Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the expiry date of your visa and you’ll need at least one entire blank page in your passport for the visa. You may be required to show proof of hotel reservations and onward travel from China, as well as a bank statement showing you have $100 in your account for every day you plan to spend in China.
A standard 30-day single-entry visa can be issued from most Chinese embassies abroad in three to five working days. Express visas cost twice the usual fee. In some countries (e.g., the UK and the US), the visa service has been outsourced from the Chinese embassy to a Chinese Visa Application Service Centre, which levies an extra administration fee. In the case of the UK, a single-entry visa costs £30, but the standard administration charge levied by the centre is a further £36.
A standard 30-day visa is activated on the date you enter China, and must be used within three months of the date of issue. 60-day and 90-day tourist visas are reasonably easy to obtain in your home country but difficult elsewhere. To stay longer, you can extend your visa in China at least once, sometimes twice. Visa applications require a completed application form (available at the embassy or downloaded from its website) and at least one photo (normally 51mm x 51mm). You normally pay for your visa when you collect it. A visa mailed to you will take up to three weeks. In the US and Canada, mailed visa applications have to go via a visa agent, at extra cost. In the US, many people use the China Visa Service Center, which offers prompt service. The procedure takes around 10 to 14 days.
Hong Kong is a good place to pick up a China visa. However, at the time of writing, only Hong Kong residents were able to obtain them directly from the Visa Office of the People’s Republic of China. Single-entry visas processed here cost HK$200, double-entry visas HK$300, while six-month/one-year multiple-entry visas are HK$500. But China Travel Service (CTS) and many travel agencies in Hong Kong can get you a visa in two to three working days. Expect to pay HK$650 for a single-entry visa and HK$750 for a double-entry. Both American and UK passport holders must pay considerably more for their visas. Be aware that political events can suddenly make visas more difficult to procure or renew.
Air Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, located on the border of the northern Renhe Town, Baiyun District, and the eastern Xinhua Town, Huadu District, is about 28 kilometers (17.4 miles) from the airport to the downtown area of the city. It is one of the three largest air hubs in China. Passport holders of 53 countries and regions are granted a visa-free stay of up to 144 hours when taking an international transfer via Guangzhou Baiyun Airport. Read details about 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit.
Metro Guangzhou Metro owns 13 lines in operation with a length of 308 km (192 mi) and 167 stations. Its mileage is the 3rd in China and the 10th in the world. In 2016, the reliability of the metro's operation was No. 1 and the on-schedule rate was No. 3 in the world. Guangzhou Metro Maps
Train Guangzhou Railway Station is about 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) from the North Railway Station, 5.6 miles (9 kilometers) from the East Station, 14 miles (23 kilometers) from the South Station, and 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) from Baiyun International Airport. As rail lines to Shenzhen, Beijing, and Sanshui directions meet here, the station is one of the important rail transportation hubs in China. Guangzhou has three railway stations handling passenger transport. The Railway Station at Huanshi Road is the largest and most important one, operating trains between the city and Beijing, Wuhan, Nanjing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an, Lhasa, and many other Chinese cities. The East Railway Station (Tianhe Railway Station) mainly provides through trains to Hong Kong and frequent bullet trains to Shenzhen. The North Railway Station in Huadu District is a small station mainly operating bullet trains between the city and Wuhan.
City Bus City buses are easily accessible in the city, including daytime lines, night lines, airport shuttle buses, tourist buses, and BRT lines. Apart from that, three sightseeing bus lines are in service which take tourists to the major attractions in town.
Taxi A taxi charges CNY10 for the first 2.5 kilometers (1.55 miles) and CNY2.6 for each succeeding kilometer (0.6 mile). When a taxi runs farther than 35 kilometers (21.7 miles), an extra 50% will be automatically charged for empty return.
Water Bus The water transport in this city is mainly made up of Suigang Port, Zhoutouzui Port, Zengcheng Xintang Port, Panyu Lianhuashan Port, and Nansha Port. There are six water buses running along the Pearl River, supplying residents and tourists with a more convenient transport service with four piers along the line - Zhongda Ferry Pier, Tianzi Ferry Pier, Xidi Ferry Pier, and Fangcun Ferry Pier. The whole journey takes 40 minutes and costs CNY2.
See more about Guangzhou transportation: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/guangdong/guangzhou/getting-there.htm
Night Cruise on Pearl River
As the third longest river in China, the Pearl River, with a length of more than 2,000 kilometers (about 1,243 miles), is a highlight. Cruising on the Pearl River is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Guangzhou at night. Cruising along the river lets you get a whole new take on the city. You can enjoy Haizhu Square, the famous Canton Tower, as well as various towering skyscrapers.
Ascend Canton Tower
Canton Tower has become a landmark of the city, so it is also one of the must-see places in Guangzhou. As the highest tower in China, Canton Tower has a height of 600 meters (1,968 feet). Ascending Canton Tower, you can not only enjoy a wonderful bird’s-eye view of the whole city but also have a chance to experience some extreme challenges.
Cantonese Morning Tea & Dim Sum
Cantonese Morning Tea is more like a gorgeous breakfast that includes tea and dim sums in more variety than you might expect. Surely you should try the classic ones like Shrimp Dumpling, Steamed Shaomai, and Steamed Vermicelli Roll.
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is one of the must-see places in Guangzhou because of its historical significance. It was built in commemoration of the Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen (1866–1925). A witness to many historical events, the Memorial Hall is now an important venue for large gatherings and performances in Guangzhou.
Hiking in White Cloud Mountain
As the most famous mountain in the city, White Cloud Mountain offers wonderful hiking routes. Spending a weekend there is one of the fun things to do in Guangzhou for local people. It consists of more than 30 peaks, and Moxing Ridge is the highest among them. Standing on the peak, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the whole city.
Have Fun in Chimelong Tourist Resort
Chimelong Tourist Resort is composed of a series of theme parks, including Chimelong Paradise, Safari Park, Water Park, International Circus, and Birds Park. Watching a fantastic circus performance is one of the best things to do in Guangzhou at night. As for the Water Park, it is a cool place to have a good time with friends or family in summer.
For additional information or assistance with travel planning, please contact the organizing committee at pcce_conf@vip.163.com.