Has anybody been to China?

[ptrakarn23]

Leaving in a week and staying for a month and a half.

Looking to hit Shanghi, Beijing, Hong kong, macau.

Has anybody been there and what do you suggest we do? we have international friends abroad and friends studying also.

None of us can speak Chinese so we're winging it.

So far we're gonna hit Macau for the worlds tallest bungee jump and great wall of china...

Also tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chiqga]

Xin Tian Di in Shanghai

Tsim Sha Tsui and Lan Kwai Fong in Hong Kong

All nightlife spots that are very populated with tourists from around the world.

 

[fulltech]

-you should try to learn some chinese to get around places (transportation/food/hotels)
-don't trust anyone outside your crew with your stuff, 

my friend lost his camera at the great wall for asking a guy to take a pic of him and his girl 

-remember to get bug spray, the mosquitos in Asia will be feasting if you don't  

-go try dim sum, it's worth it  

 

[illbaniankid13]

Dont go there last time I was there they had fake sneakers, shook my head at them and lost mad respect @ chinese folks.

 

[j4ck]

Originally Posted by iLLbanianKid13

Dont go there last time I was there they had fake sneakers, shook my head at them and lost mad respect @ chinese folks.

welcome to 2011?

 

[soyerwill]

Nope. Nobody has ever been to China.. Ever!

 

[thapointguy]

Hit up the casinos in Macau. Basically all I know from what I saw on Anthony Bourdain's show No Reservation when he went to Macau. He tried the bungee jump too. Looks intense.

I was born in Macau but moved to US when I was 6. I would know more if I was there longer.

 

[illbaniankid13]

Originally Posted by j4ck

Originally Posted by iLLbanianKid13

Dont go there last time I was there they had fake sneakers, shook my head at them and lost mad respect @ chinese folks.

welcome to 2011?

I was just being sarcastic dude, never been to China I'd love to go though.

 

[hongcouver604]

Originally Posted by iLLbanianKid13

Dont go there last time I was there they had fake sneakers, shook my head at them and lost mad respect @ chinese folks.

lol at your reasoning, you're an idiot.

OP, Macau is like Vegas, but way bigger and better.  Bring lots of money.  I haven't done the jump off the Macau tower, but I heard it's the highest bungee in the world.

U can get by in HK without speaking Chinese, almost everyone is fluent in English.  Use the MTR to get around... there are too many places to list to visit in HK.  If you have time, take the bus and hit up the beaches over there, Repulse Bay and Clearwater Bay.  The natural scenery in HK is amazing, lots of tourists miss out on it since they just stay around the city.  If u like shopping, hit up Mong Kok... make sure u take a day to go to Victoria's Peak to view the HK skyline from above.  Also take the gondola up to Lantau Island to hike up to view Big Buddha. 

Don't waste your time with Disneyland, instead, go hit up Ocean Park.  U'll have a great time. 

 

[nothingtol0se]

^ good info there hongcouver

i'll definitely send u a PM when i head to HK

 

[cash is king]

bring money best knockoffs IN THE WORLD HAA

 

[bee easyy]

I'm leaving bejiang right now. At the airport, dress lightly, it's super hot out here. Bring comfortable walking/running beaters you don't mind getting dirty. If you have an iPhone you should download a Chinese English translation dictionary, it helps alot especially when you go to the non touristy areas. Bring a nalgene water bottle, most restaurants give sink water to the customers which is horrible. Be weary of pickpockets as well.

 

[zk1mpls]

Been to Hong Kong every year since 2005, and Macau once last December. Definitely love the place.

hongcouver's tips are pretty much on-point. 

HONG KONG 

•  Pretty much everyone speaks English. So no worries about that (most of the time) if you're planning to be just within the city.
• The MTR pretty much takes you everywhere. It's so convenient, and reasonably affordable.
• Victoria Peak is nice at night, but be prepared for really looooooooooooong lines. I was in a tour group so I had no problems cutting in the queue.
• Ocean Park >>>>>> Hong Kong Disneyland, although the Disneyland Hotels (especially the HK Disneyland Hotel) are really nice. 
• Electronics are cheap-er than around the region because I believe they don't have sales tax. But be sure to buy from authorized retailers. Some grey market shops will definitely try to fool you. Even if my sister got her iPhone around $100 cheaper there than over here, you can't help but feel you're being suckered into buying stuff.
  
   
  
• Hit up Fa Yuen Street in Mong Kok for your sneaker fix. If you have "big" feet like me (Sz. 12) or larger... good luck grabbing a pair. To date, I've never ever bought a pair from there. So many shoes... no sizes. Even the shirts are small. 
  
   Asian sizing FTL. And I'm Asian (or Pacific Islander 
  
  ). From my experience, the largest you can find was a 13. But most new kicks come from size 8-11. So if you're average-sized and have a lot of money to burn, then good for you. You won't run out of things to buy. That really isn't a good thing. 
  
   Oh, and the Philippines Forum here on NT has a HK Sneaker Shop Guide. Not sure if it's updated, though, but it's useful.
• Enjoy the food. That's probably one of the best things about being over there. It's quite expensive over there, but the food is definitely good.
  
  
  

MACAU

• Egg tarts are good
• The Venetian is okay.
• That tower you jump off for bungee jumping is really tall. Didn't get to try it since my itinerary was packed, but man that drop is just really high.
  
   I might be back in Macau just to try that one of these days. 
• Portuguese food is ok.
• I'm not quite sure how you'd get around Macau on your own, since we had a coach specially arranged for us.

Macau for me was a much more quieter place than Hong Kong. Not so much as crowded, definitely.

Oh, and just be patient with some people when you're over there, especially with the elderly from the Mainland. It might get messy and rowdy at times, especially when it comes to queues. If there weren't for the belt stanchions, it would've been chaos... especially at the ferry terminal in Macau. 

 And most probably they don't speak any English either. And expect you to know Chinese.

 But locals are very disciplined.

Hope you enjoy your stay. 

 

[dmbrhs]

Yes, but it was ten years ago. Went to Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai. It was pre-Olympic Beijing, and goddamn did that city suck. It's dirty as hell. They cleaned it up for the Olympics, but I developed a cough thanks the dirt in the air. You could look straight at the sun in broad daylight and no clouds and not have to look away. I'll never go back there.

Chengdu was whatever. Very nice, smallest city I went to (still about 8 million people lol). Very beautiful though.

Shanghai was absolutely incredible. Most amazing city I've ever been to in my life (internationally, that is). Combine the lights and spectacle of Vegas, with the size of New York City...and double it all. That's Shanghai. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

 

[jordan novice]

Hot hot hot, is all I have to say. Humidity is no joke 

I made a post last year about going, I had uploaded several photos. I never finished uploading all of them

Can search it if you like.

 

[ins]

I heard they had monkeys that sell you drugs and stuff. If you go can you find out?

 

[hongcouver604]

Originally Posted by Jordan Novice

Hot hot hot, is all I have to say. Humidity is no joke 

I made a post last year about going, I had uploaded several photos. I never finished uploading all of them

Can search it if you like.

Forreal, felt like a sauna once I stepped out the airport... you'll sweat bullets just sitting down somewhere

.

Yo, OP... make sure u stop by one of these when you're in HK (hui lau san: fruit dessert joints), they're on every other street.

  They got some bomb #$* fruit dessert laced with mango ice cream and giant tapioca balls.

 

 

[soundwav3]

Originally Posted by thapointguy

Hit up the casinos in Macau. Basically all I know from what I saw on Anthony Bourdain's show No Reservation when he went to Macau. He tried the bungee jump too. Looks intense.

I was born in Macau but moved to US when I was 6. I would know more if I was there longer.

Yeah, I also watched that episode and may I recommend trying the street food. Asian street food is superb

. Have fun and be safe on your trip.

 

[Sinner]

Well I live in HK, but it looks like Hongcouver and my homes Zk1 have got most of the stuff covered.

You couldn't have chosen a worse time to visit IMO

It's ridiculously hot right now and with high-humidity. It's brutal and unpleasant! Killin' me here! Haha.

But anyway... places to visit. Well it depends on what you're looking for.

Mong Kok, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui are good for shopping
Lan Kwai Fong (nicer), Wan Chai (not as nice), Knutsford Terrace are good for drinks, clubbing, bars, etc.
Ocean Park over Disney Land. Gotta support the local establishments.
Trying out the DimSum will be necessary.
And like some have said, you can get by with English in HK. 
As for public transportation, go with the MTR (subway).  Much easier than the bus IMO.  Either that, or taxis which are pretty reasonably-priced.  

Let me know if you need specific info.

 

[rl_wayne]

Originally Posted by INS

I heard they had monkeys that sell you drugs and stuff. If you go can you find out?

 #!$ is this? Somebody's been watching the Hangover 2 too many times.

 

[me no pass]

planning to visit very soon..whats good with the nightlife and ze wimins?

 

[dman22193]

Originally Posted by INS

I heard they had monkeys that sell you drugs and stuff. If you go can you find out?

Thats only in Thailand bro

 

[ptrakarn23]

we were planning to spend at least a week+ in HK/macau alone.

how is the night life?