[Chinese Visa] How to Pass Through Lok Ma Chau Port (Hong Kong Side) ⇔ Huanggang Port (Shenzhen Side) [Must See!!]

I did a lot of research before I left, but I was still very anxious until I actually arrived, and was constantly on edge wondering if I'd even be able to enter Shenzhen, so I hope this information will be helpful to anyone who will be entering the country via the same route

Introduction

As mentioned at the beginning, I had the opportunity to go to Shenzhen on a business trip from May 29th to June 3rd, 2023, and entered the country via Hong Kong using Special Zone Tourist Visa

*However, the information written here, including both official and unofficial information, is based solely on the information I used when traveling, so there is a good chance that regulations may change in the future, and my article may no longer be reliable. I hope you will understand this

Specific routes

Now, getting to the main topic, the route I took this time was as follows

■ Outbound

① Kansai International Airport → Hong Kong International Airport

② Take the Skylimo to leave Hong Kong from the port of entry (Lok Ma Chau Port) and enter China from Shenzhen from the port of entry (Huanggang Port)

■ Return journey

① Take the Skylimo to leave the Shenzhen border crossing (Huanggang Port) and enter Hong Kong from the Hong Kong border crossing (Lok Ma Chau Port)

② Hong Kong International Airport → Kansai International Airport

Now let's move on to the actual details!

Regarding the outbound journey

How to get to the Skylimo stop

After passing all the checks, turn left after exiting Arrival Hall B and you will soon see a sign like the one in the photo below. Head straight towards "Mainland / Macao Transportation."

▼ Landmark sign

After a flight of about 4-5 hours from Kansai International Airport, we arrived at Hong Kong International Airport just after midnight, but even in the middle of the night, I was surprised at how many people there were. Although the shops were closed, there were still quite a few people sleeping on the benches, and McDonald's was also quite busy, so I felt completely safe!

Ignoring the 7-Eleven that appears on your left, you continue straight ahead and arrive at the ticket counter for Skylimo (a sort of shared taxi)

▼ The ticket booth you are looking for

How to buy tickets

▼ Ticket reception for the bus company we used this time

This time, I wanted to head to Huanggang Port, so I used Yongdong Travel Agency,

Just after 6:00, receptionists from other travel agencies started arriving one after another, so I waited for the reception to open and purchased my ticket ($150 in Hong Kong dollars)

I paid in cash, but credit cards were also accepted

Let's go!

By the way, the time written on the screen was that the first train would depart at 8:00, but when I asked the receptionist, I was told that the first train actually departed at 7:30, so we waited next to the reception desk for other passengers until the bus reached capacity, and then we all went to the boarding area

▼ Let's move together

Follow the group and take the elevator down to the basement where a large van will be waiting for you. Before boarding, load your suitcase into the van, hand your passport to the driver, and then get in the van

There seems to be a limit on the size and number of carry-on bags, but it seemed like it was OK as long as you packed them in, so it's unclear how strictly the limits are enforced

If you're interested, it might be a good idea to research or inquire in advance!

Also, if you hand over the "Hong Kong Entry Card" that you receive when you arrive in Hong Kong while it's still in your passport, it will be taken away and you'll have trouble later on, so make sure to put it away somewhere else along with the airline ticket stub you received when you arrived in Hong Kong

I'll explain the reason later, but I fell right into this trap (no one set it for me, but I regret it...), and it ended up causing a bit of trouble

About Lok Ma Chau Port (Hong Kong side exit) → Huanggang Port (Shenzhen side entry)

This was the part that I personally had the hardest time imagining, but to put it simply, I think it would be easier to understand if you imagine a Japanese expressway

▼ Image (sorry, no photos)

After getting in the car, we sped down the highway and when we arrived at Lok Ma Chau Port (the border crossing on the Hong Kong side), the driver handed the passports we had collected earlier to the receptionist at a toll booth-like area and we went through the border crossing procedures "while still in the car."

That said, it didn't take that long, as all I had to do was visually check that the passport photo matched the owner's, and the immigration process was completed in about 5-6 minutes

Once we've safely left Hong Kong, we'll head to Huanggang Port (the border crossing on the Shenzhen side) and drive at full speed for about 30 minutes

Entry procedures at Huanggang Port (Shenzhen side of border entry)

▼ Before entering the Kookaguchi shore

I did a lot of research before actually getting here, but every website I visited had a lot of scary information, like "There are limited numbers, and once the limit is reached you won't be able to enter," or "I a special zone tourist visa , but they weren't issuing them at that port," so I was constantly overcome with the feeling, "Is it really possible to do this!?" But in conclusion, I felt like "It's not that difficult, but I recommend coming early in the morning."

In fact, the visa issuing counter (it's a little hard to find, but it's on the wall to the left as you enter) doesn't accept applications until 9:00, so I took a free photo for my application at the photo machine next to it and waited while the receptionist handed me an application form, which I filled out using a pen

While I was doing this, the reception desk started to open up, so I took a numbered ticket and waited, and then my number was called and I was able to actually apply

At this point, you are required to present your passport and Hong Kong immigration card , as mentioned above, they had all been stolen, so I managed to escape by showing the stub of my plane ticket from Kansai Airport to Hong Kong.

Once the application is accepted, you pay the fee (168 yuan) with your credit card and wait about 30 minutes, after which the card will be issued successfully, and you will then proceed to the next stage of the review and security check

You will also need to submit a health declaration via WeChat before actually entering the immigration facility

PCR test results were not required, but without the QR code that appears on the screen after applying, you will not be able to enter the facility smoothly , so we recommend registering in advance!

(Even if you don't have one, you can register using the QR code in front of the facility, but if you're not connected to the network, you'll be stuck. I don't think they even have Wi-Fi or anything like that.)

After entering Huanggang Port (Shenzhen side of border entry)

▼ Image after entering Shenzhen

After actually entering the country, I followed the signs to cross the footbridge and took a train from Huanggang Port Station to my destination

I couldn't find a ticket counter like in Japan, so I asked a station attendant to help me buy a ticket, but if you plan to travel frequently, it might be a good idea to consider buying a card like PiTaPa or Suica!

Regarding the return journey

On the way back, it's just the opposite of what you did on the way there, so it shouldn't be particularly difficult, but when I headed to Hong Kong, I also used Skylimo from the same Huanggang Port to Lok Ma Chau Port (the Hong Kong border crossing)

The process is simple: get off at Huanggang Port Station on the subway, enter the port facility (where you also need to "declare your health status via WeChat"), go through security, and you'll be warmly welcomed by Skaylimo drivers at the entrance. After paying ($150 in Hong Kong dollars), you can head back at full speed the way you came

summary

What did you think?

In light of this incident, I have listed below the points that I feel are important, so if you are thinking of traveling the same route in the future, please take a look!

① Go to Huanggang Port as early in the morning as possible!

In this case, I actually arrived too early, but even so, by around 10:00, the number of people gradually increased, and although I had initially thought I had plenty of time, I had to think about the time I came. This situation forced me to change my mind, so if you want to be sure to enter the country, I recommend that you line up by 9:00 at the latest

I don't know about other ports, but at Huanggang Port, if you go early in the morning, there is a very good chance you will get a ticket; however, depending on the timing, there is a chance that you may end up overlapping with a group of tourists, so it's best to be extra careful

② It's better to have cash!

Tourcard , a WeChat mini-program , but there's a good chance you won't be able to use your credit card, so it might be a good idea to have at least enough cash to cover the cost of Skaylimo both ways.

In particular, I think that credit cards were not accepted for the Skaylimo fare when returning to Hong Kong from Shenzhen (I paid in cash)

Personally, it was a very fulfilling business trip, and once I got there I felt like I had no problems at all, so I feel like it was a really good experience

It would be great if this article could lead to us meeting somewhere in Shenzhen someday!!

please note that this article contains information current as of May 29th - June 3rd, 2023 when I traveled there

The most reliable way is to check the official information, but of course there are some people who won't understand just from that, so I would be happy if I could be of some help to those people!