240 Transit free Shekou or Nansha port to Pazhou Island?

Question

Hi all, I am looking forward to do a trip to China from HK to Guanzhou and then a high speed train to Shanghai and fly out of the country to Taiwan. I travel with my wife and 2 kids.

I have questions regarding entry ports and commuting to my hotel in China. I will be in Hong Kong, and I understand that for the 240 hours transit free permit I have to enter by Shekou or Nansha port. So my questions basically are:

a) Where is better to head to? Shekou or Nansha port coming from Hong Kong?

b) My preference is to head to Shekou as there is a ferry at 18hrs which suits fine with my schedule, according to the website I will be in Shekou port about 19.00 hrs, so I wonder if that is a good hour to ask for the 240 hrs visa free transit.

c) Once in Shekou, do I have to bring copies from my flight reservations or is it valid only to show the passport and the telephone digital proofs. What are paper requirements?

d) How can I travel from Shekou to Pazhou Island (Canton) as my hotel is there.

Any partial help is apprecciated! Thank your for your tips.

Answer

Here’s detailed guidance regarding your planned trip and the 240-hour visa-free transit (TWOV) for entering China via Guangdong ports from Hong Kong:

a) Shekou vs Nansha port:

Both Shekou and Nansha ports are eligible entry points for the 240-hour visa-free transit in Guangdong. Choosing between them depends largely on convenience and your schedule:

Shekou: Closer to Shenzhen and well-connected by ferry from Hong Kong. It is convenient if your schedule aligns with the 18:00 ferry and you plan to stay in the southern part of the Pearl River Delta.
Nansha: Located in Guangzhou’s southern area, suitable if your main stay is in Guangzhou city or nearby. Fewer ferries from Hong Kong operate to Nansha compared to Shekou.

For your itinerary, Shekou is practical given your ferry timing and family travel.

b) Arrival time and visa-free transit eligibility:

Arriving at Shekou port around 19:00 is generally fine. Chinese immigration officers typically process TWOV permits in the evening, as long as you have your documents ready. There is no strict restriction on evening arrivals, though processing may take slightly longer than during daytime hours.

c) Required documents:

For the 240-hour transit, you generally need to show:

Passports of all travelers
Proof of onward travel out of Mainland China within 10 days (domestic flights within China after entry are fine as long as your final exit from China is within 240 hours)
Digital copies on your phone are usually accepted, but it is recommended to have printouts of flight/train reservations to avoid any potential issues.
Hotel reservations or proof of accommodation in China may be requested

It is not necessary to bring multiple paper copies if you have clear digital proofs, but carrying printouts can make the process smoother, especially when traveling with children.

d) Traveling from Shekou to Pazhou Island (Canton/Guangzhou):

Shekou is in Shenzhen, and Pazhou Island is in Guangzhou. Options include:

High-speed train: Take Shenzhen North Station or Futian Station HSR to Guangzhou South Station. Travel time is about 1 hour. From Guangzhou South, take the metro (Line 2 to Line 8) or taxi to Pazhou Island.
Taxi/private transfer: Direct taxi or private car from Shekou to Pazhou, approximately 120–150 km, taking 2–2.5 hours depending on traffic.
Combination of metro and intercity train: Metro to Shenzhen North → HSR to Guangzhou South → Metro/taxi to hotel.

Summary: Your plan to enter via Shekou at 19:00 is acceptable. Bring passport and digital/printed proofs of onward travel and accommodation. For reaching Pazhou, high-speed train plus metro/taxi is convenient and reasonably fast.

240 Transit free Shekou or Nansha port to Pazhou Island?

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