The Chinese government maintains a list of embassies and consulates in Europe, with links to their websites. The websites give information on applying for visas.
Europeans from countries having diplomatic relations with China do not need visas if they are on an approved tour of Pearl River Delta cities that lasts fewer than six days.
Some foreign passport holders do not need visas if they are transiting through Shanghai. Citizens of Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain qualify if they will be in Shanghai for less than 48 hours.
Foreign passport holders on approved group tours to Hainan Province do not need visas if the tour is for fewer than 15 days. Citizens of Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Austria, Sweden, Italy, Russia and Switzerland qualify for this exemption.
Travelers to China can get questions about visas answered quickly on the Lonely Planet's message board on China where visa-related questions are posted and answered every day.
