Firstly, a passport with a valid entry visa is mandatory. An "entry card" is then required at the immigration counter. This can be obtained on the plane and we advise that the form is filled out in flight to save time when you land.

A "Health Declaration Form on Entry/Exit" is also required and this can also be obtained in flight. If you don’t receive one, please ask the flight attendant.

Finally you must collect your luggage. If you know you will stop in Beijing for a few hours, you can ask the airline to put a "Long Transfer" tag on your baggage so that it gets put straight through to your next flight and saves you having to collect it and carry it around.

Please note that you can try asking a uniformed officer in the immigration area if you can skip the queues as you have limited time and really need to get to the Great Wall as soon as possible.