Visas for individual travel in China are easy to get. China will even issue visas to individuals from countries which do not have diplomatic relations with the People'sRepublic of China (PRC).

Visas are readily available from Chinese embassies and consulates in most Western and many other countries. In the UK, standard 30-day single-entry visas from the embassy in London take three to five days and cost 25; get an application form in person or by post from there or from the Chinese consulate in Manchester. A visa mailed to you will take three weeks. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the expiry date of your visa. You might find the embassy discourages independent tavellers during the summer. The Chinese embassy and consulates in Australia charge A$30 for the standard single-entry visa and $60 for a double-entry visa for 30 days andcan usually process an application within a week. You must apply in person. In the USA the standard 30-day single-entry visa costs US$30 and takes about one week.

You can easily get a visa in Hong Kong.The standard 30-day visa (which you can use any time within three months) can be obtained from the Visa Office of the Ministry of Foreign affairs of the PRC, 5th floor, Low Block,China Resources Building, 26 Harbour Rd,Wanchai. They charge HK$100 for 3-day service and HK$250 for same-day service.The office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 12.30 pm and from 2 to 5 pm, and on Saturday from 9 am to 12.30 pm.

Visa applications require one passport-sized photo. Your application must be written in English, and you're advised to have one entire blank page in your passport
for the visa.

The visa application form asks you a number of questions-your travel itinerary,means of transport, how long you will stay etc-but you can deviate from this as much
as you want. You don't have to leave from the place you specify on your visa application form.

VISA TYPES
When you check into a hotel, there is usually a question on the registration form asking what type of visa you have. Most travelers aren't sure how to answer. For most, the type ofvisa is 'L',from the Chinese word for travel. This letter is stamped right on the visa. There are seven types of visas, as follows:

L-Travel F-Business D-Resident G-Transit X-Student Z-Workinf C-Stewardess

CHINESE EMBASSIES
Some of the addresses of Chinese embassies and consulates in major cities overseas include: