Advice on my 16 day China trip
Jul 3rd, 2009, 11:56 AM
#61
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Thank you Cat, I have not booked but have done some research and found a courtyard hotel in Beijing close to the square and museums,that offers a bike, sounds like a great way to see the sites! ( I will take my helmit!!)I feel, after reading all of these wonderful blogs, the best way to see China is to go with the flow with a unstructured flexable plan and do my homework! I might have one or two more questions in the near future. I am so appreciative for this site!!! The knowledge is priceless and not found in any book...Max
Jul 4th, 2009, 03:40 AM
#63
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Cat12345 I agree with Max19147 about being appreciative of this site! So much valuable advice! Following your advice I 've decided to stay near Wulingyuan entance, thus looked at Qinghe Jinjiang International Hotel and Wulingyuan International Resort, between which I can't decide. Since Honghegu is not near this entrance it is not for me. I've checked the last web site you sent but not sure now which is best to stay, considering that we have only a day to see the park including the bailong elevator.
This is the advice you gave me and I intend to follow this:
"Forget the national park entrance, forget the Huangshizhai cable car and the Golden Whip Creek/Stream trail long walk.
Use Wulingyuan entrance to enter.
AM: Take shuttle bus from Wulingyuan entrance to Bailong elevator. Go back to Wulingyuan entrance for lunch.
PM: Take shuttle bus from Wulingyuan entrance to Tianzi Mountain Cable car station to see Tianzi Mountain scenic area."
Considering above and also tryng to have conivience and budgeting, which hotel would you say is ideal for us? Please do help on this! Again thanks as always.
This is the advice you gave me and I intend to follow this:
"Forget the national park entrance, forget the Huangshizhai cable car and the Golden Whip Creek/Stream trail long walk.
Use Wulingyuan entrance to enter.
AM: Take shuttle bus from Wulingyuan entrance to Bailong elevator. Go back to Wulingyuan entrance for lunch.
PM: Take shuttle bus from Wulingyuan entrance to Tianzi Mountain Cable car station to see Tianzi Mountain scenic area."
Considering above and also tryng to have conivience and budgeting, which hotel would you say is ideal for us? Please do help on this! Again thanks as always.
Jul 4th, 2009, 07:46 AM
#64
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Try this budget 3 star hotel
Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan), 200 meters away from the Wulingyuan ticket office for scenic spots and only 35-minute drive from the train station and the airport.
Bing Guan meaning guest house, I guess it should be called Wulingyuan guest house.
Reservation
http://hotels.english.ctrip.com/dome...009-7-25#price
Here is a picture of Wulingyuan Hotel
http://www.chinazjj.cn/wl/index.htm
Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan), 200 meters away from the Wulingyuan ticket office for scenic spots and only 35-minute drive from the train station and the airport.
Bing Guan meaning guest house, I guess it should be called Wulingyuan guest house.
Reservation
http://hotels.english.ctrip.com/dome...009-7-25#price
Here is a picture of Wulingyuan Hotel
http://www.chinazjj.cn/wl/index.htm
Jul 7th, 2009, 06:00 AM
#67
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Cat12345 Pls help. I tried but can't get much info on Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan)contact:
192, Wuling Rd., Wulingyuan District,
Zhangjiajie, Hunan. PC 427400
Is this hotel near the Wuligyuan entrance like the other two or can we easily do our trip as you suggested if we stayed here. You have mentioned it is near ticket office, but does this mean it is near Wuligyuan entrance too. Sorry if I sound ignorant, but I really don't know. I phoned the Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan) but could not communicate since they did not know much English.
Thank you very much in advance
192, Wuling Rd., Wulingyuan District,
Zhangjiajie, Hunan. PC 427400
Is this hotel near the Wuligyuan entrance like the other two or can we easily do our trip as you suggested if we stayed here. You have mentioned it is near ticket office, but does this mean it is near Wuligyuan entrance too. Sorry if I sound ignorant, but I really don't know. I phoned the Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan) but could not communicate since they did not know much English.
Thank you very much in advance
Jul 7th, 2009, 07:49 AM
#68
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I am not surprised people in this budget 3 star Wulingyuan Hotel do not speak much English, they deal mostly with the domestic Chinese market.
The Wulingyuan ticket office is where the Wulingyuan entrance locates.
When you are in China, you can still get someone from the hotel to speak to them to confirm what you want.
The Wulingyuan ticket office is where the Wulingyuan entrance locates.
When you are in China, you can still get someone from the hotel to speak to them to confirm what you want.
Jul 7th, 2009, 10:01 AM
#69
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Please also try these two 3 or 4 star hotels, they are located within 5 minutes driving distance from Wulingyuan Entrance.
Yubifeng Hotel
Address: Wulingyuan Wu Jia Yu Lu Kau(next to Wulingyuan ticket office) PC 42700
Tel： 86 744-5556999 Fax： 86 744-5556199
Front Desk: 86744-5556699 5556094
Here is a pic of the hotel:
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805001.asp
Dynasty International Hotel
Address: Wulingyuan Jun Di Lu Dong Lu Kau
Tel： 86 744-5556789 Fax: 86 744-5666399
Sales Dept: 86 744-5555558
Here is a pic of the hotel:
http://www.zjjrx.com/pic/200903/8/20090308115035_11.jpg
Best.
Yubifeng Hotel
Address: Wulingyuan Wu Jia Yu Lu Kau(next to Wulingyuan ticket office) PC 42700
Tel： 86 744-5556999 Fax： 86 744-5556199
Front Desk: 86744-5556699 5556094
Here is a pic of the hotel:
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805001.asp
Dynasty International Hotel
Address: Wulingyuan Jun Di Lu Dong Lu Kau
Tel： 86 744-5556789 Fax: 86 744-5666399
Sales Dept: 86 744-5555558
Here is a pic of the hotel:
http://www.zjjrx.com/pic/200903/8/20090308115035_11.jpg
Best.
Jul 9th, 2009, 11:50 AM
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Cat12345
I am amazed at you extensive knowledge of China and tips on travelling and accomodation. Thanks so much. I will check these out. Would you say these are more convinient than Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan), since they are closer to Wulingyuan Entrance. Price at Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan) is 230 for standard room and 320 for deluxe room.
Also any tips on hotels in Xian nrar Muslim Quarter. Thanks again
I am amazed at you extensive knowledge of China and tips on travelling and accomodation. Thanks so much. I will check these out. Would you say these are more convinient than Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan), since they are closer to Wulingyuan Entrance. Price at Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan) is 230 for standard room and 320 for deluxe room.
Also any tips on hotels in Xian nrar Muslim Quarter. Thanks again
Jul 9th, 2009, 09:22 PM
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All the hotels are about the same short distance to Wulingyuan Entrance.
Bell Tower hotel next to the Bell Tower will be closest to the Drum Tower in Xian.
I stayed in this hotel a few times when it was managed by Holiday Inn.
The hotel and the Drum tower is about 10 min walking distance apart with the Drum Tower square in between.
Starbucks, Dafacheng dumpling house & McDonald are located near the Drum Tower square.
Next to the McDonald and beyond the Drum Tower gate is Beiyuan Men Islamic street, the shopping street of Muslim quarter in Xian.
Beiyuan Men street is lined with restaurants, grocery stores & other stores.
At nite, it becomes a night market where many venders, peddlers and snack sellers set up booths to sell local arts and food to people.
Popular local cuisine sold in the nite market are barbecue mutton, mutton sautéed with minced pepper & xinjiang herbs stuffed in muslim pancakes, sweet muslim cakes & dried persimmons.........
Next to the drum tower gate on the right is a large market comprised of tents.
Dried fruits, pickled snacks, and tourist stuffs can be found there.
The muslim quarter is made up of small lanes and alleys.
The Great Mosque is easy to be found at the day time because there are arrow signs with direction to the great mosque on some corner buildings in the muslim quarter.
Other than the great mosque, I had gone into some smaller mosques (Cat12345 is a guy) in the area, saw the worshippers clean up and pray.
At the end, they gave some money to the female muslim panhandlers at the exit.
Bell tower is the city center with heavy traffic.
Some people complained bell tower hotel being a little noisy.
For me, it was fine.
Bell Tower hotel next to the Bell Tower will be closest to the Drum Tower in Xian.
I stayed in this hotel a few times when it was managed by Holiday Inn.
The hotel and the Drum tower is about 10 min walking distance apart with the Drum Tower square in between.
Starbucks, Dafacheng dumpling house & McDonald are located near the Drum Tower square.
Next to the McDonald and beyond the Drum Tower gate is Beiyuan Men Islamic street, the shopping street of Muslim quarter in Xian.
Beiyuan Men street is lined with restaurants, grocery stores & other stores.
At nite, it becomes a night market where many venders, peddlers and snack sellers set up booths to sell local arts and food to people.
Popular local cuisine sold in the nite market are barbecue mutton, mutton sautéed with minced pepper & xinjiang herbs stuffed in muslim pancakes, sweet muslim cakes & dried persimmons.........
Next to the drum tower gate on the right is a large market comprised of tents.
Dried fruits, pickled snacks, and tourist stuffs can be found there.
The muslim quarter is made up of small lanes and alleys.
The Great Mosque is easy to be found at the day time because there are arrow signs with direction to the great mosque on some corner buildings in the muslim quarter.
Other than the great mosque, I had gone into some smaller mosques (Cat12345 is a guy) in the area, saw the worshippers clean up and pray.
At the end, they gave some money to the female muslim panhandlers at the exit.
Bell tower is the city center with heavy traffic.
Some people complained bell tower hotel being a little noisy.
For me, it was fine.
Jul 9th, 2009, 09:43 PM
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Jul 10th, 2009, 09:43 AM
#73
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Cat12345
Thanks for all useful info. We also want to visit other mosques apart from Great Mosque, since we are Muslims. Is it easy to find these? I've been told Mutton soup with chinese bread is Xian's speciality. Have you tried it?
Also pls help us in deciding hotel in Zhangjiajie from the last three you mentioned. Which one is best to stay? I do not know prices of the last two yet, but maybe they are similar. Apart from price which one offers better facilities, especially good bathroom and toilet.
Once again thanks for all help you have given, really do appreciate.
Thanks for all useful info. We also want to visit other mosques apart from Great Mosque, since we are Muslims. Is it easy to find these? I've been told Mutton soup with chinese bread is Xian's speciality. Have you tried it?
Also pls help us in deciding hotel in Zhangjiajie from the last three you mentioned. Which one is best to stay? I do not know prices of the last two yet, but maybe they are similar. Apart from price which one offers better facilities, especially good bathroom and toilet.
Once again thanks for all help you have given, really do appreciate.
Jul 10th, 2009, 07:34 PM
#74
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Cat12345
I called Ctrip to help me with these hotels, they have only Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan)on their system, so they can't tell me anything about the other two. I called all three hotels, no one speaks English. So I now rely on you please to help. Also, I wonder, if I can't communicate, how will it be possible to ask anything, how to go about, transfers etc. Thank you for all.
I called Ctrip to help me with these hotels, they have only Wulingyuan Hotel(Wulingyuan Bing Guan)on their system, so they can't tell me anything about the other two. I called all three hotels, no one speaks English. So I now rely on you please to help. Also, I wonder, if I can't communicate, how will it be possible to ask anything, how to go about, transfers etc. Thank you for all.
Jul 11th, 2009, 09:00 AM
#75
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>We also want to visit other mosques apart from Great Mosque, since we are Muslims. Is it easy to find these?
It is not hard to bump into the mosques within the muslim quarter in Xian. I used to roam in the muslim quarter and bumped into the mosques at times.
The muslim quarter has tons of alleys and small lanes, the great mosque is located on huajue alley, on the left of Beiyuenmen shopping street from the Drum Tower gate.
Just look for arrow signs for great mosque on the corner buildings in the alleys.
Not far from the Great Mosque, there is a smaller mosque with a muslim goods store next to it.
At the end of Beiyuenmen street, there is a monument (actually a street sign).
Next to the monument on the left is xiyangzhi street, another part of the muslim quarter, xiyangzhi connects to miaohou Street.
There are 2 more mosques near miaohou Street, one on Daxuexi alley near Ali Fast food, another one next to star & moon hospital.
There is one mosque on Xiaopiyuan next to a muslim arts & craft store.
Xiaopiyuan is a couple more blocks from the Beiyuenmen monument to the left.
You may ask people in the Great mosque for more.
>Mutton soup with chinese bread is Xian's speciality
It is called “Pao Mo”, beef/mutton brooth with a little Chinese vermicelli & veg, few pieces of meat & “Mo”.
The Chinese bread is a muslim pancake called mo, mo is about the size of donut.
In the Pao Mo restaurant in China, customers would be given a piece of mo if they order beef or mutton pao mo soup.
They would crush the “mo” into small pieces slowly, enjoy a conversation at the same time, and give them back to the server to be cooked with the soup.
Small dishes of garlic, chopped parsley & chilly paste serve on the side.
There are tons of "Pao Mo" restaurants in Xian.
Laosunjia is most famous. It has outlets all over Xian like starbucks.
Others are just as good as Laosunjia.
It is not hard to bump into the mosques within the muslim quarter in Xian. I used to roam in the muslim quarter and bumped into the mosques at times.
The muslim quarter has tons of alleys and small lanes, the great mosque is located on huajue alley, on the left of Beiyuenmen shopping street from the Drum Tower gate.
Just look for arrow signs for great mosque on the corner buildings in the alleys.
Not far from the Great Mosque, there is a smaller mosque with a muslim goods store next to it.
At the end of Beiyuenmen street, there is a monument (actually a street sign).
Next to the monument on the left is xiyangzhi street, another part of the muslim quarter, xiyangzhi connects to miaohou Street.
There are 2 more mosques near miaohou Street, one on Daxuexi alley near Ali Fast food, another one next to star & moon hospital.
There is one mosque on Xiaopiyuan next to a muslim arts & craft store.
Xiaopiyuan is a couple more blocks from the Beiyuenmen monument to the left.
You may ask people in the Great mosque for more.
>Mutton soup with chinese bread is Xian's speciality
It is called “Pao Mo”, beef/mutton brooth with a little Chinese vermicelli & veg, few pieces of meat & “Mo”.
The Chinese bread is a muslim pancake called mo, mo is about the size of donut.
In the Pao Mo restaurant in China, customers would be given a piece of mo if they order beef or mutton pao mo soup.
They would crush the “mo” into small pieces slowly, enjoy a conversation at the same time, and give them back to the server to be cooked with the soup.
Small dishes of garlic, chopped parsley & chilly paste serve on the side.
There are tons of "Pao Mo" restaurants in Xian.
Laosunjia is most famous. It has outlets all over Xian like starbucks.
Others are just as good as Laosunjia.
Jul 11th, 2009, 09:04 AM
#76
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Try to call these hotels during the office hours, some English speaking staff should be available.
If not, ask the Chinese hotel staff in China to call and confirm the reservation and transfers when you are there.
Tell the Chinese hotel staff to write down the hotel name and address in Chinese (don’t lose it!).
Yubifenghotel looks pretty good.
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805001.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805002.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805003.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805004.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805005.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805006.asp
If not, ask the Chinese hotel staff in China to call and confirm the reservation and transfers when you are there.
Tell the Chinese hotel staff to write down the hotel name and address in Chinese (don’t lose it!).
Yubifenghotel looks pretty good.
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805001.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805002.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805003.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805004.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805005.asp
http://www.yubifenghotel.com/webinfo/200805006.asp
Jul 11th, 2009, 03:04 PM
#78
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Cat12345
The pictures of Yubifeng hotel are impressive,it does look good.I will try to phone again to book a room.
Can one get the famous Peking duck in Xian? Is anything worth buying from Xian, or can we get same in Beijing?
Thank you very much as always.
Any tips on Shanghai similar to the ones on Xian, please?
The pictures of Yubifeng hotel are impressive,it does look good.I will try to phone again to book a room.
Can one get the famous Peking duck in Xian? Is anything worth buying from Xian, or can we get same in Beijing?
Thank you very much as always.
Any tips on Shanghai similar to the ones on Xian, please?
Jul 14th, 2009, 06:18 AM
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>Can one get the famous Peking duck in Xian?
Xian Roast Duck Restaurant (Xian Kao Ya Dian)
#369, Dongdajie (East Main Avenue.)
15 minutes walking distance from Bell Tower Hotel.
This is the oldest & most famous Beijing duck house in Xian
Bear in mind that local restaurants in China are crowded and noisy, that’s the way of life, go the Roman way.
>Is anything worth buying from Xian
Local folk arts & craft like paper cut, donkey skin puppet, farmers paintings..........
I used to browse on the Xian relica ancient cultural street on Shuyuanmen.
The street is lined with lots of tradition Chinese stationery stores selling paintings, Chinese stone robbings, calligraphy brush......
From Bell Tower hotel, turn right, that is Nandajie (South Main Avenue).
Shuyuanmen replica ancient cultural street is located on the left at the end of Nandajie.
DON’T buy jade in China unless you know what you’re doing.
If you don’t, just get some cheap souvenirs.”
Chinese tour directors/local guides from Ritz, Grand Circle Tour, Oat, Pacific Delight Tour, PDT, love to take their clients to “Jade factory” in Xian because they are big ticket items.
These so called “Jade factory” are customed made for tourist.
90% of jade sold these stores are Grade B or Grade C jades.
These jades have no real value because they have been bleached with chemicals.
The color would change after a few years.
China reminds me of people.
Shanghai means more people, lots of people.
Charms hotel is centrally located within walking distance from Nanjing Dong Lu walking street.
I would advise people not to go to Shanghai during the public holidays like Oct. 1, Aug. 1, May 1, Lunar New Year.......
Because of the huge crowd in the Bund area, the Nanjing Dong Lu subway station would usually be closed and cordoned off by arm police after 6 pm.
I happened to be in the bund area during one of these holidays.
As I mingled in the crowd, I lost control of myself but had to follow wherever people pushed me, go with flow!
You asked me about the muslim quarter in Xian.
Shanghai was the haven to 30 to 40 thousand Jews during world war 2.
The resided in Hongkau district.
Most of the houses they lived are gone. A few Synagogues are still left behind.
One of them, The Ohel Moishe Synagogue, is converted into a museum and open to the public.
Its address: 62 Changyang Road Shanghai 200082.
Tel: 86-21-65415008
From Peace hotel, take a cab to the museum take 20 minutes in normal traffic.
Xian Roast Duck Restaurant (Xian Kao Ya Dian)
#369, Dongdajie (East Main Avenue.)
15 minutes walking distance from Bell Tower Hotel.
This is the oldest & most famous Beijing duck house in Xian
Bear in mind that local restaurants in China are crowded and noisy, that’s the way of life, go the Roman way.
>Is anything worth buying from Xian
Local folk arts & craft like paper cut, donkey skin puppet, farmers paintings..........
I used to browse on the Xian relica ancient cultural street on Shuyuanmen.
The street is lined with lots of tradition Chinese stationery stores selling paintings, Chinese stone robbings, calligraphy brush......
From Bell Tower hotel, turn right, that is Nandajie (South Main Avenue).
Shuyuanmen replica ancient cultural street is located on the left at the end of Nandajie.
DON’T buy jade in China unless you know what you’re doing.
If you don’t, just get some cheap souvenirs.”
Chinese tour directors/local guides from Ritz, Grand Circle Tour, Oat, Pacific Delight Tour, PDT, love to take their clients to “Jade factory” in Xian because they are big ticket items.
These so called “Jade factory” are customed made for tourist.
90% of jade sold these stores are Grade B or Grade C jades.
These jades have no real value because they have been bleached with chemicals.
The color would change after a few years.
China reminds me of people.
Shanghai means more people, lots of people.
Charms hotel is centrally located within walking distance from Nanjing Dong Lu walking street.
I would advise people not to go to Shanghai during the public holidays like Oct. 1, Aug. 1, May 1, Lunar New Year.......
Because of the huge crowd in the Bund area, the Nanjing Dong Lu subway station would usually be closed and cordoned off by arm police after 6 pm.
I happened to be in the bund area during one of these holidays.
As I mingled in the crowd, I lost control of myself but had to follow wherever people pushed me, go with flow!
You asked me about the muslim quarter in Xian.
Shanghai was the haven to 30 to 40 thousand Jews during world war 2.
The resided in Hongkau district.
Most of the houses they lived are gone. A few Synagogues are still left behind.
One of them, The Ohel Moishe Synagogue, is converted into a museum and open to the public.
Its address: 62 Changyang Road Shanghai 200082.
Tel: 86-21-65415008
From Peace hotel, take a cab to the museum take 20 minutes in normal traffic.
Jul 14th, 2009, 10:42 AM
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Cat, question... I plan to take a train from Chengde to Xi'an and spend the day there. Are there lockers at the station where I can leave and lock up a piece of luggage and my lap top while I wonder at the amazing solders and horses? Thanks, Max
