中国の旅行・・・

帰りました!!

China was ... very different to anywhere I had ever been. I dont know what I expected of China, but I was in a state of culture-shock. China might be situated next to Japan, but its in a different world.

"YOU ARE IN CHINA NOW! SO YOU'D BETTER BEHAVE YOURSELF OK?!"
Was the nice welcome I got when waiting in passport control. Apparantley someone before me must have said something out of turn. We got the bus to the city and got hassled by men trying to sell us a taxi or hotel as we got off at Beijing Station. They walked along with us, undetered that we were saying no, our hotel was just across the road. We stayed at 'Beijing International City Central Youth Hostel' (quite a mouthful, here), which was so luxurious for the mere 7pounds a night. On the 6th floor, we had a magnificent view of the Henderson Building and Beijing Station. I would totally recommend this hostel to anyone staying in Beijing, although, dont ask the useless 'information' staff for ... information. They give out false information, which cost me and my sister 120pounds.

Beijing is definately a up-and-coming city. Thing is, its not there yet... Our squeeky clean new guide book had out-of-date information in it, no fault of the company who produced it - the city is changing so fast that no guide book can be acurate. We eagerly visited popular attractions to the recommendation of the internet and guide book only to find they had only been completely torn down and all that was left was a lot of smelly rubble and a picture showing us how it might look once completed. (Imagine a road the length of Oxford Street completely turned to rubble... by hand.) Beijing in 10 years time may be a nice place to visit, but not now.

Unfortunately because of the thousands of people coming up to us and saying 'HELLO' and trying to sell us anything from kites, to glow in the dark rollerskates, we had to ignore everyone. This means we werent allowed the opportunity to meet anybody in both Beijing and Shanghai. A shame, I'm sure.

Because of the extent that Beijing was redeveloping, we decided to take an unscheduled week in Shanghai. Shanghai is a much more developed place, which a modern trendy feel. I liked Shanghai the moment I got out of the airport. I couldnt believe that Shanghai has no transport what-so-ever that takes visitors from Hongqiao airport to the city. Stranded like hundreds of other people, we had to take the taxi, which in the end wasnt that expensive and more relaxing!! In China, taxi driver is the job to be in! Both Beijing and Shanghai has limited public transport, so taking a taxi is a must, just be careful to take a licensed one. Its never over 5pounds.

Shanghai Hostel (here) was ... smelly. The whole building smelt. However, the staff were lovely and friendly, as were the visitors, the rooms gorgeous for a hostel and the food amazing!! I cannot recommend this hostel enough for the food!! YUMMY!!

I have a biased view on Shanghai. As soon as I saw the 'BIG ECHO' Karaoke chain, Pika Pika stickers and 'BEARD PAPA' shuucream shops... I knew I was in heaven! Yup, I guess I went to the wrong country, but its nice to have your 'home' comforts... :-) With all the Japanese restaurants around selling set meals for as little as 1pound 50, ... its hard to resist. :-)

Shanghai is serious about TV. Walk along the horribly named 'Century Avenue' to find a huge satelite ... and, you can find TVs everywhere... on boats, as boats floating up the river, on trains, on the platform waiting for a train, on buses, on bus stops, on coaches, in lifts, in cars, on the floor, on buildings, in buildings.... I also loved the little old ladies wandering around China with blue coats on and usually an eye or/and a hand in the bin. Yup, the plastic bottle collectors who seem to magically appear once that final drop has gone into your mouth.

China is a great experience, but one that I'll only want to experience once. I hated the fact that I couldnt escape the 'tourist trails' as when I did it was either rubble or wierd men in cars hooting and driving slow next to us forcing us to turn back. China was missed off the map by the people who invented manners. People barge past you as you try vainly to get off a train or bus and completely seem baffled by the sight of a queue.

I'm glad I've been. But I wont go back.

I'm soon going to be posting more about trip to China, they'll be in the links section, under Photos, then under 3 sections: Beijing, Shanghai & The Great Wall.