How to get to China in 2023-2024: entry rules and visa application

This route has become one of the most popular routes for traveling abroad after China resumed issuing visas to Russians in March this year. Now you can fly there in eight hours with a direct flight. Moreover, planes fly from Russia every day. For those who do not want to resort to air travel, there is also the option of crossing the land border between Russia and China. This can be done by train or by car.

True, the main difficulty lies not in buying tickets, but in obtaining a visa. Let’s be honest, you will have to worry about this. But don’t even think about postponing your trip because of this.

The Fashion Vibes editors spent all day on the Chinese embassy website to find out how Russians are issued Chinese visas. So in this material we will tell you about the most convenient and cheapest way to get to China this and next year, how to enter without a visa and not get lost in a new country.

Choosing transportation for your trip

Aeroplane. If you want to reach China quickly, do not hesitate to buy plane tickets. Flight duration from Moscow will be between 7 and 9 hours, depending on the chosen destination city. And the flight from Vladivostok to China usually takes a little more than an hour.

The cost of plane tickets depends on the date of purchase. If you make a reservation in advance, you can find options costing up to 15 thousand liras one way. The price doubles as you get closer to the departure date.

Train. Those who cannot travel by plane for any reason can always go to China by train. True, for those who are not in a hurry in this life, this route is more suitable, because the travel time will be 130 hours or six days. But from the train window you will see the whole of Russia: from Moscow to Siberia. I agree, it’s a real journey.

Bus. Another option to reach China is to cross the land border by bus. They travel back and forth regularly from border towns. The ticket price is symbolic – about 2 thousand rubles. So two hours of travel – and you are already in China. True, you should not expect anything special from the cities located in the immediate vicinity of the border. They do not look like the real China at all – there you will see Russian shop windows and hear local speech, because these areas are aimed precisely at those who cross the border to buy goods and then sell them.

How to go to China without a visa?

In some cases, Russian tourists can enter China without a visa. For example, this applies to cases where you cross the border as part of a tourist group of 5 to 15 people. However, if you plan to visit China individually, you can only enter Hainan Island and Shanghai on a cruise ship without a visa. However, in all the above cases, you can only stay in China for 15 days.

Which cities in China do not require a visa?

Heihe. In general, this is China’s closest city to the border. You cross the Amur from Blagoveshchensk – and you are already abroad. So you can stay for 30 days without a visa, you just need a foreign passport.

Macau. In general, this city is the Chinese version of Las Vegas. This is where both locals and tourists come to visit the nightlife and casinos. What particularly attracts Russian tourists is that they can stay here without a visa for 30 days.

Hong Kong. Flying to China and not seeing Hong Kong is an unforgivable mistake. Therefore, you can just come here without bothering to get a visa. Moreover, the visa-free regime for Russian tourists lasts 14 days. This time is enough to visit Panda Park and Disneyland.

Which Chinese cities issue visas on arrival?

In some cities, you can apply for a visa directly at the airport upon arrival. For example, this can be done in Beijing, the capital of China. But keep in mind that such rules apply only to a group of two people from travel organizations. If you fly on your own, visas are issued in a different order.

Transit travel through China

Travelers who choose China as a transit country (that is, the midpoint between points A and B) have the opportunity to stay here for 24 hours. True, without the opportunity to enter the city. So all you have to do is enjoy the local flavor at the airport. By the way, in some cities of China you can stay in the transit zone for up to 72 hours or even 144 hours. In this case, you can already leave the airport walls.

Procedure for obtaining a visa to China

If you are used to planning your travel route on your own, you need a Chinese visa. Let’s start with the fact that the application for this can be made both at the consulate and on the embassy website. The process of submitting documents does not differ from each other, so choose the option that suits you.

Filling out the form. The first thing anyone going to China should do is fill out a long questionnaire in Russian. There are no difficult questions there. Basically only those directly related to the purpose of the visit. Once completed, the application will be assigned a number that must be registered. Then you need to register to submit documents on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

Sign up for the submission of documents. In general, at this moment all difficulties begin. As records have been broken in the number of people wanting to visit China this year, an appointment to submit paperwork may occur a week or a month later. And for those flying in groups, this is doubly inconvenient. For example, a husband and wife who decide to apply for a visa may be placed two weeks or even a month apart. Keep this in mind when traveling to China with friends and family.

What documents are needed? As a rule, Russian tourists are not denied visas. But you must follow all the rules for applying for a visa and prepare in advance for the fact that the list of documents required to obtain a visa will be impressive. The main documents you need to have with you during your application are:

– Printed and completed application form;
– confirmation of appointment at the consulate;
– foreign passport issued at least six months ago;
– Russian passport and all copies of its pages;
– copies of documents confirming the change of name or surname;
– Paid tickets to China;
– Hotel reservations in China;
– itinerary including routes (if available);
– health insurance.

China visa processing times. Generally, all applications are processed within an average of seven business days. The urgent decision on visa issuance is made three days in advance. If you need a quick response, it will be more convenient for you to pay for the service in express mode.

How much is the visa fee? At the consulate, each tourist must pay a general fee of 3,300 rubles. For an urgent visa, you will have to pay another 2 thousand dollars, and for an express visa to China, they will ask for another 4600 dollars.

Tips before traveling to China

Chinese people don’t speak English. So it is better to be careful not to get lost in a foreign country. Write the names of the hotels in your notes or download a translator to your phone.

Choose your hotel carefully. There are many hotels in China that do not accept Russian tourists under any circumstances. To avoid any surprises, please take this into account when booking your accommodation and contact your hotel representative in advance.

Pay attention to your financial situation. Russian cards are not yet accepted in China (who knows what will happen in a year), so you should either take some cash or enjoy this moment and get a Union Pay card. Meanwhile, it is accepted all over the world. So it will come in handy more than once for regular travelers.