Nanning 南宁

The capital city of Guangxi Province in the South-west corner of China and has a border with Vietnam where you will find Detian Waterfall (德天瀑布 [Détiān Pùbù]) in Daxin County Guangxi Province. Nanning is the center of the Zhuang minority culture, and its population is more than 63% Zhuang.

The city is also known as the Green City, due to an abundance of lush tropical foliage. Nanning has many Parks, one of which is Nanhu Park located in the South East of Nanning city.

The Hibiscus - Zhūjǐn in the picture on the right is the Nanning City Flower. It also has a pink variety.

Image of Nanning City Flower - Hibiscus - Zhūjǐn - 朱槿

Nanning City Flower - Hibiscus - Zhūjǐn - 朱槿

Getting to Nanning and China from the UK.

Having travelled to China and Nanning on several occasions we have flown from Manchester Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport. Travelling from Manchester has usually meant flying to Amsterdam then onto Beijing or Guangzhou then to Nanning, travelling time around 24 hours including taxis and airport waiting times.

The travel sites we have used are Skyscanner which usually gives KLM and China Southern as the airlines or Kayak which has given Air France as the main carrier.

On this site you can find information about Chinese Festivals, Travel Advice for China, Hong Kong and Macao, and Visa information the three main types for tourists or visiting family.

We also have links to the British and Chinese consulates in the UK and China at the bottom of the page.

Golden Camellia Park - Nanning

One of the many parks to visit during the cooler part of the year in Nanning, is November to April is the Golden Camellia Park which is also the best time to view the camellias.

There are 8,160 camellias comprised of 302 camellia species which includes yello camellias, Camellia Japonica, C. oleifera and C. sasanqua. Entry is free seven days a week the park is situated at, No. 3-5 Gecun Road Nanning.

Image of the Map of Nanning Golden Camellia Park

Map of Golden Camellia Tea Park - Nanning

Chinese Festivals

Click on the Festival Title below to read more.

  • Laba Festival : January 16th 2026

    Today is the traditional Laba Festival in China. Laba means the eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar.
    Laba Porridge is a combination of rice, beans, nuts and dates. The festival is linked to both the new harvest and Buddhism.

Travel Advice

A short summary of travel advice from the Gov.uk website

Hong Kong

Please check the Gov.uk website

As of 25th October 2024

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least one month after the date you plan to leave Hong Kong.

Visa requirements

Hong Kong is part of the People’s Republic of China, but it is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own immigration controls. You can visit Hong Kong for up to 6 months without a visa.

Hong Kong does not recognise dual nationality. If you have both British and Chinese nationality, you may be treated as a Chinese citizen by local authorities, even if you enter Hong Kong on your British passport. If this is the case, the British Consulate-General may not be able to offer you consular help.

If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, carry evidence that you have done so.

See guidance on nationality in China.

China

Please check the Gov.uk website

As of 29th November 2024

Entry Requirements

Medical screening on arrival or during your time in China

You may need to pass through medical screening on entry into China. This may be body temperature scanning, or more rarely testing such as throat or nasal swabs or medical examinations. Recent changes to China’s ‘Frontier Health and Quarantine Laws’ means you may be refused entry into China if you do not comply with the screening measures.

Passport validity requirements

To enter China, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and 2 blank pages for visas and stamping./p>

You must register your place of residence with the local Public Security Bureau within 24 hours of arrival. British nationals need a visa to enter mainland China, including Hainan Island, but not Hong Kong or Macao.

It is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover.

Macao

Please check the Gov.uk website

As of 28th October 2024

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you leave Macao. Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements.

Visa requirements

Macao is part of the People’s Republic of China, but it remains a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own immigration controls. You can visit Macao for up to 6 months without a visa, for tourism and to undertake unpaid business activities.

The typhoon season in Macao normally runs from April to October. You should monitor the progress of approaching storms and follow the advice of the local authorities.

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Macao, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Crime levels are low, but you should take sensible precautions against pick pockets and other street crime.

Chinese visa

The Chinese visa is available for different travellers, information here is concerned with the L, Q1 and Q2 Visas.

Chinese Visa Application Centre Logo - link - New Tab

When you travel to China you will require a Chinese Visa to enter and exit the country.

Important Notice on Fingerprints Collection of Visa Application

As of 1st Nov. 2018, the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in London, Manchester and Edinburgh(hereinafter referred to as 'Visa Application Centres') will capture all applicants' fingerprints on behalf of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the UK in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations, and based on the the principle of reciprocity. Applicants who apply for the diplomatic visa, official visa or courtesy visa, please apply and have the fingerprints taken at the Embassy or Consulates in the UK .

Applicants who are aged between 14 to 70 inclusive applying for Chinese visas are required to submit the application in person to get fingerprints take at the Visa Application Centres.

Visitors to China whose fingerprints do not match may be denied entry and should bear all the consequences. Meanwhile, every applicant is kindly reminded to book an appointment online as early as possible well ahead of the travel schedule.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in London 18th Oct.2018

  • What you will need to apply for a Chinese Visa.
  • 6 Months remaining on your passport.
  • 2 Blank pages for Visa and Entry / Exit stamps.
  • One Photo less than 6 months old.
  • Flight itinerary.
  • Hotel reservations.

The Q2 Multi Entry Visa for visiting Family.

A completed Invitation letter form which can be downloaded from Chinese Visa Application Centre UK.

The form should be completed with all the relevant information and included in your application for Chinese Visa.

A copy of the parent or person you are staying with ID card.

This can be a photo sent via email to you of both the front and back of the ID Card.

Your flight schedule of when you intend to travel.

Your intended arrival and departure dates.

A passport with a minimum of six months left before expiration.

If you do not have six months left renew your passport before applying for the visa.

This Visa is a multi entry Visa, recommended that you have at least three years left on your passport before applying.

If you have plans to visit China several times this is your best option, the visa also allows you to exit and enter China after your initial entry.

The visa allows you to stay a maximum of 120 days for each entry.

For further and detailed information please visit the CVASC and apply online then print the form and send to the relevant consulate or embassy.