Me Time!

[floppy]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1933540\" time=\"1567562488\" user_id=\"43981:

floppy\" post_id=\"1933538\" time=\"1567561772\" user_id=\"97579:

[quote=Estéema post_id=1933523 time=1567558804 user_id=66413]

Winter season round the corner?

Still far from winter. VERY pleasant weather and a fantastic time to visit both HGH and XMN.

Unfortunately, ‘very fantastic’ also mean it’s the peak period, especially National Day aka Golden Week which runs from 1 October to 7 October. You WILL want to avoid that week AT ALL COSTS!

There are the usual cheap flights from the budget carriers or you can consider the Chinese carriers like MF for XMN (which I feel offer a better deal compared to the budget carriers).

Between the two cities, I much prefer HGH.

like many places so modern already hor..

floppy, you have any idea of driving say from Hangzhou to Beijing or GZ? It is not a good idea?[/quote]Both cities are modern, but they have also taken steps to make sure that they are not so modern, especially in and around the sights.

E.g. 西湖, 雷峰塔 and 灵隐寺 in HGH still retains much of their charm. “水光潋滟晴方好，山色空蒙雨亦奇。欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜。” is as true today as it was when 苏东坡 penned it hundreds of years ago. Meanwhile, 鼓浪屿 in XMN is pedestrian only, which goes a long way in protecting the world heritage site.

I have done some driving in CN but not that far a distance in CN, mainly within cities. TBH, I won’t want to drive with HGH to PEK - I rather take the train. High speed train (> 200km/h) will take you more than 5 hrs already! To Guangzhou is more than 6 hrs.

[MrsKiasu]

floppy\" post_id=\"1933547\" time=\"1567564531\" user_id=\"97579:

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1933540\" time=\"1567562488\" user_id=\"43981:

[quote=floppy post_id=1933538 time=1567561772 user_id=97579]

Still far from winter. VERY pleasant weather and a fantastic time to visit both HGH and XMN.

Unfortunately, ‘very fantastic’ also mean it’s the peak period, especially National Day aka Golden Week which runs from 1 October to 7 October. You WILL want to avoid that week AT ALL COSTS!

There are the usual cheap flights from the budget carriers or you can consider the Chinese carriers like MF for XMN (which I feel offer a better deal compared to the budget carriers).

Between the two cities, I much prefer HGH.

like many places so modern already hor..

floppy, you have any idea of driving say from Hangzhou to Beijing or GZ? It is not a good idea?

Both cities are modern, but they have also taken steps to make sure that they are not so modern, especially in and around the sights.

E.g. 西湖, 雷峰塔 and 灵隐寺 in HGH still retains much of their charm. “水光潋滟晴方好，山色空蒙雨亦奇。欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜。” is as true today as it was when 苏东坡 penned it hundreds of years ago. Meanwhile, 鼓浪屿 in XMN is pedestrian only, which goes a long way in protecting the world heritage site.

I have done some driving in CN but not that far a distance in CN, mainly within cities. TBH, I won’t want to drive with HGH to PEK - I rather take the train. High speed train (> 200km/h) will take you more than 5 hrs already! To Guangzhou is more than 6 hrs.[/quote]thanks floppy.

[doodbug]

There are many interesting day trips to take from Hangzhou; high speed rail (G or D trains I think) bring you to Shanghai or Suzhou easily. Or just hire a driver to visit a (historical) watertown.


I went to Guangzhou during Golden Week last year - it wasn’t crowded at all! I suppose Guangzhou has a lot of workers from other parts of China; many returned home during Golden week. No sights in GZ though, it’s a food and wholesale/trade show city.

I would avoid visiting China (tourist sites especially) during Golden Week.

[Estéema]

floppy\" post_id=\"1933538\" time=\"1567561772\" user_id=\"97579:

Estéema\" post_id=\"1933523\" time=\"1567558804\" user_id=\"66413:

[quote=slmkhoo post_id=1933515 time=1567557100 user_id=28674]We're thinking of taking a weekend away in October, to eastern China, and somewhere we haven't been before. Considering Hangzhou or Xiamen. Any tips about cheap flights, decent hotels, things to see? It will be only be 3 nights, so we don't want to do too much.

Winter season round the corner?

Still far from winter. VERY pleasant weather and a fantastic time to visit both HGH and XMN.

Unfortunately, ‘very fantastic’ also mean it’s the peak period, especially National Day aka Golden Week which runs from 1 October to 7 October. You WILL want to avoid that week AT ALL COSTS!

There are the usual cheap flights from the budget carriers or you can consider the Chinese carriers like MF for XMN (which I feel offer a better deal compared to the budget carriers).

Between the two cities, I much prefer HGH. “上有天堂，下有苏杭” 绝不是浪得虚名.[/quote]Oh, Hangzhou! Love the sights & good. I can sit all night at those lovely cafes near 西湖. Very modern & happening.

[sharonkhoo]

Definitely not during the Golden Week! I lived in China for several years, so I know to avoid that week. OK, sounds good - we’ll look at around for tickets and hotels over the next few days. My husband is having a busy period up to end-Sep, and another busy period coming up from end-Oct, so he’s suggested we take a short break in between. Must get used to holidaying without kids.


I’ve looked at photos of Hangzhou and Suzhou and also know that saying. Xiamen also sounds nice, and I haven’t been to any of those places. We’ll probably decide based on airfares and hotels.

[Estéema]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1933559\" time=\"1567568048\" user_id=\"28674:

Definitely not during the Golden Week! I lived in China for several years, so I know to avoid that week. OK, sounds good - we'll look at around for tickets and hotels over the next few days. My husband is having a busy period up to end-Sep, and another busy period coming up from end-Oct, so he's suggested we take a short break in between. Must get used to holidaying without kids.

I've looked at photos of Hangzhou and Suzhou and also know that saying. Xiamen also sounds nice, and I haven't been to any of those places. We'll probably decide based on airfares and hotels.

@ slmkhoo Do hv a great holiday with yr DH :celebrate:

[.010675zeit]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1933559\" time=\"1567568048\" user_id=\"28674:

Definitely not during the Golden Week! I lived in China for several years, so I know to avoid that week. OK, sounds good - we'll look at around for tickets and hotels over the next few days. My husband is having a busy period up to end-Sep, and another busy period coming up from end-Oct, so he's suggested we take a short break in between. Must get used to holidaying without kids.

I've looked at photos of Hangzhou and Suzhou and also know that saying. Xiamen also sounds nice, and I haven't been to any of those places. We'll probably decide based on airfares and hotels.

Am surprised you didn't take a weekend trip to these cities during your posting there for 'several years'!
For a 3 day break, Xiamen is good. I only spent 3 days in Xiamen. My favourites were: Gulangyu Island (must take vehicular ferry across) which is now a UNESCO WHS, Jimei District (Tan Kah Kee's former residence and Xiamen Uni which he founded), Zhongshan Pedestrian Street, Hulishan Cannon Fort and Overseas Chinese Musuem. Tried the oyster omelette but it sucked. Different from Singapore's version.

There's of course the famous Wuyi Mountain and Nanputuo Temple which I wasn't interested. If you're Hakka, you might want to extend your stay to visit the famous circular Earth Buildings.

If more days, then you can go to Hangzhou, Suzhou as there are many old towns in that region.

[MyPillow]

floppy\" post_id=\"1933547\" time=\"1567564531\" user_id=\"97579:

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1933540\" time=\"1567562488\" user_id=\"43981:

Both cities are modern, but they have also taken steps to make sure that they are not so modern, especially in and around the sights.

E.g. 西湖, 雷峰塔 and 灵隐寺 in HGH still retains much of their charm. “水光潋滟晴方好，山色空蒙雨亦奇。欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜。” is as true today as it was when 苏东坡 penned it hundreds of years ago. Meanwhile, 鼓浪屿 in XMN is pedestrian only, which goes a long way in protecting the world heritage site.

I have done some driving in CN but not that far a distance in CN, mainly within cities. TBH, I won’t want to drive with HGH to PEK - I rather take the train. High speed train (> 200km/h) will take you more than 5 hrs already! To Guangzhou is more than 6 hrs.

thanks floppy.

mrsks, nice to bring the girls around when u there... i think yours should be able to appreciate more
i m thankful ds sch brought him there & he enjoyed better with sch mates . i din go there yet -only been to shenzhen, zhuhai-hahhah... in my list one day - beijing, zhangjiajie, guilin,sz,hz - dh biz trip to sh but dun fancy so never think to vacation there- next time la, when i no need bring kids -can go anytime like slmkhoo

[MrsKiasu]

MyPillow\" post_id=\"1933578\" time=\"1567571377\" user_id=\"70594:

floppy\" post_id=\"1933547\" time=\"1567564531\" user_id=\"97579:

[quote=MrsKiasu post_id=1933540 time=1567562488 user_id=43981]

Both cities are modern, but they have also taken steps to make sure that they are not so modern, especially in and around the sights.

E.g. 西湖, 雷峰塔 and 灵隐寺 in HGH still retains much of their charm. “水光潋滟晴方好，山色空蒙雨亦奇。欲把西湖比西子，淡妆浓抹总相宜。” is as true today as it was when 苏东坡 penned it hundreds of years ago. Meanwhile, 鼓浪屿 in XMN is pedestrian only, which goes a long way in protecting the world heritage site.

I have done some driving in CN but not that far a distance in CN, mainly within cities. TBH, I won’t want to drive with HGH to PEK - I rather take the train. High speed train (> 200km/h) will take you more than 5 hrs already! To Guangzhou is more than 6 hrs.

thanks floppy.

mrsks, nice to bring the girls around when u there... i think yours should be able to appreciate more
i m thankful ds sch brought him there & he enjoyed better with sch mates . i din go there yet -only been to shenzhen, zhuhai-hahhah... in my list one day - beijing, zhangjiajie, guilin,sz,hz - dh biz trip to sh but dun fancy so never think to vacation there- next time la, when i no need bring kids -can go anytime like slmkhoo[/quote]going there on own like so difficult to see those nice scenery de..only see modern buildings
Beijing went many years ago, a nice place or maybe we follow tour then so know where to go? I need to apply visa this wk..

[lee_yl]

Do we still need to give Teachers’ Day presents since both kids already in sec sch …