Anyone in China in August......where to go??? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

peewee · 06-03-2007, 02:04 PM

hey, im flying to hong kong early in august and then off to mainland china and japan! where are the must see places in these destinations? also, im travelling alone and slightly scared of the prospect of doing so! any tips?

peewee

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-03-2007, 08:18 PM

Yes! HK is an awesome place, lots to see and eat.

HK food is some of the most unique Chinese food out there, and HK is quite a place to see. Plenty of people speak english so you'll be find getting around.

Where are you going in China? How long will you be in those places?

**joe7f** · 06-03-2007, 08:49 PM

First Peewee welcome to the boards!

I just got back from Japan so I will start in reverse order on your list. Based on your age and starting point I am going to take two stabs here:

1.) Your trip will be one month and you are aiming to get back by September for school
2.) You will first experience Japan by arriving in Tokyo

Japan requires at least 7 days. Tokyo is a must see just because, well, it is the world's largest city and why not?

I am guessing you want to hit Kyoto and Mount Fuji (<-possible as a day trip but there is an awesome hostel in Kawaguchiko called Backpacker's K House Hostel...seriously among the top three I have ever seen!) which will essentially take up your trip. In Kyoto you could spend months checking out all the temples so prioritize and make sure you put the Kiyomizudera on your must see list. We saw Hiroshima and Miyajima in the same day (without feeling too rushed). Rail passes are a good idea if you are traveling past Kyoto and you are somewhat short on time. If you have tons of time there is pass designed for 18 year olds but usable by anyone that lets you ride slower trains as much as you want for a cheap price (not bad for short segments).

There is an American comedian that has a good channel on Youtube and it gives you a feel for the various areas of town.

I am headed to China next August, but I just met up with a Tpunker and her friend who suggested I see Suzhou (near Shanghai) which looks pretty cool. Apparently the Simatai section is especially recommended (Badaling is the most popular near Bejing)

--Joey

davidd · 06-04-2007, 12:20 AM

I went with my family abit ago to honh kong/china and had a very touristy visit. Beijing had heaps to do, took a day trip out to the great wall from their but then you can probably do that from quite a few cities. Xian was pretty cool going to see the terracotta warriors and Shanghai seems to be almost a 'western' city. Hong Kong is awesome heaps of stuff to see there, alot of markets, can go to the horse races and theres a lazer lights/music show every night that isnt hugely impressive but worth a watch

**lauren313** · 06-04-2007, 01:41 AM

I went to HK for 5 days in December. I didn't like it when we first arrived, but it did grow on me. As it was the end of our trip, we decided to treat ourselves to a hotel, as I'd heard that the hostels there weren't up to much, and I wanted a bit of luxury (although it didn't actually work out too expensive for the hotel).

We just did touristy things really: took a tram up victoria peak at night, took the boat across the water to Kowloon (we were staying on HK Island), went to Disneyland (very embarassing, I know!), did a lot of walking around taking it all in!

peewee · 06-04-2007, 10:08 AM

im flying to hong kong on the 5th august (i think) and then off round shanghai, xian, lhasa and beijing for the following 3 weeks! then from shanghai to japan and probably getting a 14 day railpass!

**joe7f** · 06-04-2007, 11:59 AM

A 14 day pass will allow you to see a lot! My only real regret of my trip is that I skipped Nikko.

--Joey

**voyd** · 06-04-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian Bacon

Yes! HK is an awesome place, lots to see and eat.

HK food is some of the most unique Chinese food out there, and HK is quite a place to see. Plenty of people speak english so you'll be find getting around.

I have to disagree. HK is my least-fav Chinese city because it is overcrowded, smoggy and Cantonese food is just really bland. Plus I don't speak Canto.

Although it does have a great skyline and metro. And a really cool new Bruce Lee statue!

Now, Shanghai is a cleaner version of a modernized city and personally, my fav Chinese food is in the SW provinces like Sichuan and Guizhou. Very spicy and LOTSA flava!

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-04-2007, 01:52 PM

Places to go in Hong Kong:

Temple street - lots of intersted places to go and see. Great night market.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Street%2C_Hong_Kong

Lan Kwai Fong - where all the expats, local celebrities and English speaking people hang out, including all the "Jook Sings" (Canadian or American born Chinese who really prefer to speak english).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lan_Kwai_Fong

Causeway Bay is where most the action happens, although HK is so damn crowded everywhere seems like downtown. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causeway_Bay

Here's a list of places to check out in HK:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s_in_Hong_Kong

Quote:

Originally Posted by voyd

Cantonese food is just really bland.

Dude, those are fightin' words.

But to each his own I suppose.

But HK cuisine is the most unique because it is the earliest examples of East-West "fusion food". Over a hundred years of colonial rule have given HK food a distinctive Western flavour...

So you know when you're in a food court and you see Machu Wok or some "westernized" Chiense food that features Chicken balls and stuff that Chinese people never eat? Its the same, but reversed... "chinese-ized" western food that I have never seen anywhere else...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Ko...estern_cuisine

This is served at what is known as a "Cha Chan Teng", literaly a tea & dinner parlour

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-04-2007, 01:56 PM

More info about eating in HK that I recently wrote to a work colleague who went a few weeks back:

HONG KONG EATING - The best part of HK

There are basic 3 types of restaurants in HK:
Dai pai dong (street food stand, not the most heigenic, but renowned for awesome taste), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dai_pai_dong

cha chaan teng (Western style chinese diner)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cha_chaan_teng,

jook fun mein (traditional chinese rice and noodle dishes),

Another article http://www.hku.hk/hkcsp/ccex/text/e_project/issue4/dpd/2.html

Types of food:

"Jook" aka Congee
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congee

Cha-Sui, a staple of Hong Kong diet. Roasted Pork
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Char_siu

Also… what you know as "Dim Sum" is called by Chinese as "Yum Cha". That food that is eaten at "yum cha" is called dim sum, but the act of going to eat dim sum is called "yum cha".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yum_cha

**voyd** · 06-04-2007, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian Bacon

Dude, those are fightin' words.

But to each his own I suppose.

But HK cuisine is the most unique because it is the earliest examples of East-West "fusion food". Over a hundred years of colonial rule have given HK food a distinctive Western flavour...

So you know when you're in a food court and you see Machu Wok or some "westernized" Chiense food that features Chicken balls and stuff that Chinese people never eat? Its the same, but reversed... "chinese-ized" western food that I have never seen anywhere else...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Ko...estern_cuisine

This is served at what is known as a "Cha Chan Teng", literaly a tea & dinner parlour

:D Um, I'm not sure Westernized Chinese food is always a good thing.

Personally, I like the native stuff just the way it is. If I want some East-West fusion, I can just go to the local Chinese buffet or get some chop-suey.

The other problem I have with HK food is that a lot of it is mass-produced and frozen. As opposed to in more rural areas where all the ingredients are local and fresh. From this standpoint alone, the "city" food is subpar.

I don't know what other regions you've been to - but the difference really is noticeable.
But, yin cha or dim sum is definitely good no matter where you're at, though!

Anyhow, as you said - to each their own!

peewee · 06-04-2007, 03:14 PM

that all sounds great! any ideas as to which hostel to stay in when i arrivein hong kong? i need somewhere with alot of atmosphere as i will be celebrating my 21st birthday a few days after arriving!

**Canadian Bacon** · 06-04-2007, 03:21 PM

hostels... no idea, I usually stay with family over there. But I'll ask my buddies who live there...I'll get back to you.

You'll want to be in Lan Kwai Fong for your bday!!!

**buzzingtalk** · 06-05-2007, 09:38 AM

westernised anything that isnt western sucks balls. when you go to china AND japan, try and find places where the locals eat, off the tourist path for a true taste of local food. ask people about the food and get recommendations, chinese and japanese food is so variable and exciting that (if you experiemnt) you wont get bored quickly. check out other asian food you might find there - thai, malay maybe. asian food IMO is the best and most varied stuff you will ever eat. much better then the crap they call "english food"

lebron23 · 06-05-2007, 08:33 PM

Hey bacon your mailbox is full dude, i couldn't reply to your questions.

lebron23 · 06-05-2007, 08:53 PM

Go to Lan Kwai Fong at night, small area and expensive but very international. Go to some strip clubs on Hennesy road. Get yourself to Mongkok and go to "shoe street" and get yourself some 20 dollar chuck taylors. Go to Yuen Long and get some bomb desserts. Eat some Dai Pai Dong in Tsuen Wan or some non touristy place. Go to one with a tv on a Wednesday or something and bet on the horse races while eating bomb food outside and get drunk while hot waitresses pour your beer. Buy a bunch of ipod cases for a dollar, then sell them on ebay for 10. Don't eat at the touristy spots, they suck and are expensive. Get yourself some milk tea and eat some wonton noodles, then light up a ciggarete and smile. Don't go to Disney Land. Take a trip to Macau on the boat, 1 hour, and do some gambling. Peace.

**freespiritz** · 06-10-2007, 12:20 AM

I loved mainland China. You can check out my photo galleries for some pics which may or may not be inspirational.

Suzhou and Huangshan (Yellow Mts) are both easy daytrips from Shanghai, and both would be worth checking out. I wasn't the biggest fan of Beijing...much preffered the rugged, rural, untouristy quality of Sichuan and the quaintness of Yunnan. The great wall is definitely a must-see though. Try to pick up a little Mandarin before you hit mainland china - it'll definitely come in handy! Bargain hard if you're buying anything - and I mean hard. Also, anticipate stomach issues, and pack TP, you'll want it.

**my retro career** · 06-11-2007, 09:39 AM

...and travel light..!

it's really (blazingly) hot in china in aug.

zhengzhou is a pretty town as well; it's a little off the beaten path and it's located in henan province.

hangzhou is also a very scenic and pretty city - with lots of tree lined streets and and beautiful lake.
it is also easily accessible from shanghai by bus.

cheers
-r

**voyd** · 06-11-2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my retro career

...and travel light..!

it's really (blazingly) hot in china in aug.

Even in Bejing? :eek:

What temperature range are we talking here? And should I even bring any long sleeves or pants?

**joe7f** · 06-11-2007, 03:01 PM

85-70 Farenheit 30-22 Centigrade.

Blazing hot in other words :eek:

I am heading there next August. I better take a TON of water.

--Joey