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CHINA: Borders to reopen to foreign tourists from 15 March – when visa applications begin

CHINA: Borders to reopen to foreign tourists from 15 March – when visa applications begin

From 15 March foreign tourists will be able to apply for visas to visit China for the first time in three years since the breakout of COVID-19.

Queue up at your local Chinese Consulate to get your Chinese visa processed.

If you already have a valid visa issued before the border closure on 28 March 2020, then that visa will now be honoured.

China’s economy has suffered significant impacts from the COVID policies, and the removal of these restrictions on foreign tourists entering the country is expected to relieve some of that economic stress. With pre-COVID tourist numbers being in the tens of millions, the lifting of these final restrictions is expected to see a significant rise in international tourists

a building with a dome shaped roof
Beijing Opera House [Schuetz/2PAXfly]

2PAXfly Takeout

This move is also set to re-establish China as a transit point for Australians planning to head on to Europe. The additional Chinese airline capacity should place some downward pressure on fares. On the other hand, there is likely to be so much pent-up demand from tourists in general, and from the Chinese diaspora that Sino carriers can probably maintain some pretty high airfares initially. Queue Google Flights search for flights to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou!

This will be a godsend for destinations like Xian – the home of the terracotta warriors!

TIP: Qantas has some great fares in April, some with Business seats under AU$5,000 and on the A380. They don’t seem to be marketing First Class, so for OneWorld Emeralds, there might be a surprise upgrade!

a group of statues of men with Terracotta Army in the background
Terracotta Warriors at Xian, China [Schuetz/2PAXfly]

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