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Omg china you're so big!

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Where to go and what to see in China...
13 years ago, July 14th 2010 No: 1 Msg: #115643  
So we just landed in Hong Kong. WOW!! I don't know what to say, other then being overwhelmed it seems like an amazing city (for those of you who know Richmond BC, it's like that but after 20 years of steriod abuse)

We worked out our Chinese Visa's and will have 90 days to explore the country. We are definatly planning on visitng Shanghi and Beijing, we also want to go into Lhasa, Tibet, and travel onwards into Nepal from there.

I've glanced through our China Lonely Planet a bit and everytime I open it up beyond the front page with the map I get this flustered feeling of so much to see, no clue where to begin. We've heard that the yangtze river is in overdrive and flooding pretty bad right now so I think we may have to stick to the eastern provinces of China until we get up north. I was hoping to get some suggestions of good places to visit on the way up to Beijing. So if you've been/lived/know of somewhere special in Eastern China, please tell us. I'm open to any and all suggestions!!

Thanks
Kristy Reply to this

13 years ago, July 15th 2010 No: 2 Msg: #115699  
S Posts: 3
Hello Kisty,

I can understand - my wife and I were in a similar situation sometime back, when we decided to travel around and see China - not realizing that unlike other countries - China is a World in its own!! - Coming from Canada - it was SO different. My wife and I wanted to see the true China.

But let me tell you Chinese people are generally very friendly and helpful to foreigners. Honest most of the times also (but in big cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an etc. you need to be careful). After much research and struggle I came across a Canadian tour company that made our travel and life simple. Unlike other companies - they were not out just make a buck or two from us - being quite sincere and helpful - also charged us much lower than everyone else - their service is quite personal and pretty good. Maybe you can get intouch with them. The person we deal with is Ms.Gloria and their website is www.realchina.ca

Hope this helps. Reply to this

13 years ago, July 15th 2010 No: 3 Msg: #115705  
Thanks for the tip. I'm not sure if we can afford a tour guide all the way through China though, and we generally like to explore on our own, plus we have to get a tour guide for Tibet which is going to take quite a chunk out. I'll check out the site though!! THanks again. Reply to this

13 years ago, July 15th 2010 No: 4 Msg: #115710  
S Posts: 6
Last month I travel to Shanghai Expo with my parents,and I found a travel app for iphone -xTown Shanghai Expo is very useful for me! maybe you can download one ,have a good time in China! Reply to this

13 years ago, July 15th 2010 No: 5 Msg: #115714  
S Posts: 3
You are welcome. Thats how we usually travel also - but in China language becomes an issue so. My wife and I will be back in China sometime mid-august. If you are still there let me know. Reply to this

13 years ago, July 15th 2010 No: 6 Msg: #115720  
China is indeed so big! It's one of the best places to travel when you want to experience a totally different culture. People there are generally nice and friendly so that wouldn't really be a problem. When traveling in China, try to focus more on exploring their culture including the history. For sure, you'll go home and realize how much knowledge you gained.

Enjoy your stay in China Scott and Kristy! Reply to this

13 years ago, July 15th 2010 No: 7 Msg: #115721  
S Posts: 3
I totally agree with that!! Its been a life changing experience for us also. Just wonderful!! Reply to this

13 years ago, July 15th 2010 No: 8 Msg: #115724  
B Posts: 277
It will be hot this time of the year but if you can stand it I would definitely suggest Hangzhou and Suzhou, smaller than Shanghai but still BIG cities. You can check them out in LP - both cities have plenty of greenery to get away from the city and the lake in Hangzhou really makes for a somewhat more cool feeling. Something we really enjoyed was going to the Longjing (by local bus) and then trek the 9 creeks and 18 gullies path, among tea plantations. But there are many paths along the lake to enjoy and some good (air-conditioned) museums also. Suzhou has a lot of famous gardens which you may found interesting, and back lanes along the canals which give you a real nice feeling for the "old" China. I wouldn't recommend Zhouzhang which is horribly exploited, though pretty. Huang Shan mountain is about 4-6 hours bus ride from Hangzhou and is a great place to stay a few days (lot's of tracks and very well organized), explore the mountain and surrounding countryside. In case it is not in the flood zone the Hunan province makes for an interesting trip, Zhangjiangjie is one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit, and not much visited by Westerners. Again well organized parks. Phoenix town is a small truly idyllic town and beautiful surrounding countryside. Changsha is the capital of this province and a pleasant enough city with a fantastic historical museum. In Shanhai especially be aware of all sorts of scammers who will approach you, pretty "schoolgirls" for example who want to practice English in expensive tea houses or "art students" who invite you to their exhibitions. A bit of common sense is needed. And about the language issue, rule number 1: do have everything written down in Chinese and when in trouble don't despair there will be always some person (usually young well-dressed woman) who will come to your help. My experience is that most Chinese people are incredibly friendly and helpful, especially in places like Hunan where they rarely see strangers. Enjoy it! Reply to this

13 years ago, July 15th 2010 No: 9 Msg: #115760  
Thank you Greek Gal!! you gave us a lot more to consider for China!!Hangzhou and Changsha sound really interesting! I'll definatly be looking more into these places!!

Kristy Reply to this

13 years ago, July 16th 2010 No: 10 Msg: #115824  
S Posts: 1
Hi Kristy,

I suggest you can be in Jiuzhaigou which is located in Sichuan Province.This is a sacred land with the best scenic spots and glorious views: a fairyland, primitive and natural, without a single drop of dirt, where majestic and unrivalled emerald lakes, layer upon layer of waterfalls, colorful forests, snow peaks and Tibetan folkways get along swinningly with each other, forming a perfection of itself.You can search the pictures online. And the best time to travel is on September and October.
Reply to this

13 years ago, July 16th 2010 No: 11 Msg: #115825  
N Posts: 20
hi,
i am an oversea student, and i am study in chengdu of china, quite near to Tibet. If you wanna tour china's city, you may go to Beijing and Shanghai, etc. But i think big cities are similar around the world. i suggest you traveling to Tibet along the Sichuan-Tibet roadline, for the beautiful sceneries you sightsee will be fantastic. all the way to Tibet you could see ravines, gorges, snow mountains,grasslands. and i had that experience. the blue sky and limpid waters and lakes, dense forests as well as vast grassland are all so amazing that i have never experienced before. that tour is the greatest one that i have had. in tibet you could also sense the most faithful religion and most primitive and simple national features. for tibet travel is prohibited independent travel, so you join a tour group. but remember, don't find service from china's travel company, for group tour in china is often a little annoying, for you may not freely enjoy your tour if in a tour group. but i suggest you find service from a special travel club. they can provide you more personal service and your travel plan is up to you. they just help to provide you logistics, such as giving u a list of route u can choose , booking hotel even arranging u spending night in local residents home(i had spent two nights in a tibetan family, sleeping and eating with them, wonderful experience!), providing vehicles and drivers who can also be a guider. you can even call for stop wherever you like on you way if you find some beautiful pictures to take on your way! this kind travel is just like travel with serviceman, with whom you needn't to worry about any logistics and have abosolute freedom to enjoy. last time, the service club i found was really helpful and toughtful. they arrange everything according to your requirements, really good service. if you wanna travel to tibet you contact them, their website is www.sc-top.com they have staff who can speak english well, so dont worry, if you need help just email them.
hope this help you! Reply to this

13 years ago, July 16th 2010 No: 12 Msg: #115852  
I recommend reading "Lost On Planet China" by J. Maarten Troost, who spent nine months traveling on his own around China and then wrote of his experiences. Very humorous and insightful! He previously wrote "The Sex Lives of Cannibals" and "Getting Stoned with Savages" about his life in the South Pacific. Reply to this

13 years ago, July 17th 2010 No: 13 Msg: #115873  
sounds good!! I'm always looking for a good new read. Thanks 😊
Kristy Reply to this

13 years ago, July 18th 2010 No: 14 Msg: #115929  
All we can add is please go to Yangshuo (near Guilin) with the Karst mountains. It was our fav place in China and if you go stay at the Showbiz Inn 😊 You'll love China, we did 😊 Reply to this

13 years ago, July 18th 2010 No: 15 Msg: #115934  
LOL, we just arrived in Yangshuo this morning (4:30a, arrival from a night bus from Hong Kong). first impression, I LOVE IT! it seems so peaceful and beautiful here, we were walking through the town before it really got light out and these huge limestone cliffs kept showing up out of no where, and the cobblestone streets and chinese lanterns everywhere, it's a huge contrast to Hong Kong, I think we'll be staying here for awhile. We tried checking into Monkey Jane's but they were full and opted instead for Bamboo, pretty good, 100rmb for a spacious room with a patio (o luxuries). we're not sure if we'll stay here though, definatly will check out Showbiz, where is it?? Reply to this

13 years ago, July 29th 2010 No: 16 Msg: #116745  
anyone of here travel by train from kunming to russia.. i like to know about it Reply to this

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