Hello,

I'm flying China Southern from NRT to BKK with a 13-hour layover at CAN.

The layover happens to be overnight.

I had planned on spending the night at the airport since Chinese visas are expensive and time-consuming for American passport-holders, but I've been told that CAN airport closes at night.

I asked China Southern, the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo and Expedia if I would be denied boarding for not having a Chinese visa even though my final destination is BKK. China Southern said maybe yes, maybe no. The Chinese Embassy didn't have an answer. And Expedia referred me to a tourist office for travellers to Thailand, which has nothing to do with the visa issue in China.

Has anyone had any experience with Guangzhou airport at night? Or with China Southern?

I really don't have the time to get the visa, and I'm wondering how all of this will play out.

Thanks for any advice.