Upcoming trip to China.

[_Stormin_]

So in two weeks I will be traveling to China for a much needed vacation. The trip is just for fun, and the plan is to hit five cities in thirteen days. Flying into Beijing, then taking the train to Shanghai, flight from there to Shenzhen, then on to Hong Kong, with Macau in the mix too. We have three days in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, along with two in Shenzhen and Macau.

Of course, if anyone should have any advice, please offer it up. This is my first trip to China, and while I know that we aren't hitting up everything we could see, my Visa is good for ten years, so I can go back for more visits in the future. (EG: Xi'an was not in the cards this trip, and several clients have told me to drop other cities to make Xi'an happen, maybe next year.)

Places I must go?

Things I must see?

Places to eat, drink?

Places to avoid?


I appreciate any words of wisdom.

[TXBK]

I have a friend, which I also work for, that has worked in China a few times and he loves it over there. He invited me to be his relief over there, but I declined. When he works there, it is out away from any big city. I know he is just blowing smoke, but he talks about wanting to stay over there. If I were going, I would want to get out of the cities and check out the rural, less populated areas. However, I don't ever plan on going to China.

Oh, avoid any tour that is headed to North Korea.

[Sam]

Places to avoid - JAIL

Do take your shots - Hepatitis, Typhoid, Japanese encephilitis, etc. Consult your local travel health clinic for their recommended immunization.

Places to eat - China/Hong Kong are full of eateries, from a hole in the wall to the fanciest/most expensive restaurants. Some of the gems are the small places. Be careful though of the street food. While they are great food, Americans may not be used to their local lack of cleanliness and may get food poisoning or diarhia. It's a hit and miss though, you might get sick eating food at a supposedly clean international airport restaurant and then be ok eating local food. Try not to eat uncooked vegetable or sliced open fruits at street stands (flies and dust). I don't know about ice in China or in their local remote provinces. The water they used to make the ice may or may not be fully treated and may contain contaminants. Ice in big restaurants are usually ok.

Just have an open mind and enjoy the adventure.

[Rayrevolver]

Can only speak to HK, but haven't been there since 1993 when I was a kid. There is a tram ride up to mountain peak. Stanley Market is a bus trip, but its a small place to buy random crap. Mody Rd had some good Dimsum, can't remember any names. Ocean Park is an amusement park if you are bringing kids.

Hong Kong was the closest Toys R Us for us (in Harbour City). Always looked forward to going there. And eating Burger King. Didn't have those where I lived either.

Good luck!

[Sam]

13 days in 5 cities is not much at all. Does the 13 days includes the inbound and outbound flights? that's two days gone.

[bad aim]

I haven't been to China, but I have been to Taiwan and I can absolutely agree with Sam's recommendation of being weary with street food. I got horrible food poisoning after eating some food at a night market, but my cousin was fine (he was born in Taiwan and raised on that stuff, I was born in the US). I've watch street vendors not use soap/detergent when they rinse off plates/bowls from previous customers and the oil used to fry things in probably haven't been changed in a while.

[CRAMBONE]

I wouldn't take any electronics I planned to keep after the trip. (Phones, computers and tablets)
The Chinese are notorious for bugging diplomatic residences, and not being sneaky about it either.

[elephant]

First, go to a travel doctor and get caught up on all shots!!

Shenzhen is an industrial city near Hong Kong- its where to (middle class) live and work. Its like Cincinnati but with a lot of rice patties and marshes. DO NOT GO TO THERE AMUSMENT PARK!!! There are some cool beaches there and sights from ancient China- you can get laid for about $20 USD!

Hong Kong is a fun place - its a global city like New York, Paris, London so expect to see a variety of people and cultures. Great food, but don't eat where they tell tourist to eat, ask to eat at the best local places. They have a lot of knock off stores like Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Cartier, Hermes, Tiffany etc. The are some stores that look totally legit down to the décor and employee name tags- but they are 100 % fake!! So be careful where you shop.

Shanghai - is a huge banking city on the water, lots of wealthy people from around the world live here-its the upper class/ upper society and much like Hong Kong, it is very global and diverse in culture and people- lots of Americans live here. Great food, shopping, stuff to do. Cool go-go night clubs and karaoke bars where hot girls dance in lingerie while some Chinese man is singing Fleetwood Mac. - You should defiantly check out the Swan Massage Parlor there- its not what you think but you do get to pick 2 scantily clad girls out of like 50 to give you a table shower, massage you, manicure, pedicure, facial and cleanse and you get to lounge around all day and use there steam rooms, saunas, hot tubs and exercise room- there's no private rooms, its like one huge facility and everyone is wearing a robe. If you have time- go to some of the old Wushu and Wing Chun- kung fu temples that have been around since the 1500's- they still practice there and there is one I believe where Bruce Lee, Jet Li, IP Man and a few others studied at-I do believe they are still open to tourist.

Beijing is a modern city, a lot of new infrastructure mixed with old. Its like ancient china with modern buildings with neon lights built around it. The Great Wall is there and there are lots of festivals and cultural rituals you can watch. A lot of people live here- traffic is a nightmare. 90% of people were a dental mask to keep from inhaling toxic air.

If you have time, go to Tianjin- its an industrial city with one of the largest ports in the world. Got lots of stuff to do. Got a few beaches and tourist attractions as well as where most of the Chinese Navy docks there boats. Its also home to one of the largest explosions ever recorded with a 4.0 magnitude on the Richter Scale. Cool bars and clubs


A couple other people have stated about street food- they are 98% right- Its ok in Hong Kong and Tokyo but China doesn't exactly have an FDA that restricts certain chemicals and food that can cause certain illness or death. Eat what you know!

Most important- learn how to say no!- its spelled Bu and pronounce Bul with a silent l. The Chinese people see Americans as a bunch of Bill Gates walking around and want to sell you anything and everything! Just say NO!!

[SteyrAUG]

If time permits, visit the Crane's Nest and pay your respects.

http://www.scmp.com/news/article/185...ycoon-owner-yu

[Dennis]

In Beijing definitely consider doing the Forbidden City in reverse. Start outside the North Gate in Jingshan Park which has a hill that overlooks the whole city. Then start your tour at the North Gate and work your way through the rear support residences to the stunning front courtyards and eventually the hugeness of Tianannmen square.

Doing it the normal way starts awesome but ends up in boring detail...

Have Peking Duck in Peking! It's like nowhere else.

Hong Kong is one of my favorite cities in the world. Incredible skyscrapers and vibrant city lining a deep water port. Take the iconic Star Ferry from Central to Tsim Sha Tsui around 730PM and watch the nightly coordinated skyscraper laser light show from the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront to your right as you exit the ferry building.

Hit Maks Noodle House in Central by the mid level escalators for some delicately perfect wonton noodle soup. Then go up the escalators and see a neighborhood based on escalators going up a hill!

There are plenty of incredible foodie restaurants in HK too. Google or Yelp it and take your pick. Don't just eat whatever you see, a bit of internet will find you something good and local and nice. Anything near the Lan Kwai Fong expat party district will be trendy and fun. For locals shopping and lights and energy galore hit Causeway Bay. Visit Man Mo Temple for an easy access temple experience and light some incense for luck!

Hit me up if you have any specific ideas. I always hate for people to miss out on the best HK has to offer :-)

Dennis.







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