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China Tour from United Kingdom
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China is one of the top destinations for British travelers. In 2013 China attracted 222,800 British tourists for sightseeing. The most popular destinations in China for British travelers are: Beijing, Pearl River Delta Region, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin and Tibet.
For UK travelers visiting China for the first time there are always many questions that come to mind when planning a trip to China. Our China trip planning page is especially designed for UK nationals and provides you with all the basic information you need to know before your travels.
Visa for United Kingdom Travelers
For British travelers who are planning on visiting China a Visa is required. For more information about Visa Free destinations in China, please check the Visa Free Section below.
Visa Application Fees
Single-entry: £30 (UK nationals)
Double-entry: £45 (UK nationals)
Multiple-entry within six months: £90 (UK nationals)
Multiple-entry within 12 months or more: £180 (UK nationals)
You must also pay a service fee of £36 (standard), £48 (express) or £54 (postal applications).
Chinese Visa Application Service Center
London Office
Address: 12 Old Jewry, London, EC2R 8DU
Office Hours: Monday – Friday
Application Submission: 9a.m - 3p.m (Express Application Submission: 9a.m-12p.m)
Payment and Passport Collection: 9 a.m - 4 p.m
Please note: The Collection date for the express service will be three working days from submission of applications (e.g. customers applying on Monday will pick up their visas on Wednesday). Applicants requesting express service will be charged an extra visa fee and service fee. Applications for express service must be lodged at the CVASC counter before 12:00 noon Monday to Friday.
The Centre is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tel: +44(0)20 7206 0589 Fax:+44(0)20 7710 6001
E-mail: ukcentre@visaforchina.org
Manchester Office
Address: First Floor, 75 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HR
Business Hours: Monday-Friday
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Submission of Applications: 9:00 to 15:00.
Payment and Collection: 9:00 to 16:00.
Contact information
Call: 01612361070
Fax: 01612445883
E-mail: manchestercentre@visaforchina.org
Edinburgh Office
2nd Floor, Exchange Tower, 19 Canning Street, City of Edinburgh, EH3 8EG, UK.
Office Hours: Monday-Friday
Application Submission: 9am - 3pm
Payment and Passport Collection: 9 am - 4 pm
The Centre is closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays in China or UK.
Tel: 0131 2292519
Fax: 0131 2291598
E-mail: edinburghcentre@visaforchina.org
Visa Exemptions to China for United Kingdom Travelers
| Destinations | Duration | Visa Type | Terms | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 180 Days | Visa Exemption | UK citizens are exempt from Hong Kong Visa if they are visiting for sightseeing and do not exceed 180 days stay. | |
| Macau | 180 Days | Visa Exemption | UK citizens are exempt from Macau Visa if they do not exceed 180 days stay. | |
| Pearl River Delta (Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, and Huizhou) | 6 Days | 144-hour Convenient Visa | 1. You are already in Hong Kong or Macau. 2. You joined a tourist group organized by a travel agency registered in Hong or Macau. 3. Your visit is restricted in the Pearl River Delta Region. | > Read More |
| Hainan Province | 15 Days | Tourist Exemption Visa | You joined a tourist group of five or more people organized by a travel agency with the approval of China National Tourism Administration to visit Hainan Province. | > Read More |
| Beijing | 72 Hours | Transit Visa | With confirmed onward tickets, transit via Beijing International Airport and stay in Beijing. | > Read More |
| Shanghai | 72 Hours | Transit Visa | With confirmed onward tickets, transit via Pudong Airport or Hongqiao Airport in Shanghai. | > Read More |
| Guangzhou | 72 Hours | Transit Visa | With confirmed onward tickets, transit via Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and stay in Guangdong province. | > Read More |
| Chengdu | 72 Hours | Transit Visa | With confirmed onward tickets, transit via Chengdu Shuangliu Airport and stay in Chengdu. | > Read More |
Airlines Flights to China
There are many frequent flights between UK and China's main cities. Below are just a few of the many flights from different airlines to Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shanghai.
Airlines to China: direct and indirect flights between Beijing and major cities in United Kingdom
Air China
British Airways
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Cathay Pacific Airways
Singapore Airlines
China Southern Airlines
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Emirates Airline
Flight schedules between United Kingdom and China
| China Airport | Airline | Flight |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital International Airport | Emirates |
London (LHR) 2.15p.m. ― Beijing (PEK) 3.10p.m. 17 Hours 55 Minutes (1 Stop) |
| Beijing Capital International Airport | Cathay Pacific |
London (LHR) 6.25p.m. ― Beijing (PEK) 6.20p.m. 17 Hours (1 Stop) |
| Shanghai Pudong International Airport | Air China |
London (LHR) 8.25p.m. ― Shanghai (SHA) 5.40p.m. 14 Hours 15 Minutes (1 Stop) |
| Shanghai Pudong International Airport | China Southern Airlines |
London (LHR) 10.35p.m. ― Shanghai (SHA) 9.20p.m. 15 Hours 45 Minutes (1 Stop) |
| Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Emirates |
London (LHR) 5.00p.m. ― Guangzhou (CAN) 10.10p.m. 22 Hours 55 Minutes (1 Stop) |
| Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport | Air China |
London (LHR) 1.15p.m. ― Guangzhou (CAN) 12.10p.m. 15 Hours 55 Minutes (1 Stop) |
| Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport |
Air China |
London (LHR) 1.15p.m. ― Chengdu (CTU) 11.50a.m. 15 Hours 35 Minutes (1 Stop) |
| Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport | China Southern Airlines |
London (LHR) 9.55a.m. ― Chengdu (CTU) 12.25p.m. 19 Hours 30 Minutes (1 Stop) |
Food in China
Dining in Beijing
Dining in Beijing you will be spoilt for choice with unlimited options. Whether you want to try out the local delicacies or dine at the finest restaurants you will not be disappointed with what Beijing has to offer.
>>Read More
Dining in Chengdu
Most of Chengdu's local food specialties started out as snacks or Xiaochi (small eats). They originated in little stands or stalls located on sides of the road. Being located in Sichuan Province, Chengdu's local specialties are famous for their delicious spiciness. Sichuan Province is one of the four famous local cuisines in China.
>>Read More
Dining in Guangzhou
Guangzhou is universally known for its excellent food. Cantonese cuisine is one of the Famous Eight in China with different flavors and styles, by using diverse and delicate materials, exotic spices and various cooking skills. Cantonese cuisine, as epitome of Chinese food culture, is a mixture of tradition and modern, east and west.
>>Read More
Dining in Shanghai
Shanghai enjoys a good reputation in Chinese gourmet circles, and numerous restaurants have sprung up here specializing in almost all of China’s regional cuisines, like Beijing cuisine, Sichuan cuisine, Cantonese cuisine, Suzhou Cuisine as well as Shanghai local dishes.
>>Read More
United Kingdom Embassy and Consulates in China
Consulate General of U.K. in Shanghai
Consul-General: Mr. Brian Davidson
Address: Suite 301, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nan Jing Xi Lu, Shanghai 200040
Email: britishconsulate.shanghai@fco.gov.uk
Consular Areas: Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang
Consulate General of U.K. in Guangzhou
Consul-General: Mr Alastair Morgan
Consular Areas: Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan and Hunan
s: 2/F, Main Building, Guangdong International Hotel, 339 Huanshi Dong Lu, Guangzhou 510098
Phone: (+86)(20) 8314 3000
Fax: (+86)(20) 8331 2799
Out of Hours: (+86)(20) 8314 3000
Email: consular.guangzhou@fco.gov.uk
Counter Services: Monday to Friday: 09:00-13:00
Telephone Inquires: Monday to Friday: 09:00-13:00, 14:00-16:30
To note the consular section operates on a 'by appointment only' system, please call the office in advance prior to showing up, or book an on-line appointment through its official website.
Consulate General of UK in Chongqing
Consul-General: Mr Simon Lever
Consulate Areas: Chongqing, Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou
Consular Section (Help for British Nationals)
Address: Suite 2801, Metropolitan Tower, 68 Zourong Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing 400010
Tel: (+86)(23) 6369 1500
Fax: (+86)(23) 6369 1525
Out of Hours: (+86)(23) 6369 1500
Email: consular.chongqing@fco.gov.uk
Counter Services: Monday to Friday: 09:00-12:00, 13:30-15:30
Telephone Inquiries: Monday to Friday: 09:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00
Time Difference
Beijing is 8 hours ahead of London (Standard Time) and 7 hours (Daylight-Saving time).
Beijing Time Now (GMT+8)
United Kingdom Time Now (GMT 0)
Currency
The official currency of China is the Chinese Yuan (￥) otherwise known as Renminbi (RMB).
For the latest exchange rate from GBP to Chinese Yuan use our currency convertor below:
Exchange Rate: 6.32
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