CHINA 2003 messages boards

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Travelling with Tian Jing and Bill in Guilin, Longsheng, Sanjiang, and Yangshuo -- Thank you Tian Jing and Bill, for a marvelous time in China! Finally, after 3 previous trips (and tours) to China, I've gone where I've wanted to be. I used to wonder where those people way over there on that wee path on the hillside were going, and why. Thanks to you, I've now been there too. And it was such fun, going there with Tian Jing. She looked after us (four 50-ish women) with great care, attention, and patience. Tian Jing and Bill, you made my adventure in China perfect in every way. -- patricia young - 16:11:48 03/27/03 - pywwong@shaw.ca REPLY

Re: Travel into China -- Pat, it was our pleasure to show you a small part of "The Real China" rarely seen by the average traveler into China - it's all part of our service - trax2, Tjs-LifeStyle Travel -- Bill and TianJing - 23:13:11 03/28/03 - bill@trax2.com REPLY

TRIP OF A LIFETIME -- I knew we were on to a good thing with TRAX2 as soon as we shared Eight Treasures tea with Bill and TianJing in Guilin and started planning a series of mini explorations of southern China, from day bicycling trips of the fields around Yangshuo to four day trips to Dong villages in Cheng Yang and Zhuang villages in Longji. REPLY

. But it wasn't until we had left southern China and Bill and TianJing behind to link up with a 'regular' 10-day package tour of Beijing, Xi'ian and Shanghai that I really appreciated just how different an experience we'd had with TRAX2. Interesting as urban imperial China was, complete with five-star hotel accommodation, I know I won't remember those 10-days the way I will southern China. Staying with Mr. Yang's family in Cheng Yang, we had wonderful meals, relaxed hospitality and a chance to see how people live in China.

With TRAX2, we felt we really had seen the real China, not tourist restaurants chosen because large tour buses could get into.We visited local markets instead of tourist stalls selling knock-off North Face jackets. Instead of a Vegas-style 'historical' dance show, we watched villagers perform under the stars in front of a centuries old Drum Tower.

Best of all, Bill and TianJing could answer our many questions, and introduce us to everything from picking tea leaves to local architecture. TianJing patiently taught us the basics of Mandarin and kept us supplied with endless tiny bags of tasty Chinese snack food.

If you really want to experience China, I can't stress enough that TRAX2 is the answer. The only alternative would be to do it on your own. With only a month, and no Mandarin beyong basic phrases, we simply didn't have the time to work out travel logistics. TRAX2 takes care of what could be frustrating and time-consuming organizational details, but makes sure you still have the adventure of travelling by everything from local buses and tuk-tuks to private cars and small river boats.

Thanks, Bill and TianJing, for a memorable introduction to China. I'll be back!

-- Kerry McPhedran - 17:04:15 04/10/03 - mcphed@portal.ca REPLY

Changing Money in HK? Shop Around. -- It pays to shop around when changing money in Hong Kong. I recommend the shop on the corner of Haiphong Rd. and Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Yesterday when other money changers were buying Chinese RMB for .81 - .83 $HK, I changed 400 RMB for 93 cents in the dollar. Maybe they print their own. Even if you're on HK Island, it's worth spending $2.25 to cross the harbour for that sort of rate. -- John Maplestone - 21:51:23 11/17/03 - avakadoo2@yahoo.co.uk REPLY

TIP: RMB in HK -- One can use RMB (Chinese money) in some Hong Kong stores, some even offer an exchange of 1 to 1 only catch is you need to be able to read chinese charactors to see which ones are offering such. -- Bill - 06:40:01 11/20/03 - bill@trax2.com REPLY

China Visa Advice -- CHEAP,EASY VISAS IN HONG KONG
If you're planning on entering China from Hong Kong but considering applying for a visa from your Chinese embassy first of all, think again. If your like me, you'd probably prefer to get all these things sorted before you leave home, right? Well you should know that there is a simpler (and probably cheaper way)of getting one in Hong Kong (HK).

GETTING THE VISA YOU WANT
When I applied for my visa to enter China from Australia nearly 3 months ago, I did it through the embassy and for some reason they issued me with 2 x 30 day visas. This was inconvenient for a long term visitor like me and each 30 day visa was restricted to single entry. Very frustating if like me, your staying in Shenzhen and would like to 'nip' over the border into HK for a quick bit of shopping now and again. Following the recommendation of a friend here, when my second was due to expire I went to a HK travel agent in Kowloon. In turn I would like to pass on this recommendation to all you Trax readers out there.

WHERE TO GO
The JAPAN TRAVEL AGENCY Ltd. is a licensed travel agent located in Kowloon, just across the harbour from HK Island and is easy to find. They are fast, efficient and from what I've heard since, lower priced than some other companies offering the same services. Here's their address:

JAPAN TRAVEL AGENCY Ltd.
Rooms 507-513, 5/F., East Ocean Centre,
98 Granville Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Tel: 23689151 Fax: 23689006.

HOW TO GET THERE
Take then MTR (underground rail service) to TSIM SHA TSUI Station. When you surface, you'll find yourself in Nathan Road, Downtown Kowloon. Walk north along the right hand side with the harbour behind you. Dodging the indian touts along the way, turn right when you come to Granville Road. This should take you no more than 5 minutes so if your still walking after this just ask someone for directions, most people will speak English. Follow Granville Rd. to where it intersects with Chatham Road. Cross over and continue along Granville as it bends to to the LEFT. If you're half a decent navigator, 'East Ocean Centre' should now be on your right and the 'HK Science Museum' on your left.

HOW MUCH AND HOW LONG
I got a 6 month, multiple entry business visa with no questions asked for 650 HK dollars (USD80 at the time of writing). Obviously, the shorter the duration the lower the price. If you can get there before 11.00am you'll have your visa back before 6.00pm. I got there at 9.00am and had it back by 2.30pm. Don't forget to take along 1 passport photo.

The Japan Travel Agency is open Weekdays 9�6 and Saturdays 9-12 midday. They are closed on Sundays.

Good luck. -- John - 00:43:14 04/10/03 - avakadoo2@yahoo.co.uk ( 3)

Re: China Visa UpDate -- It is now possible to get 12 month (1 year) visa's cost HKD900 - more for USA passport holders -- Bill - 22:02:26 09/17/03 - bill@trax2.com REPLY
Re: China Visa Advice -- Eh???
Wot??? -- Rick Rogers - 21:14:52 05/01/03 - rickrog@telus.net ( 0)
I agree with you, John -- Japan Travel is the best place in HK to get China visa's - I'll been doing so for the past 2 years, hassel free and best of all no lines!! -- bill - 00:03:49 04/11/03 - bill@trax2.com ( 0)

miao lives -- what area of the section in hainan island has the most miao peopel lives in? and What's the best way to visit hainan. Fly straight to Hainan or to mainland and take a train there? -- Gene - 09:37:00 04/01/03 - genetcha@yahoo.com ( 3)

Re: miao lives -- Miao People in Hainan
About 70,000 Miao in Hainan, second biggest minority in Hainan only to Li.
Miao people settled in Hainan in the middle of 16th century, mostly in big mountains of Hainan, with a big community at Qiongzhong and Baoting towns. In 1614, after the Miao army withdrew from Andong Battalion (Ledong Town today), many Miao remained where they were, retaining much of their original culture, equal between man and women and use five colored rice in their major festivals. -- Wei - 23:56:07 04/03/03 - easytour@easytourchina.com ( 1)
- thanks wei -- for this very interesting facts about the Miao on Hainan Island -- bill - 07:07:15 04/05/03 - bill@trax2.com ( 0)
Re: miao lives - Hi Gene, -- Most Miao communities are found in Guizhou, with the rest spread over Yunnan, Hunan and Sichuan provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region with small groups in Hainan Island, Guangdong Province and in the of southwest Hubei Province, as for their exact location I'm too sure but I'll try to find out.
As for the best way to Hainan Island this depend on where you are coming from, but I'll suggest train to Beihai (Guangxi) then ship/ferry to Haikuo (Hainan Is) check out
http://www.trax2.com/travel/hainanis/hainan-island-map.html -- bill - 00:58:35 04/02/03 - bill@trax2.com ( 0)

Patrica you might be interested -- Next month we are forming a group to visit GuiZhou to check out the Miao minorities (Sister-Rice)festival - it starts on the 15 April and goes till the 17 April in PaiJiang village, north of Kaili -- Bill and TianJing - 00:52:02 03/30/03 - bill@trax2.com ( 0)