Travel: China - Shenzhen, Guangdong

[schweppes]

When u hear stories like this, it’s really worthwhile putting one’s child on the kid’s leash. I don’t care what others think of me. Better be safe than sorry.

[verykiasu2010]

Kidnapped and robbed


A reader shares his traumatic experience in China and warns potential visitors

Letter from Ho Kwok Hoong 05:55 AM Nov 03, 2010

ON OCT 12, I was heading to Shenzhen Airport when I decided to stop at Dongguan for some last-minute shopping.

While there, I was assaulted, robbed and held captive for four hours. I am writing this letter to share my experience with fellow Singaporeans travelling to China.

An elderly woman approached me along a busy street in Changping district to peddle some electronic items. She told me more of her products were kept elsewhere and lured me into a nearby vacant house where a group of men jumped on me and tied me up.

The muggers told me they had also kidnapped another person, a Malaysian, who was in the room adjacent to where I was being held. They were not interested in the few hundred renminbi I had on me but went for my ATM card and demanded my PIN number. I refused and, for the next two hours, they rained more than 30 punches on my head and body.

I came to realise later that it was pointless to resist them as it was not worth risking my life over a $3,000 withdrawal. They released me, and the other victim, two hours later.

Before my release, one of the kidnappers told me their targets were Hong Kongers, Singaporeans and Malaysians. These were the people they believed to be richer and they identified them by the way these nationalities wear a pouch bag.

It dawned on me that it had been a stupid move to have followed the woman into an unknown place.

I made a police report at the Changping police station but was not even given a carbon copy of my report.

Upon safely arriving back in Singapore, I obtained the assistance of the staff at the United Overseas Bank who gave me information on the location of the ATM in China and the time the robbers withdrew money from my account. I was hoping that the ATM surveillance camera had captured the faces of the robbers but to no avail.

For the next 10 days, I tried calling the Chinese investigating officer (IO) in charge of my case but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, as a last resort, I sought the help of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.

When I finally got through to the Chinese IO recently, he told me that such investigations take time and that I have to be patient even though I had provided him with the ATM withdrawal details.

I am still recovering from the injuries I sustained from the punches to my head and body. I urge Singaporeans to take extra care when travelling to China and to stay alert when out in the streets.

http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC101103-0000058/Kidnapped-and-robbed

[tankee]

I had never thought about going Shenzhen, but after reading several posts about how to get there via Hong Kong over at the Hong Kong thread, made me dig out this thread.


Is Shenzhen safe for kids? both in physical security and in hygiene?

Are Happy Valley, Splendid China and Window of the world really that great?

:?

[titank]

Wow seem like quite dangerous to brings kids to Shengzhen, maybe alone as adult is still possible to go.

[MandyMummy]

It’s true. When kids get lost in China, they are usually gone…

I remembered when I brought my ds to ShenZhen, the adults were super stressed from keeping a close eye on him. Brought him to the big bookstore only to end up looking at him more than browsing through the books.
And also, there were a lot of pickpockets there at LuoHu. Take care of your belongings especially your passports.
From my experience and I may be wrong, it’s not worth taking the risk especially with young children, because there weren’t much to see there and you ended up having a stressful holiday.

[verykiasu2010]

tankee:

I had never thought about going Shenzhen, but after reading several posts about how to get there via Hong Kong over at the Hong Kong thread, made me dig out this thread.


Is Shenzhen safe for kids? both in physical security and in hygiene?

Are Happy Valley, Splendid China and Window of the world really that great?

:?

those places are over-rated and over used / visited

IMHO, not worth the hassle, unless say go to 180-holes golf resort .... , yes, 10 courses with a few hotels within the resort

[Linlin]

I came across aunties telling me Shengzhen is very good for shopping. After reading verykiasu posting im shocked about it. Thought this kinda of thing happen in tv show… Guess staying at SG is the best!

[MandyMummy]

Linlin:

I came across aunties telling me Shengzhen is very good for shopping. After reading verykiasu posting im shocked about it. Thought this kinda of thing happen in tv show.. Guess staying at SG is the best!

I guess for adults, shopping is pretty attractive there. Just don't bring young children along.
Also, the sales people at some shopping places are very aggressive to the point that they will follow you around even if you are not interested in buying. There are also some \"black\" shops whereby once you get in there, they will not let you leave without buying anything.
Must be careful. Visit the safer ones and move in groups.

[Linlin]

MandyMummy:

Linlin:

I came across aunties telling me Shengzhen is very good for shopping. After reading verykiasu posting im shocked about it. Thought this kinda of thing happen in tv show.. Guess staying at SG is the best!

I guess for adults, shopping is pretty attractive there. Just don't bring young children along.
Also, the sales people at some shopping places are very aggressive to the point that they will follow you around even if you are not interested in buying. There are also some \"black\" shops whereby once you get in there, they will not let you leave without buying anything.
Must be careful. Visit the safer ones and move in groups.

If travel with agency will it be better?

[MandyMummy]

Linlin:

MandyMummy:

[quote=\"Linlin\"]I came across aunties telling me Shengzhen is very good for shopping. After reading verykiasu posting im shocked about it. Thought this kinda of thing happen in tv show.. Guess staying at SG is the best!

I guess for adults, shopping is pretty attractive there. Just don't bring young children along.
Also, the sales people at some shopping places are very aggressive to the point that they will follow you around even if you are not interested in buying. There are also some \"black\" shops whereby once you get in there, they will not let you leave without buying anything.
Must be careful. Visit the safer ones and move in groups.

If travel with agency will it be better?[/quote]It should be safer, but they will bring you to quite a number of shops to buys things which some people don't like. Also it is very tiring and it eats into sightseeing time.
You need to read the itinerary carefully and ask the travel agents if you suspect a lot of these activities.