Related China Favorites Tips

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Favorite thing: A question at the information desk returned that free WiFi is available throughout Beijing Capital airport. It took me a while to find how but it helped keeping me busy through a 6-hour layover.
As of Jan 2012 I I saw billboards mentioning that WiFi access can be obtained by logging into a certain website to give your cell phone number, then receive a text message with ID and password reference. I tried without luck, therefore I discourage trying.
Free WiFi access requires authentication and a working method is to do so at a few dedicated machines. It's a big airport and locating one requires some walking. I found several of these and the photo may help to identify them if you don't have a clue with Chinese language signs.
Click the "English" button on the touch screen and follow the procedure, which requires to insert the personal data page of your passport for a scan. Make sure it's totally inserted except for a 15 mm or 3/4" stickout, otherwise the scan fails. This done, accept the scan result - or scan again - and hit the "Print" button to get the receipt with personal access info.
I've met a desperate man who had completely inserted his passport and couldn't get it out, therefore beware!
I normally use Firefox browser which doesn't seem to work while I found out that IE does.
Three steps required.
1. Connect to the unsecured "Airport" network
2. Open IE and enter ID and password codes in the top-left part of page
3. Open a new IE browser and navigate here without closing the other browser
Decent speed and no time limit. Some gates, not all, have 220V power sockets which can be found by lifting a round steel cover on the floor next to the rows of chairs.

Favorite thing: Čína, to je kus světa, kam mnozí nikdy ani nezavítají. Každodenně jsme s ní však nepřímo v kontaktu. Nejen díky tomu, že naprosto ovládá průmysl celého světa díky bezkonkurenčním cenám výrobků dovážené ve velkém do všech zemí, ale také počtem obyvatel (1. na světě, více než miliarda a 300 milionů), rozlohou (4. na světě) a nebo úmysly do budoucna. Již nyní je např. Čína největším producentem vzácných kovů na světě, z nichž se vyrábí např. počítače, mobily, apod. Čína postupně směřuje k tomu, aby mohla ovládat celý svět...

Nejjednodušeji se lze dostat do Číny samozřejmě letadlem, koncem srpna 2011 byly dokonce letenky z ČR za 6.500 Kč za zpáteční let. Nejzajímavější mi to však přišlo jako pokračování vlakem z Ruska, přes Mongolsko, až do Pekingu, který je z celé Číny prý nejzajímavější a nejturističtější.

Je tu např. Zakázané město, viz fotky výše, kam dříve vůbec normální člověk nemohl vstoupit. Dnes jsou tu desetitisíte turistů denně. Je to obrovský prostor se shlukem budov, kde je prý dohromady 9998 pokojů.

Každý, kdo už sem jede, tak také nesmí zapomenout navštívit Velkou čínskou zeď. Každý trošku znalý ale doporučí nechodit na nejznámější turisticky přístupný úsek - Badaling. Na této zdi přes 6000 km dlouhé jsou poblíž Pekingu (asi 60-80 km) zpřístupněné 4 nebo 5 úseků. Jezdí sem cestovky, taxíky, mikrobusy, ale i linkové autobusy, od který vás budou místní zrazovat, že tam jedou 2 hodiny. Možná ano, ale za desetinu ceny. Zážitek jít sem je určitě nezapomenutelný, jen ho trošku kazí ta lanovka pro líné turisty a bobová dráha pro ještě línější. Nejkrásnější místa jsou dle mého ale ta neopravená, která jdou nejlépe na protilehlých horách vidět z míst, která jsou za značkou zákaz vstupu. Takže češi, hurá na výlet smile

Určitě doporučuju v Pekingu se zajít podívat na Ptačí hnízdo, nový olympijský stadion, postavený kvůli olympijským hrám v roce 2008. Je tu kvůli těmto stadionům vybudováno metro, hned vedle sebe udělána obrovská pěší zóna s mnoha stánky, jídelnou, okolo jsou další stadiony, na box, plavání, apod.

Dalším nejznámějším místem, které denně v sezoně navštíví téměř 200.000 lidí denně je Letní palác (Summer palace), kde je mnoho klidných míst, parků, jezero s možností zapůjčení loďky a nebo šlapadla, chrámy, kultura, apod.

Za vidění určitě stojí pekingská ZOO, kde lze tuším v jako jediné ZOO na světě spatřit vymírající Pandu Velkou. Krom toho tu je mnoho dalších zvířat, obrovské akvárium s kosatkou, mě zejména uchvátil pavilon s plazy, kde mají na to, co jsem kdy viděl, největší sbírku plazů. Jen je škoda, že za některé pavilony (panda, akvárium, apod.) chtějí další dodatečné vstupné (nutno podotknout, že asi tak 1 EUR, takže velmi levné, ostatně jako všude jinde v Číně).

Při svítání a soumraku (jindy je náměstí uzavřeno) stojí za to vydat se na vyvěšování a svěšování vlajky na největší náměstí na světě - Tianmen, které bývalý císař nechal ještě zvětšit, aby se zde vešlo 1 milion lidí.

Čína je velmi otevřená, lidé jsou tu komunikativní a komunismus naprosto nevnímají. Všichni shodně říkají, že jej tu vítají zejména díky zajištění bezpečí jejich dětí. Což je tedy pravda, v noci jsem se zde cítil mnohokrát bezpečněji (a to v malých odlehlých, temných uličkách), než třeba v Bruselu a nebo jinde v Evropě (snad kromě Islandu). Za jakýkoliv problém tu totiž může záškodník dostat trest smrti.

Bohužel pro nás, nedomluvíme se tu moc anglicky. Snad jen na tržnicích určených přímo pro turisty, kde je nutno stejně jako jinde v Číně, velmi razantně smlouvat. Velmi razantně, tím myslím např. tričko s nápisem Beijing ze 185 yuanů na 20, čínské hůlky ze 65 za balení na 20 za 4 balení, apod. smile

Peking je zajímavé a lidnaté město. Určitě to mělo svoje kouzlo, jen těch 30 milionů lidí mě dost znechutilo některé procházky a jízdy metrem...

Hodnocení: 8 z 10ti

Úroveň angličtiny: 4 z 10ti

Favorite thing: Personally, I would not leave any space blank on application if you can help it. I came into China from Central Asia on a double entry visa. Because I was entering a 'sensitive' area, and because I was using the 2 entries to visit Pakistan and return to China, I said I'd be entering via Beijing, even though I won't be going anywhere near there on this trip. To gain 2 entries I said I was also going down into Vietnam and returning. I listed an itinery that only included well established tourist areas such as Shanghai, Yunnan province and so on. Where asked for accomodation / tel. numbers etc I listed popular backpacking hostels out of a guidebook for main destinations. I would strongly recommend that you don't mension couchsurfing or any similar contacts as its highly frowned upon to stay with individuals in China. You don't need to actually book anything. I was given a double entry visa valid for 6 months with each stay 60 days, which I have extended twice (its a long way to cycle!). Im guessing the general rules apply for you as well as me, a Brit applying in the UK. I can't really see the need for going through an agency, and paying their fees, as its just a visa you are applying for like it would be for any other country. But if you still feel uncomfortable about your application then that may put your mind at ease.
(year: 2011)

Favorite thing: I found it relatively easy to get free wi-fi but it does depend on where you travel. In China, the law requires the government to know the identity of everyone connected to the internet. This is ignored by many Chinese places like food cafes with free wi-fi. They just post the password for everyone to use.

However, in foreign places such as McDonalds and Starbucks, you must register using your mobile phone to use the free internet. Passport info is required to get a local SIM card for your phone as they will know who you are when registing for the internet.

The only foreign places I found in China that does not enforce the ID law are Apple stores. The one in Shanghai is in a main tourist area and I just walk in and connect my iPod to the Apple internet. Notice all the people on the bench using Apple's free internet in my photo.

Many of the hotels / hostels also have wi-fi. It is usually free at hostels and less expensive hotels. You uesally have to pay extra at more expensive hotels.  Some Chinese hotels may only have wired Internet in your room which can connect to your computer.  I bring a small wireless routher so I can connect to my iPod Touch and do email and stuff.

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Fondest memory: I visited China in February 2011 with my Mom and Dad. It was cold and snowing in Beijing and we stayed in the Grand Hotel, Beijing.
My best memory of the trip to China was getting Barbie dolls and getting my sister Ciara!

In China I met our guide, Eric and Rosalin, our guide in Wuhan. I also met Fergal and Teresa.

I saw lots of interesting things like The Great Wall of China, The Summer Palace and The Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan.

Favorite thing: Hi Rob,

Don't know if this is useful but here goes. If some terms are not quite correct it is because I am translating from French pages....sorry!

Hotmail will work anywhere in the world on POP and SMTP BUT you will need to go to Gmail Parameters (properties)/ Transfer and POP/IMAP/TChrgmnt POP/ACTIVER "POP for all messages....Then confirm. Another advantage with Hotmail is that you can send your photos without problems. Skype also works in most places and you can also transfer photos and files whilst still talking. Remember that with Skype only a microphone is necessary for a contact. Just a small tip in China: You laptop obviously has WiFi but take with you a connecting cable for Broad Band as some places allow you to connect and make use of the full BBspeed.
I spent 6 weeks Back Packing 7000Kms last year with my Wife. Just remeber Chinese "STARS" are CHINESE. Often good (see forums) Hostels are a better bet. They cater for exigent Westerners remember and are far cheaper. One final point English is rare commodity. So much so that you can say that even English is not spoken. You may get the impression that some speak and understand but in reality this is very rare. Sooooooo! be prepared before you go and also they will only understand in the main chinese characters so it's no good writing in English either. Whatever you want to do or go get somebody to write it out in Chinese.
Hope this is an additional help and you are going to a great country where security and friendliness are the key words. Be prepared to be photographed about 10 times a day....Tou'll see what I mean!! Oppression? A media invention.

Have a look at my Picasa page for some photos.

picasaweb.google.fr/brianmontorgue

Have a great time

Brian aka Montorgue (I'm 77 years old and am at the moment planning another BPckng trip next Spring)

Fondest memory: The friendliness and caring of the people for others, especially the 50+.

Favorite thing: Hainan Island is located in South China Sea. It is the smallest province in China and is China's southernmost province. Hainan in Chinese literally means "south of the sea". It has a total area of approximately 34,000 square kilometers. The capital of Hainan Island is Haikou.

Among the popular tourist attractions in Hainan Island are Dadonghai Bay (as depicted in our photograph on the right), Yalong Bay at Sanya, Deer Park at Dadonghai, Fengmu Deer Farm, Monkey Island at Lingshui, Hainan Volcano Park at Haikou, Li and Miao Minority Village, Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden, Hai Rui Tomb, Seven Fairy Mountain at Baoting National Rainforest Park and Xiuying Fort.

You may also visit the following website for more information (in Chinese):- http://www.hi.gov.cn

Fondest memory: Our grandparents used to live in this island in their whole life. It is wonderful to visit and see for ourselves this once "sleepy hollow" part of China. The tourist industry on the island has been developed tremendously over the past several years. More and more international hotels are being constructed on the island to cater for the influx of local and foreign tourists and more and more tourists begin to take notice and visit the island. Hainan Island is also known as the Hawaii of China.

More websites (in English) for your reference for Sanya, the southernmost city in China and Hainan Dao:
http://www.chinasanya.com,
http://www.whatsonsanya.com and
http://www.chinatravel.com/hainan/

Favorite thing: Do you want to travel to China? Are you lack of information travelling in China?
If you want all those problems solved, please visit ForeignerCN.com in order to get more info. ForeignerCN.com is a website founded by Chinese volunteers, which provides great amount of FREE info. about not only travel, but also study and live in China. Come and join us, I’m sure we won't disappoint you.

www.foreignercn.com
a free website provides you information about China

Fondest memory: Do you want to travel to China? Are you lack of information travelling in China?
If you want all those problems solved, please visit ForeignerCN.com in order to get more info. ForeignerCN.com is a website founded by Chinese volunteers, which provides great amount of FREE info. about not only travel, but also study and live in China. Come and join us, I’m sure we won't disappoint you.

www.foreignercn.com
a free website provides you information about China