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Hey, there is *really* good Indian food in China (two places I have been, one in Yunnan (Kunming) and the other in Shanghai. It is on par with the northern Indian food found in Edison NJ, NYC, or London (still never been to India, but these places have the highest density of Indian populations in the US and England, and the Indian people I know enjoy the food at them!). I could not find southern or gujarahat (sic) food. There is *excellent* Japanese food in Qingdao (all of the Japanese business people there seem to demand it) and I have heard in Shanghai as well (but this one I have not personally confirmed)! However, in the US, outside of NYC and SF, I have not been able to find any *authentic* non-Guangdong food (even authentic Szechwan is hard to find, never the less other types). And even the semi-authentic types still lack local foods (like the citrus peppers that are banned for import by the US to protect its citrus monopoly).

tongyi

Korea Airlines is *OK* but only from northern China. My darling's little cousin is studying in Canada and does the flight from Qingdao to Incheon, and then from Incheon onto Toronto all of the time. She has told me that her little cousin has never had any problems and enjoys the flight (plus being able to stop over in Korean for up to 3 days if she wants to). However, it is only recommended from Chinese destinations which do not have direct flights (like Qingdao, Yantai, Dalian, QiQiHar, etc.)

Hello, I am really *sorry* to hear what has happened to your family at the interview. I wish you the best of luck. However, let me *strongly* urge you to try just having *one* of them apply for the visa, using the tie to china being the other one remaining behind. Then, in the future the other one can apply to visit. I know that it is not ideal. However, it may help you to at least improve your chances. I wish you the best, and am so sorry that the system has not treated you fairly...

There are plenty of seats on direct flights from HK or SH to LAX. And the prices are cheaper from both (since there are more airlines which service both). How long is the train trip to HK?

Always the interesting question! It seems that *most* people sign and send the forms back, asap. However, in our case we *did not*. We took the extra 2 days that was needed to obtain all of the paperwork (that was it for us), and then sent the forms back. The reason why: we do not want to give *any* excuse for any red flags or other reasons to issue anything other than a white slip. Clearly, this is not an issue for most people. However, it seems there have been some pretty dubious non-white slips issued, and based on what people have said, were still questionable (although in others, it could have occurred based on what was said). I *hence* believe that this is a *possible* red flag for some VOs, especially as security concerns continue to tighten. However, it is your call. We decided to follow it to the letter... For us, it was only 2 days to get all of the documents, but that is because she lives in her hukou, and we knew about such issues before hand, she has never been married before, etc. Take it all in stride, and do what you feel is best. Good Luck!

Absolutely terrible to hear...I am sorry. If you do not mins sharing with us which POE you used, so that we can be sure to avoid it, I am sure that we would be most appreciative. Good Luck!

I would ONLY recommend obtaining a lawyer if there is a KNOWN problem. If she, for example, has been in prison before, or if you were involved in moral turpitude, or something like that. Or, if the case is rejected and sent back to the US. In these cases and a few other distinct ones (previously in the states, say on an F1 student visa, but overstayed), it is worthwhile obtaining a lawyer. However, in general, I would save the money and not do it. Good Luck!

A wonderful point and story! How did you manage to do this? What did you do while you were in Asia? I certainly would like to do this as well in the future...we talk of opening a specific type of business which would allow us to spend time in Asia, but it is still at least 3-4 years down the road. Thanks for your encouragement with this!

Many people seem to say this in the thread, and I have not wanted to step in because I know it is a landmine. However, in the US more than 40,000 people die every year due to gun violence. That is more than 1 September 11th 2001 attack every month. The number is actually quite huge, in terms of absolute numbers. 4-5 years worth of guns in the US will kill more people than the terrible disaster in SE asia and S asia that the tsunami wrought. However, I also talk from a perspective of having seen a person be shot, and having a parent who works for the government with people on parolle, both those who have shot, and others who are non-violent offenders, but who have themselves been shot, or kids who were locked up for theft who had one or both parents shot and lived orphaned. In the US, the only major causes of death greater than gun violence include: air pollution, heart attack, cigarettes, obesity. Automobiles and Guns are very close in number for deaths.

I do indeed love to eat spicy food (but I like non-spicy food too). I guess that whenever I travel in Asia or South East Asia, I always need to ask for the food hot, and then assert my ability to eat it as it should be, since people tend to not believe me (I have a story about a Chengdu Tea House for another time). It is good to meet you, and I can try to be a little less loud...sorry! Well met, and good luck with your process.

Tis very sad to hear this. All I can say is the compiled wisdom from what others have shared with me for getting a visa to the US: 1. you need proof that you will return: such proof can be had by the following (albeit incomplete methods) a. family still remains in china (eg: if your friend is married, have the spouse remain behind) b. businesses in china (if they *own* a business) c. steady and well paying / highly respected job in china (usually applies if you are a professor or a major celebrity or player of some type) d. high income (the us laws allow for a green card to be issued for something like 1.5 million, depending on how the money is invested, so if you have enough cash, this is likely to be ok) there are many other factors, including how the CO feels. Good luck, especially to the friend undergoing the operation...but I would not get my hopes up for a visa...

That was my silent worry. I think that by *presenting* the photo, they can claim that she and her ex-husband are really still together, and just trying to use you to get to the US. I know that it is *not* the case for the two of you, but I think that they offered you a proverbial rope to hang yourself with. I am not sure however what I would have done, since not doing it could have provoked a rejection too. Good luck, and please, be careful!

I completely agree with you!! I *always* travel hard sleeper. However, I was trying to help him to cut the costs. Well, it depends on the rail line. I happen to know (since I have been on the train) that the Beijing XiZhan (west train station) has a 160kph train that goes from Beijing to Kunming, stopping in Chengdu. However, I am not sure if the one from GZ is a 160kph or only a 120kph (I think it is the slower, but am not sure). The big advantage to the Beijing to there though is that it stops along the way at Pingyao, Datong, and Xian, all worthwhile seeing (but since he is not looking to do that, I am not sure if that adds any advantage). For me, the only time I have ever been able to sleep in a hard seat is when we were forced to take one, but luckily after a few hours we were able to upgrade to a hard bed!!! Also, the prices for domestic air are *MUCH CHEAPER* if purchased in China. No matter where you go, get out of the airport and someone on the street (usually near any train station, bus station, or university) will gladly sell you the "discount" version. However, even purchasing it at the airport will be far cheaper than here. The train trip from Beijing XiZhan to Chengdu should be about 19-24 hours, depending on how many stops the specific train makes and how fast it is. That is not *too* long, imho, especially if she meets you at the train station (hint hint! so that way you can see something fun while you are there...if you want suggestions, I have traveled through Sichuan for about 25 days, so just send me a PM). Good Luck!!!

You can take a hard seat (and get little sleep) or a hard sleeper (greater cost by about US$40) but getting some sleep from *either* of Guangzhou or Beijing. The only problem is that you are traveling in *high* season, and there is *only one line* from Guangzhou to Chongqing. However, there are 3 lines from Beijing to Chengdu, so you give yourself more options (although the only cheap option to get there involves *not* flying from florida). It is a tough call. Good luck, and ask her to meet you at either Chongqing or Chengdu. I think that Chengdu is more pretty, and ask to go see Juizhaigou when you are there.

I am not. All of the information that I posted was to get to the one in Sichuan province. I have been through there before. It is beautiful But, seriously, if you want to go cheaply, follow through my suggestions. 1. train from FL to NYC 2. direct flight from NYC to Beijing (on Air China, it is only 700) 3. go by airport bus to the WEST TRAIN STATION (not the main train station) 4. get a hard seat to Chengdu. If it is full, get a hard seat to Xian, and there, get a hard seat to Chengdu, or get a hard seat to Taiyuan, and from there get a hard seat to Chengdu. Or if they all fail, get a hard seat to Kunming, and just abandon the train in Chengdu 5. Get a bus to Kangding 6. Get a bus the SAME DAY to Litang 7. from there, there is only one bus west, so there are no more choices! enjoy the trip...but if I were you, I would have her meet me in Chengdu or Kangding, given how far away everything else is!!!

She will need a Green Card (continue with the I-130), or an F, J, or H visa. However, from China, most of the time these visas are not issued (the current issuance rate is under 40%).

I was in that area too. It is beautiful, but the elevation is more than 5000m high! There are glaciers even in June when I passed through. However, to go through GZ is silly! The costs are too high. If he wants to minimize the cost, take the train from FL to a major city which flys directly to China. This means that you *must* go to NYC, as it is far closer than the others. From NYC, the cheapest way to go to China is the *direct* flight to Beijing. I have priced this many times. From Beijing to Chengdu, there are many hard seats available to Chengdu, including the direct to Chengdu train, the to Kunming Train, and in parts via the to Xian and then onto Chengdu/Kunming train (where Kunming is past Chengdu). Then take the bus to Kangding. This is that last Han city along the trip. This takes 5 hours. Then take a bus the *same* day to Litang. This leg currently takes about 8 hours in the summer where only the pass at 5500m is still likely to have snow (I only traveled it in the summer). From here, there is only one bus a day west to where you are wanting to go, so you have to catch the bus whenever it comes. Maybe it is possible for *her* to meet you in Litang (the last city), or better yet in Kangding (since the average elevation in Litang is at 4800m, and you will get altitude sickness if you miss the bus and have not had a week or so to adjust). Good luck! ps. to those quoting going through GZ or flying to LZ, you can not! You are talking about the *wrong* LZ! This one does not even have a train station, never the less an airport! If you were ethnic chinese or could speak very well, you could take the backdoor road through XiZhang, but there are many police there, and unless you can convince them that you are Chinese, they will arrest you and turn you back. If you are fluent and look Chinese, send me a PM and I can tell you about this option to travel there. Trust me on this, take the train in the US, it will save you cash...

Sorry, I do not mean to be offensive in any way. I just recall that you said that your family still questions this relationship in a way. For me, I am a poor college student, however, I was still able to have the energy to convince my family to go to China to meet her family (and she convinced them to be open to the interaction). From what I have seen, for people in most of China (possible exception in Guangdong), having family acceptance is an important thing. It may be nothing, and she may be wonderful, but I wonder if it would make *her* feel akward if your family was still any bit hostile towards her? I am sure it is nothing though, so please, do not take any issue.

1. You *could* fly, or you *could* take the train. The train is cheaper, but takes longer (if you only have 1 day, it may not be enough time). 2. You can book a ticket if you like, but if you do not yet have the visa issued, then the ticket is lost. I recommend purchasing a refundable ticket, or waiting until there and purchasing it there. 3. Wait, how many times have you two met in person???

From where you are: to save money, I would do the following: 1. take the train from FL to NYC 2. take the direct air china flight from NYC to Beijing 3. get on a hard seat train from Beijing West Train Station to Chengdu 4. take a bus to LuZhou Slow, but the cheapest way you can manage it.

For us age was never an issue, nor should it have been. Each of us priorly had dated people our age, older, and younger. It turns out we are only 6 months apart in age! It works out quite well, except for calling each other meimei, jiejie, diedie, gege, since we are so close in age, none seem very appropriate. I think however, that people need to consider their life's experience to the date and use that as a point of comparison. I never understood people my own age as well as those 10 years older than me. However, when looking at the ages of my parents, it makes perfect sense since most people who have parents *their* age are 8-12 years older than me (and I am the elder of two siblings). Yes, she is quite for real, and I am so lucky! We met in person though, and so from the start, we knew that we were for real. It was signed and sealed at our first departure: I say: "do you want to be my girlfriend" She says: "your chinese girlfriend" I say: "no, my girlfriend" She says: "are you sure, your only girlfriend ... ok!" everything else since then has only reconfirmed and made this more obvious! She is so real, and that is why I miss her so much and feel so angry with why our system tolerates such a long wait and some painful rejections...

24K is better for necklaces than rings! That may be why so many chinese purchase platinum.

It seems that both gold and platinum are less expensive in china than in the US, but you *have* to get an authentic certificate. diamonds are about the same price, with certificates. However, you are only wise to purchase these things in the official government shops, if you just buy them off the street, the chances are you will not do so well... good luck!

We sent our P3 back right around September 1st or 2nd (but I can not remember the day and neither of us have logged it exactly). I will send more information when it comes... thanks for keeping up the list!