China Travel Forum

Hi,

My 21 year old daughter and 24 year old son are presently in Shanghai. Never having travelled before they're finding it hard knowing where to go and what to do. They tried talking to the conscierge at Radisson Hotel but are not having much success. They firstly wanted to know how to book the acrobatic show and circus show? He says he doesn't know. I am wondering if it may be worth paying a guide for a couple of days to show them around? They have another 4 days to fill in, but are thinking of trying to head back to Hong Kong early. Does any one have any ideas or can recommend a personal guide?

All right folks, I need serious help from the community ... I am taking a very special girl on a date in Shanghai on next Saturday night. I am on the search of a cozy, romantic, not usual restaurant. No need to be posh or luxurious and surely not one of those restaurants found on guidebooks and magazines, she knows them all! ... I need something different, romantic and cozy, that will make me stand out. Any good ideas?

Thanks!
Giuseppe

i dont like to be at the great wall with crowds of tourists. so i have heard of a less crowded part which is at Mutianyu or between Jan Shan and Simatai. the latter looks a bit like a ruined wall, not as restaurated as the part near Being. is it worth it? is the wall more beautiful in Mutianyu or at the hime between Jan Shan and Simatai. I also wonder, is it true that the only way to get off the wall when you do the hike to Simitai is by a cable line? it looks a bit frighetening and i wonder if it is possible to get off the wall in another way

Hi all,
Last year in May I was staying in Metropark Hotel Shengzhen. I saw a coach parked outside the main entrance with the sign say to Macau (or maybe Zhuhai).

Can anyone confirm that if I can board the coach from there, if not where is the nearest coach station.

Thanks for your help.

My mother (72) and I (41) will be experiencing Huangshan mountain this September. After some extensive research, we have decided to take the Yungu cablecar up the mountain, and stay at the Beihai Hotel at the top for 1 night. For our descent, we have decided on the Western Steps. We heard they are the most strenuous going up, but how about if we go down? Where would be the 'trouble-spots' to watch out for on the way down? Will we miss much scenery if we decided to walk down only until we reached the Yuping cablecar and took it down the rest of the way? At the top, once we start going down, is the 'easiest' path clearly marked? I have this foreboding image in my mind of clinging to the wall of the mountain as we struggle to go downward--that's not on the western steps but a side-path to one of the peaks, right? I've read many stories of the upward and downward journey but since I'm only interested in the SIMPLEST, SAFEST, downward journey on the WESTERN steps, can someone who has fumbled their way down these steps give some insight? We may be older ladies but we can still tackle a mountain, as long as it's not terribly strenuous. thanks!

I will be visiting China in September and the trip will finish off in Shanghai 21st - 26th. Should be spending 5 days here, I am dying to get here sooner from all the pictures I am staring at everyday. Wondering if anyone wants to meetup or join me adventuring the city?

Hi everyone,

I'm arriving in Chengdu in the middle of July next and plan on going to going to Lhasa as soon as I can. I'm looking to spend a little while in Tibet, but then take the Friendship Highway to Kathmandu. Does any one have any recommendations for the best way to get into Tibet?
I am in touch with Sims Cozy guesthouse as I will be staying there, while in Chengdu. They have told me that at the moment you need a guide, a permit and be part of a tour at all times in Tibet. Is this true? Has anyone had any dealings with them? Really I'm looking for something inexpensive-but safe and reliable. Im wondering what should I be paying, and do I really need to pay for a guide?
Can I book when I get there or should I organise a trip before I leave?
I wold be really grateful to hear about experiences from travellers who are currently in or just returning from Tibet, so I can figure out what's best to do.
Thanks very much!

Hello.
I would like to buy power tools (electric grinder, drills etc..) in Shenzhen, China.
Which area or district should I go.
Thanks

Tracy and I will spend the final week of our holiday in Shanghai, so that is where we plan to do most of our shopping. We are particularly interested in Markets, night or day, and department stores, mainly selling fakes, not originals. We will also be wanting to buy Chinese souvenirs for presents and dvds.
The ones I have already noted are:-

Xiangjang Markets (maybe now called Ya Tei Sheng Hui Markets?)
Shopping on Nanjing Lu Street - Shanghai No. 1 Dept. Store
Yu Gardens and Bazaar

Can anyone recommend any other good markets or general shopping in and around Shanghai. We are staying at the A-Live Design Hotel on Nanjing St.

Hi all,

I'm planning on going to Huangshan from Hangzhou around the 16th-18th of July. I'm thinking of following Ellyse's oft-recommended route up via Taiping, West Sea Canyon, down by the West side the next day, and have a couple of questions.

1. Is it possible to leave Hangzhou for Taiping by bus that morning, and still have time to get up the mountain, do the West Sea circuit and get to the hotel?

2. Do you have to do the circuit en route to the hotel or is it possible to check in first, as going up one side and down the other doesn't seem to leave much leeway for left luggage.

3. How do you book a dorm bed at Baiyun Hotel? I saw the phone number, but am reluctant to test my horrendous mandarin over the phone.

4. How easy is it to find your way around once you get off the cable car? Have seen a few maps, like this one here: http://www.huangshantour.com/gallery/display.asp?id=498, could someone give me an idea of where the west sea canyon is on that map? Am going on my own, and am a little worried that I'll get hopelessly lost.

TIA for any help! :)

I am planning to stay three days at Guilin and then take a train (12 hrs) to Guangzhou.

I need advice of how to advance book 5 train tickets (soft beds type) from Guilin to Guangzhou. I heard that the soft beds are sold out very quick.

Can someone also let me know of any city lounge that I can take shower or food before departing for the 9pm night train?

Thanks.

I am planning to stay three days at Guilin and then take a train (12 hrs) to Guangzhou.

I need advice of how to advance book 5 train tickets (soft beds type) from Guilin to Guangzhou. I heard that the soft beds are sold out very quick.

Can someone also let me know of any city lounge that I can take shower or food before departing for the 9pm night train?

Thanks.

One is for the general city seeing and the other two, for water towns (Hangzhou? Suzhou? Wuxi? Huangshan?).

Any suggestions?

In September, we are arriving in Pingyao around 10am by train and leaving the next morning (late morning). I am a scenic photographer and want to take photographs from on top of the Wall of the Wall (among other things to photograph). Can you walk the whole way around? If so, how long would it take? Where are the entrances to get up if we are staying at the Yide Hotel (northwest area)? We want to try for early morning or around sundown to get some nice, 'romantic/fantasy/misty' shots of the wall (similar to the ones seen in National Geographic etc). Where are the best places to shoot photos if I want to avoid powerlines, modern homes, people, signposts, etc etc? It sounds silly but I try to photograph my scenery without a lot of 'realism' in it...thanks!

Dear Sasahead,
You have placed some photos in Guangzhou page, but there is no information.
Would you please tell me where exactly you have taken them? I want to go there.
Thanks,
Ali

We will arrive at the cruise port in Xingang in October 2009 and would like to go to the Tianjin Railway Station to take the bullet train to Beijing. I need information on how to get to the bullet train from Xingang cruise port. Can someone tell me the approximate cost of a taxi from Xingang port to the railway station? Or is there a light rail train between Xingang and Tianjin? Or would it be better to take the bullet train to Beijing from Tanggu instead of Tianjin? If so, what would a taxi cost to the Tanggu station?

We have been to China one before and love the country but it is sometimes hard to find information details from so far away.

Thank you for your help,
Linda

We have selected Zhujiajiao as our daytrip from Shanghai (even though there are many others to explore, this is the one we decided on). After some searching, I found that there is a HuZhu Express Bus that will take us from somewhere near the People's Square to Zhujiajiao and it will only take about 1hr and 12RMB. Does anyone have specifics on where the pickup location is? From what I gather, it's on PuAn Rd, which I think is just south of the square. Is this correct? Is the bus area well marked so we're waiting in the right spot? We do want the Express line and not the slower, normal HuZhu line, and we want to leave around 6am. Also, where can I find a decent tourist map of Zhujiajiao online? We need to know where the bus drops you off in relation to the entrance to the water canal area, and how big a scope of walking we can anticipate. Thanks!

We will be visiting Guilin next month. We need advice on the following:
1)Can someone recommend some hotel around RMB200 per night? We are arriving in Guilin around 11 am and will be staying in Guilin for one night.

2) We need advice for some local tour on Guilin and Yongshau. Prefer to join group tour.

3) After that, we plan to travel by train to Guangzhou. Do we have to book the train tickets in advance? I heard there are two night trains per day to Guangzhou.

4) Is there any palce that we can take a shower before boarding the train to GZ (which is a 12 hrs one)

Thanks for your help.

Hey Folks,

A few years back I travelled from Suzhou to Hangzhou on the overnight ferry..but i hear this is no longer available.. what other options are there to get to Hangzhou from Suzhou? Train/bus/taxi etc>? there will be four of us..

thanks in advance.

Jules

Hello,

We're coming to Shenzhen in September '09 with the children, we're wondering if there is a Shenzhen guidebook available somewhere.

Thank you
FD

Getting to Mt Huangshan is no drama, bus from Hangzhou then bus/cab to Tangkou hotel; next day to Xihai Hotel for over night on mountain. BUT can I get down and on to Suzhou in one day?

I am posting this question because when I visit the place for the first time, I don't want to rely on my sense of generosity. I hope locals of Beijing and VTers who have been to Beijing would be able to advice me on this one: How much is an average tip in Beijing for the following:

a) taxi driver for a ride
b) driver for an entire day
c) waiter/waitress
d) one who brings your luggage in the room
e) massage
f) pedicure/manicure

Thank you!

Is there a Website for Beijing's public transportation that you find very useful?

Do you think it is safe for a single female traveller to use taxi in Beijing?

Is there a week card that one can use for bus/metro/tram (if they have one, that is)?

I intend to stay in Beijing the entire 5 days. Hope you can give me some answers. Thank you.

We (4-5 people) are planning for a trip to Guanzhou around mid July 09. I am into shopping, eating and sightseeing. My itenary as follows:

Day 1) Beijing Lu – Shopping
Day 2) Shangxia 9 lu – Shopping
Day 3) Kuilin Tour
Day 4) Kuilin Tour
Day 5) Liu Xing Qian Xian - Shopping
Day 6) Changshoulu – Shopping
Day 7) Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, Chen Family Temple ( Chen Jia Ci ), Six Banyan Tree Temple – sightseeing
Day 8) Yuexiu park, Pearl River - sightseeing

I may try to look for local tour that can cover Day 7 & 8 into one (1) day.

Can someone comment or provide any suggestion? Also let me know of any mandarine/ cantonese speaking group tour that I can join to kuilin and local tour in Guanzhou.

Any comments on 7 days Inn that I intend to stay?

Thank you for your assitance.

OK, now I know Ive posted a question similar to this last month, however I must say that I did get some very conflicting and varied replies as to what cards work and what ones dont in Chinese ATMs.

I had pretty much decided to get the Cash Passport Visa Debit card, put half my money on that and take the other half in cash. But then my friend Tracy who I am travelling with was told by 2 people (one being her bank - the IMB!) that they advised her not to use the card as it may not work in China. We have just been into the Amex office in Wollongong and asked them about the card. The lady said there is no reason why it wouldnt work in China - she looked up the website (I had done this at home as well) and it lists several Banks with ATMs that you will be able to use this card at, most of them are Bank of China and China Agricultural Bank, and it pretty much lists hundreds of them in each of the 4 cities we are going to.

BUT ... for some reason I am still not 100% convinced that it will work.

SO ... what I really need to know is if anyone has used the Cash Passport Visa Debit Card in Chinese ATMs before????? Surely, someone out there has used it. I know Betska has used hers in Laos and Cambodia. I know some people say a card with a PLUS logo on it will work and others say it will NOT. I know some people say cards with the CIRRUS logo on it will work and others say it will NOT.

I cant really comprehend how there can be so many different views on what cards work and what ones dont. This is all making me think I should just take all cash, or go back to basics and take travellers cheques and cash.

Can anyone out there give me a straight answer please .....

Planning a trip to China in August and looking for a travel mate? I am female, 21, from Toronto, wanting to travel in a few of the west and southwest provinces for a couple of weeks. Looking for someone to travel with as my friend just cancelled out of the trip.
Or do you know of a great outdoor tour experience?
Thanks, M

I have a chance to fly to Beijing next week. Until I fly, I will be working long hours in the office so I may not have time to surf and compare tips. VT members help - I've never been to China before, let alone Beijing. Please recommend anything that you would do in five days while there. Info on transportation from airport to the city centre would be very helpful too. I would not like to miss a visit to a Chinese Theatre and would very much like to see the Great Wall of China. Thank you!

On my last trip to Beijing, I visited the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, Silk Market, Summer Palace, Peking University. This time, we will visit Forbidden city (again), the Great Wall (again), the hutongs, and another market. I have time left for one or two extra spots in Bejing to visit and need some suggestions. Here's a little hint: I am interested in taking photos of old architecture, not so well-visited by throngs of tourists. I like long empty corridors or interesting statues etc, sense of serenity. I won't be doing the Ming Tombs or the Old Summer Palace ruins, or any gardens or zoos. Something like the White Cloud Temple or Lama Temple would be ideal (although I'd like something truly unique to explore in terms of ancient architecture). Has anyone found a spot in Beijing where it feels like you are transported back in time?

I got a tip from a VT'er about Pingyao in Shanxi and after a quick look at some photos have decided to try to squeeze it into the itinerary. We want to leave from Zhengzhou in the early evening to get to Tianyuan before morning so we can catch a bus or train to Pingyao, to enjoy as much of Pingyao as our limited time will allow. I have checked ctrip.com and it says that for flights in September, they are already sold out?? Can that be? We can go by train, but is there a night-bus from Zhengzhou to Pingyao (or Tianyuan?). Times? Also, in Pingyao, I am having to choose between the TIAN YUAN KUI GUESTHOUSE and the PINGYAO YIDE HOTEL. Both seem very nice and in great areas. I am a photographer and the insides of a hotel are just as important as the surrounding area for ambience (I will be up at 5am to shoot morning photos!). Has anyone stayed at either of these properties? To my photographer's eye, they both look great! Anybody have a detailed webpage on Pingyao in particular? Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

I have two questions.

Where is a reputable place to buy jade (rings and pendants) in Beijing?

A friend wants a Mao suit. I don't think that any are to found nowadays in China but I told him that I'll give it a try. Does anyone know if there are still places in Beijing that still sell Mao suit?