China - Transfer - Visa question

Hi eveyone,

I've read the "Chinese visa discussion" thread but could not find the answer to my question. I am French, I will be studying in India for 3 months (Sept-Dec) and I plan to visit Hong Kong before flying back to France.
The lower prices for plane tickets seemed to route me through KMG (china).

Will I need a chinese visa? (I saw that you did not need one if you just transfered and flew abroad but I am not sure for Hong Kong)

What about if there is a second stop in mainland China before HKG?

Thank You very much!

jctflyer

Hi eveyone,

I've read the "Chinese visa discussion" thread but could not find the answer to my question. I am French, I will be studying in India for 3 months (Sept-Dec) and I plan to visit Hong Kong before flying back to France.
The lower prices for plane tickets seemed to route me through KMG (china).

Will I need a chinese visa? (I saw that you did not need one if you just transfered and flew abroad but I am not sure for Hong Kong)

What about if there is a second stop in mainland China before HKG?

Thank You very much!

jctflyer

You can do TWOW for up to 24 hours.

No problem. Europe - KMG - HKG counts as an international transfer (Hong Kong and Macau both count as international destinations).

Current rules state: "Transit incl. two stops, with a total transit time of 24 hours, within China (People's Rep.) is permitted".

If transiting only through Shanghai, as a French passport holder, you would have 48 hours. Note that if you stop first in KMG and then Shanghai you would b subject to the "24 hour total transfer time in China" rule.

You can do TWOW for up to 24 hours.

TWOW?...you thinking of JWOWW:p

Thank you very much!

I'm looking at flying LAX-PEK-RGN.. the PEK-RGN flight is a direct flight but stops in KMG.. I'm assuming that will be OK without a visa?

I'm looking at flying LAX-PEK-RGN.. the PEK-RGN flight is a direct flight but stops in KMG.. I'm assuming that will be OK without a visa?
What will the total transfer time be?

>> flight is a direct flight but stops in KMG

I don't think the TWOV time limit applies in this case? i.e. no problem

A friend of me travels BKK-PEK-ZRH with a 23.55h layover in PEK. Is she allowed to leave the a) transit area to walk through the airport b) airport and head to the city and sleep in a hotel? Any experiences?

A friend of me travels BKK-PEK-ZRH with a 23.55h layover in PEK. Is she allowed to leave the a) transit area to walk through the airport b) airport and head to the city and sleep in a hotel? Any experiences?

She can go wherever she pleases during her 24 hours.