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Melbourne to Shenzhen (China) Return $286 (Hainan Airlines) April/May 2017 @ IWTF

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Another Sunday spent trawling IWTF and found this Incredible deal on a destination that's usually $500 at it's cheapest. Despite checking routinely for about 6 months I've never seen a deal this low to Shenzhen, China departing Melbourne.

Play around with dates but the best I've found is the Saturday 22nd April departure at 8:20am from Melbourne Airport which shoulders on the ANZAC day weekend!

Hainan Airlines is a well respected full service Airline rated very highly on Skytrax - Reviews HERE

Visa to China takes around three business days to organise and is around AUD $131.5

The good thing about this deal is that it includes a day/overnight stopover in the city of Xian Xianyang which was the previous Capital City of China. Apparently lots to see and do

When you get to Shenzhen - here's what lonely planet says

Transportation is plentiful and tourist attractions include Parks, Fortresses and the main Skyline

Hainan Airlines also have some fantastic prices to:

◙ Melbourne Return Beijing from $287
◙ Shanghai Return Shanghai from $287

Sorry Sydney siders - cheapest for you is $490 :(

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closed Comments

  • Hong Kong is just across the border, so could be an option if HK fares are high. Although would be a hassle with visa's.

    • +1

      If you are planning to go to HK, you can apply for a 72 or 144 visa-free exemption: https://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/intro2.ht

      On the way back, just cross the Luo Hu border as the Visa there is around AUD $32 per person.

      On another note, I ended up getting the flights for $273 return (20/6-3/7) through BudgetAir and if I remember, you can use a MasterCard Debit card to avoid fees. There's also a $10 discount code on sign up too :)

      • Do I need to have a third country? If I just book a 6 day trip to china, will they care I'm not really transiting through?
        The site you linked (direct link is broken btw), says its for transit, but also mentions its great to visit conferences etc.

        Also, can I do 6 days, visit Hong Kong, then do another 6 days in China (and return to Melbourne from there)?

        Cheers

        EDIT:

        Do I need to have a third country?
        YES. Easiest to return via another country though: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/metro/Everything-you-need-to-kn…
        "13.Q: If I, an Australian citizen, plan to travel from Sydney to Shanghai and then back to Melbourne by air, can I apply for 144-hour visa-exemption transit?

        A: The policy requires that a foreign passenger book his / her onward air / vessel / train tickets with confirmed seat in advance and leave China within 144 hours for a third country or region, and therefore it is our suggestion that you change your flight ticket to Melbourne to one bound for a third country or region such as Hong Kong, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, and return to Melbourne afterwards. Such an arrangement will enable you to meet the requirements for 144-hour visa-exemption transit. "

  • -6

    Time to have a exotic massage.

  • +13

    You can click and collect from Shenzen

  • +5

    Good chance to grab a DJI drone from its factory :)
    Or HUAWEI mobile phones

    • -1

      more expensive in China.

      • Not sure about the DJI but HUAWEI mobile phone is definitely cheaper in China.

        • All seemed about the same. Perhaps in the big electronics markets. But rent isn't cheap in the nice areas so they can't compete with subsidized online shipping.

        • @joelmuzz:
          It is about the 40% 50% tax collected by the government.

      • DJI is cheaper in China. The price should be AU >>> China >= US

        • +1

          LOL Partly agree, but I heard DJI in China is still the cheapest. US$999 for a Mavic in the US while about $942 in China.

  • +1

    I have both! (P3P and P9)

    This is an exceptional deal, if this was 3 months ahead or in the future I would have jumped on it. Accomodation is well priced too and you could have a great trip for under $2k

  • +1

    transit in Xianyang where extremely polluted 158 in pm2.5. and Hainan crew is like urr….good luck

    • +2

      Yes, pollution levels in and around Xianyang are moderate/medium so not great, but seem much better in Shenzhen.

    • -1

      You can't say 158 pm2.5 is extremely polluted, considering Beijing sometimes can reach to almost 1000.

      • when it is above 80, you already need a mask. so when 1000 is not for creatures on earth already.

  • +1

    shenzhen is an amazing city. it was a fishing village 30 years ago and now has a population of 18million which almost all (99.9%) of them are inland migrants. check out their great food variety as the city offers good authentic food from almost every single Chinese cuisine you could find.

  • When will May Day festivities begin? Will that date impact on accommodation in any way? Pollution may be less for holiday period.

  • +1

    Worth going Xian just to see the Terracotta Warriors. Probably the most amazing thing I have seen. Mind blown!!!

    • Spoiler Alert - Whoa!

      • +1

        Photo's don't do it justice! Each warrior is hand made and each was individually painted. The colours oxidize when exhumed. There still uncovered pits. If I get another chance to go to China Xian will be on my places to go. Also inside in the walled city is pretty amazing, you can hire bikes and ride on the wall too.

    • Thats not bad then :)

  • Here's hoping this deal will come up during the Chinese summer/autumn :)

  • +1

    thanks op, bought one directly on the hainan air website leaving 25th april, mel to xian stopover one day and then to shenzhen and back to mel on may 5th for 290 with credit card! Anyone else leaving around those dates?

    • Awesome; congratulations and please report back here with your feedback regarding service, transit quality (when in China) and your overall experience. If not for work I'd have taken advantage of this offer. Happy Travels!

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