Shanxi Sheng Travel Forum

Wow! Nobody ever has heard of this city! But it looks very nice on a map of Shanxi, that I have recently seen.

Has anybody been to Changzhi yet?

I am probably going there in November

I wonder, whether I'll get any answers

Best regards
Ulrike

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!

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.

In May I am planning to take the high speed (X19) train from Beijing to Xian. On the way back from Xian instead of doing the same, I am considering taking an overnight train to Pingyao and then the next night from Pingyao to Beijing.

Does anybody have experience with the Xian -> Pingyao and/or Pingyao->Beijing trains? Can you sleep in the compartments (soft sleeper) or is there too much noise from the train making so many stops.

Also, how hard is it to get tickets. I read somewhere that Pingyao is a small place and doesn't get a very large allotment of sleeper berths.

Thanks

Anyone out there have comments about the "Jade Youth Hostel" in Beijing? I have a trip planned on September 12-22 and would like to know about this hostel. Also, any ideas what the weather is like in September, etc. I would appeciate any responses.

Thank you.

Look for a hotel near local restaurants and main sights in Beijing.
The hotel should be located in center of restaurants and night life.
I do not want to pay more than 50.00 USD per night.I will be there 4 nights.
I have review a few hotels Days Inn and Qian Yuan international hotel.
Please advise.

Hi there,
4 of us will be in Beijing from 20th September to 27th September 2008. All of us have not been to this historic city and need your help to plan a memorable trip. I've the following questions:
a) How's the weather during this period of travel?
b) What's the better way to travel to Xi'an - by plane or train?
c) How many days to be in Xi'an / Beijing for a comprehensive visit?
d) Please recommend budget hotels in both cities.
e) Please recommend a reliable tour guide/agency in both cities.
Thank you
Tien from Singapore

Hi,

I am deciding between stopping over in datong or luoyang to see the caves on my way from beijing to xian.

Can anyone advise which is better to see ? What are the differences ? In terms of convenience from the train stations to get to the caves, which is easier as i am short of time on my itenary.

thanks

Hi, pls tell me where are these clubs located in Taiyuan ? Kiss & Blood ? Is this around the same shopping place behind yingze hotel ?

Hi my husband and I are going to Beijing soon.
We only have a day to go see the terracotta warriors in Xian.
Flights are 1hr 45 mins. We would like to leave morning and return evening and do this as a day trip.
We would be grateful if anybody has an idea of flights costs, taxi prices from airport to soilders etc, where to book the flights?
Thanks uk bird

My boyfriend and i are staying here next year during the olympics. Has anyone stayed here?? is it an ok place to stay??

Thank you for your help,
Thelma

How does one get there per public transporation from Pingyao?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Where could I find a place in Pingyao where they would burn digital pictures from my Sony Cybershots to a CD please? I'm really stuck, no one seems to know.

Heading to Beijing in February and the wife wants - a 1st Class Spa Hotel - I'm thinking Golf Hotel/Resort (in or near the city). Or - a few days in each - or if one place is great and has both . . .
This trip may well be paid for by, uh . . . someone other than us - so first class all the way if possible (too good to be true!).
I would really like to hear people's experiences and or recommendations please.
Thanks for any help!

I have been looking thru the CDC web sites, and it looks like to go just to Beijing for a couple of days, the Hepatitis A and B shots are about it, with maybe a booster for general shots.

I prefer not to introduce anything which is not indispensable. I plan to eat mostly cooked vegetables, rice, and tea (ok, I'm paranoid). Bring my Immodium, etc. etc.

Are these hepatitis shots really necessary?

Nomad

I need to get a Chinese visa for my trip to Beijing this October - I am only going to Beijing for less than a week this trip, so I presume this is a single entry visa. My passport expires in August of 2008. A few questions:

- I live in Orlando - does anyone know of a Visa service where I can obtain the visa?

- If I'd rather apply for the visa myself, where would I apply for it if I live in Orlando?

- Very silly question ... mainly confirmation. Does the period of the visa start upon arrival in China, and I presume there is a date by which this visa expires -regardless of arrival, so if I ask for a 30-day visa, there may be a date when this visa expires even if I only arrive a few days before the expiration. (Hope this question makes sense). Or do they just assign a date range when the Visa is valid, and it is your oblication to insure you adhere to the 30 days. Or do you have to visit within the date range you're given?

- Would I have any problems if my passport expires within 8 months of arrival and I arrive in October - I am only going there for less than a week.

- How long does this visa take ... am asking because I would like to book my flight, and prices are going up - so just want to make sure that if I book a flight for mid-October, my visa will be ready by then.

Thanks for any feedback.

Nomad

We are planning a trip to Datong from Beijing - can anyone advise if there is nice scenery on the way if we take train in day time? Would we be able to buy soft sleepers on a day train from Beijing to Datong ? We thought of spending 1 nite in Datong and then taking the CITS tour for 1 day to Yungang grottoes and hanging monastery. Then to return to Beijing subsequently same day in evening - would there be long distance buses departing Datong to Beijing or would it be better to take soft sleepers on nite train but there would be problem what to do for whole nite in Datong while awaiting for train which leaves about 2300 hrs or so for Beijing. Planning to go Datong on Wed 26 Sept and returning Beijing on 27 Sept - travelling with 2 elderly folk in 70s. Any advice much appreciated

My partner and I don't want to book a room before we arrive in Beijing so that we can haggle over the price once we're there. From what I've heard, booking upfront will guarantee you pay too much and we would like to avoid that. Besides, I like things to be a bit adventurous. Ideally we will be looking for a clean guesthouse or small hotel in a Hutong area close to restaurants and nightlife. Is there a particular area that suits this desription that you'd recommend? An area with a few hotels close together would be best because this would give the benefit of choice and competition. Does anyone here have experience with bargaining for a good price for a room? Do you have any tips? All advice is appreciated.

Niekie

My wife and I will be in Beijing in October. We would love to receive hotel recommendations which are reasonable to the pocket book.

What are some of the sites and activities we should not miss?

Also, how can side trips be booked while there.

George

Hi to all, A couple of questions,

(1)I would like to know what is the best way to travel from Beijing to Xi'an, we are travelling in March 08. I am considering train but I have no idea how long it takes.

(2)Then from Xi'an to Guangzhou, is there a direct flight?

Anyone that can help I would appreciate it.

Hirdy - Aussie.

Hi,
I plan to visit Beijing,China this June and join this tour services online.
Had any one have used the services provided for beijing 5D4N tour in China? How was their services?

TQ Daniel

I'm thinking of arriving in Datong early morning from Beijing and leaving later that night to Xi'an. I don't really intend sticking around town for more than a day and I only plan to see the cave and the hanging monastery. I just have some questions about the logistics:
(1) Can I book a cheap tour through CITS once I arrive in Datong? If so, how much?
(2) Are there any storage lockers in the train station?
(3) Are there any shower facilities at the train station?
(4) I will be arriving in Datong on May 7, which is during the Golden Week. Will it be hard for me to book a sleeper ticket from Datong to Xi'an on this date?

I am planning visit Shanxi Province (West of Beijing, 284km)in May. I am looking for travel companion to visit the Buddhist wonder of the Yungang Grottoes, UNESCO World Heritage - Pingyao Ancient City,Xuankong Si (Hanging Temple,)Mt Hengshan & Yellow River's Kettle Spout waterfalls (Hukou Waterfalls).I live in HongKong and I am a budget traveler, speak fair Putonghua. I will start my journey from Beijing on 12May, and set off for DaTong first then heading down south. You may contact me by my VT email address or isabellawsw@yahoo.com.hk .

I have checked with a few online travel companies in Beijing, only able to get Beijing-Datong train tickets.

How can I arrange for someone or travel agent in Datong to help get Datong - Beijing overnight sleepers?

Intend to visit Datong's Yungang Buddhist Caves and Hanging Monastary only.

Has any VTers gone with CITS day tour to these 2 places? How to book?

Thanks.

i would like to visit beijing and xian in the spring. i have always been an independent traveler, but wonder if this is a good idea in china. does anyone know if it is difficult to arrange tours once you get to china? or would this be better arranged as a land package from home? there seem to be a lot of packages available on the internet, but i have never done this type of travel. i would prefer to go there and then make arrangements that appear suitable if this isn't foolhardy. my previous travel has been for 2-3 months at a time in europe and and australia and i had no problems as there were always enough english speakers to make good choices. i will only be in china for about 2-3 weeks this time though and am not sure if this would be wise in this instance. can anyone please advise me on the smartest way to approach this trip? thank you, omax

Dear all,

I am planning to go to Beijing in March first week and i have a few questions.

1. I wish to trek the Jinshanling to Simatai part of the wall and also want to stay overnite in Jinshanling. Where can i get information for the accomodations there, i am already speaking to the famous Mr. Sun but he cant seem to help a lot.

2. What would be the best and cheapest way to visit the Summer palace and the temple of heaven and how mush time should i spare for visiting both these locations.

I have been trying to research on this for a long time now and finally decided to put the question up here, any help from anyone of you will be very very useful (especially for the accomodation at the great wall)

Thanx in advance

Ni Hao!
My marvelous travel trough China is almost finishing. I will travel from Shanghai to my dear Colombia the next December.
I would like to buy some souvenirs but I am afraid about the cost of the overweight luggage. I am looking for the best way to send a 20 kilos box. By China Post is 1400 yuanes! And the box will be in Colombia in 1 or 2 months. Who knows how much is the overweight-luggage per kilo at the airplane?

Xie-Xie! Thanks in advance.

Zai Jian!

Helena

Hi,
Wonder if anyone can help? My daughter 21 and I are flying to Beijing for 2 weeks hols next March from the UK... We are on a budget and will be staying in a youth hostel there. Rebecca my daughter is in an electric wheelchair and we are worried whether we will be able to use the public transport their in Beijing - the taxis look like cars and the chair doesnt fold.... We are particularly worried about getting to and from the airport/city.... Does anyone know of any wheelchair accessible buses, cabs etc. that could do the airport trip for us - look forward to any comments and thanks
julie and rebecca, liverpool england

Traveling to Hong kong in DEC and thinking of crossing to shengzhen and onto xiamen. Where, How and best way of traveling onto xiamen, thinking of train. Advice please.