Just come back from Hangzhou/Shanghai
 

I've finished my 10 days trip in Hangzhou/Suzhou/Shanghai. Happy to answer any questions about these 3 cities, especially the entrance fees (fee information from guide books are so outdated).

Hi - <BR> <BR>I've seen pictures of Shanghai and it looks like an interesting place. <BR> <BR>How was it getting around? Is there a metro? Are people helpful? Do many speak English? What were a few of your favorite things you did and saw there? <BR> <BR>We are going to Bangkok next month and are thinking that our next trip to Asia will be to China itself. It will probably be a couple of years but I like to start gathering info early! <BR> <BR>Any comment, tips, or ideas would be most helpful. <BR> <BR>Thank you. <BR> <BR>:-)

Hi Lynn, <BR>Traffic in Shanghai is really bad. Although they have metro (line 1) connnecting main train station to some places (mainly North to South), most tourist areas are not reached by metro. Line 2, which will be opened soon, can help to solve the problem as it connects west to south (airport to the Bund & Pudong). Buses & taxi are stucked. So, the most efficient transportation is on foot. <BR> <BR>Relatively, people in Hangzhou/Suzhou are more nice & helpful. We communicated in Mandarin. English is not common except in hotel/restaurant. <BR> <BR>A few interesting places you should consider: Shanghai Museum, the Bund at night, Yuyuan (shopping & eating), Nanjiang East Road (shopping street), Grand Hyatt hotel in Pudong (they have a 88-storey observation tower). <BR> <BR>You can go around Shanghai for 1-2 days. So, you should consider visiting other provinces/cities together. <BR> <BR>p.s. Shanghai is changing every minute. If you go several years later, I'm sure many things will have been changed. <BR> <BR>Further information, let me know. <BR> <BR>

Ricky - <BR> <BR>Thanks for the input. I'm going to make notes for the future. <BR> <BR>Sounds like the traffic is bad like Bangkok. We leave for there in 6 weeks adn I keep hearing that, like you said about Shanghai, you have to do lots of walking. Good thing I've been walking 4 days a week for an hour! Hopefully I'll be in shape enough to tough it out. <BR> <BR>Side note, we were just in HK around 4th of July. I notice you live there. We love HK. We've been twice. Any pointers for us when we go back? Things to see after you've done the standard vistor's route? <BR> <BR>Thanks again. <BR> <BR>:-)

Hi! <BR>my name is clarence guo,a taxi driver and tour guide in xi'an----the home town of terra-cotta figures,i often take travellers to a cave dwelling village after terra-cotta figures,you'll visit some family live in the cave houses which built hundreds of years ago,meet local farmers and kids there. <BR>if anyone need my help(airport transfer,hotel,tour) in xi'an,pls feel free to e-mail me. <BR>Regards.

Hello - i am planning to be in Hangzhou in a month for a few days. what kind of shopping is available there?

Thanks for your help!