First trip to China - 9 days
Aug 4th, 2009, 01:10 PM
#21
My experience with Chinese trains was much less exciting. We were never allowed out of the waiting room and onto the train until it was ready for passengers, nor did I have trouble finding the right waiting room (even in Beijing main the night before National Day!). It does help, of course, to travel light, but I believe that Chinese trains, like Indian and Russian, should have luggage space under the bottom berths.
Aug 6th, 2009, 08:22 PM
#22
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I left you a note today on "first trip to China - don't know where to start". Will be near the bottom of the forum.
You can ALWAYS find safe boxes of great noodles - everywhere. Likewise, Lay's potato chips, etc. Take a few granola bars if you know you will have the munchies in your room. There should be no "food shortage emergencies" where you will be traveling. They sell stuff on the train which will do as well.
Not sure how you found TongLi, but it's a great find. Quiet and friendly, lots of walking streets. Very good. http://www.zfct.net/jnsx/jnrj.html This is a link to the hotel where I stayed in TongLi with daughter and granddaughter. Olde worldy place, antique four-posters and furniture. Bathrooms great. On a walking street. Tea outdoors with people-watching on the "canal" street is a pleasant diversion. I prefered it to Suzhou - but different strokes for ....
I sense a good deal of nervousness in your posts. Perhaps "fear of the unknown". Natural. However, try to remember that there are tens of thousands of visitors here every day; and we all seem to come out of it just fine. If you encounter some difficulty with language, stay cool; you WILL eventually find someone who can help you. Signs at airports seem pretty good; if you have flown before, you'll do fine. Train stations seem chaotic, but just give yourself time and you'll get through it. And the best part is that you WILL be able to look back on some of your adventure later and have a good laugh and tell a great story over dinner about it. Some people see a "huge upsetting problem", others see a "little problem that is really an adventure". Enjoy your adventure.
Try not to get too upset with people. Smile as much as you can.
You are looking at Chinese phrases to learn. Try to start every conversation with Chinese - not English - even if it's just "ni hao". If you can follow it with "sorry I don't speak Chinese" "wo3 bu4 shui4 zhong1 wen2" that's really icing on the cake. As a guest in this country it's great to learn the few phrases you are studying. Basic courtesy is very much appreciated.
You can ALWAYS find safe boxes of great noodles - everywhere. Likewise, Lay's potato chips, etc. Take a few granola bars if you know you will have the munchies in your room. There should be no "food shortage emergencies" where you will be traveling. They sell stuff on the train which will do as well.
Not sure how you found TongLi, but it's a great find. Quiet and friendly, lots of walking streets. Very good. http://www.zfct.net/jnsx/jnrj.html This is a link to the hotel where I stayed in TongLi with daughter and granddaughter. Olde worldy place, antique four-posters and furniture. Bathrooms great. On a walking street. Tea outdoors with people-watching on the "canal" street is a pleasant diversion. I prefered it to Suzhou - but different strokes for ....
I sense a good deal of nervousness in your posts. Perhaps "fear of the unknown". Natural. However, try to remember that there are tens of thousands of visitors here every day; and we all seem to come out of it just fine. If you encounter some difficulty with language, stay cool; you WILL eventually find someone who can help you. Signs at airports seem pretty good; if you have flown before, you'll do fine. Train stations seem chaotic, but just give yourself time and you'll get through it. And the best part is that you WILL be able to look back on some of your adventure later and have a good laugh and tell a great story over dinner about it. Some people see a "huge upsetting problem", others see a "little problem that is really an adventure". Enjoy your adventure.
Try not to get too upset with people. Smile as much as you can. You are looking at Chinese phrases to learn. Try to start every conversation with Chinese - not English - even if it's just "ni hao". If you can follow it with "sorry I don't speak Chinese" "wo3 bu4 shui4 zhong1 wen2" that's really icing on the cake. As a guest in this country it's great to learn the few phrases you are studying. Basic courtesy is very much appreciated.
Aug 6th, 2009, 10:17 PM
#23
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I travelled to China in October 2008 for 2 months and stayed 5 weeks in Xian. I was staying with a volunteer organization and they helped a lot with getting around. They had suggested to me if I take a domestic flight that I should book with Ctrip, it is inexpensive and there are always plenty of flights to chose from. The sleeper trains are a good experience though, we had a lot of laughs. The Terracotta Army is really great, but there is so much more to see in Xian. I would suggest cycling the city walls, it takes about 2 hours (try to pick the least dodgy looking bike you don't want to be stuck with no pedals like a friend of mine , and make sure you're back on time because you have to put a deposit down on the bikes). The Muslim Quarter is really great, and if you're feeling adventurous, the street vendors in this area are relatively safe to eat (nobody I was with got sick) and very inexpensive. there are some great restaurants in Xian, you should ask your hotel for some suggestions. If you want some time to relax there is a park called Tang Paradise, it is very touristy but it's beautiful, I would suggest to buy a kite and fly it there. also if you go to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, unless the day is clear, I wouldn't suggest climbing it, it's costs more money and the view isn't great because of the smog, but taking a walk around the grounds is really great. You should get your hotel to write down in chinese characters where you're going for taxi drivers because it is definately harder to get around not many people speak english. if hostels are an option a friend stayed in a nice one next to the south gate of the city wall. In Beijing there is so much to do I have to go back because I couldn't get everything in. The Great Wall is a must, I went to Simatai it was great, there are people that say they can show you where to go and they will follow you but don't let them lead you, there is no need and they will ask you for money. if you do this section, take the lift part way up and the zip line down it was great it's a great view and very safe. always have kleenex or toilet paper and enjoy your trip, China is a great place
, and make sure you're back on time because you have to put a deposit down on the bikes). The Muslim Quarter is really great, and if you're feeling adventurous, the street vendors in this area are relatively safe to eat (nobody I was with got sick) and very inexpensive. there are some great restaurants in Xian, you should ask your hotel for some suggestions. If you want some time to relax there is a park called Tang Paradise, it is very touristy but it's beautiful, I would suggest to buy a kite and fly it there. also if you go to Big Wild Goose Pagoda, unless the day is clear, I wouldn't suggest climbing it, it's costs more money and the view isn't great because of the smog, but taking a walk around the grounds is really great. You should get your hotel to write down in chinese characters where you're going for taxi drivers because it is definately harder to get around not many people speak english. if hostels are an option a friend stayed in a nice one next to the south gate of the city wall. In Beijing there is so much to do I have to go back because I couldn't get everything in. The Great Wall is a must, I went to Simatai it was great, there are people that say they can show you where to go and they will follow you but don't let them lead you, there is no need and they will ask you for money. if you do this section, take the lift part way up and the zip line down it was great it's a great view and very safe. always have kleenex or toilet paper and enjoy your trip, China is a great place
Aug 7th, 2009, 04:14 PM
#24
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Yes, good tip from AndyT - always have kleenex or tp with you.
We brought some snacks from the US and also picked up some things in Japan, which was our stop before China. My goal on the train was to have something to eat in the morning without using the pot of hot water. We tried to only drink bottled water in China.
Have fun!
We brought some snacks from the US and also picked up some things in Japan, which was our stop before China. My goal on the train was to have something to eat in the morning without using the pot of hot water. We tried to only drink bottled water in China.
Have fun!
Aug 7th, 2009, 10:16 PM
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I really enjoyed my trip to China in May 2008. I traveled solo for 17 days and spent 6 days in Beijing, 2 days in Xian, 4 days in Yangshuo, 2 days in Shanghai and 1 day in Suzhou. I'm an athletic, petite woman and I took a 6 1/2 mile hiking tour on the Great Wall from Jinsaling to Simatai, which took us 3 1/2 hours to hike. It was beautiful and the highlight of my trip. After talking to many people about the different areas on the Great Wall, I'm really glad that I went to one of the more remote areas. Simatai was fantastic and it wasn't crowded.
I don't speak any Chinese and I would point to the location on a map of where I wanted to go. I would also have the hotel write down my destination so I could hand it to the driver. The only problems I had with directions was when the taxi drivers didn't want to take me to the locations. I would just get out of the cab and get another one a minute later. It only happened a few times, but the first time it surprised me.
I enjoyed everywhere I visited and recommend Suzhou. I took the train from Shanghai in the morning. The fast train takes about an hour and it's pretty inexpensive. I took taxis to Tiger Hill, Master of the Nets Garden, Humble Administrators Garden and the Silk Factory. It was a lovely day and I saw so many beautiful gardens.
I was hoping to go back to China this year, but the Swine Flu is affecting the tourism there. I've read many stories of people being put into quarantine for a week even if they are in the vacinity of someone on an airplane who may be sick. You may want to bring a face mask for the airplane. The pollution in Beijing is the worst in the world and many people walk around with face masks so it wouldn't seem odd to wear one on a plane or train.
Have a great adventure in China!
I don't speak any Chinese and I would point to the location on a map of where I wanted to go. I would also have the hotel write down my destination so I could hand it to the driver. The only problems I had with directions was when the taxi drivers didn't want to take me to the locations. I would just get out of the cab and get another one a minute later. It only happened a few times, but the first time it surprised me.
I enjoyed everywhere I visited and recommend Suzhou. I took the train from Shanghai in the morning. The fast train takes about an hour and it's pretty inexpensive. I took taxis to Tiger Hill, Master of the Nets Garden, Humble Administrators Garden and the Silk Factory. It was a lovely day and I saw so many beautiful gardens.
I was hoping to go back to China this year, but the Swine Flu is affecting the tourism there. I've read many stories of people being put into quarantine for a week even if they are in the vacinity of someone on an airplane who may be sick. You may want to bring a face mask for the airplane. The pollution in Beijing is the worst in the world and many people walk around with face masks so it wouldn't seem odd to wear one on a plane or train.
Have a great adventure in China!
Aug 9th, 2009, 09:35 AM
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Hi BeachGirl: I started out strong on my plans, and then got away from it. We depart for Shanghai on Tuesday! I am glad that you received all of the above help since we have a very similar trip. We are planning to go to Tong Li, then Souzhou, then to Xian and on to Beijing. I haven't sorted out if we should take the train yet or fly. I am considering the train for one leg, and plane for the other leg - to reach Shanghai. You received some great advice here. I am also apprehensive and a bit nervous, but I like the advice of Fred, Andy and Aquawink. Have a great trip!
Aug 9th, 2009, 09:58 AM
#28
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Suesfish, Tuesday! When do you return?
We're flying the Shanghai to Xi'an leg of the trip and I booked our overnight sleeper train from Xi'an to Beijing this morning.
Have a great trip and I hope it goes smoothly!
We're flying the Shanghai to Xi'an leg of the trip and I booked our overnight sleeper train from Xi'an to Beijing this morning.
Have a great trip and I hope it goes smoothly!
Aug 17th, 2009, 09:04 AM
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BeachGirl: You have done so much research work, no need to be anxious, you will be just fine. When minor issues come up, happens even traveling in the US, take it as a learning experience. Do bring some pills to calm your stomach if it acts up, I bring tums and pepto, works for me.
Aug 17th, 2009, 09:48 AM
#31
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AndyT, thanks so much for the tips on Xian. I will make sure we double check our bikes before heading out.
Thank for all of the help I've been given on planning our exciting China adventure.
We're on countdown for the trip. Clothes are folded and ready for packing the night before. TP for everyone! I feel like I have so much to remember for this trip. I'm sure it will be full of surprises -- hopefully, the good kind!
Thank for all of the help I've been given on planning our exciting China adventure.
We're on countdown for the trip. Clothes are folded and ready for packing the night before. TP for everyone! I feel like I have so much to remember for this trip. I'm sure it will be full of surprises -- hopefully, the good kind!
Aug 17th, 2009, 10:59 AM
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I don't think AndyT meant bringing paper products from the US, you can help yourself to the TP rolls in the chinese hotels, just remember to do it daily. And if needed you can get packs of tissues (slightly coarser than Kleenex) at the corner stores, the feminine hygiene products are ok too. Do bring some soft-pack wet wipes and liquid hand sanitizer, not all public toilets have soap. Oh, and sunblock too. My DH did bring his own razors.
Aug 17th, 2009, 11:22 AM
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Hi Beachgirl
Have a great trip. I think you will be surprised at how modern China is, especially at the cities that you will be visiting. Most things we use in North America are really "made in China".
Have a great trip. I think you will be surprised at how modern China is, especially at the cities that you will be visiting. Most things we use in North America are really "made in China".
Aug 17th, 2009, 08:03 PM
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I think I may be more excited about the food than the sites! We leave this week and I am beyond excited! Okay, a little stressed with all that goes with leaving town for 2 weeks (pets, house sitter, etc). But, I think we're ready to take on China. I <i>know</i> we're ready to try the food!
And, wouldn't you know it. My tomatoes and peppers will be perfect for picking while we are gone. My neighbor will love me for that.
And, wouldn't you know it. My tomatoes and peppers will be perfect for picking while we are gone. My neighbor will love me for that.
Aug 25th, 2009, 06:40 AM
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My expectations have already been exceeded here in China. Shanghai was much more than a big city. LOVED the French Concession area and our hotel, Old House Inn. Would go back there in a NY minute.
Tonight we arrived in Xi'an and a big surprise for us as we didn't expect it to be this commercial.
Muslim Quarter was worth the trip alone! Heading out early in the morning for terra cotta soldiers.
I have a daily blog going in the lounge if anyone wants to keep up with our exciting journey!
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...-in-china-.cfm
Tonight we arrived in Xi'an and a big surprise for us as we didn't expect it to be this commercial.
Muslim Quarter was worth the trip alone! Heading out early in the morning for terra cotta soldiers.
I have a daily blog going in the lounge if anyone wants to keep up with our exciting journey!
http://www.fodors.com/community/fodo...-in-china-.cfm
