I agree. I should have wrote compared to mainland china it is "China-lite". Much like HK and Macau, they are perhaps more traditionally chinese, due to the fact that the cultural revolution has had less impact there than in the mainland.

I tried that, but it is a nightmare, and only 30 days. But thanks for the tip.

But let's contrast that with what China-lite or Taiwan, the enemy, of the mainland is doing. Permanent residency is available, so I have heard, as long as you return ONCE every five years. I'll try and find more exact details.

If your stuck in HK and can't get another visa, you might try a team visa.

It's good for 30 days.

What a team visa is, you have to get someone else who is also, stuck there or needs a visa as well and go in together but you must leave together after this team visa has expired. I used it once, it worked out fine for me and a friend.

It doesn't matter how many are in this type of visa.

I have 2 contacts in China, that might be able to help you with this, it's worth a try.

and it looks like going to Hong Kong to get your Z-visa is totally legit.

But remember, it won't be Hong Kong that issues you your visa. It will be the representatives of the PRC in the China resources building that do so.It is not up to HK to issue you a visa for the mainland, it is up to the mainland authorities via their offices in HK (yes HK and Macau are still seen as territories, in some ways) and I certainly would not go and work for them on the basis that it "looks like" going to Hong Kong is totally legit.You would want to know first hand, eg, from a mate with the same passport at you. Lest we forget it can differ from province to province and city to city even....How do I know, because I'm f*****g stuck in HK after a failed visa run, that's how!!!!

In at least one province that I am personally aware of, Hainan Province, government officials see no legal contradiction or prohibition in converting a tourist visa into a Z-visa. In fact, I was told this directly by the director of the Haikou municipal PSB. In the vast majority of provinces, however—barring a few select private schools with enough clout to pull the right strings—the only way you will be able to obtain employment is if you return back to your native country and reenter China with a Z-visa in hand, as is the case in Guangdong, as well as many other provinces. As a possible alternative to having to return home, a few teachers have reported successful “Z-visa runs” to Hong Kong effective summer 2009 (see article Teacher Reports Successful Visa Run to Hong Kong).

The above is taken from: http://middlekingdomlife.com/guide/china-english-teacher-visas.htm

According to Silverboy, Guangxi province 'converts' tourist visas to Z visas. He posted so a couple of years ago, but I don't know if this still applies. What I do know is that an African friend of mine wasn't allowed to enter HK on his visa run. But he got what he wanted from Macao!

For some foreigners who have entered China on tourist visas, a visa run to Mongolia or Macao is a preferable option - HK is deemed a boring city by some foreign folks. That's why I have gone to ULANBATOR to do one in the past instead of HK. It's cheaper than an HK run though more time-consuming if you travel by train to UB. But don't venture outdoors late at night in UB - you don't want to get mugged!