SA Footy

Did a search through this forum but couldn't find much on China so thought I'd start a topic.

Wife and I are thinking of spending a couple of weeks there next April/May.

Any do's and dont's? Join a tour or make your own plans?

At this stage we're leaning towards a 13/14 day guided tour, with the usual stops (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Li or Yangtze river etc)

Cheers

Been for work. Went to a place called Hangzhou. Nice enough. The City itself it quite modern with a big lake next to it. Went through Shanghai for only a day though and didnt get to see much.

Personally I wouldnt go back unless work related.

Two mates have been there on business related trips. Neither will go back. Expect your phone and Internet activity to be monitored and one of the four star hotel rooms one guy stayed in was bugged and he suspects it could have had spy cameras in the ceiling light. Apparently if you are over there on business they will take more interest in you than if you are a tourist.

Sky Pilot wrote:Two mates have been there on business related trips. Neither will go back. Expect your phone and Internet activity to be monitored and one of the four star hotel rooms one guy stayed in was bugged and he suspects it could have had spy cameras in the ceiling light. Apparently if you are over there on business they will take more interest in you than if you are a tourist.

Isn't that a scene from a Bond movie

Sky Pilot wrote:Two mates have been there on business related trips. Neither will go back. Expect your phone and Internet activity to be monitored and one of the four star hotel rooms one guy stayed in was bugged and he suspects it could have had spy cameras in the ceiling light. Apparently if you are over there on business they will take more interest in you than if you are a tourist.

Not sure if China or America

saintal wrote:Did a search through this forum but couldn't find much on China so thought I'd start a topic.

Wife and I are thinking of spending a couple of weeks there next April/May.

Any do's and dont's? Join a tour or make your own plans?

At this stage we're leaning towards a 13/14 day guided tour, with the usual stops (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Li or Yangtze river etc)

Cheers

I currently live in SE Asia and have been to China and wouldn't go again. There are so many better places in SE Asia....Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia to name a few.

Q. wrote:

Sky Pilot wrote:Two mates have been there on business related trips. Neither will go back. Expect your phone and Internet activity to be monitored and one of the four star hotel rooms one guy stayed in was bugged and he suspects it could have had spy cameras in the ceiling light. Apparently if you are over there on business they will take more interest in you than if you are a tourist.

Not sure if China or America

America is a democracy

Thanks for the comments guys.

saintal wrote:Thanks for the comments guys.

I take it you're not going to China anymore

Had an amazing time in Shanghai and Beijing in July.
You will find the Chinese people to be extremely friendly and willing to help with any problem you may have re not knowing what transport to get to a hotel etc.
The only problem you may find with them is that they do tend to crowd around a bit - not much personal space. Understandable with their huge population.
The must-see's are the usual ones: Great Wall of China; Tianamen Square; Forbidden City. Do try to take a harbour cruise on Shanghai Harbour though and take in at least one Chinese acrobatic show. Oh, and a Bullet Train ride is definitely worth it!!
Wonderful country, wonderful people - ignore totally what is said re bugging and monitoring. Idiotic scaremongering and does not happen.

Cheers

Sky Pilot wrote:

Q. wrote:

Sky Pilot wrote:Two mates have been there on business related trips. Neither will go back. Expect your phone and Internet activity to be monitored and one of the four star hotel rooms one guy stayed in was bugged and he suspects it could have had spy cameras in the ceiling light. Apparently if you are over there on business they will take more interest in you than if you are a tourist.

Not sure if China or America

America is a democracy

Allegedly...

Psyber wrote:

Sky Pilot wrote:

Q. wrote:

Sky Pilot wrote:Two mates have been there on business related trips. Neither will go back. Expect your phone and Internet activity to be monitored and one of the four star hotel rooms one guy stayed in was bugged and he suspects it could have had spy cameras in the ceiling light. Apparently if you are over there on business they will take more interest in you than if you are a tourist.

Not sure if China or America

America is a democracy

Allegedly...

America is a great argument for compulsory voting, I can't believe the majority of poor there take no interest in the political process and that is coming form a capitalist.

I really enjoyed China; went there in 2005. Did an private/organised tour with my brother, going from Beijing to Xian to Guilin to Shanghai. Being relatively inexperienced travelers at the time, it was a good way of visiting China. Service from the tour operators (including personal driver and also a personal tour guide) was really good but we didn't like all the stupid stops at factories/stores (pretty much one every day). If you do a guided tour get one that avoids 'shopping stops'. I really liked Beijing's main sights, and thought Guilin was nice city/area (for China). Shanghai was a pretty cool city.

Bum Crack wrote:

saintal wrote:Thanks for the comments guys.

I take it you're not going to China anymore

Correct, for a few reasons decided to give China a miss this time. Going to Hawaii instead in April.