I wish I could give it zero stars, but I can't. we booked our trip (flights +hotels) and then went for visa's. i think it must be some for of art to be that difficult.
My other half is Nigerian and could not travel as tourist, so had to ask (lucky we have a relative studying in China) for an invitation letter. Never mind that the trip is fully paid . Got the visa's.
As we were travelling through to HK next, needed to go back and apply for HK visa - they literally said they don't know when it will be ready and we should call HK office (as in - in HK). Hello time difference. Tried and tried, no one picks up, several days in a row the usual round the block of pressing 1-2-3 and back to 1.
Flying tomorrow, so have given up and went back to the embassy to pick up the passport, without HK visa since presumably they haven't processed it and we can't reach anyone on the phone. Surprise! They are closed for public holiday for another 2 days. So nice to tell us (not) or inform people otherwise not on website, unless you search and search for the lovingly hidden page, nor on the collection information slip.
I mean these people had our flying dates in their hands and we checked and checked that we can definitely pick up before flying, they said yes.
Beyond bad service that is going to cost us dearly - either we book all new tickets or cancel the whole trip (since we can't go to HK either).
Thank you China for making us feel truly welcome. Never again. Want a taste of Chinese culture? Go to China town, you'll at least have fun without loosing a couple of thousand pounds... read more