Travel: China - Shanghai

[Dnls_mum]

fatmama75:

Hi everyone


So far this is what I planned.

8Dec - arrive in Shanghai
9Dec - Suzhou
10Dec - Wuzhen, Tongli
11Dec - Hangzhou
12Dec - Hangzhou
13Dec - Return to Shanghai
18Dec - Depart Shanghai

Does anyone have recommendations for a private driver to fetch me at Suzhou on 10Dec to Tongli and from Tongli to Hangzhou on 11Dec?

My husband isnt comfortable about taking buses between these 3 places. Or is there any other alternatives?

Thanks...Kelly

Wuzhen is quite a drive from hangzhou, so not sure if it's a gd idea to drive there fm Suzhou.

[seaglass]

fatmama75:

Hi seaglass


I booked a Minsu Triple Room A at Wuzhen Guesthouse. It has very good reviews in Tripadvisor. Yes I like to spend 1 night on this town before traveling to Hangzhou.

Thanks so much! The reviews & pictures of the guesthouse certainly look inviting! I must try to work it into my itinerary somewhere.. hehe..

[seaglass]

jetsetter:

Hi Seaglass

You can check out ctrip.com (China's tripadvisor) for photos, location and locals' reviews. I'm not sure if you're looking at 客栈、 宅院 or 弄堂, but you can take your pick at ctrip. I just did a quick search could already see a few that appear very nice. Others look very tacky to me...LOL.

http://hotels.ctrip.com/hotel/97558.html?startdate=2013-11-08&depdate=2013-11-10&allianceid=4906&sid=130838&ouid=000401app-R&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=&isctrip=

http://www.jytkz.com/

http://hotels.ctrip.com/hotel/48919.html

Thanks JetsetterMM for the useful links!
Yes i'm looking for the traditional style house (客栈) kind.. in fact I was already considering the 同里 敬仪堂.. what a coincidence..

The other one I'm seriously eyeing is the 正福草堂

Tough decisions!!

ps. do you have any problems with using the Chinese c-trip? They kept asking for a China handphone number but I dun have one, so I always got stuck on that page and can't proceed to confirm my booking.. Thanks in advance!!

[seaglass]

Dnls_mum:

Wuzhen Xizha has nice boutique hotels. The place is beautiful at nite so worth staying overnight.

Thanks Dnls_mum!!

Yes I've been to WuZhen for a day trip.. and since then have always wanted to go back to stay for one or two days to really get a feel of the 江南小镇atmosphere.. :love:

[jetsetter]

seaglass:

jetsetter:

Hi Seaglass

You can check out ctrip.com (China's tripadvisor) for photos, location and locals' reviews. I'm not sure if you're looking at 客栈、 宅院 or 弄堂, but you can take your pick at ctrip. I just did a quick search could already see a few that appear very nice. Others look very tacky to me...LOL.

http://hotels.ctrip.com/hotel/97558.html?startdate=2013-11-08&depdate=2013-11-10&allianceid=4906&sid=130838&ouid=000401app-R&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=&isctrip=

http://www.jytkz.com/

http://hotels.ctrip.com/hotel/48919.html

Thanks JetsetterMM for the useful links!
Yes i'm looking for the traditional style house (客栈) kind.. in fact I was already considering the 同里 敬仪堂.. what a coincidence.. (

The other one I'm seriously eyeing is the 正福草堂

Tough decisions!!

ps. do you have any problems with using the Chinese c-trip? They kept asking for a China handphone number but I dun have one, so I always got stuck on that page and can't proceed to confirm my booking.. Thanks in advance!!

I've not booked ctrip from Singapore! Usually my DH books for us cos he has a ctrip account. Needless to say, he has a China mobile as well as local bank account:)

I believe they do accept Paypal and overseas credit card if you provide the details. I'm also baffled by this, cos it's supposed to be listed so why still need China mobile no.... :?

You can try agoda. They have some 客栈 in their listing too... Ctrip is good cos you can read Chinese domestic tourists' reviews!

[seaglass]

jetsetter:

I've not booked ctrip from Singapore! Usually my DH books for us cos he has a ctrip account. Needless to say, he has a China mobile as well as local bank account:)

I believe they do accept Paypal and overseas credit card if you provide the details. I'm also baffled by this, cos it's supposed to be listed so why still need China mobile no.... :?

Thanks for the reply, jetsetter! I have made one reservation with the English version of c-trip and had no issue. The problem started when I tried to book one of the small watertown 客栈 that does not have an English listed name - ie, it's listed under the Chinese c-trip but not the English one. And in the Chinese c-trip webpage they always request a China handphone number..

It's ok, I think i'll call the c-trip hotline and ask them about it directly.. thanks much!

[jetsetter]

when you are going there? are your kids going too? Am not sure how the heating and WC system is in such ancient town guesthouses! Feedback to us


Hope you'll return with more 苏浙 facts for our 填字游戏！

[seaglass]

jetsetter:

when you are going there? are your kids going too? Am not sure how the heating and WC system is in such ancient town guesthouses! Feedback to us


Hope you'll return with more 苏浙 facts for our 填字游戏！

Going in late November, the kids too..
Yep, hope it won't be too cold for us, hehe..

[flametree]

Hi there,


Anyone knows if its safe for a lone female traveler to catch a cab from Shanghai Pudong international airport to 清浦区which is like 1-1.5 hrs ride away？Ir is it better to try to use the subway? Thanks!

[CarrotTree]

flametree:

Hi there,


Anyone knows if its safe for a lone female traveler to catch a cab from Shanghai Pudong international airport to 清浦区which is like 1-1.5 hrs ride away？Ir is it better to try to use the subway? Thanks!

Heard the air quality in Shanghai is quite bad now. Anyone just came back from this place and can provide any update ?

:thankyou: