All taxi rides we did in Shanghai (famous travel city for China travel deals) were metered and we found them to be quite good drivers (amazingly!) and the prices were very cheap, definitely the easiest way to get around in Shanghai, apart from the subway and walking.
Our worst taxi ride by far was on our way to Guilin airport bound for Shanghai. Tracy was sitting in the front seat, which is not such an intelligent thing to do when you see how crazily they drive! All of a sudden the taxi driver just stops by the side of the road. He gets out and walks over to a big pot of soup, gives it a few stirs then comes back to the car. He then mutters something in Chinese to us and off he goes again. This time he is gone for a good 5 minutes. I told Tracy to beep his horn and she did! Hey, they beep their horns enough, so I figured it was ok for us to beep it! He comes back with a bag of eggs, we presumed this was morning tea! And then, we are on the road again, bound hopefully for the airport.
You see, that is the big disadvantage we have in China for popular China tours when not speaking or reading their language. We get into a taxi, usually with our destination written in Chinese. The driver nods his head and we just presume that he is taking us to our intended destination, when really, he could be taking us absolutely anywhere! When we were in a taxi, bound for somewhere, and we finally saw a road sign in english saying our destination was ahead, we were always like "phew - at least he is going to the right place!"
Taxi drivers never wear seat belts, nor are there seat belts in the back seats. They will always answer their mobile phones at least 10 times during a short trip. They NEVER obey road rules, actually, come to think of it, Im not entirely sure there are any road rules in China! They usually dont speak a word of english and thee taxis are usually pretty filthy dirty. Oh, one taxi driver in Shanghai spoke some english, he just kept repeating "I am a communist - long live Chairman Mao!!!" I was not about to tell him Chairman Mao was dead and the body at his Mausoleum in Beijing is just a wax statue!!! No way, I was not gonna tell him that!
ALWAYS ask your Hotel staff to give you a Hotel card with your destination written in Chinese, and always ask them for a rough idea on the cost to get where you are going, and roughly how long it will take.
In my opinion there are two main shopping streets in Shanghai (the must-see city along Yangtze River where you can have Yangtze River tour). There is Huai Hai road, where one can find almost anything from books, nice lace bra's, shoes to suits etc. This street seemed to me have a lots of brand shops and the prices were quite high compared to other streets.
The other "main" shopping road is most probably Nanjing Lu, which leaves from the Bund and is kilometres long. There you can find shopping malls after shopping malls and also Mc Donalds in every 100 metres (almost!).
Between Nanjing Lu and Huai Hai road is Shanxi road south, there you can find smaller shops selling mostly clothes and shoes. But if you are not in the area, do not bother, but it is worth a promenade if you're around.
But like in every city, it will be cheaper if you wander away from the mainstreets and look for shops in different areas. The road names I just gave are just few shopping streets in Shanghai but perhaps the most popular ones?
2. ARCHIVED: Xiang Yang Lu Flea Market
LATEST: This flea market has CLOSED PERMANENTLY as part of China's effort to stem out copyright infringements. It's now HISTORY.
This is a very popular flea market that is open both day and night. Popular with locals and tourists who come here for your affordable China travel packages. This is the place to be to hunt for fake goods (especially fake Mont Blanc pens) and pirated CDs, VCDs and DVDs. If you like fake couture, this is one place to be. It is open air though many stalls have canopies to shield shoppers from sun and rain and the flea market is like a maze with its labyrinth of stalls among many alley ways. There are also food stalls interspaced between stalls selling all kind of goods from arts and crafts, souvenirs, antiques etc etc.
What to pay: BARGAIN IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY. Indication: You can get about 20 fake Mont Blanc pens for about US$7.
3. freshwater pearls
there are plenty small shops selling pearls near Yuyuan garden (must-see attraction in Shanghai for your affordable China travel packages), they all look practically the same..but i would advise you to find that shop and ask for Jin Yu Qin, because our small but greedy for pearls group bought really a lot of all kind of necklaces, earrings, bracelets..sure you could get good discount, just ask her if she remembers a man with his 5 wifes...sure she will remember..:)
What to buy: China is known for its good prices on pearls. Prices range, depending on size, length of necklace, and quality. Negotiations are a must
What to pay: prices starts from 200 usd for a long necklace, but you can easily get it for half this price...and many small nice gifts for free
4. Dong Jia Du Fabric Market: fake Chanel, silk and more silk
it's fabric market, biggest in Shanghai. you can find there traditional chinese costumes, dresses (but you need to gave good eyes to catch really nice good quality stuff among fake designers clothes), all kind of silk, if you are planning to make home decoration..this place is a must ! silk is of incredible beauty, even if you dont need it...you will certainly bye some thinking..it will surely have some usage later... and the best thing, if you allow local taylors take your measures...they will make for you in 48 hours the dress you want, you can choose silk itself also design...and SUPER BONUS they will deliver it at your hotel, no problem. i asked for a nice red colored dress, and the only problem i had to face...it was cold when i had to take some clothes off...to let take my measures.
What to pay: really nice chinese traditional dress only for 25 USD
Yangtze River is the largest river in China and the third longest river in the world (behind Africa’s Nile River in and the South America’s Amazon). On our Yangtze river cruise you will experience all the great things that this geological wonder has to offer. The Yangtze is the most important river in the history, culture and economy of China. The river is home to the Chinese alligator, the finless porpoise, the Chinese paddlefish and the Yangtze River dolphin. Here are five more great things to see on the Yangtze River for your Yangtze River tour:
1.Three Gorges Dam
The Three Gorges is named after the large valleys and mountains with which the Yangtze River passes through. The name of the gorges are the Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, and the Xiling Gorge. The Three Gorges Dam is one of the greatest challenge engineers have ever faced. The dam creates electricity and helps control the annual floods that have devastated China in past years. The Dam includes the dam itself, a hydroelectric and a system of locks. The Dam is remarkable project and is one of the final stops on the tour. Tourists are blown away by its size and power.
2.Qutang Gorge
Although the Qutang gorge is the shortest gorge on the Yangtze it is still remarkable, it features narrow canyons and switchbacks that made it one of the most memorable sites along the Yangtze.
3.Fengdu Ghost City
The Fengdu ghost city (must-see for your Yangtze's China vacation deals) is a stop along the city and is made up of ancient temples, shrines and statures that are scattered across the land. Although the town might feel eerie, it’s also interesting and filled with culture. The damned king stone inscriptions is the largest rock-side stone carving in the world.
4.Shennong Stream
After the dam was completed many run off “streams” were created that allow visitors to access untouched parts of China. A raft excursion down the Shennong stream will allow you to see unmatched natural scenery of inner China.
5.Chongqing
Chongqing is must see city that features a beautiful landscape, cultural sites, and the great Three Gorges. You’ll find a little bit of everything in this city which is known as “mountain city.” Tags: popular China tours and China tourism
- See more at: http://www.chinatour.com/blog/5-things-to-see-on-the-yangtze-river.htm
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With millions of potential customers its no surprise that every designer brand you can name has a store in Hong Kong. Many have "Flagship" stores in a central location and a few others in urban shopping centres.
Hong Kong Island (houses some famous Hong Kong scenic spots) has a high concentration of designer brands and the majority can be found at the prestigious Landmark building in the heart of the Central district. I've been to every major shopping mall in Hong Kong and The Landmark shopping centre, probably the largest in Central is also the most upmarket in my opinion. Sadly I'm only a window shopper but its fun to watch the rich and famous spend their money.
The Armani store is the largest in Asia. Other brands represented include Balenciaga, Burberry, Celine, Chanel, De Beers, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ermenegildo Zega, Escadea, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Max Mara, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co, Tommy Hilfiger and Vivienne Tam.
Iconic Italian brand Gucci have recently opened their flagship store at the adjacent Landmark Mandarin Oriental hotel on Queens Road. The 1000 square meter store is on two levels and stocks everything "Gucci". Harvey Nichols also have a store located here offering a large range of luxury items spread over five floors. (In late 2011 Harvey Nichols opened a flagship store in nearby Admiralty at Pacific Place)
What to buy: Special occasion one-off designer items.
NOTE: Opening hours are shorter than other shopping centres 11am to around 7 or 8pm. Probably best to check closing times with specific store.
What to pay: Lots and lots and lots and lots of $$$
2. Antique Street
If you like antiques to buy after Hong Kong tours or just admire there are a few stylish and reputable antique shops on Hollywood Road and also along "Cat Street" (Upper Lascar Row). Clustered mid way between the Sheung Wan end and the Mid Levels Escalator these showrooms stock a large selection of traditional Chinese lacquered furniture and porcelain including Ming and Tang Dynasty pieces.
If your budget does not stretch that far there are also trinket shops selling much smaller items such as mahjong sets and scaled down versions of terracotta horses and warriors. Obviously the cheaper the item the cheaper the quality so don't expect to find anything authentic. You can also buy newly minted "old" coins.
Along with antique shops there are some art galleries to browse through making this a pleasant area to stroll through and window shop along, during the day preferably. Continue along to Sheung Wan if possible as the old streets of this area are quite facinating (see my Sheung Wan review).
What to buy: Porcelain vases.
What to pay: Unlimited amounts. Large items could be shipped to your home subject to quarantine and customs laws. These would need to be insured especially fragile items.
Chengde, located in the northeast of the Hebei province near Beijing city （best travel destination for China tour deals ）, Tianjing, Tangshan and?Qinhuangdao, is famous for its mountain resort, which has attracted numerous tourists coming here for their hot summer vacation. If you are one of those people showing great interest in making a plan to take a visit there, I am sure this article will be a great help for you to make a suitable and perfect tour there. So, just keep reading this article here!
Here are some itineraries of the Chengde tour for your China trip, which include two-day tour in Chengde and three-day China holiday in Chengde:
For the two-day tour there, your itinerary is as follows: take a good rest after your arrival upon Chengde (best travel destination for popular China tours) or you can wander around the city center for more view and feelings about this charming city in your first day then take your drive to the the old resort city of Chengde to have fun by visiting the Putuo Zongcheng Templ and Chengde Mountain Resort in your second day, and after that you will take your departure from Chengde to finish your tour in China.
For the three-day tour in Chengde, you will arrive Chengde in your first day, and just have a good rest after you arrive there, then keep your tour there going on with the sightseeing of Chengde Mountain Resort, and your third day itinerary in Chengde will include taking your visit to Temple of Universal Peace and the Putuo Zongcheng Temple to enjoy your tour there; then you will take your flight to depart from Chengde to make your tour in Chengde come to an end in night of your third day there! Or if you still have enough time and money available, you can just extend your China tour to Beijing to visit the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and more highlights in Beijing for your China best tours !
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My 2nd trip to HK was with my family and the free & easy package that I had arranged comes with a "free" half day city tour. I had no intention of going for it as I know HK pretty well. Unfortunately, it rained one morning and I foolishly thought it would be easier to get around with in the rain with the Hong Kong tour.
Folks: the word here is FOOLISH.
The tour is a scam - we never made it up to Victoria Peak which is on the itinerary and houses some famous Hong Kong attractions. We stopped 3/4 way up at this road side pavilion and we were told this is it. Next their own photographer started taking photos of the group on the sly. I was very quick to notice him lurking around and after a round of heated bargaining, allowed him to take only 1 shot of my family, which cost me HK$50 for the photo and a stupid souvenir plate with our picture on it at the end of it. Some folks in my group had to pay more as the photographer took 3-4 photos for each family/couple.
Next, they start dropping us off at jewelry shops, dried seafood shops and Chinese medicinal shops. Yeah, see Hong Kong indeed!
To add insult on injury, we were driven to a restaurant for authentic Hongkie Dim Sum after Hong Kong travel. The food was good but we were then told to pay for our share at the end of the meal! (Nothing is free in life folks!)
And to add the cherry on top of the parfait, the guide started to collect "tips" from each of us in the group for their services - in the end I had to folk out another HK$50 for each person in my family.
I have never been so indignant and insulted in my life!!!
Unique Suggestions: Give them the full Hongkie treatment:
1) Sneer 2) Give snide remarks 3) give dirty looks 4) whine and complain 5) do all the above
Hunan, being a famous province in China, has attracted numerous visitors from home and abroad not only because of its beautiful scenery, but also its delicious food and its fame of entertainment zone in China. Traveling in Hunan, you will satisfy with the sightseeing from Zhangjiajie to Changsha to Fenghuang for your China tour deals, which feature so many highlights in China. So, what you should do now is to know more about the travel tips on making trip to Hunan, and how to make a suitable tour there with the suitable time and money to get the enjoyable feeling. Just keep reading this article; we are going to talk about this topic.
Seven days spending there is highly suggested to you for your travel to China in Hunan:
How to start your Hunan tour? You may guess it! Those is your arrival upon Changsha – the beginning of the popular China tours in your first day, and just wander along the city center to catch the general view of this amazing city; then in your second day you will have a full day itinerary with the sightseeing of Dishuidong Cave (Water-dripping Cave), the Memorial Hall and Mao Zedong’s former house; for your third day itinerary, you will get the chance to Hunan Provincial Museum, Yue foothill academy, the Loving Youth Pavilion (Aiwanting) before taking your drive to Zhangjiajie later that day for your visit to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in your 4th day; Mt. Tianzishan in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park will be your activity of your fifth day itinerary in China; the ancient town – Fenghuang will be your destination of your sixth day destination, and of course, you will depart from China after you transfer to Zhangjiajie from the Fenghuang ancient town to take your flight back your home or your next destination. I guess you will enjoy yourself in the China best tours within 7 days.
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1. Tsim Sha Tsui or easily called as TST is where everything is here! It's a place in Hong Kong where you can find most of the Hong Kong tourist attractions, restaurants and luxurious stores. Yes, what I’m saying is that everything’s here! You can just walk around the area to explore.
Tourist attractions like HongKong Cultural Center, Clock Tower, Avenue of Stars, Kowloon Park, Victoria Harbor, Ocean Park, etc. You won't get lost or find these difficult to locate since almost all of it are just a walking distance.
Grand hotels like Peninsula, Shangri-la and Intercotinental hotels are located in TST. For backpackers, there are also lots of guesthouses here that offer cheap and nice lodging. Chungking Mansions building (in Nathan Road) is quite popular and it’s where I stayed during my Hong Kong travel.
Shopping malls like Miramar shopping center near the TST train station, iSquare mall located across Chungking Mansion, luxurious stores like Gucci along Canton Road, etc. Ladies street night market is also
Restaurants… there are a lot!!!! Hong Kong is like a very big China Town so in case you just got hungry, you can eat any time of the day. When I craved for rice one night around 11pm and was also cold at that time, I ate congee, some dumplings and had coffee. Congee is a bit pricey costs HKD32, dumplings and coffee HKD10. Milk teas.. cold milk teas are common here and in Macau, price for 1 big ice cold milk tea is HKD10.
I was very fortunate to book a hostel in this area! This place is very touristy for Hong Kong tour and it shows especially when you ride the train... Gawd, Jurrasic (like in Manila)! Well, we can't blame the people since this place has everything so automatically they flock into it. My advice for people who don't like visiting places that is too touristy, avoid TST but you may have to sacrifice in not seeing one of the best places in town.
2. If you are looking to find pockets of "old" Hong Kong among the concrete jungle that has taken over Hong Kong Island then head to Sheung Wan.
Located west of the Central district Sheung Wan which can be translated to "Gateway" district a reference to its historical location as the landing site for the British occupation.
Western Market is one of the oldest buildings in Sheung Wan. It had its origins as a Food Market but is now mainly home to cafes and curio shops. The only original part of the building standing is the Edwardian North Block which is a heritage monument. If you are looking to purchase silk in Hong Kong this is a good place to look as there are a number of fabric merchants in the building.
A short walk west from the Market along Connaught Road will bring you to a very traditional area. Ko Shing Street and Des Voeux Road West house herbal medicine wholesalers and dried food shops.
Alternatively you can walk up Morrison Street and then along Queens Road west. This street has some beautiful tradional shops, the most interesting being those selling Chinese funeral paper offerings. Material possessions such as cars, household goods and food are crafted out of paper to be burned at the funeral. The significance of this is that doing so allows the deceased to take the comforts they enjoyed in life to the afterlife. You will be amazed by the selection of offerings. There is even a fast food McDonalds burger...
Further up the hill is Possession Street (see my "off the beaten path" review) which will take you to Hollywood Road. Here you will find antique shops (see my "shopping"review) and Man Mo Temple (see my "things to do" review).
A walk back down the stone steps of Ladder Street will bring you to Upper Lascar Row where there is a market.
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