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And this one was found at one of the exits to the Yu Yuan Bazaar. My mum was thinking of going to it once we'd finished our shopping. But even a seniles disco was too much like hard work for her after a day of shopping in Shanghai! Leave a Comment
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Fondest memory from my visit in 2001 was when I got my haircut. It hot and humid so I had it cut short and around the ears, the barber finished by using a straight razor. I've never had one used on me before. Anyways, it was a great haircut and it only cost 60-cents USD! I normally pay at least $8 to $10 not mention a tip. This barber refused a tip. Leave a Comment
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I have two (2) fond memories from when I was there in 1986.
First was the clothes people wore. It seemed that 98% of the population wore the Mao outfits, you know, the nondescript drab blue or olive green cotton pants and shirts.
The second one had to do with the local culture/custom. Just about every street had a sewer grate, and every sewer grate was covered with sputum (spit). I was told it's a habit or custom in Shanghai to spit into the sewer. It grossed me out but I did take pictures for proof!
I also did not see this custom practiced in any of the other cities I visted like Beijing. I also did not see signs of this 'custom' when I last visited Shanghai in August, 2001. Leave a Comment
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Just walking around Shanghai is full of wonders, large and small, human and man-made: yes, there are some things all tourists are told to see but I found that just taking-in one section of Shanghai at a time was the best, and most deeply rewarding. Wandering around the French Concession I discovered fascinating streets with alleys and doors worth painting; I met people working in stores and found a fabulous bookstore that I would not have found if I were intent upon an itinerary...and, after a few days I felt like I really was in Shanghai...and I felt that sense of truly sensing what it must be like to live and toil in Shanghai. I also found-out that I could simply walk down Shanxi and get to Nanjing Lu without a taxi!! And, in so doing, found stores I would not have otherwise. Plus , hanging-out in the cafe a bit at World Books I found-out there is a flea market there starting in March. So, taking it slow and easy yields a thousand joys. The must-see Tourist sites like the Bund or People's Park paled in comparison to ambling along and observing freshly and without any filter. Also, this allowed me to stumble upon a small group of men playing traditional instruments in a very small meeting place...magic happens without plans!! Plus, not allowing myself to feel rushed yielded meetings with people that gave heart to the city...and, a city is, afterall, the people.
My fondest memory of Shanghai is the amazing warmth in the eyes of the people I met, and the sweetness of their smiles. So many examples, but here is one: on a chilly, rainy night we were lost and could not find our restaurant...I showed a woman with her daughter the address in Chinese and she walked us four blocks in the rain to the restaurant...though we could only communicate with our eyes, it was one of the best communications! Such heart and sweetness are common.
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The main reason that I didn’t visit China sooner than I did was the fact that I needed to obtain a visa to go there – and I needed to obtain it before I travelled. Paying for a visa was never an issue, but the hassle of having to send off my passport (or travel to London or Manchester) in order to get the visa always put me off. If I could have simply obtained a visa at the airport upon arrival in China, that would have been great.
However, in May 2008 I finally decided that I was going to visit Shanghai and I would undertake the necessary steps to apply for my visa. I knew that this would involve filling in forms, having passport photos taken and ultimately sending off my passport and an envelope full of paperwork to a company that I hoped was reputable, and which would return my passport (with visa attached) in one piece and within a reasonable time frame.
I Googled “Chinese visas” and did a bit of reading around on the Internet. After reading a variety of reviews and visiting a host of visa service websites, I decided to place my trust in a company called Chinese Visa Direct.
I read the step-by-step instructions on their website, printed off the necessary application forms and a checklist of what I needed to send. I booked my flights, arranged my accommodation and made the dreaded visit to a local passport photo booth. I had everything that I needed to submit my application form.
Filling in the form was simple. It required the usual information: full name, gender, date of birth, nationality, passport details (number, place of issue, date of issue/expiry…), occupation, reason for visiting China, length of stay in China and address(es) during my visit to China.
There were a few questions regarding any previous failed attempts to obtain a Chinese visa, any previous deportations or criminal records and any known illnesses that I suffer from. I could happily tick the “no” boxes in that section.
The next section required me to enter details of my employer (name, address, contact number…), my home address and contact details and the address and phone number of the hotel that I had booked in China.
With the application form successfully completed, I next turned my attention to the Chinese Visa Direct Order Form and Checklist. This required me to fill in my name, address and contact details, my nationality and my passport number. I then had to select which type of visa I required.
There are a host of different visas available, including single/double entry tourist visas, single/double entry business visas and multi-entry business visas lasting for 6 months, 1 year or 2 years. I selected the single entry tourist visa, and opted for the “normal service”, which I had read in reviews would see my passport back with me in about a week. I could have paid extra for “express service” or “same day service”, but I wasn’t in too much of a rush.
For information purposes: a single entry tourist visa with normal service cost me £50. The price would have increased to £75 for express service and £90 for same day service. Double entry tourist visas cost £65/£90/£105 respectively. The single and double entry business visas cost exactly the same as the tourist visas, while the multi-entry business visas are generally £100+.
I paid Chinese Visa Direct online via a “Google checkout” link on their website and printed off my receipt.
I was now ready to tick off my checklist and enclose the necessary documents in a big envelope:
Passport enclosed? Check!
Passport photo enclosed? Check!
A copy of my hotel booking enclosed? Check!
A copy of my flight tickets booking enclosed? Check!
Completed application forms enclosed? Check!
Payment (or proof of online payment) enclosed? Check!
The following morning, a Tuesday, I sent the package off special delivery to:
Chinese Visa Direct,
PO Box 5051
London W1A 8UZ
…and crossed my fingers that it would all go smoothly!
The next morning (Wednesday), I received a friendly email to confirm that all my documents had arrived safely, had been checked and had been taken to the Chinese Embassy for the visa to be processed. I was informed that CVD expected to have my passport and visa back with them by the following Monday and would send it back to me immediately by recorded delivery.
Sure enough, the following Monday I received another friendly email to confirm that my passport (and shiny new visa!) were on their way back to me and true to their word, they were back in my possession on the Tuesday morning.
Everything had gone smoothly and efficiently. I sent an email to CVD to thank them for their excellent service and to promise that I would recommend their services to others. So, if you’re in the UK and you need a visa for China, be sure to get in touch with Chinese Visa Direct – their service is first class. They also arrange visas for Mongolia and Vietnam.
Chinese Visa Direct: the hassle-free way of obtaining your Chinese visa! Leave a Comment
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Do you know where can find the cheapest ice cream in shanghai ? I K E A. Just RMB1 ( Euro0.1) . everytime when i was there , i had at least 2 .. haha... yummy yummy la
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SHANGHAI TAN. The Huang Pu River is flowing through along the city. The Bund is the best venue for appretiating its well-known scenery. Different Western styled architechtures stand on west side of the river which are named 'An architecture exposition of the World'. Leave a Comment
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The route of the silk in the Middle Ages finished here: Suzhu is the city of the silk. You could buy all kind of beautiful cloths and things made by real silk.
Suzhu is located to the north of Shanghai: we arrived there in half an hour by car. Leave a Comment
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And if you regard yourself as being younger and having more energy, well why not check these ones out for a bit of a boogie! Leave a Comment
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This was taken at the airport whilst we were waiting for a taxi. All I can say is 'poor tired little sign, and I hope it recovers soon!' Leave a Comment
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