MUST Do's?

[LaurenAmber]

This past time when i was in China my husband and I spent a lot of time just enjoying everyday together. He ended up feeling guilty for not taking me to any of the "tourist" spots of China.

 

When I go back he wants to really make a point to show me all the cool things in China that i would want to see. I admit i really am dying to see a lot of it. However, my husband and I have to travel on a budget. We have to take the bus to everywhere etc etc.

 

So what are some things that are a definite MUST do? I know going to certain cities, but what are some sights of China that you think are a Must Do?

 

And in exchange i offer my Must Do lol. If you guys are down in Xiamen you absolutely must take the ferry out to Gulang Island. Also you should climb the mountain at South Putuo temple. It's a hellish climb but the view at the top is breathtaking.

[bob&haiqing]

Hey LaurenAmber,

 

If you guys make it down to Hong Kong island take the bus ride up to the Peak ... it's a double decker bus and if you can, try to sit on top right in front ... it will scare the poop out of you because the ride is up a very narrow winding road that clings to the side of the mountain. When Haiqing and I went up there the bus actually scraped the side of the mountain several times and when you're on the outside lane there's only a little guard rail and you feel like you're going to slip off the road and slide down the side of the mountain

 

The view at the top of the Peak makes it all worth while, here's a few pictures from our trip there December 2007.

 

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/blackbelt8/IMG_1918.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/blackbelt8/IMG_1919.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/blackbelt8/IMG_1920.jpg

 

In the foreground is Hong Kong island, across the bay is Kowloon.

 

Enjoy your next trip!

Bob

[Sebastian]

As to 'being on a budget' ...

 

In my previous life - I made a point to 'get in ' with the uni-level 'junkets'. Dead Cheap, and OH SO FUN !!!

 

But - ya gotta know someone, at the UNI, to get it...

[jbray]

Honestly, I thought that most places in China were pretty low cost... I recommend several places in Yunnan. I liked Lijiang. Just north of there, if you are in to hiking, Tiger Leaping Gorge was awesome (but take the high road, it's more interesting). Around Kunming was great... In Sichuan, Emei Shan and LeShan were nice. The bus ride to Kangding and LiTong were great. ZhouZaiGou (the place with all the blue water) was great too. In most of those places, you can easily find cheap hotels for less than 100 RMB.

[Don]

Honestly, I thought that most places in China were pretty low cost... I recommend several places in Yunnan. I liked Lijiang. Just north of there, if you are in to hiking, Tiger Leaping Gorge was awesome (but take the high road, it's more interesting). Around Kunming was great... In Sichuan, Emei Shan and LeShan were nice. The bus ride to Kangding and LiTong were great. ZhouZaiGou (the place with all the blue water) was great too. In most of those places, you can easily find cheap hotels for less than 100 RMB.

 

 

 

Air fare is still quite costly in China. I second the Yunnan and Sichuan areas. All are very nice. I am not sure about travel time for you. Maybe the south coast areas are easier to get to for you.

[LaurenAmber]

South coast areas are easiest to go to for us, however i do at least want to go to Shanghai and Beijing. The Hong Kong post seems wonderful. Those pictures are breathtaking.

 

As for what i meant by budget, we're going to have ot spent quite a bit of money just to GET to these destinations. So we're interested in like really great things to do that don't cost a lot of money. Like for example we went to Yuhua Cave over near Taining and it was AMAZING. It was only about 6 Yuan i think to get in, and it was BEYOND worth it.

[Kevin&Leilei]

I don't remember how much I paid, but for some absolutely fantastic scenery, go to Guilin and take the boat ride down the Li River to Yangshuo. Stay in Yangshuo for a couple days. You can rent a bike there for 10 yuan a day (plus a deposit), and ride around to some other places that look like they should be from another planet. My lao po and I rode bikes to the Moon Hill, and climbed to the top for the most spectacular view I've ever seen. The pictures don't do it justice by a long shot.

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/Yangshuo2.jpg

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/Yangshuo1.jpg

[pkfops]

When you say you take the bus often, you are on the right track.

 

It can be done but it takes work.

 

What you can do is go to a travel site and check out a tour you may be interested in. If you see something you like, put in on a calander and add a few extra days.

 

Find the best travel option to your city of choice. Once there you can go to the local CITS office and the bus station. You should be able to join a tour (Chinese ) with the local CITS. The local bus station can get you to your point of interest at a good price ( local Chinese ).

 

Also you may be able to hire a cab for the day.

 

I could add more but I have to have dinner now.

 

http://www.cits.net/citsonlineWeb/switchdo...homepage_EN.jsp

[yuehan123]

Money, as always, is a concern. So is time. Nevermind those limitations for now.

 

You must see: (some are tourist traps, of course)

 

Beijing: Great Wall, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Ming Tombs & Summer Palace.

 

Shanghai region: well, Shanghai, of course. Hangzhou & Suzhou.

The Long river anywhere from Chongqing to Wuhan, including SanXia & the Great Dam. Money, oh, the money. Take A Chinese tour boat if you can.

 

I'm 50-50 success on joining Chinese based tours. Once I joined one, had to pay extra, though. Once I was refused "no foreigners" allowed.

 

I agree about Yunnan & Guilin. Those are two of my favorite areas. Don't take your husband to "Shangra-lila" I heard the women collect men there.

 

Chengdu: There's a place. the name I can't recall. something like 'Nine beautiful Valleys.' jeo zaai gua, or some such comes to mind. Yes, here it is Jiuzhaigou Valley It's like our yellowstone. Also Mt. Emei & The Great Buddha.

 

Xi'an and the Terra Cotta Army.

 

Anhui Province Yellow Mountain- haven't been there yet.

 

I've used high speed (express) bus, local bus, even smaller and slower bus, mini-vans, trains, boat, taxi and of course, money's no object air travel. I was even carried back up the Tiger Leaping Gorge by two (used to be) strong guys.

 

Say, where does your husband want to go? It might surprise you. Chairman Mao's hometown, for example. Or, his grandfather's town.

 

I always thought Lhasa in Tibet was a must see. Maybe I'll see it in my dreams.

[pkfops]

You can check my VT site out if you need ideas; I haven't kept it up that well though.

 

My wife did most the wheeling and dealing inside China (transportation & tours ect) and sometimes I had to "wait around the corner".

 

I think touring China the Chinese way is best.

 

Just keep your "face" and enjoy the adventure.

[izus]

Hey LaurenAmber,

 

If you guys make it down to Hong Kong island take the bus ride up to the Peak ... it's a double decker bus and if you can, try to sit on top right in front ... it will scare the poop out of you because the ride is up a very narrow winding road that clings to the side of the mountain. When Haiqing and I went up there the bus actually scraped the side of the mountain several times and when you're on the outside lane there's only a little guard rail and you feel like you're going to slip off the road and slide down the side of the mountain

 

The view at the top of the Peak makes it all worth while, here's a few pictures from our trip there December 2007.

 

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/blackbelt8/IMG_1918.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/blackbelt8/IMG_1919.jpg

http://i390.photobucket.com/albums/oo349/blackbelt8/IMG_1920.jpg

 

In the foreground is Hong Kong island, across the bay is Kowloon.

 

Enjoy your next trip!

Bob

amazing shots Bob...

[izus]

I don't remember how much I paid, but for some absolutely fantastic scenery, go to Guilin and take the boat ride down the Li River to Yangshuo. Stay in Yangshuo for a couple days. You can rent a bike there for 10 yuan a day (plus a deposit), and ride around to some other places that look like they should be from another planet. My lao po and I rode bikes to the Moon Hill, and climbed to the top for the most spectacular view I've ever seen. The pictures don't do it justice by a long shot.

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/Yangshuo2.jpg

 

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb231/Tlotoxl/China/Yangshuo1.jpg

nice..

China has so many beautiful spots

Edited November 21, 2008 by izus (see edit history)

[LaurenAmber]

Wow you guys need to be my travel agents! lol.

 

I asked my husband what he thought and he wanted to see. His response was "China is my home, things are not as cool to me as they are you. So you choose" LOL and he's got a point. Forexample, i grew up fishing on the lake all the time to the point where i don't htink it's a big deal to show to him. However my grandfather invited him and he's NUTS about it. I guess tourist spots are in the eye of the beholder lol. He went to the great wall and was like "Meh, it's my history" but i'm dying to go lol

 

Thanks again to everyone. i'm passing these thoughts on to Jesse. He seems excited to show me these cuz he wants to see me flip at how beautiful everything is

[Randy W]

Wow you guys need to be my travel agents! lol.

 

I asked my husband what he thought and he wanted to see. His response was "China is my home, things are not as cool to me as they are you. So you choose" LOL and he's got a point. Forexample, i grew up fishing on the lake all the time to the point where i don't htink it's a big deal to show to him. However my grandfather invited him and he's NUTS about it. I guess tourist spots are in the eye of the beholder lol. He went to the great wall and was like "Meh, it's my history" but i'm dying to go lol

 

Thanks again to everyone. i'm passing these thoughts on to Jesse. He seems excited to show me these cuz he wants to see me flip at how beautiful everything is

 

 

'Meh': Apathetic expression enters dictionary

[LaurenAmber]

'Meh': Apathetic expression enters dictionary

 

 

LOL that's hilarious