However, I was left with little choice but to return to the UK and reapply for a new and different visa.

So I am in the UK now and will use the time to sort out all my affairs including a new passport and driving licence;tax;will etc. Ther's also work to be done on the family home so it won't be time wasted.

To answer these two points, can you (or anyone else!) confirm or deny hong kong is no longer an OPTION for UK PASSPORT holders in order to apply for a new and different visa? If your danwei/college/school can get the documentation to say you can get the visa in HK, I would assume it can still be issued there? I do know Guangdong requires you to go home for now and some other provinces. If people could share their experiences at a PROVINCIAL level, it would be beneficial to all.

Who do you fly back to the UK with? Recently, I read that BA are better than Cathay Pacific from HK. Personally, I fly emirates, always found them to be good. How is the UK weather? Been reading about the journalist case at heathrow, seems journalism is severely under threat there! As for now I am off to Costa Coffee (this chinese city has one! a nice change from the usual predominant starbucks), and to look around Xuanwu lake.

Good luck!