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Post by helen on Sept 19, 2010 2:52:06 GMT -5
An unexpected visit to Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, Wuxi and Hangzhou was offered to me a few weeks ago - for a great deal. A tour with 35 people. The Chinese in me said I'd better not say no. And I don't regret taking 9 days off work for an experience of a lifetime.
There was the added attraction that my daughter lives there, and I could visit her again for little cost.
My husband and his older brother had already booked their travel from 1 - 24 September, to Guangchou - so they weren't too happy that I (and my sister) scored an even better deal. The cost for their airfares only was more that my 7 nights and 8 days - 3 meals a day, 5 star hotels and tours.
They flew from Guangchou on the 4 September to join the 3 Gorges Cruise. Unforunately for my husband, the airline lost his luggage, and he was left with the clothes he was wearing and 4 days of medication. No charger for his mobile or camera, and lost binoculars.
I suppose that the only good thing out of that was he arrived at the same Pudong airport 1 hour later that I, in Shanghai; to pick up his new supply of medication that I got from New Zealand.
The tour leader said we could stay in Shanghai city with our daughter, for the day, and find our way out to the Hotel on our own. That worked perfectly.
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Post by helen on Sept 19, 2010 3:03:10 GMT -5
We stayed at a hotel 65 miles from downtown Shanghai, at the Doubletree by Hilton, Huaqiao, Kunshan. That apparently was the first of the complaints from the Westerners in our tour. There were 20 Chinese in one group, who had Chinese speaking guides. In our group were 6 Westerners and 2 Indian; and 7 Chinese with English speaking guides.
I have been on tours in Beijing last year, so knew what to expect - visits to local businesses like silk factory, tea plantation, pearl farms etc. I guess most of us have had that experience. Not so the Westerners - some found it most boring. And then there was 3 meals a day, of Chinese food. No McDonalds.
Suffice to say, there was some niggles from some quarters.
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Post by Henry on Sept 19, 2010 11:52:04 GMT -5
Hi Helen,
Nice to hear about your adventures in China - I never turn down an opportunity to visit China.
Please keep us posted about your travels.
Stay well and safe.
Henry
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Post by helen on Sept 20, 2010 4:03:08 GMT -5
Part 3 - This may be a long story - have to re-look at the photos and itinerary - Things tended to go really fast, 4 cities in 4 days, a new hotel in each. Saturday 11th we walked along the Bund - took photos and soaked up the atmosphere. Lots of tourists about. After lunch was the drive to Suzhou and a wander down Guanqian Street for some shopping. Cheap Mooncakes for sale - 7.50 RMB - and a nice taste as well.
The next morning was a tour of the Ouyuan Gardens -Under Jiangsu protection and listed UNESCO as a Cultural heriatge. Nice gardens, and a nice boat ride - with hard working women rowing the boat gondalier style, and singing an ancient ditty
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Post by helen on Sept 20, 2010 4:07:32 GMT -5
Then off to the silkworm place after lunch. see the women working - plunging hands in hot water to find the beginning of the thread of the coccon. Migrant labourers who stand all day, and earn very little. Then we watch as they spread the cocoon fibre over stands - stretching them out to make "mein pei" - those silk bed covers that brides get for wedding presents. Then the sales technique. I wish they still have the silk pictures you used to be able to get - the one that Mum had in her lounge in the 50s and 60s. I would have purchased some of those - light enough to carry home
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Post by harc3 on Sept 20, 2010 7:40:10 GMT -5
sounds great Helen. I really enjoyed the Ouyuan Gardens and watching them start with a cocoon make the silk comforters at the factory
enjoying the reports
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Post by helen on Sept 22, 2010 1:54:03 GMT -5
Hi harc - I didn't realise I was following in your footsteps.
After lunch 12 September - we were off to Nanjing. In my youth Beijing was Peiking and Nanjing was Nangking. So I was a bit confused about whether Nanking and Nanjing were the same places. It was - and the japanese are not welcome there. We visited the Ming Dynasty Palace site. An amazing place. The bricks have the chinese characters of the person who made the brick and the person who did the final inspection.
A delicacy is Vermicelli with Duck Blood Soup - but not what I fancied.
The next day, 13 September, we were off to the jade factory. We spent some time there, before heading to Wumadu Point. We took a boat cruise along Binjiang Scenic area, visiting the Yangze River bridge. We were able to see a model of the bridge and learn the history of it.
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Post by Henry on Sept 22, 2010 11:07:10 GMT -5
Helen,
If you are still in Nanjing, I hope you will visit the Massacre Museum.
Henry
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Post by helen on Sept 23, 2010 2:43:09 GMT -5
Hi Henry - I'm home already - just 9 days away. We just had a short time in each place, just as a teaser - they want us to come back again for a longer visit. Hopefully, I can fit it in again at another time. I have heard about the Museum, and will try to make it next time round.
More on my visit soon - have to finish another project first.
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Post by helen on Mar 21, 2011 4:39:29 GMT -5
It's been a while since I posted here - and my journey was not fully described. Now I'm heading to Guangzhou again 7 April. A visit to a friend crocodile farm in Hainan is in store this time, as well as a quick trip to Zengcheng.
Staying in the Blue Mountain Hostel in Shanghai again - close to where my daughter lives. Joe, are you still going? We'll be in Shanghai 14-23 April.
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Post by douglaslam on Mar 21, 2011 6:57:06 GMT -5
Hi Helen, April is a good time to visit Sth. China before the onset of high humidity and temperatures. Blue Mountain Hostel at Luban Lu( road) is familiar to both of us. If I were to visit Shanghai again, that's where I'll head for, for affordable lodging. The reception staff compare most favourably with those found in five star establishments. I had work in a five star hotel in Sydney in my younger days, and have stay at just a few in my travels. For my money, I like the informality of a hostel. Of course, you can't be too fussy about privacy and private amenities. But you get a bigger bang for your dollar if you simply want a place to have a hot shower and to crash for the night. At this stage, I am fairly sure I am going to China again in November. I'll stop at Xian for a close-up look at the terracotta warriors. I want to spend at least a week there because there are other attractions. www.warriortours.com/cityguides/xian/huaqing_springs/ One of China's four legendary beauties supposed to have bathed there. I don't want a rush job as I did with my last visit to Shanghai, Huangshan and Nanjing. I'll also take in Hong Kong in early December, just to attend a wedding reception. Not sure about budget accommodation in HK. Perhaps tyuti1668 can point me to a good hostel. I don't want to be an impose on my relatives in HK. Keep us posted of your travel, which is just a few more sleeps away. Douglas
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Post by helen on Mar 22, 2011 3:35:22 GMT -5
Isn't a holiday to China inspiring? This is my 4th trip in as many years - in fact maybe 3 years - I.m not sick of it yet. Can't wait to join the locals for breakfast on the street in Shanghai. Google hostels in HK. I found one near Nathan Road - really cheap. Flat C& D, 9/F., Kingland Apartment, 737 Nathan Road, Kowloon www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Geo-Home-Holiday-Hostel/Hong-Kong/36996
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Post by helen on Mar 22, 2011 3:36:19 GMT -5
manzoumovie.com/ Imagine traveling 1,000 miles from Beijing to Shanghai…by bike. That’s exactly what four American guys decided to do after the Olympics in 2008. Equipped with cameras, a map, and their bicycles, they were able to capture the true essence of China’s people, culture, and environment, untarnished by the lens of Western media. Director of the documentary “Man Zou: Beijing to Shanghai,” Jason Reid, 32, treks through China to tell of how his view of China changed, as well as what dog meat tastes like. The documentary is being submitted to the Shanghai International Film Festival in June.
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Post by chansomvia on Mar 24, 2011 4:40:22 GMT -5
Helen - I will be in Shanghai from 8th April to 14th April, Guilin from 14th to 17th April, then back to a night in Shanghai on17th to catch the Singapore Airlines flight from Shanghai on 18th April. Seems we will miss each others but send me a personal message and will let you know the China SIM card I will be using. We will spend a fortnight back home for Ching Ming and visit to relatives friends etc on our way to China.
I and my wife will be staying in the Shanghai company flats of a Malaysian business man who operates one of the biggest oleo-chemical plant in China, a 3 hour drive north west of Shanghai, and we will be his guest. The flat is near Zhong Shan Park, it would be nice to meet you and your daughter in Shanghai.
I will make a pilgrimage to Haiyen if I can persuade my wife to accompany me, my last trip was too much a rush, I want to spend time living in the village, warts and all. Seems our family village is inundated by huge prawn or fishing ponds but some still remains, sadly all those who knows our parents have passed on.
Keep me posted.
Joe
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Post by harc3 on Apr 1, 2011 10:02:51 GMT -5
I am envious. I wish I could go back there more often. Still plan to find a way to get my wife and daughter to accompany me on my next journey over.
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