Everything You Need To Know About Travelling To China: Visas, Permits & Essential Tips

Thinking of travelling to China, but not sure what documents you need to cross the border? Thankfully, we’re laying out all the important things to know before travelling to the Mainland. From crucial travel tips, arrival cards and permit passes, we’ve got you covered!

With the Mainland border just around 15 minutes away via the Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link and plenty of buses, trains and cars that can take you over the border with ease, those Shenzhen spas and Guangzhou shopping spots are calling our name! But while getting there is easier than ever, navigating the practicalities on the ground can still catch first-time visitors off guard. From securing the right visas and travel permits to downloading the essential apps for ease of exploration and dining, we’ve rounded up the top China travel tips and the things every Hong Kong family should know before heading to the Mainland.

Read More: Navigating HKIA — Family Facilities At Hong Kong International Airport

Jump To: 
Visas And Travel Permits Required To Enter China
Essential Apps To Download 
Getting To And Within China 

Read More: Easy Family Holiday Destinations For Stressed-Out HK Mums

Visas And Travel Permits Required To Enter China

If you hold a visa or APEC card, or you’re entering visa-free, you’ll need to undergo fingerprint verification and complete a travel card upon arrival. You can complete a travel card at one of its immigration kiosks once you arrive or online here. Most likely, you’ll need to queue in the foreigner line — queue length tends to be short, but expect a wait time of at least 30 minutes. Below, we’ve laid out different permits and entry requirements available, and how you can best apply.

Read More: Your Family-Friendly Guide to Macau

China Travel Permit For Hong Kong Permanent Residents

If you’ve reached permanent status in Hong Kong, you’ll be able to receive a China travel permit. (Previously, only Hong Kong passport holders could get a hold of the China travel permit!) This permit allows permanent residents unlimited entry for 5 years with a maximum of 90 days per stay.

To apply, complete the travel permit form, print it out and bring along your HKID, passport and a recent photo to one of the CTS Entry Permit Service Centres after booking an appointment. Application fees cost $260 and you’ll receive your permit in about 20 working days (to be collected in-person). 

CTS Entry Permit Service Centres:

• Sheung Wan: 14/F, Low Block, Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
• Mong Kok: 2/F, Tak Bo Building, 62-72 Sai Yee Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
• Kowloon Bay: Room 202, Enterprise Square Tower 1, 9 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
• Tseung Kwan O: Shop G20-G26, G/F, Alto Residences Mall, 23 Tong Yin Street, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong
• Kwai Chung: 20/F, K83, Tai Lin Pai Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories, Hong Kong
• Sha Tin: Unit B, G/F, Shatin Fun City, 7 Lek Yuen Street, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong
• Tuen Mun: Shop A, 1/F, Kar Wah Building, 11-17 Castle Peak Road, San Hui, New Territories, Hong Kong

Sassy Mama Tip: Make sure you head to a photo studio such as Fotomax to ensure your photo abides by the photo requirements for your applications. If your photos don’t meet the requirements, there are booths at the centre for photos, but note that they only accept cash and can be pricier.

Read More: How To Avoid Bringing Kids Up In An Expat Bubble In Hong Kong

APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)

If you have an APEC card with approved entry to China, bring your card and passport along. You may just be questioned about where you’re staying and how long you’re staying for at the Mainland immigration, so prepare to answer these questions.

Read More: Where To Find Kids’ Luggage And Travel Accessories For Families

Special Visa-Free Entry To China

Travellers from the following countries can enter Mainland China visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism, business, family visits, exchange purposes and transit. The current visa-free scheme is set to remain in place until at least Thursday, 31 December 2026, which means those Shenzhen spas and Guangzhou shops are within even easier reach!  The current passport holders can take advantage of this scheme:

• Europe: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Sweden and the United Kingdom
• Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, Brunei, Malaysia, Russia (separate trial scheme until Monday, 14 September, 2026), Australia and New Zealand
• North America: Canada
• Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Uruguay
• Middle East: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.

Read More: Why Pay More? Discover China’s Affordable Answer To Japan’s Ski Resorts

Mainland Tourist Visa

If you’re not from one of the countries that benefit from visa-free entry, you can always apply for a mainland tourist visa through the traditional route. Fill in the form online, print out the completed form and bring that alongside required documents (bank statements, photocopies of HKID, etc), passport and passport-sized photo to the China Visa Application Service Center.

If you’re applying for a visa during non-peak season, the in-person visa application takes roughly an hour and during peak time, it can take anywhere from 5 to 7 hours, so be prepared for a long day!

Read More: Visiting Zhuhai With Kids — Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Sumlodol Camping Park & Other Attractions

Essential Apps To Download — WeChat, Alipay, Didi and more

Paying in China — WeChat and Alipay

Getting around in China is a whole different ball game! Forget Uber and Apple Pay — you need WeChat and Alipay China! China is mostly cashless, so taxi drivers, restaurants, street vendors and public transport won’t accept cash. The most preferred method of payment is WeChat or Alipay China, which you can link to a Hong Kong credit card.

Sassy Mama Tip: We recommend downloading both apps, as sometimes ordering at restaurants requires a WeChat account.

Read More: Shenzhen Family Travel Guide – How To Get There & Must-Visit Attractions

Navigating Around China — Baidu, Amaps, Didi and more

Sadly, Google is blocked in China, but Apple Maps is still reliable for restaurant and attraction reviews, but if you want a more authentic experience, you can also try using the Chinese counterparts Baidu Maps and Amaps. However, if your phone plan allows for data roaming in China (or you purchase a SIM!), you can use a VPN to access Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram and other apps!

Public transportation is clean and relatively easy to navigate, but as China is so big, it’s surprisingly not the most efficient! We definitely recommend getting a taxi — they’re cheap, fast and can take you exactly where you want to go. Better yet, language barriers are less of a concern when booking rides. DiDi offers an English-language interface, making it easy for families to enter destinations, confirm pick-up points and get around with confidence, even with only the most basic Mandarin.

Sassy Mama Tip: Didi’s price point is considerably cheaper than Uber, so we recommend booking the premium cars when possible, as the cars tend to be cleaner and come with kid-friendly tablets on the back of the front seats!

Read More: The Best Family-Friendly Hotels And Resorts In Macau For Families

Getting Around With Limited Mandarin

Even if the only Mandarin phrases in the family vocabulary are nǐ hǎo and xièxie, remember to be patient in case of any communication issues. English is not commonly spoken across much of Mainland China, so knowing a few practical expressions and everyday vocabulary can make day-to-day travel much smoother (especially if you know you’ll be looking for baby changing rooms or asking about food allergens!). For everything else, handy translation apps such as Baidu Translate can be lifesavers when deciphering menus, navigating transport and communicating on the go.

Read More: Where Kids Can Learn Chinese In Hong Kong

Travelling To And Within China

While flying is always an option, train travel remains one of the easiest and most popular ways to get around Mainland China. For quick trips to Shenzhen, Hong Kong families often choose cross-border coaches or get there via the MTR East Rail line to Lo Wu Control or the Lok Ma Chau stations and walk across the border through immigration there.

For longer journeys between cities, the China Railway High Speed train is a favourite for good reason. Trains are fast, comfortable and surprisingly affordable, making them a stress-free way to explore the country. Just keep in mind that railway stations can be enormous, with airport-style security and baggage screening, so it is wise to arrive two hours before departure (especially if you’re travelling with all the kids’ luggage in tow!)

Sassy Mama Tip: Food is provided on trains, and you can also buy extra snacks and drinks on the train if your little ones are feeling peckish!

Don’t forget to pack comfy shoes! While perhaps a basic statement, families often underestimate the sheer size of buildings and streets, so be prepared to rack up plenty of steps or have a stroller on standby for tired tots!

Read More: The Best Overseas Camps For Kids In 2026