Originally Posted by
travelinmanS
Another thing is that you don't get a passport stamp which will no doubt drive some clerk at a hotel in Beijing nuts when they try to locate your "entry date".
That has never been a problem so far. I have had no Chinese stamps in my passport for a few years because I always cross from HK driving a car. Just tell the clerk you used the e-gate with the fingerprint. Your details get send to the PSB anyway and the system has your entry record, so it will go through. Only hassle is renewing your visa, because you need to have the Entry/Exit bureau print out the record to show your last entry. Usually takes some time to find an officer who actually knows what to do.