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Post by helen on Dec 27, 2012 12:50:03 GMT -5
Is there anyone interested in meeting up in the Canton area in November 2013? Maybe travel together to visit your village - to help you to communicate if you lack the local Chinese language and local knowledge. I have come from New Zealand to Zengcheng a few times - speak some Cantonese, and would be able to get a local guide.
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Post by douglaslam on Dec 28, 2012 4:59:06 GMT -5
Count me in Helen,
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Post by helen on Dec 28, 2012 15:23:15 GMT -5
Thanks Douglas - will you be leader of the pack? We can plan around your annual leave time - as I am flexible in when I can take leave.
Lap Chi is also in.
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Post by douglaslam on Dec 29, 2012 5:43:59 GMT -5
Helen, don't know about leading the pack, Carlos is keen to have me showing him the way to his grandfather's village around next Nov. I am thinking of going with him to a remote Great Wall outpost and the Silk Road if we are compatible travel companions. He said he is working two jobs towards that goal. What thinketh thou?
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Post by helen on Dec 29, 2012 6:07:59 GMT -5
Lap Chi was in Yunan towards the end of November, and it was quite cold by then. It was at a high altitude, and they were told by the guide to get oxygen bottles. Another family from our tour group went to the Great Wall about the 12th November and it was snowing and cold. Personally, I will only have about 3 weeks, but Lap Chi will stay the full 30 days available on a visa.
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Post by helen on Jun 8, 2013 21:13:37 GMT -5
Hi Douglas - It's now almost mid June, about 4 1/2 months to November. You did mention elsewhere your travel dates. Can you post here again, and then we can all work our travel times and meeting arrangements.
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Post by douglaslam on Jun 9, 2013 6:41:57 GMT -5
Helen, my leave commences on 6 November. Carlos is not sure whether he'll fly via the USA, or Sydney then China. No direct fly to China from Peru. I certainly hope Fay Chee can join us too. I have to allow time to spend with my aunt in Dongguan and back in my village. I'll get serious about a likely itinerary. Carlos would be pleased to go wherever we choose. Hope to see more interested parties. Douglas
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Post by helen on Jul 2, 2013 0:46:07 GMT -5
More info on China’s new visa rules 07/022013 0 Comments Chinese visaCity Weekend has a fantastic overview of the changes to the Chinese visa system put in place yesterday. The changes, adopted by the National’s People Congress last June, are primarily to curb illegal stay and illegal employment of foreigners in China. Key points of the changes are: F Visas, for commercial/business visits, are now called M Visas. F Visas are now for short-term, non-commercial purposes (scientific, educational, cultural, health or sports). L Visas, for travel/tourism, largely remains unchanged. Q Visas have been created for family reunions and foreigners visiting Chinese citizens (Q1) & permanent residents (Q2). R Visas have been created for highly skilled professionals. S Visas have been created for private visits (divorce, inheritance, adoption, marriage or medical services). X Visas, the student/internship visas previously issued for 180 days, have been split into X1 (long-term) and X2 (short-term). Z Visas, or work visas, have been split into Z1 (>90 days) and Z2 (<90 days). The article adds: Since a major motivator behind the new law is to curb illegal residency as well as employment in China, we are likely to see an increase in the enforcement of residence permits. According to the British Embassy in Beijing, anyone staying in China for longer than 180 days will need a residence permit. Be sure to check out the post for more details, including a Q&A with Magic Cheng of the well-known VisaInChina service. www.lostlaowai.com/news/more-info-on-chinas-new-visa-rules/?fb_source=pubv1www.cityweekend.com.cn/guangzhou/articles/blogs-guangzhou/guangzhou-news/breakdown-chinas-new-visa-rules1/
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Post by helen on Jul 3, 2013 3:04:26 GMT -5
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Post by douglaslam on Aug 12, 2013 1:36:46 GMT -5
Helen, I remember you were saying the new Chinese visa regime was deterring you and LC from going there in November. You said an invitation from China was needed. To this end, I tried to front up to the new rules, and stave off any possible delays by applying well in advance of my departure.
How wrong we all were. The fact is; there is no change for you and me because we have been to China before. I went to the visa-issuing agency today, only told to come back later because the entry visa is valid from the date of lodgement for three months. Clearly, for my visit in November, I am getting ahead of myself. It still takes only four working days for processing, no dramas at all. I think all you have to do is to fill in Gwa Leng, Xintang as your ancestral home, and Bob's your uncle. Does that help to sway you?
It is differnt with Carlos, I made phone calls to China on his behalf because of the language barrier. He now has the invitation and other supporting documents to make his first visit application.
Fay Chee, if you are still thinking of making the big leap, don't be put off by the oficial line. Your travel agent can advice you how to do it. China is not about to shoot itself in the foot by cutting off tourist numbers. Douglas
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Post by helen on Sept 6, 2013 18:24:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification Douglas. How long are you going to be there for? I wish I could be there - but short of a cheap airfare, I guess I will have to leave it for next year now. Sorry about that.
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Post by douglaslam on Sept 8, 2013 5:06:35 GMT -5
Helen, Carlos called me today on the phone. We talked for the first time. Although he had called before, I was at work on that occasion. He informed me because he hasn't been in his present job for long, he couldn't get the length of leave required. He had no choice but to put back his trip to China until next year. This comes as a big let down because we both tried hard to put things in motion. There were phone calls to China by me and him (through a Cantonese speaker in Peru,) many, many three way email exchanges and support letters and documents for that China visa and keenly anticipated trip.
My travel plans are also in a limbo because I always had Carlos as a companion and planned accordingly as to the places to see. The Great Wall is a high priority for him. Should I take in another part of Asia like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand as well as China? Decision, decision. Suggestions? Douglas
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Post by helen on Sept 26, 2013 1:02:27 GMT -5
My travel plans are also in a limbo because I always had Carlos as a companion and planned accordingly as to the places to see. The Great Wall is a high priority for him. Should I take in another part of Asia like Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand as well as China? Decision, decision. Suggestions? Douglas Hi Douglas - missed this completely - probably trying to catch up from after my trip away. My daughter is going to Taiwan this weekend - she is looking forward to it. Everyone tells me that Vietnam is good. We just came back from Phuket - probably not a good place for a single traveller. Too much beach and not much to do. How about a train journey in China www.fodors.com/news/stepbystep-guide-to-chinas-bullet-train-6932.htmlwww.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294211-c148494/China:How.To.Travel.By.Train.In.China.htmlSingapore is supposed to be great as well. Cheers Helen
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Post by douglaslam on Sept 27, 2013 6:55:39 GMT -5
Hi Helen, I keep on getting conflicting signals on visa requirements for China. I am going to visit the visa agency on Monday to clarify things.
I have done a few railway trips in China. The last one was Canton to X'ian and back. It is my preferred mode of transport. I haven't tried the high speed rail because I have no need for speed, and it is also pricey.
I might do Guangxi or Yunnan instead of going to other parts of Asia. Wish you and LC were going with me. Douglas
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Post by helen on Sept 27, 2013 19:40:17 GMT -5
Hi Douglas - If you have a new passport, take your old one to prove that you have been to China before. Lap Chi had a new one and he had to bring his old one back so he could get multi entry. Just looking at the cheery blossoms at the top og the board. They are starting to flower in Auckland now. The festival in Auckland is postponed to tomorrow - late start to the season. A Chinese chap owns it and is establishing a winery there. www.zengarden.co.nz/default.asp
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