Getting you Over the China Border

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Lo Wu Commerical City

Once you arrive at LUOHU follow the walkway to immigration. You are now EXITING Hong Kong.  

 You will need your passport and original arrival card from Hong Kong.  (You don't need your visa yet) For Flight Number I usually write Hong Kong MTR.

 Once you have passed through the immigration gates walk along the walkway until you see a sign on the left saying PORT VISA  (blue sign). 
Port Visa blue sign on the left.

Turn towards the blue sign and take a U turn up the stairs up to a small open area with a glass paneled room to your right.  On the left is a stand up desk where you fill in your Visa card.  If you have your own pen, that is handy.

Fill in your forms before entering the glass room

Walk into the glass room BUT as you walk in, on your right is a ticket machine.  Take a ticket and sit down.

 NOW, it all gets a bit silly and can take up to 2 hours if it is busy or you arrive after 10:30am.

 Sit down quietly and wait for your number.  When your number comes up on a digital panel go up to the first counter on the left, hand over your documents, passport (old passport as well if you have a new one) and smile for the camera.  
You will be given another ticket. 

 Sit down and wait again for your number to come up.  Go up,  pay 168 yuan using cash or card.

 Sit down and wait for your number again!!  Once called go up to the counter on the far right and they will hand you your passport back with your visa printed inside.


 You may now GO GO GO!

 Walk back down the stairs and continue along the underground walkway, the same direction as when you arrived towards immigration.

 You are now ENTERING China.  Hand over all your documents.  Take your bags through the x-ray machine, that no one is even looking at.  Don't take any fruit in.  You will get in trouble.  Bin it! 

 Follow the walkway until you exit the building.

 WELCOME TO CHINA!

 Here is where it gets a bit confusing. 

Luohu Commercial City is huge but basically the building is over to the right.  

 Walk over to the right and enter the building. The entrances are very nondescript and boring.  It is not like a main shopping mall entry at all.  
walk to the right corner of this walkway
Walking to the right (the building you exited is behind the photographer, me!
You may be approached by young men wanting to be your guide for the day. They are pretty harmless but don't take their cards unless you want them for your guide. They only want to get commission on your purchases from the shop owners. 

 Usually they will show you to the entrance but once there, tell them you don't need their services unless you do want a guide.  There are some great guides but if you use them, the price will be higher as the shop owners have to give them a commission.  But up to you. You won't need to pay them any money for their services. They won't harm you.  

 I don't ever need their services as I have my own shop people and numbers but they have helped me before to get to the shopping centre and never had a problem. Just be nice they are working just like in your country.

 Once inside the building itself, it is pretty quiet with people going about their business.  If everything is shut, go find some food and get your bearings.  Be safe with your money and items, just like anywhere in the world. 

Read my next Post - Lo Wu, Here we Come- Shop Recommendations - Part 4 for shop numbers and receommended shop owners.

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