Tips and Tricks

Well sadly, it's over.
Back home to... a chilly Auckland 17deg(63degF), feijoas & weetbix for breakfast, familiar plumbling :-))

China was an eye-opener..... the scale of population, the scale of urban spaces, the degree of 'westernisation' in the cities esp., the pandemonium of road traffic, the (in general) friendliness of the Chinese, the low cost of great food everywhere, the extent of 'security' measures in operation all over, the national unity & compassion generated by the Sichuan earthquake & the way that this is being stoked along by the Party for all it's worth....

Some possibly useful info for travellers:

TRAINS:
Excellent train system, very busy, so book well in advance (altho 10days is the max that advance bookings can be made). 'Soft Sleeper' class on Z-class express trains, is excellent, still cheaper than flying & you can save on an overnight accommodation. Even more attractive when you factor in the cost of airport transfers (taxi) & long check-in time requirement.

FLIGHTS:
Domestic flights in China are best booked in China & can be had at much discounted prices. Chinese Airports are modern & efficient. Flying is attractive for long hauls when a 3hr flight could replace a 20hr train ride.

ACCOMMODATION:
Best booked online for best room rates...and in some cases, better rooms! (Eg. From accommodation review sites.)

Comments on some of the places we stayed at:

Metropark Hotel, Kowloon - technically a little away from the action but (i)free hourly aircond shuttle minibuses to/from Mongkok & TST (ii)close to Mongkok (iii)swimming pool! HKD650 dble + taxes
Guangdong Victory Hotel, Guangzhou - located in the historic Shamian Island but a 10min walk away from nearest Metro. However, a 4-star hotel for 3-star price, nice staff & a superlative seafood restaurant across road. Swimming pool! RMB360 dble incl taxes etc.
Hq Hostel/Apartment, Xi'an - a new small establishment, run by a very hospitable (Kiwi & Chinese) couple. Modern apartment with 2 large dble brms, kitchen, lounge, dining, bathroom. RMB150/dble. Ideally suit families or 4 persons. Location reasonably central, nr Muslim district. Need to book well ahead.
Leo Hostel, Beijing - excellent location, 5~10min from Tian An Men Sq, in interesting old district, friendly staff, many good food options nearby. However, room quality v variable. RMB200 dble w bathrm. Similar priced hotels nearby.
Donghu Hotel, Shanghai - In the quiet French Concession district, 5~10mins from Metro stn, RMB360 dble incl taxes. Sm room but excellent, recently renovated, no complaints. Pool in adjacent bldg.

TAXI CABS:
In major cities, cabs all seem to be regulated with meters & print receipts for payment. Generally efficient, no hassle & cheap... only around RMB3~4/km... if you can stomach the heart-stopping rides! Shanghai taxis even have a driver-rating system which is on display on the dash. Avoid fixed-quote rides unless you have local advice.

METRO/UNDERGROUND:
Metro train subway systems in the bigger cities are excellent in all respects... but note that in Shanghai at least, it shuts down at around 11pm, as we were to find out one night after enjoying a drink whilst taking in the Bund lights! A wee reminder that you are in China.

INTERNET:
Free internet & wifi is generally avail. at hotels but, if you don't happen to have a laptop, internet cafes are not easy to find... except at Hostels, internet game parlours, city libraries, etc.

BUYER BEWARE:
Sad to say but... treat any purchasable product in China as potentially fake! (This from experience :-( )

Two weeks out & our Visa Applications have been rejected!
(By the Chinese Consulate here in Auckland, NZ.)

Lily is not impressed with her first contact with Chinese bureaucracy :-)

Maybe because it's Olympic Year or due to the Tibet situation, they now require a confirmed Hotel Booking and Return Air Tickets.

(Interestingly, 10 days ago, Jeremy & Julian were granted THEIR Visas without having to produce either of the above!... ??) ..... Owen.