, as I've heard for Beijing, but for the "smaller" airports, I'm not sure. Boy, would that be fun though Jump in a taxi and say "Wǒ xiǎng qù wàn biǎo gōngchǎng" (i want to go to a replica watch factory) and see what happens! besides...."smaller" isn't the right word i guess.....Guangzhou has 12million population.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panermaniac Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 That's why I put it in quotations. Compared to Beijing's 20 million and Shanghai's 23 million though, Guangzhou is small! I was told that at the two big airports you don't need a prearranged visa but for the others you do. But what do I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoever Posted November 11, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 thanks for your tips panermaniac! I am So excited to see the markets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiker01 Posted November 11, 2012 Report Share Posted November 11, 2012 Chinese Visa is freakin expensive! It's almost like "Get out, we don't want you here!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luthier Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 OK, first - I don't know anything about transit visa, all I know is - if you don't have proper chinese visa - you'll sleep on the street, because no hotel will admit you without visa. Transit visa do not allow you to leave airport, and you could be arrested, and pay fine (5000 yuan). Second - if you'll ask a taxi driver to bring you to "watch factory" - he'll refuse to work, until you'll give him an exact address. Third - no taxi could bring you to the watch market, they drop you 2-3 blocks before it. Fourth - when you exist GZ International Airport, new one, bot an old Baiyun, which provide only flights inside China, you'll be surrounded by at least 10-15 people, who will offer you "taxi", but they're not a taxi drivers, the line for taxi will be about 100-200 people. If you'll succumb, and take any of these "taxi", they'll ride you for at least 2 hours, and demand at least 400-500 yuan for the trip. Real taxi cost 180 yuan. Best way is to take the bus #4 and go to Dongguan hotel, where you can easily get a taxi to watch market area (if you speak Putong Hua, of course), for about 25-30 yuan. And the last - ecven if you'll reach watch market, and if you're without chinese guide - you'll pay 800-1000 yuan for crappy 21j or quartz watches. Don't even think to find anything with ETA, clones or A7750, it doesn't exist there. Been there dozens of times. Here's a few pictures. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoever Posted November 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 OK, first - I don't know anything about transit visa, all I know is - if you don't have proper chinese visa - you'll sleep on the street, because no hotel will admit you without visa. Transit visa do not allow you to leave airport, and you could be arrested, and pay fine (5000 yuan). Second - if you'll ask a taxi driver to bring you to "watch factory" - he'll refuse to work, until you'll give him an exact address. Third - no taxi could bring you to the watch market, they drop you 2-3 blocks before it. Fourth - when you exist GZ International Airport, new one, bot an old Baiyun, which provide only flights inside China, you'll be surrounded by at least 10-15 people, who will offer you "taxi", but they're not a taxi drivers, the line for taxi will be about 100-200 people. If you'll succumb, and take any of these "taxi", they'll ride you for at least 2 hours, and demand at least 400-500 yuan for the trip. Real taxi cost 180 yuan. Best way is to take the bus #4 and go to Dongguan hotel, where you can easily get a taxi to watch market area (if you speak Putong Hua, of course), for about 25-30 yuan. And the last - ecven if you'll reach watch market, and if you're without chinese guide - you'll pay 800-1000 yuan for crappy 21j or quartz watches. Don't even think to find anything with ETA, clones or A7750, it doesn't exist there. Been there dozens of times. Here's a few pictures. Thanks Luther for all the details! I actually went to China twice, so i'm quite aware of the common behavior, which is by the way, not reserved to Asia....i live in a european city where when the cab drivers senses you are a complete foreigner he drives you around for an hour two....and with western fares !! And they even try that almost every time with locals!! I always take the subway in China! I went twice to Beijing, so had my share of experience with getting rid of the 15 (actually more 35!!) people who jump on you to get you somewhere or to sell you a Rollie etc For the visa, last time i had a transfer stop when i went to Australia, i somehow remember stewardesses hand out forms for entry pemits for a day, but not sure...there has to be a way. I don't need a hotel this time, since i arrive at 6 in the morning and leave at 8 in the evening. When i stayed in Beijing and handed my passport in, the desk lady gave it back to ma after 24 hours saying i "had to change the picture in it!, and i had to go to the police straight away....".......(!!!!) i didn't....and i never had a problem for 4 weeks. I think they expected i take a pair of scissors and replace it myself with some glue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torobravo Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 14 hours is perfect. You will have time to go and back from the airport to the city, have lunch/dinner. You have to apply for the visa BEFORE your trip. There is no possibility for visa on arrival Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoever Posted November 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 14 hours is perfect. You will have time to go and back from the airport to the city, have lunch/dinner. You have to apply for the visa BEFORE your trip. There is no possibility for visa on arrival Thanks toro! i apply tomorrow then! Hope consulates are fast!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luthier Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Don't know, where do you live, but US citizens pay $120 for chinese visa, luckily, I also have EU passport, visa cost $90, and no need visa to HK, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and many other countries. So, it's very convenient. Good luck to you!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoever Posted November 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 china has new visa standards...now they ask you for your income!!!!!!! I have to [censored] show what my [censored] income is!!! unbelievable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luthier Posted November 12, 2012 Report Share Posted November 12, 2012 Really??? Never heard about it... And I travel to China for 12 years, 4-5 times per year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoever Posted November 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2012 Chinese Visa is freakin expensive! It's almost like "Get out, we don't want you here!" yep....; freaking 125 euro.....damn it! but at least i got one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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