Current China Entry policy
#2176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, SQ*PPS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 11,722
For HK you still have to wait until your code turns blue on the morning of your third day, but in the meantime you aren't confined to a quarantine hotel which is a vast improvement. The pre-flight test for the flight into HK can now be a rapid antigen test instead of a PCR, which is cheaper as well.
Macau is a viable option because once you finish your quarantine you can travel to the mainland as normal, no extra isolation required. So having a choice of hotel makes the 7-day quarantine and 3-day monitoring period more comfortable. There are only two quarantine hotels available (Lisboeta, Regency Art Hotel), and both comparable in cost at a minimum 100-120 USD per night including meals. The Broadway Hotel will be the only option for yellow code holders after Oct 31, and runs about $50/night without meals.
Less time spent in HK if you're only there to transit, less total quarantine time, lower cost since you can choose any hotel for your three amber code days.
Macau is a viable option because once you finish your quarantine you can travel to the mainland as normal, no extra isolation required. So having a choice of hotel makes the 7-day quarantine and 3-day monitoring period more comfortable. There are only two quarantine hotels available (Lisboeta, Regency Art Hotel), and both comparable in cost at a minimum 100-120 USD per night including meals. The Broadway Hotel will be the only option for yellow code holders after Oct 31, and runs about $50/night without meals.
Less time spent in HK if you're only there to transit, less total quarantine time, lower cost since you can choose any hotel for your three amber code days.
#2177
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,081
For HK you still have to wait until your code turns blue on the morning of your third day, but in the meantime you aren't confined to a quarantine hotel which is a vast improvement. The pre-flight test for the flight into HK can now be a rapid antigen test instead of a PCR, which is cheaper as well.
The government announcement says that you won't be able to access the PCR test at the land border while holding the yellow QR code and that renders the border itself inaccessible.
Last edited by tauphi; Sep 27, 22 at 6:11 am
#2178
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,081
Most people are coming through HK on the way to China simply because it's cheaper than flying direct.
#2179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 38,398
However, I'm still considering stopping over in HK on my way back from the US because, unlike Korea and Taiwan, I have customers (and banks) in HK I haven't visited in person for over a year. Flying down there from here for two days of meetings didn't make sense at all when HK also had the 7-day quarantine. With the new 0+3 policy in HK, it makes a little more sense, but I'd still rather wait until after I'm outside of China anyway.
#2180
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Beijing
Posts: 264
#2181
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: UA 1MM
Posts: 160
Has anyone been able to get a multiple entry Chinese visa of any type after March 2020? Or are they only giving out singles?
Also, if you have a non-expired but currently not valid 10-year visa, and you apply for a new post-March 2020 visa, will the consulate cancel the 10-year visa?
Also, if you have a non-expired but currently not valid 10-year visa, and you apply for a new post-March 2020 visa, will the consulate cancel the 10-year visa?
#2182
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,081
Has anyone been able to get a multiple entry Chinese visa of any type after March 2020? Or are they only giving out singles?
Also, if you have a non-expired but currently not valid 10-year visa, and you apply for a new post-March 2020 visa, will the consulate cancel the 10-year visa?
Also, if you have a non-expired but currently not valid 10-year visa, and you apply for a new post-March 2020 visa, will the consulate cancel the 10-year visa?
Yes if you get a new visa your old visa will be cancelled.
#2183
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,041
With Japan opening for tourism after October 11th, would it make sense to try to enter China through Tokyo instead of Seoul (or Hong Kong, if it turns out that that gateway actually works)?
#2184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 38,398
I'll check all options when it's time for me to come back here next year, but Japan-China fares are quite pricey at present (i.e. total cost of doing that drill starting from the US is even more expensive than 857, which is my benchmark).
#2185
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: UA 1MM
Posts: 160
Looks like I'll wait a few more months.
#2186
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: AAEXP, BonvoyLTT, UAS
Posts: 27
I recently applied for a new multi-entry visa, got a single entry instead. According to the consulate, all prior 10 year visas are invalid. You will need to apply for a new visa regardless of waiting.
#2187
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.7MM, AVIS PC
Posts: 4,866
Well, back in quarantine near Shanghai....
It all went smoothly: AVP-EWR-SFO-AKL-PVG. Did the HDC code in both USA and NZ, although they say you could "get away with" only doing the HDC code in NZ.
Maybe it's because it's not my first rodeo, but it all seemed a lot easier than a year ago.
The only disconcerting thing is that the hotel room reminds me of the TV show "Dexter" with the carpet covered in plastic wrap
:
It all went smoothly: AVP-EWR-SFO-AKL-PVG. Did the HDC code in both USA and NZ, although they say you could "get away with" only doing the HDC code in NZ.
Maybe it's because it's not my first rodeo, but it all seemed a lot easier than a year ago.
The only disconcerting thing is that the hotel room reminds me of the TV show "Dexter" with the carpet covered in plastic wrap


#2188
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 38,398
Well, back in quarantine near Shanghai....
It all went smoothly: AVP-EWR-SFO-AKL-PVG. Did the HDC code in both USA and NZ, although they say you could "get away with" only doing the HDC code in NZ.
Maybe it's because it's not my first rodeo, but it all seemed a lot easier than a year ago.
The only disconcerting thing is that the hotel room reminds me of the TV show "Dexter" with the carpet covered in plastic wrap
:

It all went smoothly: AVP-EWR-SFO-AKL-PVG. Did the HDC code in both USA and NZ, although they say you could "get away with" only doing the HDC code in NZ.
Maybe it's because it's not my first rodeo, but it all seemed a lot easier than a year ago.
The only disconcerting thing is that the hotel room reminds me of the TV show "Dexter" with the carpet covered in plastic wrap


A few questions:
1. Where is the hotel? I assume since you don't live in Shanghai they can put you anywhere. That might be a good thing because I'm limited to xuhui only and there aren't any great options
2. I didn't notice a couch, or even an easy chair, in your picture. That would drive me nuts (only getting to choose between bed and desk)
3. What are the food delivery rules?
4. Can you do the plus 3 in your own place or at least an actual hotel?
#2189
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.7MM, AVIS PC
Posts: 4,866
Thank you for posting. We're always curious about current data points.
A few questions:
1. Where is the hotel? I assume since you don't live in Shanghai they can put you anywhere. That might be a good thing because I'm limited to xuhui only and there aren't any great options
2. I didn't notice a couch, or even an easy chair, in your picture. That would drive me nuts (only getting to choose between bed and desk)
3. What are the food delivery rules?
4. Can you do the plus 3 in your own place or at least an actual hotel?
A few questions:
1. Where is the hotel? I assume since you don't live in Shanghai they can put you anywhere. That might be a good thing because I'm limited to xuhui only and there aren't any great options
2. I didn't notice a couch, or even an easy chair, in your picture. That would drive me nuts (only getting to choose between bed and desk)
3. What are the food delivery rules?
4. Can you do the plus 3 in your own place or at least an actual hotel?
1. Where is the hotel?
Well, we started driving SOUTH after leaving PVG, and I was thinking: "Oh, ohhh!!"
The seemingly endless drive took us to JinShan District!
Yes, it's because none of us are staying in Shanghai, I am sure.

2. I didn't notice a couch
No, nothing like that. But it's MUCH better than my hotel last year, so I am not complaining. The plastic on the floor is a bit horrible though.
3. What are the food delivery rules?
Has three choices of standard delivery at different costs per day: RMB60, 80, or 100, with increasing "quality". I chose the RMB100/day, but canceled it after the first meal, because 1) I have brought tons of my own food with me, and 2) they have a paper in-room menu which you can order from, A-La-carte. Tried it today...will see what turns up!

You can order pretty much anything else from outside too with two deliveries/day.
This is in STARK contrast to my experience last year!!! Much better here this time around.
4. Can you do the plus 3 in your own place or at least an actual hotel?
This is THE BIG remaining mystery. i have been trying to figure this out with the help from others in the WeChat group, but nothing concrete as of yet. Some are saying it depends on whether your community in Beijing will allow 7-day "quarantinees" or not; others are saying we HAVE to stay in this hotel. Not sure yet....
P.S.: I can see the ocean from my room!!!!

#2190
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,168
China still having a 10 day quarantine is a joke. The speech by his highness yesterday also seemed to indicate they expect to continue their horrible covid policies. Can't imagine all but the most determined traveler will be heading to China in 2023.