Tried to see some of the sights here today but the fog/smog cover was so thick it just wasn't worth it. As well as that it is all reconstructed stuff, what the Japanese didn't destroy they did a pretty good job of themselves in civil conflicts and the cultural cleansing program of bygone years.
Took an invigorating walk up to the observatory on "Purple Mountain" not for the view obviously as fog looks much the same everywhere. Climbing the mountain seems to be a popular thing to do for the locals, the road was full of people, didn't see any other foreigners for the entire time so I proved to be a bit of a novelty. Lots of calling out "hello" followed by giggling when I responded in kind.
The park around the mountain is heavily vegetated and I even saw several birds in the trees and flying around. While this might not seem all that exceptional to readers who have not visited China let me inform you that sightings of birds or any other wildlife is unfortunately all too rare. Not too many people were using the very well constructed boardwalk past the turn off to the observatory so I was able to enjoy the park in peace.
Went to the Massacre Memorial Museum today, it's exceptionally well done and very tasteful. I take my hat off to the designers, builders and curators.
Must have walked at least 30km today so treated myself to a foot massage tonight, 48RMB and not too bad, but not great.
Off to Xian tomorrow night on the sleeper train, have purchased a ticket for hard sleeper, bottom bunk, 280Yuan.
In Nanjing I stayed at Sunflower Hostel. Good friendly hostel with average facilities. Great staff is what makes this place work, all have good English skills and are happy to help you.
Ph: 025-52266858 E-mail: scscscsc2001@hotmail.com Web: xxx.nanjingyha.com
Facebook: nanjing sunflower hostel
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
Monday, 30 March 2009
Old Shanghai
A week in Shanghai as tour guide for my wife for a week was a great way to reacquaint myself with Shanghai, visiting familiar places and discovering new to me corners of the city. Having someone you care a lot for to share it all with just enhances the experience.
Joy managed to find everything she came for and a few other items she hadn't though about until she saw them.
We stayed at Etour Youth Hostel Mingtown, right beside Peoples Park. You can use the Marriott Hotel as a landmark to help you relocate it. I've used this hostel several times before and it's great value for traveling couples as the double rooms with share bathroom facilities are spacious enough with air conditioning and heating as well as a writing desk, TV and electric kettle for boiling water. We were in room 102 which is on the ground floor and shares the bathroom with just one other room. Although patchy at times we could also connect to the WiFi in the room. The staff at Mingtown all speak pretty good English and on the whole are a friendly and cheerful bunch. Ph. 021-63277766
E-mail mingtown@foxmail.com
Shanghai is undergoing rapid redevelopment around the inner city with huge chunks of the old city falling victim to the wreckers machines. It amused me to find one original part of old Shanghai right next to an area that has been redeveloped to represent old Shanghai; the original is much more interesting with far more people in the streets and alley ways.
Shanghai is a city best explored on foot, arm yourself with a decent street map so that you can find your way home but try to just follow your ears and nose rather than sticking to a planned itinerary.
I've left Shanghai now, took the wonderfully modern fast train to Nanjing. Apart from the scenery slipping past my window at 160 KPH + and the loud phone conversations going on around me I could easily have believed I was back in Japan on the Shinkansen.
Joy managed to find everything she came for and a few other items she hadn't though about until she saw them.
We stayed at Etour Youth Hostel Mingtown, right beside Peoples Park. You can use the Marriott Hotel as a landmark to help you relocate it. I've used this hostel several times before and it's great value for traveling couples as the double rooms with share bathroom facilities are spacious enough with air conditioning and heating as well as a writing desk, TV and electric kettle for boiling water. We were in room 102 which is on the ground floor and shares the bathroom with just one other room. Although patchy at times we could also connect to the WiFi in the room. The staff at Mingtown all speak pretty good English and on the whole are a friendly and cheerful bunch. Ph. 021-63277766
E-mail mingtown@foxmail.com
Shanghai is undergoing rapid redevelopment around the inner city with huge chunks of the old city falling victim to the wreckers machines. It amused me to find one original part of old Shanghai right next to an area that has been redeveloped to represent old Shanghai; the original is much more interesting with far more people in the streets and alley ways.
Shanghai is a city best explored on foot, arm yourself with a decent street map so that you can find your way home but try to just follow your ears and nose rather than sticking to a planned itinerary.
I've left Shanghai now, took the wonderfully modern fast train to Nanjing. Apart from the scenery slipping past my window at 160 KPH + and the loud phone conversations going on around me I could easily have believed I was back in Japan on the Shinkansen.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Shanghai Pudong Airport
When you're booking your flight to and from Shanghai, you should pay attention to the arrival and departure times so that you can decide how to travel between the airport and the city. It's no good saving money by taking the red eye special only to lose all of the saving on an expensive taxi ride to your hotel or hostel.
The cheapest way into the city is to take one of the many airport shuttle buses, a ticket can be had for about 18 Yuan, however the bus takes a good hour and a half to complete the journey.
Check schedules here:
http://www.chinaairlinetravel.com/airport-guide/shanghai-airport/pudong-airport-bus.htm
The next cheapest, and my favourite way is on the MAGLEV train to Longyang subway station and then by subway to the most convenient station to your hostel / hotel. You will get a discount on presenting your flight boarding pass so don't throw it away beforehand. Going to the airport from Long Yang you need to show your flight ticket to qualify for the discount. Standard ticket one way is 50 Yuan, Discounted ticket one way is 40 Yuan.
On arrival at Longyang just head down the escalator to the subway station. You can buy a train ticket from one of the machines or from the ticket office, the most it should cost is four Yuan. All stations are announced in both Chinese and English prior to arrival. I've put some pics of screen shots from the ticket machine at the subway stations, these too are in both Chinese and English.
The cheapest way into the city is to take one of the many airport shuttle buses, a ticket can be had for about 18 Yuan, however the bus takes a good hour and a half to complete the journey.
Check schedules here:
http://www.chinaairlinetravel.com/airport-guide/shanghai-airport/pudong-airport-bus.htm
The next cheapest, and my favourite way is on the MAGLEV train to Longyang subway station and then by subway to the most convenient station to your hostel / hotel. You will get a discount on presenting your flight boarding pass so don't throw it away beforehand. Going to the airport from Long Yang you need to show your flight ticket to qualify for the discount. Standard ticket one way is 50 Yuan, Discounted ticket one way is 40 Yuan.
On arrival at Longyang just head down the escalator to the subway station. You can buy a train ticket from one of the machines or from the ticket office, the most it should cost is four Yuan. All stations are announced in both Chinese and English prior to arrival. I've put some pics of screen shots from the ticket machine at the subway stations, these too are in both Chinese and English.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
