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O/T Going to China in a month - Advise?

Started by Desmostro, October 20, 2009, 08:00:47 PM

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Desmostro

Going to China Mid Nov. Being the large and mysterious place that it is, I was wondering if any of you savvy travelers have been and taken note of any 'can't be missed' sundries or spots to behold.
Any advice at all?
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desmoquattro

The slow boats...

But seriously: talk to Zee from Oz. And mostro900. They've both been there. mostro900 lived there for a while.
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somegirl

Yes it's large.  Wanna narrow down what part you're going to?

Start working on your visa ASAP.  If there's a chance you might go back within the next 6 months then try to get a multi-visit one, will make your life far easier.  I usually use Visa Network in SF.
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Desmostro

I'll be heading over semi-frequently. Hong kong area company apartment awaits me.  ;D
That will always be the jump off point. I'm open to suggestions. Maybe this trip will be around Hong Kong.
Business visa on the way. thanks!
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room

DanTheMan

Hong kong is actually considered a different country when it comes to visas so be aware. not sure if you even need one for Hong Kong...
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Desmostro

Quote from: DanTheMan on October 20, 2009, 08:51:21 PM
Hong kong is actually considered a different country when it comes to visas so be aware. not sure if you even need one for Hong Kong...

Ya I'll definitely be flying into Hong Kong then going to China, just over the water from Hong Kong. ..and I guess getting a lot of shots first. Not looking forward to that semi-sick thing from inoculations.
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room

somegirl

No visa needed for HK for US citizens but you definitely need one for mainland China.

Are you going out into the countryside?  If you're sticking to big cities you probably don't need shots.
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johnc

Quote from: Desmostro on October 20, 2009, 08:26:22 PM
I'll be heading over semi-frequently. Hong kong area company apartment awaits me.  ;D
That will always be the jump off point. I'm open to suggestions. Maybe this trip will be around Hong Kong.
Business visa on the way. thanks!


stanley market on the island http://www.hk-stanley-market.com/

victoria peak http://www.orientaltravel.com/province/city/area/HK_Victoria_Peak.htm

lan kwai fong (for bars/night life) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan_Kwai_Fong

temple street night market http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294217-d315245-Reviews-Temple_Street_Night_Market-Hong_Kong_Hong_Kong_Region.html

temple of ten thousand buddhas http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/china/hong-kong/review-161043.html

take the speed ferry to macau ... unless macau did a MASSIVE spick-n-span project, expect the entire island to smell like a urinal ... but it's worth seeing, if just for the road race circuit.

the jumbo floating restaurant in aberdeen http://www.jumbo.com.hk/eng/main.php


DanTheMan

Quote from: johnc on October 20, 2009, 09:00:18 PM
stanley market on the island http://www.hk-stanley-market.com/

victoria peak http://www.orientaltravel.com/province/city/area/HK_Victoria_Peak.htm

lan kwai fong (for bars/night life) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan_Kwai_Fong

temple street night market http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294217-d315245-Reviews-Temple_Street_Night_Market-Hong_Kong_Hong_Kong_Region.html

temple of ten thousand buddhas http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/china/hong-kong/review-161043.html

take the speed ferry to macau ... unless macau did a MASSIVE spick-n-span project, expect the entire island to smell like a urinal ... but it's worth seeing, if just for the road race circuit.

the jumbo floating restaurant in aberdeen http://www.jumbo.com.hk/eng/main.php




Johnc with something useful and informative?????   :o :o :o
2008 KTM 690 SMC
2006 749 Dark- Sold
2003 M630ie Dark - Sold
2003 CRF175F
1999 Minsk 125 2T - Bought in Hanoi sold in Bangkok
1994 Ninja EX250 - Sold- AFM #692 - Retired
1996 Honda CR125R - Sold

MendoDave

I have almost no advice. But a friend of mine went there and brought back a "Chairman Mao" lighter. I am surprised  that 15 years later it still works. Get one of those.

somegirl

We had a thread in NMC with some advice about Hong Kong:
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=16289.0

As far as mainland China, if you're going to Shanghai, Beijing, or Xian I can make some recommendations.

HK is very easy to get around in, everyone speaks English, the subway system is very efficient.  Lots of traffic (they drive on the other side) but the driving is ok.   Things tend to be fairly expensive there.

On the mainland things tend to be cheaper (both in price and in quality), although Shanghai is more high-end.  Anywhere in mainland China be very careful with the traffic, even crossing the street is dangerous.  Those drivers are some of the craziest I've seen (far worse than the Italians).
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ducatiz

Hong Kong is like New York, it is overbuilt and highly urban and pretty pricey for good times.

I was not impressed with it, what other places are you going to? 

There is a lot of fun to be had.  See if you can find any ex-pat groups there for pointers, that's what I did -- you'll find they are almost 100% American & UK male divorcees, all having the time of their lives.... go figure...
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"Yelling out of cars, turning your speakers out the window to blast your music onto the street, setting off M-80 firecrackers, firing automatic weapons into the airâ€"these are all well and good. But none of them create a merry atmosphere of insouciance and bonhomie quite like a revving motorcycle.

johnc

Quote from: DanTheMan on October 20, 2009, 09:04:00 PM

Johnc with something useful and informative?????   :o :o :o

someone stole my account ... fack you  [roll]

Desmostro

Thanks for all the tips guys! See you in a couple of weeks!
mebe I'll post some pics like the n00b in Asia that I am. ;D

Ciao for now  -E       [wine]
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room

somegirl

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