Travel: China - Shanghai

[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:

[annkarin72]

Hi,


Planning to go shanghai in nov for 5 days. we have 5 of us (3A 2C). Never been to shanghai.

Any recommendations of place to stay? Or which area should I check to stay? And what and where to visit in shanghai?

Appreciate any replies.


Thanks n best regards
Karin

[jetsetter]

annkarin72:

Hi,


Planning to go shanghai in nov for 5 days. we have 5 of us (3A 2C). Never been to shanghai.

Any recommendations of place to stay? Or which area should I check to stay? And what and where to visit in shanghai?

Appreciate any replies.


Thanks n best regards
Karin

What's ur budget?
Areas of interest?
All 5 days in Shanghai only and no day trips to Zhou Zhuang?

[hquek]

Hi Karin,


Shanghai is extremely easy to navigate via taxis/subways. Main shopping street in Nanjing E Road. Family and I went joined day tours to Hangzhou, Suzhou and some water town - sign up at those tourist kiosks along that stretch (there are a lot). Figure the tours all about the same. Please note that the tour fees are negotiable and you should try to book early cos the seats run out. These tours are wayyy cheaper than what you get from hotels.

During the tour, there should be a guide that tag along - instructions all in chinese. You can opt to take lunch with the group (usually some chinese restaurant whose food nothing to shout about). We opted out of the lunches and brought along bread or just bought off vendors we saw. no tipping required. Believe they will also bring you to tourist traps but it's entirely ok not to buy, there is no pressure. These tours cater mainly to the prcs but they are generally alright.

There is a wildlife reserve that is wayyy out of Shanghai city. http://en.shwzoo.com/ If you like wildlife, do go for it. we took the mrt to the nearest possible stop and then transfer to public bus. It was about 2 hour journey. There are probably day tours and the cost reflects how far it is and how expensive those entrance tickets are. Reason why we went was to see liger (they have 1 or maybe 2 - but Mr Liger was absent when we reached). Kindly note that the chinese standard of animal rights is not exactly high and we couldn't watch a couple of those animal performances. the reserve is very very big so you may have to cater for 3/4 of a day.

[annkarin72]

Hi jetsetter,


thanks for reply.

actually really dont know whats there. Dont mind to go zhou zhuang.
any others places of interest. And for hotel, which area to stay like near shopping, places of interest.

thanks n best regards
karin


thanks

[hquek]

FYI only, I stayed at Modena Putuo - mainly because it was cheap, quite near to mrt (couple of steps away), and it’s loft concept…kids loved scrambling up and down the steps. After the expo, there are a lot of affordable hotels in Shanghai so you should have no lack. Booking.com, tripadvisor should have a lot of recommendations based on your requirements and budget.


(Seeing Jetsetter’s posting…yah, the water town we visited was Zhou Zhuang…very nice place)

Have a good time.