Leslie

I am planning an independent 2 week trip to China and would like to visit these three cities. I intend to take the train from Hong Kong to Canton,the bus from Canton to Macau and then a ferry back to Hong Kong. Has anyone made this trip? The tour books make it sound very easy!!!!!Should I obtain a visa for China before leaving the U.S.A.?

leslie

I neglected to mention in the previous posting that I do not speak chinese.

David

If you don't speak Chinese, you might want to think about traveling into Guangzhou (Canton) and Macau using Hong Kong as your base. I'm sure there are buses from Guangzhou (Canton) to Macau, but I had a nightmare experience a couple of years ago taking a bus from Guangzhou back to Hong Kong. <BR> <BR>Getting a visa for China is easy in Hong Kong -- go to Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry (I think that's what it's called) located in the China Resources Building in Wanchai. You can get a visa done in one day. <BR> <BR>Try Fernando's restaurant when you're in Macau -- it's an absolute must!

KB

Getting a visa in the U.S. is easy. You just need to go to your local Chinese consulate (they are in most major U.S. cities). You will need a passport with two blank pages and at least six months of validity, a passport photo, a completed application form which you can get at the consulate, and $30 (if you are a U.S. citizen, cheaper otherwise). There is info on mailing in for a visa on the web at the consulates' websites.

MICHAEL ZHONG

Hi MR LESILIE, <BR> THIS MICHAEL,A TOUR GUIDE FROM CTS STAYING IN CANTON. I DO MADE THIS TRIP.AND I DO THE SAME TRIP VETY OFTEN, NEARLY 5 TIMES A MONTH. <BR> IT IS UNNECESSARY TO OBTAIN A VISA FOR CHINA BEFORE LEAVING USA, YOU COULD GET IT IN HONGKONG OR EVEN IN CHINA, I COULD HELP YOU IF YOU NEED.FEEL FREE TO CONTACT [email protected]

MICHAEL ZHONG

Hi MR LESILIE, <BR> THIS MICHAEL,A TOUR GUIDE FROM CTS STAYING IN CANTON. I DO MADE THIS TRIP.AND I DO THE SAME TRIP VETY OFTEN, NEARLY 5 TIMES A MONTH. <BR> IT IS UNNECESSARY TO OBTAIN A VISA FOR CHINA BEFORE LEAVING USA, YOU COULD GET IT IN HONGKONG OR EVEN IN CHINA, I COULD HELP YOU IF YOU NEED.FEEL FREE TO CONTACT [email protected]

Jade

I used to live in HK and would agree that using HK as your base is your best bet. Depending on where you are staying in HK, taking the train or bus to Guangzhou is more convenient. I took the bus from the Wanchai CTS office on HK Island. If you stay in Kowloon, getting to the train station is fairly convenient. I would come back to HK for a day or so then then take the ferry or jetfoil to Macau. Get your visa in HK.

Steve

I believe that now-a-days you could get a China visa in the airport, as soon as you clear the custom. It's quite easy. If you don't want any hassel, check into your hotel in Hong Kong, then call the American Express Travel Service, they will even come to your hotel to pick it up and drop it off afterwards. (small fee charged.) Also, taking the direct train is the best way to Canton. 1 1/2 hour and you're there. The ticket costs about US$ 25 and you can buy it right at the station. It leaves every two hour or so. You can ask for a train schedule at your hotel. Don't try to do it with bus, MTR/KCR light rail stuff, it's a pain; especially you can't speak the language. I lived in Hong Kong for 4 years. It's a great city.

Lee

Forget Canton ! It is polluted, dirty and not much to see. Fernanado in Macau is a restaurant that specialize in BBQ, very popular and good food. if you go to macau you must visit the Lisboa Casino , real cultural shock. Nothing like Las Vegas, very very rude people gathering and shouting.If you plan to see China, Beijing is the place to see but i think at least 5 days.HK is also fun, the Peak, the Star Ferrry ride, the night markets ...Depending on which side of the island you are staying at I can give you more information but really,forget Canton.

Kay

If you want to see the poverty, pollution, etc. of China, then do go to Canton. You'll see people doing manual labor that is unheard of here these days. Most of the people I know who have taken a day or overnight trip from Hong Kong are amazed by the contrast. That is what is interesting--not the sights. We have based in HK to see the sights nearby. I recommend the HK Tourist Authority full day tour that includes outside the main part of the city. It was a small group with a good guide and I learned a lot. I also enjoyed getting oriented through the history museum. The subway system in HK is easy to use to get to other sites. I love the Star Ferry. We took the jetfoil to Macau and walked for a day to see all the Colonial buildings, shop, and get somewhere quieter than HK. We had no trouble using a taxi to/from the ferry only knowing "hello" and "thank you" in Chinese. We pointed on a map. We also took the ferry to the monastery (can't remember the island) and our friends were very impressed with the bus ride and the site itself.

Janet

Returned 22 May 99 from 22 day trip to China and HK. There is nothing in Canton but the exit/entrance into China. HK is modern, bustling, clean, fabulous buildings, great inner city markets and areas. Tour of HK is great. Other members of our tour went to Macau and thought it was wonderful. I was very surprised how VERY few people on the street, in stores, etc spoke English. In the hotels really only tourist English spoken--they can answer very simple questions. If you want to go somewhere in China, go to Guilin, absolutely fabulous Li River cruise with their monolithic peaks or Hangzhou but not Canton. Enjoy.