Chengdu to offer 72-hour visa-free policy on Sept 1
Aug 30, 2013, 4:08 pm
#1
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Chengdu to offer 72-hour visa-free policy on Sept 1
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/ch..._132673216.htm
With three days to spend in Chengdu, reserve one day for the pandas and two for local culture and food, Mei Jia suggests.
Known as the hometown of the panda and hotpot, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, will enact a 72-hour visa-free policy on Sept 1 for visitors from 45 countries.
Those transit passengers holding valid visas and a flight ticket to a third country will be allowed to travel in the city and the regions under the municipal government, making Chengdu the country's fourth city to open up such convenient three-day stops for foreigners.
With three days to spend in Chengdu, reserve one day for the pandas and two for local culture and food, Mei Jia suggests.
Known as the hometown of the panda and hotpot, Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, will enact a 72-hour visa-free policy on Sept 1 for visitors from 45 countries.
Those transit passengers holding valid visas and a flight ticket to a third country will be allowed to travel in the city and the regions under the municipal government, making Chengdu the country's fourth city to open up such convenient three-day stops for foreigners.
Aug 30, 2013, 6:45 pm
#2
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Ah yes, so next year I'll be able to do SFO-CTU-AUH, if that's how I want it.
I wonder what the international transit passenger numbers are like for Chengdu. Sure, it's a CA hub, but it's not necessarily on the way to somewhere that doesn't already have a non-stop from say, Europe. Perhaps somewhere-CTU-KTM (Kathmandu), but I like widebodies, so going even further out of the way to Southeast Asia to fly one to Nepal is fine too.
I wonder what the international transit passenger numbers are like for Chengdu. Sure, it's a CA hub, but it's not necessarily on the way to somewhere that doesn't already have a non-stop from say, Europe. Perhaps somewhere-CTU-KTM (Kathmandu), but I like widebodies, so going even further out of the way to Southeast Asia to fly one to Nepal is fine too.
Sep 1, 2013, 7:34 pm
#4
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Ah yes, so next year I'll be able to do SFO-CTU-AUH, if that's how I want it.
I wonder what the international transit passenger numbers are like for Chengdu. Sure, it's a CA hub, but it's not necessarily on the way to somewhere that doesn't already have a non-stop from say, Europe. Perhaps somewhere-CTU-KTM (Kathmandu), but I like widebodies, so going even further out of the way to Southeast Asia to fly one to Nepal is fine too.
I wonder what the international transit passenger numbers are like for Chengdu. Sure, it's a CA hub, but it's not necessarily on the way to somewhere that doesn't already have a non-stop from say, Europe. Perhaps somewhere-CTU-KTM (Kathmandu), but I like widebodies, so going even further out of the way to Southeast Asia to fly one to Nepal is fine too.
Sep 1, 2013, 10:27 pm
#5
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
Moreover, even though you and I can get by in Chinese, English isn't as prevalent as in PEK or SHA, so that might deter some. Though, Chengdu is rather compact by Chinese standards, which is a plus.
At the end of the day, I can't say joining the daily scrum that is flying in China is worth routing through, but TWOV is clearly a good idea for those, both travelers and immigration officials alike, that are aware of it.
Sep 1, 2013, 10:33 pm
#6
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I was being facetious. Also, I like widebodies, so flying through CTU to get to SE Asia there's a lower likelihood in getting one-glad to be proven wrong on that case, though.
Moreover, even though you and I can get by in Chinese, English isn't as prevalent as in PEK or SHA, so that might deter some. Though, Chengdu is rather compact by Chinese standards, which is a plus.
At the end of the day, I can't say joining the daily scrum that is flying in China is worth routing through, but TWOV is clearly a good idea for those, both travelers and immigration officials alike, that are aware of it.
Moreover, even though you and I can get by in Chinese, English isn't as prevalent as in PEK or SHA, so that might deter some. Though, Chengdu is rather compact by Chinese standards, which is a plus.
At the end of the day, I can't say joining the daily scrum that is flying in China is worth routing through, but TWOV is clearly a good idea for those, both travelers and immigration officials alike, that are aware of it.
Sep 2, 2013, 2:31 am
#7
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Chengdu is a great place for a 72-hour TWOV allowance, as there's quite a bit to do in the city, and there are a goodly number of daytrips that one can do and return at end of day to a Chengdu hotel to stay within the bounds of the regulation. Of China's big cities, one of my favorites. Now what we need are more intl-to-intl flight options at CTU.
Sep 8, 2013, 1:16 am
#8
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Chengdu is a great place for a 72-hour TWOV allowance, as there's quite a bit to do in the city, and there are a goodly number of daytrips that one can do and return at end of day to a Chengdu hotel to stay within the bounds of the regulation. Of China's big cities, one of my favorites. Now what we need are more intl-to-intl flight options at CTU.
Sep 8, 2013, 1:27 am
#9
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Well, you're getting your SFO flight next June, plus BA from LHR, and maybe KL or LH from AMS/FRA.
Beyond that, you have HKG, TYO, ICN, and many places in SE/S Asia. There will surely be code shares as soon as the long haul flights launch.
I initially thought this idea was insane, but it's starting to make sense to me now.
Beyond that, you have HKG, TYO, ICN, and many places in SE/S Asia. There will surely be code shares as soon as the long haul flights launch.
I initially thought this idea was insane, but it's starting to make sense to me now.
Sep 8, 2013, 10:28 am
#10
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For the Chinese carriers on own metal, CTU nonstops AFAIK:
CA: FRA, SIN, HKG, TPE, KTM, BOM, BLR, KHI
MU: HKT, KBV, BKI, CJU, HIJ (interesting collection, some of these are seasonal)
3U (Sichuan): TSA, MEL, also has YVR via Shenyang but unclear if this is set up to bypass SHE Immigration and therefore qualify for 72 hour TWOV. Also HKT and seasonally, MLE.
CZ is notably lacking in the nonstop internationals out of CTU on own metal.
On foreign carriers Chengdu to East Asia: NRT, ICN, TPE, HKG, MFM
to SE Asia: SIN, KUL, BKK, HAN
elsewhere: AUH, MLE, AMS
So there are a few interesting possibilities right now and hopefully more in the not-too-distant future.
CA: FRA, SIN, HKG, TPE, KTM, BOM, BLR, KHI
MU: HKT, KBV, BKI, CJU, HIJ (interesting collection, some of these are seasonal)
3U (Sichuan): TSA, MEL, also has YVR via Shenyang but unclear if this is set up to bypass SHE Immigration and therefore qualify for 72 hour TWOV. Also HKT and seasonally, MLE.
CZ is notably lacking in the nonstop internationals out of CTU on own metal.
On foreign carriers Chengdu to East Asia: NRT, ICN, TPE, HKG, MFM
to SE Asia: SIN, KUL, BKK, HAN
elsewhere: AUH, MLE, AMS
So there are a few interesting possibilities right now and hopefully more in the not-too-distant future.
Sep 8, 2013, 11:11 am
#11
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Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,033
For the Chinese carriers on own metal, CTU nonstops AFAIK:
CA: FRA, SIN, HKG, TPE, KTM, BOM, BLR, KHI
MU: HKT, KBV, BKI, CJU, HIJ (interesting collection, some of these are seasonal)
3U (Sichuan): TSA, MEL, also has YVR via Shenyang but unclear if this is set up to bypass SHE Immigration and therefore qualify for 72 hour TWOV. Also HKT and seasonally, MLE.
CZ is notably lacking in the nonstop internationals out of CTU on own metal.
On foreign carriers Chengdu to East Asia: NRT, ICN, TPE, HKG, MFM
to SE Asia: SIN, KUL, BKK, HAN
elsewhere: AUH, MLE, AMS
So there are a few interesting possibilities right now and hopefully more in the not-too-distant future.
CA: FRA, SIN, HKG, TPE, KTM, BOM, BLR, KHI
MU: HKT, KBV, BKI, CJU, HIJ (interesting collection, some of these are seasonal)
3U (Sichuan): TSA, MEL, also has YVR via Shenyang but unclear if this is set up to bypass SHE Immigration and therefore qualify for 72 hour TWOV. Also HKT and seasonally, MLE.
CZ is notably lacking in the nonstop internationals out of CTU on own metal.
On foreign carriers Chengdu to East Asia: NRT, ICN, TPE, HKG, MFM
to SE Asia: SIN, KUL, BKK, HAN
elsewhere: AUH, MLE, AMS
So there are a few interesting possibilities right now and hopefully more in the not-too-distant future.
Sep 8, 2013, 12:45 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Anyway, I think we can all agree that in the future, we want more international options in/out of Chengdu!
Sep 8, 2013, 3:44 pm
#13
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,412
For the Chinese carriers on own metal, CTU nonstops AFAIK:
CA: FRA, SIN, HKG, TPE, KTM, BOM, BLR, KHI
MU: HKT, KBV, BKI, CJU, HIJ (interesting collection, some of these are seasonal)
3U (Sichuan): TSA, MEL, also has YVR via Shenyang but unclear if this is set up to bypass SHE Immigration and therefore qualify for 72 hour TWOV. Also HKT and seasonally, MLE.
CZ is notably lacking in the nonstop internationals out of CTU on own metal.
On foreign carriers Chengdu to East Asia: NRT, ICN, TPE, HKG, MFM
to SE Asia: SIN, KUL, BKK, HAN
elsewhere: AUH, MLE, AMS
So there are a few interesting possibilities right now and hopefully more in the not-too-distant future.
CA: FRA, SIN, HKG, TPE, KTM, BOM, BLR, KHI
MU: HKT, KBV, BKI, CJU, HIJ (interesting collection, some of these are seasonal)
3U (Sichuan): TSA, MEL, also has YVR via Shenyang but unclear if this is set up to bypass SHE Immigration and therefore qualify for 72 hour TWOV. Also HKT and seasonally, MLE.
CZ is notably lacking in the nonstop internationals out of CTU on own metal.
On foreign carriers Chengdu to East Asia: NRT, ICN, TPE, HKG, MFM
to SE Asia: SIN, KUL, BKK, HAN
elsewhere: AUH, MLE, AMS
So there are a few interesting possibilities right now and hopefully more in the not-too-distant future.