Hey, just a quick note for anyone thinking of hopping the border for a week or so...I recently came across budget airline Airasia which flies return from Xiamen to Bangkok for under 1000RMB...may be worth a try! Maybe the new Ryanair?

From Harbin airport, leave baggage claim and walk straight and purposefully to the exit which will be almost directly ahead of you (it's a very small airport), avoid the taxi drivers, (100+ RMB to town) and head for the ticket office for the bus, if no-one is there, wait, they will come back!

If you wait a long time check outside, there's normally a bus waiting and they'll guide you to the ticket booth if you missed it.

It's only 20 RMB to the town centre.(AUG 2006)

The bus will pass the RAILWAY STATION after about 30-35 minutes,(cheaper Hotels from 120 pppn).

The final stop is approx. 10 minutes later at the CAAC Hotel, it's about half way down ZHONGSHAN LU, one of the main arterial routes through town.

Bus 103 1Y standard 2Y AirCon from Song Hua River (North) to Hong Qi Street (South East) via Station/Qulin Shopping Area/ Zhongshan Lu from roughly 0530-2230.