Crossing the border to Mainland China brings you to the modern, well-developed city of Shenzhen, a great tourist destination in its own right, from which you can travel to many destinations across China by plane, bus or train. Shenzhen is also a hub for discounted domestic and international flights (see Hong Kong to Shenzhen Airport / Flying to Hong Kong via Shenzhen).
There are six checkpoints along the Hong Kong - Shenzhen boundary, namely: Lo Wu (The Chinese side is called Luohu), Lok Ma Chau (opened 24 hours a day: The Chinese side is called HuangGang), the relatively new Lok Ma Chau Spur Line (The Chinese side is called Fu Tian, although the Metro station is called HuangGang, which may confuse you with the nearby border-crossing-point of the same name), Shenzhen Bay, on the newly opened Hong Kong - Shenzhen Western Corridor and Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok which are not of much interest to visitors.
Lo Wu is the most popular and the most accessible checkpoint. It is often congested with travelers during weekends and holidays so, if you want to avoid the long queues, consider using the other checkpoints on holidays (especially Lok Ma Chau Spur Line/ Fu Tian, which is surprisingly empty...).
Lo Wu checkpoint operates daily, from 6:30 am to midnight and rush-hours are normally between 7 to 9 am and 6 to 8 pm.
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An important tip from 'Metropolasia-Man' :
Travelers who wish to visit the city of Shenzhen, just across the border from Hong Kong, can, in most cases, get an instantly issued 5 days special visa for Shenzhen area. The visa is issued at the 'visa office' of Lo Wu border crossing (upstairs after clearing Hong Kong immigration and customs), it costs RMB 160 or more (depends on your nationality) and the whole process normally takes less than 10 minutes.
The 'visa office' is open daily, from 9am till 9:30pm, BUT, as visas are not issued to all nationalities (US, French and Indian nationals, for instance, can not get this special visa), it is advisable to call the 'visa office' on phone and find out what are the regulations, before you actually head to the border.
Their phone number is +86 755 8232 7700 and you'll better ask the receptionist at your hotel to do the talking for you, as they do not necessarily speak English...
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To get to Lo Wu you should use the KCR (see Getting around Hong Kong). The train departs from East Tsim Sha Tsui station, not far from Tsim Sha Tsui's hotels and shopping centers, and can be easily accessed from MTR-Tsim Sha Tsui through the underground walkway.
Passengers who arrive from Hong Kong Island and other areas can travel directly to MTR-Kowloon Tong and catch the KCR train from there.
Trains operate daily, from 5:30 am to 1 am. There is a train every few minutes and the travel time is something like 40 minutes.
On the Chinese side of the border, you can use the Metro to get to Shenzhen city centre (see the Metro's system map). Buses and taxis are also available.
To avoid the congestion at Lo Wu (That is if you anticipate congestion...), you can travel via the relatively new Lok Ma Chau Spur Line border-cross.
Getting here is very easy: Take the KCR train and drop off at Sheung Shui Station (one station before the Lo Wu terminus) and catch the train to Lok Ma Chau Station, where the Hong Kong immigration and customs facilities can be found (it's just a short ride...). Once you are through with the Hong Kong side, simply cross the bridge over to the Chinese side, where you can catch the Metro (HuangGang Station, next to the Chinese Immigration & customs) and travel to Shenzhen city centre.
This border-cross is open daily, from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm
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You may also want to read more about...
Bus and train services to Shenzhen, Guangzhou and beyond...
Traveling from Hong Kong to Shenzhen International Airport
