Visa to visit Shenzhen and Guangzhou from HK?

Question

I am a UK passport holder and thinking of visiting Hong Kong for 7 days during the December Christmas period.

The plan is to spend 4-5 days in Hong Kong and then a few day trips to Macau, Shenzhen and possibly Guangzhou.

Since Shenzhen and Guangzhou can be easily accessed by train from Hong Kong, I thought it would be a good idea to travel to these cities during my stay.

As a UK passport holder, I know that I don’t need a visa to visit Hong Kong. However, if travelling to Shenzhen and Guangzhou by train from Hong Kong, will I require a Visa? If so, will I be entitled to visa on arrival or do I have to apply beforehand?

Thanks

Answer

As a UK passport holder, you do not need a visa to visit Hong Kong for tourism purposes for stays up to 180 days. However, traveling from Hong Kong to mainland China—including Shenzhen and Guangzhou—requires a Chinese visa or eligibility under the appropriate transit or entry scheme.

Shenzhen:

For short visits to Shenzhen from Hong Kong, you may be eligible for the Shenzhen 1-day or 5-day Visa on Arrival (VoA) scheme. This allows entry specifically through designated border checkpoints for tourism purposes.
The 1-day VoA is typically valid for travelers crossing through border points such as Luohu or Futian. The 5-day VoA can be available at certain ports for day trips or short visits.
Requirements generally include a valid UK passport, a completed entry form, and proof of onward travel.

Guangzhou (and other mainland cities beyond Shenzhen):

For Guangzhou and other parts of Guangdong Province beyond Shenzhen, you will need a regular Chinese visa (L type for tourism) obtained before you travel. There is no visa-on-arrival option for general entry to Guangzhou.
You must apply at a Chinese embassy or consulate in the UK, or via an authorized visa service. Standard processing usually takes 4–5 working days, though express options are available.

Additional tips:

Plan your Shenzhen day trips using the VoA only for the designated time periods and border points.
If you want flexibility to explore Guangzhou or other mainland cities, secure your Chinese visa before your trip.
Always carry your passport and visa documents when crossing from Hong Kong to mainland China; border checks are strict.

In summary, visiting Shenzhen for a short day trip may be possible with a VoA, but traveling to Guangzhou requires a pre-arranged Chinese visa.