Hi,
I wanted find out if anyone has recent information on the availability of on arrival Chinese visa at Erlian/Erenhot at the Chinese Mongolian border. LP mentions the possibility of this and I also saw some posts from 2007 but can't find anything more recent. Thanks,
Adam
There is no Chinese visa on arrival. I have never heard of anyone actually obtaining a visa on arrival for China. OTOH some years ago there were reports that the Chinese were saying that this might be possible at this border, but there were no actual reports of anyone actually obtaining a visa at the border.
In the meantime, since those reports, the Chinese have become somewhat more restrictive about obtaining visas outside the country of your passport or official residence.
Ruth
I'd be interested to know what the process would be for doing this in the opposite direction (China to Mongolia).
A possible excursion in the not too distant future.
There are no visas on arrival in Mongolia but there is a Mongolian consulate in the border town of Erlian.
There have been reports that the embassy in Beijing requires a LOI for the Mongolian visa. I don't recall any recent reports about the consulate in Erlian but it is better to be prepared with an email of confirmation of accommodations in Ulan Bator.
Consulate of Mongolia
Erlian Fang Dian, Room 307/308
Erlian Hot
P.R. of China
Tel: (+86-479) 7521538
Fax: (+86-479) 7522194
This post from summer 2007 by manulike with update from Nov 2008 has useful information: Erlian Fact Sheet.
Do report back your experience.
Ruth