A Personal Experience of Getting a Hong Kong to Shenzhen Visa

Have you ever felt the urge to embark on a spontaneous adventure while on vacation? Perhaps you woke up one morning and thought, “Yeah, that seems like a good idea.” I’m sure it happens to the best of us, and whether it is a success depends on the overall experience.

Taking a day trip from Hong Kong to Shenzhen seemed like a great idea since they are both under the Chinese government’s jurisdiction and obtaining a visa shouldn’t be too difficult. However, as I soon discovered, travelling with a family can be challenging, and any setback can cause delays, inconvenience, and even embarrassment.

In our case, we were stopped by the Chinese authorities and had to return to Hong Kong. Despite the added drama of getting a visa, I learned some valuable lessons I want to share with you so you can avoid making the same mistakes and have a hassle-free trip to China. So let me tell you my story and what you should and shouldn’t do if you plan to visit Shenzhen from Hong Kong.

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I am on the way to Shenzhen from Hong Kong.

What went wrong when getting a Hong Kong to Shenzhen Visa

Let me explain my mistake when travelling from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. When travelling to Shenzhen, China, by train, you must cross two border checkpoints on the light blue East Rail MTR line using a regular Octopus Card.

If you are taking the MTR from Lok Ma Chau MTR station, it will take you to the Futian Checkpoint. If you already have a Visa or are a Chinese resident, you can enter Shenzhen. However, if you don’t have a Visa, you won’t be able to enter Shenzhen through the Futian Checkpoint as no Visa department office can issue a 5-day Visa pass to enter Shenzhen.

If you haven’t pre-arranged for a Visa, you will be politely escorted back to the border you came from for entry into Hong Kong. This means you must return to the MTR, change trains at the next stop at Sheng Shui, and take the Lo Wu train on the East Rail line to the other checkpoint area in Shenzhen.

Once you arrive at Lo Wu, you must go to the VISA office for a five-day Visa to enter Shenzhen. The process is quick and straightforward, and once you have the Visa, you can enter Shenzhen without any issues.

Unfortunately, we lost some time at the Futian Checkpoint and had only planned a day trip to Shenzhen. However, we ultimately made it to Shenzhen and had a great time exploring the city.

Shenzhen city in China.

The Right Process for your Shenzhen China Visa

If you’re planning to travel from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, this guide will provide you with a detailed step-by-step process to follow. Whether you already have a Hong Kong Shenzhen Visa, we’ll walk you through the process to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.

First, you’ll need to take the Hong Kong MTR train on the light blue line to Lo Wu MTR. Once you arrive at Lo Wu, you must clear the Hong Kong MTR and scan your passport at the Hong Kong checkpoint area. After this, you’ll need to go to the foreigners’ VISA office, which is located on level 2. You must follow a few simple steps to obtain your Shenzhen Visa at the VISA office.

Press the machine button at the entrance to get your ticket number. Then, you’ll need to go to the booth to take a photo. You’ll be asked to provide your passport number for details, and once you take the shot, grab the paper slip and keep it with you. After this, you must wait for your ticket number to be called out. Once your number is called, you must go to the booth allocated and present your passport and photo ticket. The authorities will take your passport to check your eligibility for clearance into Shenzhen. You’ll then need to pay the 168 Chinese Yuan fee at the booth and await your Shenzhen Visa approval. Note that they accept credit cards.

If all goes smoothly, the process will last around 20-30 minutes, and you’ll be ready to spend a maximum of five days in Shenzhen. To obtain your China Visa, you must go to the lowest floor at the foreigner’s checkpoint and scan your fingerprints at the fingerprinting machine. Ensure you do this before queuing up in line, or you’ll have to start again. Once your fingerprints are scanned, queue up and wait to clear customs. At this point, there should be no issues.

Congratulations, you’re now on the Chinese mainland! Once you pass the checkpoints, you can go to the Shenzhen MTR to go deeper into the city. Note that single-journey trips will suffice at this stage. Also, remember that you’re using Chinese Yuan, not Hong Kong Dollars, so you may need to exchange some cash before heading out into the city.

It’s worth noting that Shenzhen is considerably cheaper than Hong Kong so that you can save on MTR, shopping, and food. Enjoy your trip, and have a great time in Shenzhen!

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Navigate the Shenzhen MTR, it gets a little confusing.

What to do on your Shenzhen Trip

I must admit that my experience travelling to Shenzhen is limited as I only had the opportunity to spend half a day in the city. However, I can share my previous experience of entering mainland China, which may help you somehow.

During my short stay in Shenzhen, my companions and I explored the city’s bustling streets, immersing ourselves in the city’s vibrant energy. We marvelled at the long underground shopping malls that lead to subways and enjoyed browsing the numerous retail outlets. We also visited Wongtee Plaza, a boutique shopping centre where we indulged in Starbucks coffee, strolled through its retail outlets, and enjoyed the refreshing greenery of its rooftop garden.

However, the highlight of our trip was visiting the Ping An Financial Centre, the fourth tallest building in the world. The building has a significant business area and a shopping mall boasting fantastic restaurants. We made our way up to the Free Sky Observation deck, which sits at 562 metres, making it the third-highest observation deck in the world. The cost to go up to the Free Sky is 200 Chinese Yaun, a fair price for an observation deck of this calibre. The views from the top were breathtaking, even though the weather was overcast that day.

Obtaining a visa is relatively easy for those visiting Shenzhen from Hong Kong. However, you must have the appropriate documents and follow the proper procedures to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience.

In summary, this brief travel guide on what to do in Shenzhen and the details on how to obtain your Hong Kong to Shenzhen visa should give you a better idea of what to expect from this vibrant city. I hope this information clears up any concerns or queries you may have—best of luck with your future travel plans, and farewell from your Fair Dinkum Traveller.

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