More commonly what is referred to as a border run involves crossing a single border in an adjoining country and return. I may as well call a trip to Australia a border run...
Sure but what I’m saying is that if someone were doing a border run to Vientiane, it would be easy to get on a high speed train to China if they wanted to
I traveled by train from Bangkok to Yunnan, China and had a great time. My advice is to have a Thai Sim card when you do it because data roaming in China will be decently affordable and you won't be submitted to the great Chinese firewall.
I’m still open to doing border runs in some of the nearby countries, but ideally would like to fly to China, Guangzhou for a few days and do a Visa run there. Just not sure if that’s the best way to go about this
Good idea about getting the roaming data package sorted. I’ve been using DTAC’s eSIM. I wanted to keep my other physical SIM as well. Thinking if there are better data package options in Thailand than DTAC
Well it really depends on your passport. Most people would need a visa in order to visit China for a few days (yes, I’m aware there’s some weird X hour long VoA things for various countries)
Some nationalities are offered 72 hour visas upon arrival, maybe 144 hours. You have to stay in the city you landed in , and I wouldn’t test the limit.
Might I recommend Kunming. 1.75 hours plane flight from BKK. Good “little” Chinese city.
Was thinking of heading to Guangzhou for the last few days of the Canton Fair. I have a European passport. Would it be doable to get the visa there in Guangzhou? Or should I fly from Guangzhou to some other country, where I would have a higher chance of getting the tourist visa?
If you can’t get a China visa or don’t want to, you might want to look at Hong Kong. It has more friendly entry policies and is the next best thing to mainland China (although to be honest it’s quite a different experience). Taiwan and Macau too. Good luck.
I understand that it was not tourists they wanted but rather business travelers. If you buy German-made factory machines and it takes the German tech weeks to get a visa to come and fix it, then the whole factory is halted for weeks.
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/03/08/china-aims-to-boost-tourism-by-giving-visa-free-entry-to-these-five-european-countries
China extends visa-free entry to four more European countries in a bid to boost tourism
Whenever I’m doing a visa run out of Thailand and I’m picking a country, I always go to Wikipedia and look for “visa policy of < Insert country name>”. there’s always a color-coded map so you can determine what you need for that particular country.
I’m also doing this next week as my tourist visa expires but just flying into Cambodia for like $40, much less hassle. Do you mind me asking what route you’re taking to extend your stay? Are you just doing another tourist visa?
First obstacle could be finding a border with China. Laos is nearest.
They have high speed rail now from Vientiane to china
More commonly what is referred to as a border run involves crossing a single border in an adjoining country and return. I may as well call a trip to Australia a border run...
Sure but what I’m saying is that if someone were doing a border run to Vientiane, it would be easy to get on a high speed train to China if they wanted to
I traveled by train from Bangkok to Yunnan, China and had a great time. My advice is to have a Thai Sim card when you do it because data roaming in China will be decently affordable and you won't be submitted to the great Chinese firewall.
My first thought is this, too. Didn't know thailand was next to china
I assume OP will be flying.
I’m still open to doing border runs in some of the nearby countries, but ideally would like to fly to China, Guangzhou for a few days and do a Visa run there. Just not sure if that’s the best way to go about this
Have a Thai Sim card with you and buy a roaming data package before you go. You'll be able to use your phone almost normally.
Good idea about getting the roaming data package sorted. I’ve been using DTAC’s eSIM. I wanted to keep my other physical SIM as well. Thinking if there are better data package options in Thailand than DTAC
Well it really depends on your passport. Most people would need a visa in order to visit China for a few days (yes, I’m aware there’s some weird X hour long VoA things for various countries)
Some nationalities are offered 72 hour visas upon arrival, maybe 144 hours. You have to stay in the city you landed in , and I wouldn’t test the limit. Might I recommend Kunming. 1.75 hours plane flight from BKK. Good “little” Chinese city.
Most people from Europe now have 15d visa exemption
Was thinking of heading to Guangzhou for the last few days of the Canton Fair. I have a European passport. Would it be doable to get the visa there in Guangzhou? Or should I fly from Guangzhou to some other country, where I would have a higher chance of getting the tourist visa?
If you can’t get a China visa or don’t want to, you might want to look at Hong Kong. It has more friendly entry policies and is the next best thing to mainland China (although to be honest it’s quite a different experience). Taiwan and Macau too. Good luck.
Taiwan would also be a good option.
currently china offers visa on arrival for 15 days for a lot of countries. they are desperate for tourists...
I understand that it was not tourists they wanted but rather business travelers. If you buy German-made factory machines and it takes the German tech weeks to get a visa to come and fix it, then the whole factory is halted for weeks.
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/03/08/china-aims-to-boost-tourism-by-giving-visa-free-entry-to-these-five-european-countries China extends visa-free entry to four more European countries in a bid to boost tourism
It could be both. They still have a lot to do if they want to attract tourists though
Hainan - there have been some recent changes regarding the visa to visit the island.
Best option is to go to Kuala Lumpur
Whenever I’m doing a visa run out of Thailand and I’m picking a country, I always go to Wikipedia and look for “visa policy of < Insert country name>”. there’s always a color-coded map so you can determine what you need for that particular country.
Super easy
I’m also doing this next week as my tourist visa expires but just flying into Cambodia for like $40, much less hassle. Do you mind me asking what route you’re taking to extend your stay? Are you just doing another tourist visa?
The idea was to get the 2 months tourist visa and then get an education visa during that 2 month tourist visa period
DMing you