need a visa to beijing if i hold british passport?

Yes, you do. It is very easy to get a visa through the uk travel agency .

2007-11-29 04:27:26 補充：
If you depart from uk, you should 100% to get a visa. Otherwise, the flight would not allow you on board.

2007-11-29 04:28:41 補充：
If you depart from hong kong or macau, it should ok but uk...................Not.

Don't need China Visa. You can hold you HK ID and 回鄉証 to China, a HK citizen don't need any visa, just hold 回鄉証 is done.