International Travel and Destination: Hong Kong18 Mar 2008 07:02 pm
Required Travel Documents for Hong Kong
US citizens traveling to Hong Kong do not need a visa, but traveling to the interior of China does require a visa. The easiest way to obtain one is in Hong Kong. Most of the hotel travel desks can make this arrangement for you and get it to you within 24 hours. If your sole purpose for travel to Hong Kong is to obtain a Chinese visa, then staying at the Regal Hotel next to the airport is a good choice. TIP: Use the Regal Hotel Business Centre which provides efficient visa service and a free shuttle to and from the airport. http://www.regalhotel.com
I think getting the visa while you are still in the States is a better bet. My travel agency here only charged us $10 extra (+ actual Visa fee) to get that done, since we purchased the plane tickets from them. I was able to use it to cross the border from Hong Kong to Shenzhen via cross-border bus (we do need to get off the bus twice though).
Most likely you got a one time entry visa. I should have clarified that I was referring to a six month multiple entry visa - which requires more documentation over a single entry visa when appling from the US. I had found it was easier to get the 6 month multiple entry type while in hong Kong.