Shanghai - A trip report in it's infancy...

[munitalP]

I have looked at the above sites (thanks Doc, Dan and JK) and found the best deal I could at Crowne Plaza for the 30th, 31st, 1st & 2nd in Beijing - I wanted to be walking distance (within 10 or so minutes) from Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City, it came down to 1) known hotel chain - 2) 4 to 5 star, 3) price - budget at $200 per night 4) Not supporting Paris Hiltons activities... :shock:​

I managed to get the room - a Deluxe King with buffet breakfast within budget, booked and paid for in AUD - through Asia Rooms - this was by far the best deal - a funny process though...​

First, I located the room type, added extras from a menu such as breakfast, then finally credit card details etc...​

Then I got an email from Asia rooms stating awaiting conformation. This was followed 20 mins lated stating my CC had the total amount "blocked" and were awaiting hotel conformation.​

Finally, I got a conformation email with a booking reference etc a day later... funny set up to say the least - it seems to have worked OK though....​

Now using the othe sites, I will shop around for Shanghai, Hardin and Xian accommodations...​

Thanks for the links so far guys...​

Mr!​

​

 

[tuapekastar]

a funny process though...​

First, I located the room type, added extras from a menu such as breakfast, then finally credit card details etc...​

Then I got an email from Asia rooms stating awaiting conformation. This was followed 20 mins lated stating my CC had the total amount "blocked" and were awaiting hotel conformation.​

Finally, I got a conformation email with a booking reference etc a day later... funny set up to say the least - it seems to have worked OK though....​

You did well. When I used Asia Rooms a couple of years ago, I followed a similar process, including the 'blocking' of an amount on my CC (couple of grand I think), then 24 hours later they emailed to say the accommodation I chose was not available (why let me select it then)?

The 'block' stayed on my CC for around a week. i.e. my own funds (if you can call them "mine" given it was a credit card) that I could not access.

I'm actually pleased the accomm was not available as I found a better deal elsewhere. But 'blocking' sucks (I understand it's quite common in the hotel industry).

 

[Keith009]

munitalP - in Shanghai, make sure you're in Puxi and near the Bund. That's where the parties at. And lots of great restaurants and shopping for Mrs!.

 

[markis10]

I have looked at the above sites (thanks Doc, Dan and JK) and found the best deal I could at Crowne Plaza for the 30th, 31st, 1st & 2nd in Beijing​

Have a look at the family and friends link for IHG over at flyertalk, showing $94 AUD a night for the CP for your dates for comparison purposes:

Friends and Family discount at all IHG Hotels - FlyerTalk Forums

IHG have good coverage of hotels so you should have a few choices.

 

[munitalP]

cheers!

Mr!

 

[Hvr]

Am also looking to be in Harbin early next year (currently looking at 25-29 January) for the Harbin Ice Festival.

I have found this site with train timetables around China. Looks like the D25 train from Beijing to Harbin is the go, very quick, 8 hours and 5 minutes to travel 1249 km. And the D28 seems to be the best return. 463 RMB each way.

Look forward to seeing more of your plans munitalP. Am looking forward to this part of my Circle Asia trip.

 

[munitalP]

A friend of mine did Beijing to Xian by train (a few years back) - he had some horror stories regarding the toilets - has anyone travelled by train in China and can anyone confirm toilet horrors onboard?

Also - are visa's available on entry or do we need to apply at an embasy? If anyone knows the answer to this - much appreciated...


Mr!

:shock:

 

[Hvr]

Also - are visa's available on entry or do we need to apply at an embasy? If anyone knows the answer to this - much appreciated...


Mr!

:shock:

You must have a visa before arriving in PRC.

This is the home page for Australians wanting to get a visa Consular & Visa

And this page is the FAQ page: On Visa Application (January 2008)

Hopefully this assists you as well.

5. What are the consular districts served by PRC missions in Australia?
The consular districts of the Embassy of PRC in Australia are ACT, South Australia, and Northern Territory.
The consular district of the Consulate General of PRC in Sydney is New South Wales.
The consular districts of the Consulate General of PRC in Melbourne are Victoria and Tasmania.
The consular district of the Consulate General of PRC in Perth is Western Australia.
The consular district of the Consulate of PRC in Brisbane is Queensland.

​

6. What are the addresses of Chinese missions in Australia?
The embassy of the People's Republic of China in Australia
15 Coronation Dr, Yarralumla, Canberra A.C.T. 2600
Tel: 02-62734783, Fax: 02-62739615
Website: http://au.china-embassy.org
The consulate-general of the People's Republic of China in Sydney
39 Dunblane Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050
Tel: 02-85958000, 85958002; Fax: 02-85958021
Website: http://sydney.chineseconsulate.org
The consulate-general of the People's Republic of China in Melbourne
75-77 Irving Road, Toorak VIC 3142
Tel: 03-98220604, 98220605; Fax: 03-98220320
Website: http://melbourne.china-consulate.org
http://melbourne.chineseconsulate.org
The consulate-general of the People's Republic of China in Perth
45 Brown St, East Perth W.A.6004
Tel: 08-92220300, 92220321, 92220302; Fax: 08-92216144
The consulate-general of the People's Republic of China in Brisbane
Mailing address: P. O. Box 12126, George Street, Brisbane QLD 4003
Office address: Level 9, 79 Adelaide Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Tel: 07-32106509; Fax: 07-30128096
Website: http://brisbane.chineseconsulate.org

 

[munitalP]

Thanks Hvr - appreciated


Mr!

 

[munitalP]

We have made some minor changes in our plans - basically we dont have time to see Xi'an so it has been cut from this trip...

In concrete it now stands as...

MEL/SYD/SHANGHAI

Shanghai Arrival night + 1 - staying somewhere at or near the bund
Train from Shanghai to Beijing (1st class soft sleeper)
4 nights in Beiing at the Crown Plaza including NYE
Train from Beijing to Harbin
3 nights in Harbin - our last whole day is the official opening of the ice festival
HARBIN/SHANGHAI - China East Airlines
3 nights in Shanghai staying Crown Plaza Shanghai
SHAINGHAI/SYD/MEL

While in Shanghai, we will do a Yantzee tour - if anyone can reccommend an operator, it would be appreciated.

Mr!

 

[drron]

Here is some essential reading for Shanghai
Lost in translation: bad Chinese English

 

[2muchplastic]

....Finally, wickapedia says that the average low temperature for Harbin during JAN is -25 and the average low temperature for Beijing is -9.4... Has anyone been to either of these places during JAN and can this be personally denied or confirmed? CIA world factbook state "subartic" in the north - yeah, real handy...

Mr!

:mrgreen:

A friend of mine did Beijing to Xian by train (a few years back) - he had some horror stories regarding the toilets - has anyone travelled by train in China and can anyone confirm toilet horrors onboard?...:shock:

Munitalp, I've personally been to Beijing and Shanghai in Dec/Jan/Feb, and even for an ex-Pom I found it ....ing cold.

I've also done the sleeper Shanghai-Beijing train, and the toilet horror stories are probably slightly over exaggerated. Certainly no worse than using the gents after 30000 footie fans.:mrgreen: