At least most of China. It was quite disappointing, initially I thought that my site was down. I was able to view it from my mobile and others informed me it was still good. So it appears that China didn’t want me to write about my trip… I was also disheartened to discover I couldn’t watch YouTube in China.
These issues didn’t factor that much as internet cafes were difficult to find. Using Google we discovered several in Guangzhou after 3 days there. In Beijing we used “free” internet in Pacific coffee cafes (you had to buy a coffee or snack) and in Shanghai we used the free shared facilities in our backpackers (Mingtown hiker youth hostel near the Bund).
I was also able to post some updates using twitter and my facebook status. I’ll have to write a longer description of my travels through China later. Today I will be attending a Chinese christian wedding in Hong Kong.
Shanghai (Shanghai Wikitravel) from Beijing on an overnight train; no ticket yet. Probably get one of the Z or T class trains; they all seem to take 11 hours, the differences seems to be how modern they are:
Trains with a ‘Z’ in the train number are top quality trains with the most modern coaches. Trains with a ‘T’ in the train number are the next best (’extra fast’). Trains with a ‘K’ in the train number are ‘fast’. A new D-category consists of high-speed 200-250 km/h daytime electric trains.
To see in Shanghai:
- The bund, we thought it was a river; “The Bund (外滩 Wàitān) is Shanghai’s stately street of old colonial-era buildings; alongside Huangpu River once was the financial center of the Far East.”
- Huangpu river cruise – Available at the Bund’s southern end ferry port in a large variety: One hour, two hour and three hour cruises on the Huangpu. The Huangpu River, which is the city’s shipping artery, also divides Shanghai into east and west, future and past. A cruise along this dynamic waterway affords a wonderful opportunity to see Shanghai’s working wharves and to take in the changing skyline. http://www.frommers.com/destinations/shanghai/0717020790.html
- Jin Mao Tower – Take the elevator up to the 88th floor observation deck and treat yourself to 360-degree views of Shanghai old and new.
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Shanghai World Financial Center – On 28 August 2008, the SWFC officially opened for business. On August 30 the Observation Deck opened with a view from 3 levels. The highest view is at 474 m (1,555 ft) above ground level. It is currently the world’s tallest completed building by roof.
- Live Jazz – For funk or experimental jazz, try the Cotton Club or Club JZ. Though reviews of these clubs doesn’t look particularly favourable, perhaps another club/bar/venue (we’ll be in Shanghai on Friday and Saturday nights).
- Yuyuan Gardens, which is loaded with classical Chinese architecture. A lot of history resides in this little garden and temple. They were commissioned in 1559, built over the course of 19 years, destroyed in 1842 during the first Opium War, and later rebuilt and reopened to the public in their current incarnation in 1961.
Accommodation booked at Mingtown Youth Hostel in Shanghai using hostelbookers.com.
Flying to Beijing; flight purchased by girlfriends sister on ctrip.com. Beijing Wikitravel.
To see in Beijing:
- Rent a bicycle. Traverse some of the remaining hutongs.
- Visit the Temple of Heaven. If you go early in the morning you will see thousands of Beijingers starting the day with tai chi.
- Tiananmen Square -
- Forbidden City -
- The great wall ‘He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man’.
- Olympic Swim Center (Water Cube) and the Stadium (Bird’s Nest)
- Ming Tombs – Final resting place of 13 Emperors. We make two stops to give you a complete experience. Walk the Spirit Way and the descend into the underground Ding Tomb.
- Pingyao Ancient City – Pingyao Ancient City is one of the best preserved examples of a walled city in China and is located 100km (62 miles) south of Taiyuan.
- Summer Palace …
Great Wall
If you prefer to see the wall in a relatively natural state, visit Simatai, 110km north-east of Beijing. This part of the Wall is the best choice, for it is still in its original state without being developed into a popular tourist attraction due to its distance and little public transportation options. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/
