China
general information
(from Thorn
Tree North East Asia)
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Yahoo
China News
visas and extension
Since 2002 (although there will always be exceptions), only ONE extension, of NO
MORE THAN 30 DAYS is possible, and it usually takes FIVE WORKING DAYS to get.
This is directly (in Mandarin) from the PSB offices of about 15 different cities
around China.
Entrance to the Shenzhen area is possible with a visa picked up at the border,
but this visa is valid only for a few days for most nationalities. Guangzhou PSB
says that you can get one-month tourist visas on arrival at Guangzhou East by
train from HK. CTS just inside the Chinese side on the land crossing from Macau
will sell you a three-month tourist visa in about 30 mins for prices similar to
those obtainable in HK (take one photo) and even a six month multiple entry F
visa if you are willing to hang about for an hour or so.
transportation
driving
in China The adventures of one couple driving across China.
KCR
Reliable information on trains to the mainland (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou,
and other nearby points in Guangdong) from Hong Kong (and the proper prices to
pay--beware of links to ticket agents from various train information sites)
Hong
Kong to Xiamen Ferries Information on ferry services from Hong Kong to
Xiamen.
Hong
Kong to Guangdong Ferries Information on ferry services from Hong Kong to
Guangdong Province
China
Travel One don't buy visas here--only boat tickets, and possibly air tickets
(but compare prices with other agencies away from the tourist areas), the
tickets for expresses to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou (no commission), and a
limited number of rail services within the mainland.
Turbo
Jet Information on jetfoil services between Hong Kong Island/Kowloon and
Macau.
Flights from Shenzhen airport to mainland destinations are almost always much
cheaper than those from Hong Kong. Note that the Turbo Jet site also has details
of a convenient jetfoil service to Shenzhen airport.
IMPORTANT General Warning against Hong Kong and mainland on-line air ticket
agents. There's massive overcharging on these sites, which only ever feature
full prices, almost all of which can be bargained down once in China,
automatically by 10%, often 30%, frequently 50% (legally by up to 40%).
Beijing
The personal site of one of this branches regulars: Roddy
Roddy's
websiteIt's aimed at people living in Beijing, somewhere between the
travellers passing through, and the ex-pats who get driven everywhere. For
example, I've got sections on finding housing, what to expect from Chinese
housing, buying and running a mobile phone, getting your laptop hooked up to the
internet, etc.
One site recommended by TSkillet
That's
Bejing
Guangzhou
That's
Guangzhou
NanJing
For information about the trains NanJing
Railway StationPrices are only quoted for connections starting in Nanjing
and you computer needs to understand Chinese.
Shanghai
Two sites recommended by Confucius for travelers to Shanghai:
ExPats
in Shanghai
Shanghai
Expat
One site recommended by TSkillet
That's
Shanghai
Yunnan
Independent
Travel in Yunnan hosted by pratyeka.
Transsiberian, transmongolia and transmanchurian trains
Here are some sites suggested in the past by others who researched this route:
G&R
International This is a travel agency in Moscow that has lots of information
about the transiberian including their fees for various train tickets.
monkeyshrine.com
This firm sells train tickets and packages. They post ads on various Russian
train sites and are pretty hard sell. Without question, their prices are high
but their service is pretty good.
RickSteves
A guide book website.
Russia
Experience A Brit who operates lots of organized trips on the transiberian
route. Some hold true - the prices are high but the service is reportedly good.
russian-gateway.com.au
An Australian travel agency that specializes in travel to Russia.
Russian
Passport/Red Bear travelAn Australian company that arranged travel to
Russia, Mongolia and North Korea.
seat61.com
THE train guru. His site includes pictures of what a 1st class, 2nd
class, platskartny bunks look like, shows the route maps and includes load and
loads of other useful information. While not the bible, this is probably the
first place to start for information but not the cheapest place to
purchase tickets.
sokoltours.com
A Russian tour company whose site has lots of good information about things to
do and places to see.
StudyRussian
A company that specializes in studying Russian at MGU and travel on the
transiberian route.
Svezhy
Veter Another Russian tour company, although not specializing in travel on
the transiberian, this site has lots of useful information about travel in
Russia and if you send them a request for prices quotes their prices are
reasonable.
Tramp
Hostel Reported to be responsive to requests for info, have reasonable
prices and reasonably reliable.
Trans-Siberian
Railway Web Encyclopedia Good information about history of the trains, cars,
books about the trains, but the English section is not well translated.
Vodka
Train This used to be sundowners. They are trying hard to undercut
MonkeyShrine and Russia Experience with a no frills tour price.
WaytoRussia
A travel service, not really an agency, but they keep their webpages up to date
regarding train times and ticket prices, both of which change with the season
plus they check the service and quality of the companies with which they work.
Personal accounts of others who have traveled the transsiberian route:
Fred's
Trans-Siberian Railroad Adventure The personal accounts of a Brit who took
the trans-mongolian trip in November-December 2001. Lots of pictures.
Overland
to Hong Kong Another Brit who traveled the Trans-Mongolia beginning in the
UK
Hong Kong and Macau
Visa information for Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, UK citizens still get different treatment--six month visas on
arrival and but they cannot get the Shenzhen area limited visa at Lo Wu.
Most foreigners can enter Hong Kong visa-free for 14 to 90 days, depending on
their nationality. Details at this website: Hong
Kong Immigration Department Although Hong Kong immigration rules do require
visitors to hold onward or return tickets (unless transiting to the Mainland or
Macau), HK immigration does not normally ask to see the actual ticket out of the
country. However, check-in staff may question anyone travelling to HK on a
one-way ticket, since airlines are responsible for returning passengers who
arrive without proper documentation.
There's a border between Hong Kong and Mainland China and each side administers
separate immigration controls; Hong Kong is part of China but crossing the
border is like traveling from one country to another for immigration purposes.
Thus, if you arrive in Hong Kong and want to visit the Mainland, you'll need a
Chinese visa when you cross to the Mainland, though you can return to Hong Kong
visa-free. And if you start on the Mainland, visit Hong Kong, then return to the
Mainland, you'll need a new (or double/multiple entry) Chinese visa to re-enter
the Mainland.
General information about Hong Kong:
Discover
Hong Kong This is the Hong Kong tourist Authority Website (with information
on free taijiquan lessons, free junk rides, and much more).
BC
Magazine BC Magazine is a free print magazine that has club, gig,
restaurant, and bar listings. You can also pick up free copies around town.
HK Magazine is also a great free magazine to pick up around town - any centrally
located bar, restaurant or some shops will have copies.
Wotif.com - Last minute
discounts
Planning to move to Hong Kong:
ICERED
This online zine advertises itself as the premier community for high income
professionals
transportation
Turbo
Jet Information on jetfoil services between Hong Kong Island/Kowloon and
Macau.
see the China section above for more information about transportation and
ferries between Hong Kong and the mainland.
Guide to Hong Kong site seeing:
12hk.comThe
unofficial guide to the city.
Chinese
Language and Culture Forums:
Chinese-Forums - Great forums
broken down in intuitive way
Xi’an Terracotta Army - The famous tomb only recently unearthed to reveal an life-sized terracotta army
Tiananmen Square, Beijing - Historical account
The Yunnan Great Rivers Project - NPR page with real time audio programming
Planet Pass - A backpackers thorough guide to Asia & Central America
China Through a Lens - Pictures of China
China Travel Hub - Tourist info/agent
That's Shanghai - Magazine website
Travman - Tours, visas, and travel tips