So the holiday's approved, ticket's booked and all you need to do is throw a few things in the suitcase and you're ready to face the music err mayhem, madness and (of course) magic….that is mainland China! I thought it only fair that I give you a heads up before you actually land, because there are some things you really don't want to leave home without. Here's a brief list of those things my fellow China troopers and I have deemed 'non negotiable' packing items. 1) Tissues When I say tissues, I don't mean that big box sitting on the dresser beside your bed! I'm talking about the small packets….the size of your phone…and as many as you can, without being questioned in customs about your Kleenex motives! It's no exaggeration to say that many public toilets in China won't have toilet paper. Why? Rumour has it, people like to take the toilet rolls home. Yes! You read that right…stash them in their handbags and run; which as you can imagine, results in a bit of a dilemma if you arrive unprepared, sans tissue. Trust me, there is nothing more frustrating that waiting in a rather smelly queue for about ten minutes only to find your cubicle has been cleaned out of the good stuff. You'll no doubt be struggling with the whole idea of squatting (especially if you're a woman) let alone the lack of paper. Occasionally you might find someone 'selling' it at the entrance. Your best bet though, just bring the tissues. Oh, a little tip - the sewerage system for many public toilets is fairly antiquated, you won't be able to flush your prized tissues down the toilet. Just put it in that little basket on the side (with your eyes closed). 2) Hand Sanitiser Just as many public toilets won't have toilet paper, they also won't have soap and/or the taps won't work. Let's just say hygiene is not always China's strong point. More often than not, out and about, gloves are not used in food preparation and things are just not cleaned to the standard you might expect. So, if you want to avoid running to the local doctor with a 'Du Zi Teng' (sore tummy)….hand sanitizer is your best friend. Use it at all times. 3) Medication If for some reason you forget to use said hand sanitizer and that bad tummy strikes - you're going to need some Buscopan/Immodium or the equivalent. And let's not forget, a simple change in the type of food you're eating can also cause things to go a little haywire. You can try going to the local pharmacy to get something….(there are plenty) but unless you're fluent in Chinese, I don't like your chances. And if you do, by some sheer miracle, manage to get something (even from a local doctor) it's usually not going to be the sort of remedy you would find at home. My whole family got struck down at Christmas and let's just say I have never wanted my local GP from home, more. Needless to say, my next trip to Hong Kong was with an extra suitcase just for medication! Ordinary painkillers, antihistamines, cough medicine, antibiotics etc are also handy to have in your bag. Actually make that a travel prerequisite. And if you take prescribed medicines, bring sufficient for your entire stay. Going to a Chinese hospital as a foreigner is no easy task. BYO MEDICATION. 4) Chinese Phrases It would be pretty handy if you could bring some Chinese with you… just a few phrases might do the trick….nothing too fancy. Here's a few to help you get by. Hello - Nihao - 'Knee How' Goodbye - Zai Jian - 'Zie Jee-an' Thank you - Xie Xie - 'Shear Shear' Where is the toilet - Ce suo, zai na li - 'Te Sor zie nar lee' I would like to drink coffee - Wo yao he kafei - 'Wo yow her Ka Fay' I would like a white wine/beer - Wo yao he Bai Putaojiu/pijiu - 'Wo yow her Bye Poo Tow jee-o/Pee jee-o' Please call me a taxi - Qing gei wo da dianhua chuzuche - 'Ching gay wor da dee-anne hwa ChooZooCher' Please take me to… - Qing dai wo qu…. 'Ching Die Wor Choo' Can I have the bill please - Mai dan! - 'My dan' How much is it? Duo shao qien - 'Door show (as in cow) chee-en' Of course, always have the address of your hotel written down in Chinese characters and keep it on you at all times. 5) Face Mask No doubt, unless you live on another planet, you will have heard about China's infamous pollution? Some people like to pass it off as 'fog'…ahem...no. Of course on many days it is in fact quite pleasant, blue skies and all (I promise)! But yes, I have to be honest…more often than not that haze is not fog. There's a fair chance whichever of China's glorious 656 cities you find yourself in, there will be pollution. And I'm not just talking about a little bit of smog, this is hardcore. You can see it, smell it, taste it….your eyes water, your throat hurts. A mask will make things that much sweeter. Don't worry, you won't feel silly wearing one because the majority of the population is also masked up. (They even make pretty ones.) Fight the pollution! 6) Visa! Yes, it's pretty obvious, but while there are a few passport holders that don't need a visa to enter China for a couple of weeks (like Singapore, Brunei and Japan) most of us will not get into China without one. Be warned: the process of getting one is also quite laborious. You need to go through the Chinese Embassy or consulate in your area. Prepare your documents at least a month before your trip. As they like to say, get all your ducks in a row! There are several different types of visas, so do your homework and work out which one is right for you. Just do it with plenty of time to spare. 7) ATM Card A card you can use in ATMs overseas to get cash out is encouraged (warning not all cards will work in Chinese ATMs.) In many parts of China, most foreign credit cards are not accepted (bar the occasional western brand stores like my fav, Zara or H & M (phew! wipes brow)! Unless you're in a five star hotel or a major city, you are better off using an ATM to get the local currency (RMB) out. (I've even got a currency converter in the side bar for you.) If you're bringing a credit card, let your bank know in advance, so they don't block it when they see unusual transactions outside your home country. In China cash is king! Psst… Don't be alarmed when they scan said cash to check it's the genuine thang! This is normal. 8) Toiletries China is big on toiletries, but essentially we're just talking the basics…especially outside the 1st tier cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. While you may find rows and rows of toothpaste and shampoo for your buying pleasure, you'll be hard pressed to find more than one brand of hairspray or things like make up wipes, deodorant or razors. Even dental floss is an enigma around these parts. Ladies, tampons are also hard to locate given most women use sanitary pads in Asia, so come prepared. Bring plenty of moisturizer with you. If you're up north as it's very, very dry (even for you blokes), I'm talking lounge lizard type skin! Not kidding. Sunscreen is also advisable…..unless you want to try the Asian way and wield an umbrella to shield you from the sun. (Just don't poke anyone's eye out!) 9) VPN Ahhh the good old VPN….a Virtual Private Network or as I like to call it VPS - Virtual Protector of Sanity. If you need to stay connected during your stay, you may like to get one of these lined up before you travel. The Great Fire Wall is well and truly established, meaning China has very strict internet censorship with many sites you may take for granted, blocked! Not sure how a VPN works? Check out this post I recently wrote on VPNs. 10) SIM Card/Adaptor Of course most countries will use different types of power points. In China, they use two types of plug sockets (which are often actually in the one power point). The two round pin like in the EU and the three prong flat angle blades like in Australasia. (Mind you some of my Australian plugs simply won't fit in!) You also might want to think about saving on global roaming costs and buying a SIM card in China. It's quite easy to get and relatively cheap (50 to 100RMB). There are two major phone companies…China Unicom and China Mobile. If you live in certain countries like the US, you'll need to get your phone unlocked, enabling it to accept a different sim card. Most of all bring your sense of humour!! China is a weird and wonderful adventure for the taking… be sure to soak it all up and remember, though things might seem a little different to that which you know, it's all part of an amazing experience. On that note, I'll leave you with a famous quote from Eleanor Roosevelt. “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” This is China. … [Read more...]
China’s Paradise on Earth – Hangzhou! Is it Worth a Visit?
If you do an internet search for the top places to visit in China, more often than not, Hangzhou will score a place in the top ten. Before last weekend, I didn't know too much about the city, but given Marco Polo promptly declared Hangzhou "beyond dispute the finest and noblest place in the world" I figured I was safe to add it to my list! Oh and in a double (must visit) whammy the city also has a song written about it that famously says, "There is paradise in heaven, on earth there is Hangzhou." Clearly this is a city with quite a reputation to uphold…. While we're based in Xi'an, we're ticking off the bucket list, trying to see as many interesting places in this wide, extremely diverse land as possible; so with the most reasonable airfares on a national holiday, first cab off the rank was indeed Hangzhou. A short one hour 45 minute flight, south east of Xi'an, Hangzhou is also a 45 minute train ride from China's metropolis, Shanghai… and it shows! After spending almost eight months in Xi'an, there's definitely a different feel to this comparable city of eight million. Once the capital of China (during the Song Dynasty) today it's the capital of the Zhejiang province. Without doubt, Hangzhou's exposure to a metropolitan city has paved the way for a more cosmopolitan influence. Whether that's a good or a bad thing, I'll let you be the judge. (Mind you, the ginormous Forever 21 clothes store, sleek, shiny Apple store and friendly uber driver, kind of had me at hello.) Compared to Xi'an - which I suspect largely due to its location in the North West has been isolated from other major cities - English was noticeably more present in Hangzhou, driving less chaotic (with less beeping) (perhaps that's because there seemed to be much fewer bikes on the roads) and on first observation, there seemed to be a lot less street food stalls. You could say, in looks, the two cities are almost chalk and cheese. Xi'an boasts an unmatched historical charm, with its ancient monuments, perfectly landscaped streets and manicured tree-lined pathways; while the more subtropical Hangzhou has a rugged, overgrown feel, with its weeping willows draping themselves in wildly carefree fashion across the city. Little streams and rivers wind through the city with cute arched stone bridges; and the city itself is wrapped with mountainous ranges. A 30 minute drive from the airport to the city, once we were safely deposited to our hotel, we did what all the brochures suggested and hightailed it to the city's pride and joy, Xihu or 'West Lake.' We found a sprawling six sq kilometre freshwater lake with scenery that has no doubt impressed over the years - so much so, it's been immortalized by countless poets and artists, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Technically, there are 'ten scenes' at the West Lake…..each with its own story to tell. We got dropped off at the "Broken Bridge" and enjoyed a leisurely stroll over it shuffled shoulder to shoulder with a thousand other holiday makers. Note to self: attempting any tourist attraction on a public holiday in China is probably not the smartest move. (Especially as a foreigner where your chances of getting mobbed by the paparazzi are considerably higher!) That said, we were not to be deterred! If 'Brangelina' can do it, so can we! For a very brief moment, we considered hiring a boat with the hundreds of other boating enthusiasts to row around parts of the lake or more preferably, one we could power ourselves - but to be honest, there seemed to be a lot of people on the lake going nowhere, fast! We eventually got on one of the bigger ferry boats for RMB 55 (kids under 6 free) which had us motoring to one of the lake's islands in a jiffy. Lush green and picturesque with its pretty flowers, I'm pretty sure on a slightly less chaotic day it would be quite the peaceful haven to wander through. We later found out this is known as the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon - the largest island on the lake. From here you can see the famous Leifang Pagoda. If you want to get up close and personal, you can take the boat across and climb to the top for RMB40 -- but, given we now live next door to a Pagoda, we opted to gaze at this marvelous monument from a distance! (I'm told it's at its best like this anyway!) So after meandering around for a good 45 minutes, the shoulder to shoulder fight for space on the footpath all got a bit sweaty and we stared at the map for about ten minutes trying to work out how to get off the island! We eventually found the right boat that took us back to the foreshore! We spotted the 'Jazz Bar' on our map and spent about half an hour trying to locate this little refuge. We eventually found a little watering hole with an outdoor garden where we could grab a beer for 15 kuai and put our feet up. It's no inner city trend-setter, but definitely hit the spot and quenched our thirst. On advice, we then walked about ten minutes inland to Wushan Square. Here there is a town square and a narrow lane way with some cute market stalls, selling all sorts of weird and wonderful local trinkets. I'd like to say it was worth it, but if you're strapped for time, I think you could probably give this spot a miss. Although you do get to feast your eyes on this marvelous oriental gem. Waking up the next day to an extremely hazy, sopping wet day meant our trip to the famous Longjin Tea plantation was out of the question (forgot my gumboots), but I've heard it's well worth the visit, so try to factor it in to your plans. This region is famous for one of the most prized and expensive teas in China, Dragon Well green tea and you can pick and sample it here in spectacularly serene surroundings. Instead, we went back to a different part of the paradisiacal lakeside for a late afternoon wander (and hopefully a beverage or two)… Weary of heading back to more of the same, we were pleasantly surprised to find this little waterfront sanctuary (on Hubin Road) at sunset was a hive of activity. Pagoda's were lit up, mountains shone and oriental boats glistened as they chugged across the lake. Basking in the glow, West Lake really did look quite heavenly. The city's shopping hub is very close by, so we ambled through to get a feel for Hangzhou's city centre. Modern and quite sophisticated you get the feeling this isn't just a typical Chinese city but one that has a sense of purpose and is progressing at a rapid pace. I'm not quite sure it's 'paradise on earth' but if you pick your moment, it's definitely a little pocket of bliss to hibernate from the mainland madness. So, is it worth the trip? If you're visiting China, I definitely think it's worth adding to the itinerary. You could potentially cover it with an overnight stay. Live in China? I'd recommend a day trip the next time you're in Shanghai. Living in Shanghai? Of course it's a great weekend escape. A few tips: As with most Chinese cities, if you don't speak Chinese and/or know the geography of the city, hailing a taxi can be a fruitless exercise. Hangzhou is no different. Use Uber taxis. We found ourselves stranded in the middle of a busy square on an even busier public holiday with a toddler fast approaching 'witching hour' - unable to get a cabbie to agree to take us (that foreign thing), we reverted to Uber taxis. Whilst the driver couldn't speak any English or understand our Chinese (why is it in a 'situation' it's far easier to use your 6th grade French!!??) he soon tracked us down and came running through the street to find us. Now that's service! (Oh Uber, please come to Xi'an!) For first-timers, my suggestion is stay by the lake, if you can. There are quite a few hotels along the waterfront including the Hyatt and Wyndham and plenty in the cheaper category. Of course, where ever you are in China, be sure to have your hotel written down in Chinese to show the driver. I keep harping on about it, I know...but do try to avoid visiting any attraction in China on a public holiday. Oh, and don't forget your tissues and hand sanitizer! This is China. … [Read more...]
Why Every Expat Needs a VPN in their Life: How to Choose One
“How do you access things like Facebook and your blog in China?” It’s one of the more common questions I get asked since moving here. And I might add, it’s a very good question! Sometimes I wonder myself! Well, it’s all thanks to a little help from a friend, called VPN. Now for someone 'technically challenged' like myself, admittedly in the past I’ve (purposely) stayed in the dark about things that happen in cyberspace. Let’s just say, it may as well be a parallel universe and never the twain shall meet! But coming to China where there is a great deal more control on what you can easily access, has forced me to open my eyes and focus on learning about those little things that can make my daily life a lot less chaotic in a foreign country. (As if it wasn’t bad enough having limited access to chocolate in China, not to mention those gazillion other things you can’t get here; having no internet or access to the things online that make your world go round can send you, quite literally, around the twist.) In fact, in all honesty, it is a wonder this laptop I’m using is still in tact, for there have been many moments of utter frustration where I’ve almost hurled it over my balcony. (Yes! That explains why the U key is missing!) If you’re not really up with the ‘censorship’ situation in China, let me give you a brief backgrounder. China's internet control system is considered more extensive and more advanced than in any other country in the world. Government authorities not only block website content but are also known to monitor the internet access of individuals. (I’m told there is actually a department within the local police bureau here, to specifically monitor internet use.) It is taken VERY seriously. Amnesty International claims that China "has the largest recorded number of imprisoned journalists and cyber-dissidents in the world." You may wonder why? Basically, the Communist Party of China wants to protect the nation’s values and political ideals from any outside influence. There are many other reasons and they go far deeper than this simplified sentence, but for obvious reasons, I will let you delve a little deeper of your own accord. For people like me, just your average expat in China, things I’ve previously taken for granted like using search engine Google (almost every waking moment) is blocked; although China has its own local search engine, Baidu, it’s in Chinese and when translated into English is not exactly ‘easy reading,’ and search results aren't always fruitful. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are also blocked. In their place is social media platform ‘We Chat’ which is, for all intents and purposes, a great combination of Facebook, Twitter and What’s App combined. While it’s good for keeping in touch with new friends I meet in China and for keeping me up to date on the latest events in this sprawling nation; if I want to connect to the majority of my friends and family on Facebook or access my blog that helps me make a living…..along with Twitter and Instagram for that matter -- I need to call in the assistance of my good friend, the VPN. (Who I am VERY grateful for!) So what’s a VPN? VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. Essentially, it’s a way to take your public network, private. What you view online is private to you, even when you are using a public network like your internet provider or a Wi-Fi connection. In layman’s terms, every device on the internet has an IP address, which is a unique address, kind of like your home address. Just as your address gives away the country you’re in, so does your IP address. A VPN in effect allows the user to ‘trick’ websites on your whereabouts - connecting you through a server the VPN provider has set up in a specific area. From there, the IP address is made private and the person can view the internet with no restrictions or filtering in place. For example, if my VPN is switched on (which is just a click of the icon on my computer or phone) it will list a number of countries I can choose from, with a top few that give the best results for my area. Whether it be Los Angeles, Hong Kong or Australia, my address is re-routed to these countries allowing me to access whatever I normally could if I were in these places. However, it’s worth noting, as the Great Firewall of China becomes increasingly sophisticated, many VPN’s are being blocked or becoming harder to use. A couple of months ago one of the most popular paid for VPN’s - Astrill - was blocked on all Apple iPhones for at least a month in China, just like that! VPN’s aren’t just used by expats in remote locations though. Thousands of global companies use them for security - to protect valuable information on their site. It’s also a great way to bolster your own security in this high-tech era, to ensure no one is snooping on your activity, especially if you’re online in a café or somewhere like an airport. Many people use them for shopping online, on sites normally restricted to particular countries or watching programs/movies that can’t be accessed in their part of the world, like Netflix’s broad host of programs in America that may not be available in the UK or Australia. And let's be honest, what expat can live without Netflix!! (Mind you, Netflix is cracking down on people using other means to access country's programs they're not in, so it's harder to watch with a VPN. I currently need two connected at once!) Maybe you just want to watch something live as it happens like the Olympics instead of waiting for the network in your country to broadcast it? Are VPNs legal? To the best of my knowledge, using a VPN is perfectly legal so long as you’re not using to for illegal activity that causes harm to others. So, how exactly do you choose a VPN? There are now over 100 VPN services available, so it’s quite difficult to find the one that suits you. And let me just say, not all VPNs are created equal. For me it was largely a case of word of mouth and reaching out to foreigners living in China and those friends who’re technical experts! I also looked at the online site, BestVPNServicemag.com – they’ve done a lot of the leg work and even have a Top Ten VPN comparison list which was extremely useful for a non tech-head like myself. And another list from PCMag.Com Here are my top tips when choosing a VPN. #Price varies, so be sure to do your homework. Some are free but not as reliable. Work out how much you're going to rely on a VPN. Is it negotiable or a necessity? Signing up for a year is usually cheaper than month by month. #Check the compatibility with your computer and mobile system; i.e some work better with iOS, others with Android. #Check how many operating systems you can use the VPN on. Some only allow you to use it on your laptop while others allow you five different networks: say on your house computer, two lap tops and two mobile phones. #If you’re an expat try to sign up before you arrive at your destination, just in case you can’t access their website. (This is particularly relevant to China.) #Check the powers that be aren’t cracking down on specific VPN’s before you sign up and realise they’re blocked in your country. #Make sure the servers have a variety of locations to choose from, especially if you’re planning to shop on specific sites or want to watch something from a certain country. #Just because you have a VPN there’s no guarantee your access will suddenly be super fast and reliable. It’s a remarkable tool but it’s not foolproof. If internet is patchy, chances are your VPN will be too. So, there you have it….. my new best friend in China…. The VPN. I prefer to call it a VPS - Virtual Protector of (my) Sanity. And breathe…… Psst, For the record, I'm currently using three VPNs - depending on who gives me the goods when I need them! Astrill, Express VPN and Hide My Ass. … [Read more...]
Why Every Expat Needs A Blind Date
My latest column for Expat Focus Those dam butterflies in my stomach… they're persistent buggers! I try to catch my breath, inhaling, deeply… as our car crawls slowly in and out of lanes, jammed with thick Saturday evening traffic. We are late. Naively forgetting about the headache of weekend traffic in China, we've severely underestimated how long it will take to get to our destination, normally a 20 minute drive across town. This was going to make it harder to arrive 'inconspicuously' let alone the nagging fact, the small, subtle bunch of flowers we'd ordered for the birthday girl was China-sized, China-decorated. This means big and garish. Even less opportunity to slide in, in low key style. I breathe. Realistically, you can go years without meeting new people. If you want to. Life gets busy and more often than not, it's all too easy to be content with friends in our 'hood, our work mates, family around the corner. More often than not, it's all you need to sustain a comfortable, easy lifestyle, isn't it? Sometimes, in all honesty, you just don't want the hassle of meeting new people. Who wants to put themselves out there. What? I have to reveal to someone that I'm actually a wine quaffing, cat-loving, former trashy magazine obsessive turned pinterest-nerd?! Sometimes you just can't find new people to meet… like anywhere. Even in the supermarket! (I've tried!) For the love of God, where were all those single men that year I was on the loose (back in the day)! They were actually so few and far between, I had to put myself completely out of my happy, controlled comfort zone to meet my husband. Yes! A blind date! But this is not about my personal life....it's about those Blind Dates we all take as expats or new kids on the block. To read more click over here to Expat Focus for the full column. Proud to share this post over at Seychelle's Mama on her monthly series My Expat Family … [Read more...]
48 Hours in Xi’an: Top 5 Things To Do!
So, Xi'an is on your itinerary? In my mind, there are a couple of reasons you might find yourself in this second tier city in the middle of China. One: it's considered the undisputed root of Chinese civilisation one of China's oldest cities with enough history to rival a museum on steroids! Or two: you're taking pity on expats like me who need a sanity check in the shape of your visit (note: absolutely NO entry without cadbury chocolate bar in hand)! If it's the former, (bring chocolate anyway) your main focus is probably those blokes who make up that world-famous terra-cotta army, right? For most visitors, it's a quick stop over, usually after a whistle stop tour of Shanghai and Beijing. So, with time of the essence, I've put together a quick list to tick off, if you're just in town for a couple of days and don't want to miss the key things. Of course there are plenty of other 'interesting' things to see, but I'll save those for another day and a longer stay! 1) Terracotta Warriors These guys are definitely a fascinating sight to see. I've seen them twice now and while I wouldn't probably recommend a third time, they are a once in a life time experience. There's a compelling story behind their great unearthing, which you need to read all about here in my post before you set foot in the pits: Xian's Terracotta Warriors: The Largest Jigsaw in the World. Meantime, here are the details: Where are the Terracotta Warriors? This clay army of soldiers is, as you'd expect, quite a distance from the city itself in Lintong. To be precise it's 40 kilometres from Xi'an city or just over an hour from the airport, so be sure to work out your mode of transport in advance. (Xi'an is geographically a widespread city, so getting from one side to the other is not always easy. Friday and Saturday nights are mayhem on the roads!) (REPEAT: Mayhem!) How to get to the Terracotta Warriors: Take a Taxi (green ones only). From the airport, the cost is roughly RMB150-200. From the city, the cost is around RMB110-120 From the airport, you can also take the Airport Shuttle Line 2 to Xi'an Railway Station and then walk to the east square of the railway station to catch bus 914/ 915 or tourist line 5 (no. 306) to the warriors. There are also plenty of busses travelling from all parts of the city. Click here for specific details Or, if that all sounds a little daunting, alternatively most hotels can provide you with a car and driver for hire! Cost for the Terracotta Warriors: Peak season (aka the hot season) is March to November and the entry fee is RMB150 For Low season (aka the cold season) in December to February, the entry fee is RMB120 Kids under 1.2 metres tall are FREE. Opening Times at the Terracotta Warriors: Summer: Tickets sold from 8:30am to 5:00pm - last check int at 18:35pm Winter: Tickets Sold from 08:30am to 4:30pm - last check-in at 18:05pm Time to spend at the Warriors: I would suggest you put aside at least four hours including travel time. There are three 'pits' to view and while you can take as much or as little time as you choose checking these guys out, you probably need a good couple of hours, at least. Tips for the Warriors: *There's not much in the way of restaurants/cafes apart from a fairly basic cafe and a couple of quaint tea rooms, so it can't hurt to pack a lunch or eat beforehand, if you want to make it easy. *Strollers are available if you've got little ones who aren't keen to stay on their feet for the visit. There are also wheelchairs available. *There is a walk from the entrance to the pits, and let me tell you, if it's cold, you've got kids or elderly people with you, you want to grab the buggy. *It is helpful to have a tour guide to explain the history and in my humble opinion adds a lot more value to the trip. Hire one at the site for around RMB100 or your hotel should be able to recommend a good one. (Usually a little more expensive.) Or, alternatively rent an audio guide for RMB40. Extra Time: The Huaqing Palace Heritage/Hot Springs are six kilometres from the warrior site, set at the base of Mt Lishan for some stunning landscape views on a clear day. For more information, click here. About 150 metres from is here is the Lintong Museum which has about 10,000 artefacts dating from the Stone Age to modern times. 2) The City Wall This is a 13 kilometre stretch that, along with a moat, embraces the city. As the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world, let me say, it is definitely worth heading into the city to see, even if you don't go up on to the wall itself. If you do choose to go up, you can walk around the wall (if you've got the stamina and time) or grab a tandem bike if it's a nice day (takes about two hours). Otherwise the buggies are definitely the way to go and it gives you a great perspective of the city. Where is the City Wall? Right in the city's hub. There are four gates leading through the wall into the city: North, South, East, West. Opening Times for the City Wall: South Gate: 8:00-22:00 East/North/West Gates: Summer: 8:00-19:00 Winter: 8:00-18:00 Cost for the City Wall: Tickets can be purchased at the bottom of the wall near the South Gate for 54RMB 27RMB for kids between 1.2 and 1,4 metres tall. Children under this height are FREE. Bike Cost: Deposit RMB200 Single Bike RMB40 for 100 minutes Tandem Bike RMB80 for 100 minutes Buggy Cost: RMB80 Time to spend at the City Wall: You can be up here for as little or as long as you want. Taking the buggy around is about one hour and it stops at each gate for ten minutes, so you can jump off and stretch your legs and admire the view. Tips for the City Wall: *There are very steep stairs leading up to the wall, so it's definitely not stroller friendly. *Unless it's a festive occasion with street food stalls set up, there is no food. Extra Time: Once you've done the wall….if time permits just below the wall at the South Gate is the Ancient Cultural Street of Shuyuanmen where you'll find quaint lane ways like something out of old Europe; markets sell all sorts of trinkets and beautiful calligraphy paintings. Defu Lane is also parallel to the wall at the South Gate and a popular haven for bar hopping. Warning: Don't expect a thriving bar scene, but it's an impressive spot at night. The South Gate is also close to both the Bell and Drum Towers. 3) Bell Tower/Drum Tower (Zhong Lou/Gu Lou) These two spectacles are right in the middle of the city and hard to miss. The Drum Tower erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty towers over the city with excellent views. There is a huge drum inside that used to signal the end of the day. If you want to, you can go inside and see the drum museum and a drum show, performed every day. The Bell Tower was built in 1384 and marks the geographical center of the ancient capital. From this important landmark branch out East, South, West and North Streets that connect the tower to the East, South, West and North Gates of the City Wall. The Bell Tower is the largest and best-preserved of its kind in China. Opening Times for the Bell/Drum Towers: Summer: (April 1st - October 25th) 8:30am - 21:30 Winter: (October 26 - March 31st) 8:30am - 18:00 Cost for the Bell/Drum Towers: Bell Tower: RMB35 Drum Tower RMB35 Bell/Drum Towers RMB50 Tips for the Bell/Drum Towers: *If you prefer to stand back and gaze at the towers from a distance, you'll still be glad you saw them. Take the time to stroll around the surrounding streets and soak up the atmosphere. *The city REALLY comes to life at night. Try to see it at least once under lights. 4) Muslim Quarter (Hui Min Street) Xi'an was the start of the famous Silk Road trading route when many merchants traveled from the middle east to trade and many of their descendants are still living in Xian today, making up a 60,000 strong muslim community in the city. Known as the 'Muslim Quarter' in English, the area is a colorful feast for both the eyes and tastebuds. A window into the Chinese-Muslim culture, it's a hive of activity covering several blocks where the tight knit community is busy around the clock, preparing a labyrinth of tasty sweet and savoury street food snacks, not to mention an overabundance of the city's famous elixir 'pomegranate juice!' With an electric atmosphere, you can't go past a visit to the Muslim Quarter. (Don't forget the camera!) Where is the Muslim Quarter: In the heart of the city adjacent to the Drum Tower. Time to spend at the Muslim Quarter: You can meander through the bustling lane ways in about half an hour…. Cost for the Muslim Quarter: No cost, but take some cash for the street food. There are quite a few market stalls selling traditional souvenirs too. (Head down the side lane ways for more markets. Two words ladies: cheap handbags!) Tips for the Muslim Quarter: *Try to avoid going here on a weekend, it will be packed to the rafters!!! It's very hard to walk through (especially with a stroller) and much more pleasant on a quiet week day. (Definitely steer clear if it's any sort of festival or holiday!) *Don't forget to bargain if you're buying from the markets. *I am still not convinced the street food won't have you calling for the Lomitel or its equivalent, so eat at your own risk. But! (there's a but) I am told by locals, if it's going to be safe anywhere, it's here! Extra Time: Visit The Great Mosque for 15RMB. It's one of the oldest, largest (covering 12,o00 square metres) and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China. Just northwest of the Drum Tower on Huajue Lane. (*If you are in Muslim Quarter main street, there is a blue sign pointing to the Mosque about half way down.) Cost: Summer: RMB 25 Winter: RMB 15 (Etiquette rules apply.) 5) Big Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayan Ta) Four kilometres south of the city, this is a buddhist pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty in 652 standing 64 metres high with views stretching out across the city. It was rebuilt in 704 with an extra five new storeys; however, a massive earthquake in 1556 heavily damaged the pagoda and reduced it by three stories, to its current height of seven stories. It's no Leaning Tower of Pisa but you're not seeing things, it does lean several degrees to the west. In the past it was used to hold sutras and figurines of the Buddha that were brought to China from India by a Buddhist translator and traveller. In 2014 it was added to the World Heritage List. Where is the Big Wild Goose Pagoda? QuJiang New District - about 20 minutes from the city on a good run. This area has been designed with tourists in mind! Set at the site of the Daci'en Temple, the Pagoda stands tall amongst manicured gardens and paved squares where kites fly sky-high around the clock and 3-wheeler bicycles weave in and out of the crowds ferrying street food to passersby. There are several big shopping centres and a myriad of monuments to see amongst the tree-lined streets, not to mention the largest musical fountain in Asia. (I also know a great hotel across the road if you want to pop in.) ;) Opening Times for the Pagoda: 8:00 - 17:00 Cost for the Pagoda: Daci'en Temple RMB50 Climbing the Pagoda RMB40 Tips for the Pagoda: *If you are in this area and want to catch a Tuk Tuk or take a cab, 10-15 minutes up the road is a huge scenic lake. (Qujiang Pool Park 曲江池遗址公园) It's a beautiful spot in Xi'an if the weather is on your side. Great for kids with plenty of bikes and paddle boats for hire (if you're game!). *Bar Street is just around the corner from the Pagoda. A stretch of cute cottage-like bars and restaurants, it's worth taking a stroll up the street at least. (The Indian on the corner and the German Beer Cafe are local favourites.) So there, you have it. That's Xi'an in 48 hours. See you when you get here! This is China. For more on where to stay and what to eat in Xi'an - check out this post here I wrote for Hong Kong Moms. http://www.hongkongmoms.com.hk/xian-terracotta-warriors-much/ … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- …
- 37
- Next Page »