albie from down under    Haikou | KIWILETLOOSE | Feb 8, 2010 21:43 GMT-6

Hello out there. Just arrived in Haikou and wondering if I could get some tips about moving around Haikou. I'd like to do tours that may include English but don't want tto spend an arm and a leg or get ripped off? Not that I'm expecting that but wonder if anyone here has any hints?
I'm on holiday for a 12 days and although with my partner bothe expats, she is with family and I'd like to use the time wisely?

Hope for some tips and look forward to chatting more on this site.

Kia Ora Albie & Jenny

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Tips and Advice for Travelling to Yangshuo    Guilin | GUILINANDY | Feb 8, 2010 21:35 GMT-6

. In Summer it is very hot ( about 25 C---30 C ) and the Sun is strong, so sunscream, sunglasses and suncap should be prepaired.
2.In Winter it is cold ( about 0 C......10 C ) and humid, so enough clothes should be prepaired. In Yangshuo big size clothes are available.
3.If you get wet in the rain especially in Spring or Winter, to take a hot water bath and have some hot tea as soo as possible is a good way to avoid having a cold.
4. Drinking enough water to avoid sunstroke. The local people take a kind of Chinese herbal medicine named " 藿香正气水,( huo xiang zheng qi shui )", It is effective, and available in drug stores. The local people take "藿香正气水" if they vomit or diarrhea because of sunstroke or unhygienic food.
5. The local people use a kind of Chinese medicine called "qing liang you, 清凉油" to wipe on the wound if they are bitten by mosquitoes. Qing liang you is available in the drug stores.
6.While renting bikes, don't forget to check the brakes and tyres, and ask for locks.
7. In China, people walk, cycle and drive on the right side along the road or path. It is very important to walk, cycle or drive slowly and carefully.
8. It is common to bargain, except in big supermaket and some shops with the sign of "谢绝还价，( xie jue huan jia )" , which means "no bargain" .
9. If you don't want to buy something , don't offer your price.
10. When someone follows you to persuade you to buy some thing , you can refuse him/her with this sentence: "谢谢， 我不要。( xie xie , wo bu yao )" which means " Thank you, I don't want it/them".
11. Taking good care of your belongs.especially when you are swimming in livers.
12. Telephone Numbers:
110.........report to policemen.
114.........calling for inquiring telephone numbers.
119.........fire alarm
120.........calling docters.
121.........weather forecast.
122.........report transportaton accident.
12315......consumer complaints.

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A Happy Face Encourages Good Treatment    -General- | SUSANTSAO2 | Feb 8, 2010 21:06 GMT-6

No matter where you travel, try to maintain an upbeat attitude and do everything with a smile. It works much better than a confrontational manner. You are likely to receive better service and more bargains than fellow travellers who act like know-it-alls and treat people like servants.

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On many tours avoid so called factory tours or specialist museums.    -General- | CROSIS | Jan 22, 2010 22:11 GMT-6

As we travel as our own family it is not a major problem for us, but on the two occasions we booked on tours they added into the timetable factory visits. As a rule these are generally just an excuse to take you to a huge store and try to get you to buy.

From my own experience and after chatting with various other people the worst offender for this is would seem to be grayline tours in Hong Kong. On our trip time at the intended destinations was reduced after wating too much time in a jewelry shop. My family and I (along with others) left the tour part way through as the guide insisted on another market visit, rather than allow people to walk up the steps to the Giant Buddha.

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Always carry toilet paper    -General- | CROSIS | Jan 22, 2010 22:00 GMT-6

If traveling around off the main tourist sites, and especially on trains, always take toilet paper with you.

On trains it is often better to try and use the toilet early in the trip, as you may not want to go in some towards the end of the journey. This is only a problem on older trains and less used routes. Staff are generally excellent.

I have eaten all sorts of train and station food and never had a problem.

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traveling by train.    Wuhan | PECK | Jan 22, 2010 09:28 GMT-6

Train travel is cheap, but first you must book your compartment early so your bunk is on a lower
level. Some stations have only stairs, no escalators, so avoid heavey luggage. The toilets are an
abomination, bring a small spray of perfume. Look for Red Caps if your luggage is heavey. Beware
of individuals who offer to take you some place at a cheaper rate. Use only City Taxi Cabs.
Trains that travel over 600 miles leave in the evening, and you arrive in the morning. As soon as I get
on the train, I stow my luggage under my bunk and go to bed. If you don't, the people in the upper
bunks will use your bed to sit on. You don't want that.
There are places you can buy train tickets to avoid the lines and confusion at the Station Ticket windows.
You must inquire about that. This will also insure you a lower bunk.

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To every friends who wish to travel zhangjiajie now ！    Zhangjiajie | TINAWEN | Jan 17, 2010 06:04 GMT-6

To everyone will plan to travel in Zhang jia jie :
1:These days are sunny and cool with temperature arrange from 3 to 18 degree centigrade , some times foggy .
2: The total fee of the park is 248rmb ,From Jan.1st to Mar. 31th, all the students below 24 years old just pay 65rmb bus fee to visit
the world nature heritage sightseeing which includes tour routes such as : Zhangjiajie National forest park (Huangshi village mountain , Golden whip steam )and Tianzi mountain and Yuanjiajie Mountain and Tenli nature gallery .Old man can be free admission with 70 years old . All needs ID card.
3.All the cable car facilities are being checked now .
Tianzishan mountain cable from Jan.27 to Feb.5th ,but you still have 2 choices up by lift or hiking 2.5 hours from Tenli gallery .
Huangshi village mountain cable repaired until May 1st，and you
have only to hike 2 hours to the top .
Tianmen mountain Cable from Jan. 4th to Feb.3rd .and you can travel by bus up and visit one top sightseeing of that park .
4.Some standard or economic hotel will control the heater or aircondition ，so you need pay exra such as 20-50rmb if you need .
5.Some English tour guides are back hometome now and you need pls call me because my family is here or you prepare more our useful sentences in case.
6.Park is too big to travel .but also can enjoy it as you are a
map professor and you really good at it !
7.thanks to the workers of this website , i enjoy it and i love
to help everyone who are planning to my amazing hometown.
welcome you , my new friend !!!

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Bed 'n'Breakfast    Chongqing | JABAROOTOO | Jan 16, 2010 10:52 GMT-6

Bed 'n' Breakfast available in the suburbs of Chongqing.

If you're looking for more authentic experiences on your Chinese adventure, then here's a chance to live in the suburbs of one of China's emerging giants and rub shoulders with your neighbors. You can see how ordinary upper middle class Chinese are living these days.

As a long time expat resident of the city I can offer you my personally researched and up to date information and tips about what to see, where to go and how to get there.

I'm a mature aged Australian citizen, and I've been teaching English in Chongqing for more than six years. I enjoy traveling around China in my spare time. As a traveler I appreciate that not everyone wishes to spend every night of their holiday in hotel rooms or hostels.

I'm offering Bed 'n' Breakfast in my villa home situated in a beautifully landscaped, well established gated community between the city centre and the airport. We are a few minutes walk to supermarkets, restaurants, cafes: just a few minutes by bus or taxi from a major shopping and business district. The airport is about fifteen minutes and a Y40 taxi fare and both train stations are even closer.

If you're visiting Chongqing in 2010 between April and October and you would like a change of pace and style of accommodation then leave me a message with these details

Number of guests
Country of origin
expected date of visit and length of stay
and of course an email address

I will then forward you more details about facilities and costs etc.

I look forward to hearing from you

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