Visit China Q+A - for all questions about visiting the Middle Kingdom!!

[sky_high]

hi, In China (I mean mainland of China, not so sure about HK because never been there), the voltage is 220 v which is same as in australia. Most of the powerpoint, at least at hotle or most of the family, has tow style with one is exactly as the Aussie one and another is two cycle. So you do not need worry about it. Australia mobile phone will be connected within China (you check your mobile service to ensure). For the cheap or altenative way is buy a phone card (new nubmer) and use is in China. Indeed, according to my experience the signal of mobile is really good in china, subway, trains or lift has no problems.

From Shenzhen to Wuhan, train may be a good way because you can see the country. Wuhan to Nanjing also have good train connection.

[hkskyline]

Hong Kong - Shenzhen
The best way to get there is by KCR train. They have services from Kowloon to the border at Lo Wu, where you can connect to the brand new Shenzhen Metro.

The most convenient stations for tourists to get on this train will be either East Tsim Sha Tsui (there is a MTR connection) or Hung Hom. The fare is about HK$33-36.5 depending on which station you get on (Hung Hom is cheaper). Travel time is about 40 minutes.



Since the border closes at midnight, the last train leaves East Tsim Sha Tsui at about 11pm. The last train from Lo Wu city-bound leaves at about 12:30am. Make sure you keep these last train times in mind if you are running late.

The border is still alive and well. Make sure you bring your passport and have the appropriate visas ready to enter China. You will go through 2 sets of immigration - Hong Kong and China.

[United-States-of-America]

Look out for the public washrooms and be ready to avoid them.

[AdrianLee]

Thanks for your posts and replies.

I will learn chinese, try to anyway, it's quite difficult I find, I have purchased the Pimsuler CDs to learn from. I really hope I can learn and master this language.

I might go Perth - HK - Shenzhen - Wuhan - Nanjing - HK - Perth.

Do you think that's the way to travel?

How much is the train tickets for each Journey and plane tickets (I'll be looking for one way tickets), except Perth to HK where I'll be getting return tickets here in Perth. China Visa only allows me to stay 30 days, but I want 37 days so I hope the Chinese authorities are nice enough to extend my stay by 7 days.

Is the train safe in China? Will I have any problems with robberies or intimidation? Or will a plane ride be safer, more efficient. I hope I can afford plane tickets (my preferred way of travel).

HK to Shenzhen I will take the train.
Shenzhen to Wuhan I will probably take the plane
I really can't see a train line that goes from Wuhan to Nanjing directly so I might go on a plane again, it looks like they both are on the same river, can we take a ferry?

Nanjing to HK by plane.

In HK I will definitly visit Disneyland.

Do you have any other recommendations on what I should visit in each of those cities?

Thank you for your replies to.

PS: I was thinking of buying this travel book...http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...=books&n=16785

Do you think it will come in Handy?

[metallinestorm]

frankly speaking, learn chinese language isn't a smart idear. HK speak Guangdong dialect and Shenzhen may common language Wuhan is Hubei dialect and Najing also has it's dialect, chinese can't understand what people in other area say but clear understand what he write. But common language is most important, at least every chinese can understand what you say many can talk with common language, but even me can't understand many dialect-common mixed accent in many area.
if you want travel from shenzhen to wuhan or wuhan to nanjing by train,that is very long journey, you'd better by WOPU ticket, that make you comfortable.
about chinese power supply, 220V 50Hz, about the faucet, never worry about it, imo, most common worry in this world made in china, you can buy any kind worry you want. mobilephoto company in china has too biggest one, but mainland has different system about HK,if you buy mobilephoto in HK, it can't work in Shenzhen Wuhan Nanjing. specially, there is one kind mobilephoto called xiaolingtong, it's very cheap, but can't work if you change the city. Basicly, a common mobilephoto need 100 USD in china, the kind with camera may need 200 USD or more, according to the functions and quality.
Food, you needn't change you taste, there are many KFC or Western-style food eateries in china. but i suggest you have traditional chinese food, after all, you are in china, have the opporunity to enjoye classical chinese food, so why not.

have a good time in china!

[Pangu]

Nowadays, you can travel just about anywhere in China and speak Mandarin. Even if some locals may prefer to speak their own dialect with each other, when spoken to in Mandarin, 9.9 out of them would respond in Mandarin. Those who don't know Mandarin (or at least not enough of it) are mostly older folks in southern China. Unless for some reason you specificly need to speak with older folks then learning a few Mandarin phrases would make your trip easier and more pleasant.

[AdrianLee]

I see I will have to apply for a Visa to visit China. I don't need one for HK however.

The Visa will cost me $30 AUD, and I can use it for 30 days. It says I must visit a local police station in China to extend my Visa. I want to visit China for 37 days. I will try to extend the Visa in Perth before my trip, as I would like to plan my flights/accomodation before I leave, maybe my travel agent will do all this for me. I have never been to a country where I needed a visa before.

Since I (hopefully) will have 37 days in China, I need to spread them out over HK, Shenzhen, Wuhan and Nanjing.

How many days do you suggest I stay in each city?

I would be leaving Perth on Saturday 24th June 2006 and arriving back in Perth on Saturday 29th July 2006.

Thank you! or....xie xie

[Sen]

there isn't much to see in SZ, 2 days is enough..wuhan probably 5-6 days, the rest for Nanjing and Hong Kong, since you are in Nanjing, why not go to Shanghai? a shuttle bus will take you there.

[Pangu]

Yes, while Shenzhen is a major city and well-developed, it's a rather "modern" city, meaning that most of it was built in the last decade or two and there aren't much to see as a tourist. However, if you are interested in Chinese culture, especially those of the Chinese ethnic minorities, there is a rather large Ethnic Minority Park in Shenzhen which I would recommend.

Like Sen said, I, too, would recommend you to take a bus to Shanghai as it's so close to Nanjing. It would be a shame to have gone to China and not to Shanghai

[rzj2000]

BEST CITY IS HANGZHOU

[AdrianLee]

A quick question...

Can people go from province to province without restrictions?

In Australia, I can go from Western Australia, to New South Wales (for example) without any restrictions. All I need is my fare (bus, train, plane, car).

Thank you!

[postmodern]

There aint any restrictions, as long as its temporary stay(not permanent livin'/workin').

[didu]

Yeah, and that policy really sucks.

[AdrianLee]

Do you guys recommend any hotels for me to stay at?

I prefer hotels which are not too expensive, around 300 RMB a night, have double bed, own bathroom/toilets. Very close to restaurants and train stations.

I need a hotel in HK, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Nanjing and Shanghai.

Thanks.

[didu]

It's impossible to give you any useful suggestions since your departure data is so
far away, the best advice I can give you is to look at the online booking agencies
frequently.

[AdrianLee]

Could someone please tell me what airlines fly from....

Shenzhen to Wuhan
Wuhan to Nanjinh
Nanjing to Hong Kong

Thanks

[sages]

hi AdrianLee
^ this site can book hotels and flights of china mainland,It's a major travel site.
http://www.elong.net/

and this
http://english.ctrip.com/

In fact,they are the two largest travel site of china,and all in NASDAQ.So I think you can trust them :-)

[Ade]

Is there a great difference between travelling FIRST CLASS compared to ECONOMY class on airlines in China?

Thanks.

[TheBigKahuna]

The difference between first class and economy class in China similar to that of Australia I would believe. Flights in China usually have pretty good service, much better than in the US. If you're flying on a flight that is longer than 2 hours, expect a meal. First class of course will have nicer meals, larger seats, and priority check in.

[TheBigKahuna]

The difference between first class and economy class in China similar to that of Australia I would believe. Flights in China usually have pretty good service, much better than in the US. If you're flying on a flight that is longer than 2 hours, expect a meal. First class of course will have nicer meals, larger seats, and priority check in. The quality of economy class on most sectors are good enough so I don't think you'll need to worry about safety issues and the like.