Let's Go China

No more passenger departure from Hangpu Harbour (Guangzhou)

In Lonely Planet's current edition, they say the boat leaves from Hangpu Harbour (Guangzhou). Passengers boats from Hangpu harbour to Haikou have been canceled. You can only leave from Nansha. - which is a factory town, not very easy to reach by public transportation...

Nevertheless, you may now go from Hong Kong (Kowloon based China Ferry Terminal) to Nansha by ferry.

NB : To avoid any confusion, I would like to make clear that, to visit the Hangpu Military Academy, you needn't to drive to Hangpu harbour, as it is located inside Guangzhou city.

Three catamarans operate daily between Nansha and Hong Kong.

From Hong Kong (China Ferry Terminal, Kowloon side) :

8h30 AM
9h15 AM
2 PM

Ticckets can be bought at the Terminal (Tel: 2375 0537)

From Nansha

11h20 AM
4 PM
5 PM

Tickets can be bought at the Terminal (Tel: 498 8312),

From Nansha, ferries leave to Haikou every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 4PM.If you engage in this adventurous trip, you will be in Haikou at 11 am the day after.

par Sea Traveler publié dans : Transportation communauté : Tout sur la Chine
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Sanya - "Peter's place" is currently closed.

"Peter's place'", Sanya Youth Hostel - "Blue Sky", affiiliated to the YHA -, was a favorite among backpackers. All around China, they were telling about their stay at "Peter's place". I stayed there a few months ago, rooms and dorms weren't optically clean, they were just correct, but staff was very friendly and the atmosphere was great. Although still referenced in every travel guide and even on the YHA website, this place is currently under renovation !! Peter told it would reopen soon , but you'd better check before you come.

Consequently, the other referenced backpacker's place - Sanya Eagle Backpackers hostel - is often full. Yet, there are nice other places to stay alternatively which are not referenced in travel guides, among them the new YHA affiliated Youth Hostel - Sanya Lama Temple International Youth Hostel -, not so closed to the beach, but very nice.

Please drive me to Sanya Blue Sky International Youth Hostel

Peter's pick when Sanya Blue Sky is fully booked or under renovation :

"I can recommend a nice hotel, maybe you know "Chuan Ya Bin Guan". Only one minute walk from our hostel. The twin bed room costs 70RMB/night/room. Just tell the driver the name, he will send you there."

par ontravel publié dans : Places to stay communauté : Tout sur la Chine
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Earthquake update

Tourist and broadly speaking foreigners and visitors are urged not to visit earthquake affected areas for many reasons. For security reasons firstly, but also because it may hinder rescuers work.

par ontravel publié dans : Transportation communauté : L'Empire du Milieu
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Gateway Hong Kong

The new edition of the Lonely Planet city guide to Hong Kong - the best one, even if not perfect - has just been released. I noticed some major improvements since the last edition.

par ontravel publié dans : Which guide do you need to travel around China ? communauté : Tout sur la Chine
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Kunming - false address in Let's Go China

The address of Southern China Airlines which is mentioned in Let’s Go China is false. It seems Southern China Airlines’ office has never been there, but…

I lost plenty of time today due to this mistake...

par ontravel publié dans : Transportation
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Kangding - Facilities

Things change fast in China and sometimes in a convenient way : you may now withdraw cash with your Visa card here.

par ontravel publié dans : Facilities
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Yueyang - Lily Snow Hotel

Lily Snow Hotel (Let's Go China, page 455) is quite a nice place to stay overnight in Yueyang, except from the fact that you may be awoke by something which sounds like a military "fanfare" or "parade" as early as 6 AM, but before, the place is quiet, which is not so common here in China...

Price rose a little bit since Let's go last edition, thus don't expect to bargain your single room cheaper than RMB 90 / night...

Besides, don't know whether bus stops have changed or whether it was a mistake from the beginning, but orientation indications are false.

Take bus#15 to the Ferry Wharf instead of to the Yueyang Tower.
If, by chance, you stop at Yueyang Tower instead, go on instead of backtracking and it you will have to turn right when you arrive at Yueyang Middle School

No english sign, Lily Snow Hotel is written in Chinese only...

It looks like this

See : How to find Lily Snow Hotel

par ontravel publié dans : Places to stay
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Guangzhou - false adress in Let's Go China current edition

Guangzhou Riverside International Youth Hostel is quite a nice place to stay, as mentionned in Let's Go China 's current Edition - the place isn't mentionned at the moment in other Travel guides like Lonely Planet China's current edition.
The prices are a little bit higher, that mentionned :
dorms : 60 Yuan (Member : 50)
single : from 128 Yuan (Member : 108)
but that doesn't make a big difference

The address is Changdi Street 15, Luju Road, Fangcun District, Guangzhou) and not what is mentionned in Let's Go, which is in an other area of Guangzhou.
It is hard to find, for taxi drivers too - they don't know this street -, thus, print the attached map (the chinese one) before you go. This street also is called "Bar Street" (see Photo )

par ontravel publié dans : Places to stay
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Routes : no boat more from Shenzhen (Shekou warf) to Haikou

Ferries from Shenzhen (Shekou) were canceled, as well as from Hong Kong. Travelling from Pearl River Delta to Haikou by sea is becoming more and more difficult. The only remaining solution was from Guangzhou, but it has been canceled too. Now, you only can go from an harbour called Nansha - 2 to 3 hours drive from Guangzhou, no direct bus, difficult to find...

From Shekou, you only can go to Hong Kong, Macau or Zuhai.

par Sea Traveler publié dans : Transportation
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Chongqing to Guangzhou - Pricing error - Let's Go current edition - page 727

Flying from Chongking to Guangzhou with Sichuan Airlines won't cost you Y180, as mentionned in Let's Go current edition, but Y1450, which makes quite a big difference, especially for "budget travellers"...(spelling mistake ?)