From: liqiang@kramden.nyu.edu (Li)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.china
Subject: Re: travel to China
Date: 2 Oct 92 18:32:28 GMT
Organization: New York University

Zong-Sheng.D.Chang@dartmouth.edu (Zong-Sheng D. Chang) writes:

>Hi, I urgently need some advice regarding traveling to/within China.

>I will take airplane from Boston to Hong Kong. My destination is
>Shanghai. However, I have no idea at all how I sould get to Shanghai
>from Hong Kong. I need following informations:

>1. After I arrive Hong Kong airport, what should I do first? Where is
>the Train station? Do I have to take a train to ShenZhen first or I can
>take a train directly to ShangHai?

Take a taxi to the train station which is nearby. The cost is about HK$15.
I took a train to Shenzhen (called Luohu at the HK train station) this May
and flew to Shanghai 2 days after. The train ticket costs HK$25 - very nice
trip.

>2. If I have to stay in Hong Kong overnight, could you suggest some
>less expensive Hotels (or Zhao Dai Suo)?

Try YMCA. You can get info here in US or at the HK airport.

>3. What should be taken care of in Hong Kong? i.e. what should I pay
>attention to during my stay there to be safe?

HK is pretty safe, esp the shopping areas. It's a beautiful city - the
area Central (in Hong Kong Island) is comparable with the best part of NY
and just any other great city in the world.

>4. After I arrivee Shenzhen, what do I need to do to get entry permit?
>What kind documents I should present? What kind test (like HIV test)
>should I do?

Fortunately, when I went thru the customs in Shenzhen, I didn't get any shot
(i.e. HIV test, etc). People who entered from Shanghai had to pay US$20
to donate some blood. Bring your passport and I-20 and you will be fine.
The customs officers, however, are boorish and very boring. You have
to fill out some bullshit forms but you will be OK.

>5. If I have to stay in Shenzhen overnight, could you suggest some less
>expensive Hotels (or Zhao Dai Suo)?

Shenzhen could be more expensive than you expect. I stayed with a friend of
mine. I guess you can find places for around US$60 or something.

>6. Can I go to Shanghai directly from Shenzhen or I have to go to
>Guangzhou first? Is it easy to purchase the train ticket? And if not,
>what are the easy ways to get a train ticket?

There is the Shenzhen Int'l Airport, much better than the one in Shanghai. You
fly directly to Shanghai - takes 1hr 40 min (don't get excited yet!). You usu
have to wait for 2 days or so to book a plane ticket at Da4zhong1lou2 (Mansion
of the Great Clock) but you can be lucky or unlucky. Trains, however, are
not so convenient and takes longer. If it's your 1st trip back home, you
can purchase the plane ticket at the domestic rate even when you
purchase the tkt with your passport (this rule applies to the 1st 15 days
of your 1st visit).

>7. If I have to stay in Guangzhou overnight, could you suggest some
>less expensive Hotels (or Zhao Dai Suo)?

I have no idea.

>8. What is the approximal price for a train ticket or a air ticket from
>Shenzhen to Shanghai (or Shenzhen-Guangzhou-Shanghai if I have to go
>through Guangzhou)?

In May and June, the domestic rate to fly from Shenzhen to Shanghai was
RMB$440 (one way) plus you have to pay RMB$50 at the airport for airport
construction tax. Also you pay appr. RMB$20 for the shuttle to the airport
which is far from the city (taxi costs more than RMB$100). The weight 
of your luggage shouldn't exceed 20kg for domestic flight, or else
it depends on the attendants' mood to determine the fine (I paid RMB$10 only
for 15kg overweight from Shenzhen to Shanghai but had to pay RMB230 for
30kg overweight when I flew back 30 days later).

BTW, the non-domestic fair (to treat non-Chinese, HK and Taiwan residents,
etc) is RMB$770 (paid in FCC) is a rip-off. I had to do it when I flew
back to Shenzhen.

>9. Any other suggestion regarding the whole trip?

Don't expect too much and you will be happy. Shanghai may have a subway now.
Don't show off that you are from overseas - you are likely to get over-
charged esp in Shanghai.

Learn to tolerate the way people (esp Shanghaiese) treat each other.

>I am traveling the coming Thursday, only a few days left. If you can
>give advice to any of the above questions, please kinding respond as
>soon as possible. My email address is: zdc@dartmouth.edu or
>zdchang@coos.dartmouth.edu.

>Your help is greatly appreciated!

>David

Have a nice trip home!

- Li, Qiang
Newsgroups: soc.culture.china