About China and Travel Tips

Archive for November, 2009

Cheap travel means you get to go more often, go on longer trips or just save some of your money for other things. Fortunately, it doesn’t mean low-quality travel. If you find a way to get a cheaper plane ticket, for example, you might be flying on the same plane as with the more expensive tickets.

Of course sometimes you can save money by traveling differently, and that’s okay too. Why pay an extra $40 for a hotel if you like the idea of staying in a hostel with visitors from around the world? Why rent a car in countries where good bus and train systems make for cheaper and more interesting trips?

Essentially you can travel cheap in two ways. First, you can find cheaper ways to get the same thing. The other, perhaps more powerful way, is to alter your expectations and plans to create a more interesting trip that is also inexpensive. The tips that follow will help you do both.

1. See if you can book two flights cheaper than one.

My wife and I are thinking about going to Ecuador this year (2007). Checking for our approximate dates, I found that it would cost $950 each round trip from Colorado Springs, or $1,900 total. Then I checked from Colorado Springs to Miami. It would be $215 round trip. From Miami to Guayaquil, Ecuador costs $350 round trip. That makes it just $565 to Ecuador, or $1,130 total – a savings of $770.

Of course, if you are going to do this, you have to find flights that have enough time in-between them. You probably won’t get e refund if you miss the second flight because of a delay on the first. In our case, we have friends near Miami, so we’ll just arrange the flights to be a day or two apart, and go visiting. Even after the cost of renting a car for a couple days we’ll still be hundreds of dollars ahead.

2. Live in a new place for a while.

One way to make a vacation less rushed, cheaper, and in many ways more interesting, is to stop going from hotel to hotel. Why not stay in a place, and even rent a condo or apartment? We did this a few years back in Tucson, Arizona. It was nice to escape winter for a couple months, and it was fun to explore and get to know a new city. Often you can save hundreds of dollars this way, versus paying by the night for hotel rooms.

3. Be an opportunistic traveler.

This is the most valuable of these cheap travel tips. There are so many things to do out there and so many places to see, so why get stuck on just the ones you have already thought of? With a little luck, you might find a more interesting place to go for half the price. With little shopping, you might find a bed and breakfast in whatever country you visit, and pay less for a more interesting experience.

First look for all the possible alternatives that are less expensive. This isn’t about doing something you don’t want to do. But among those cheaper choices there might be a perfect trip for you. Why not find out? To start with, do any of your friends live in interesting places? Visiting friends is a great way to save on travel costs and have a load of fun (with the right friends).

Here’s a good example of being an opportunist. We were in the mountain resort town of Banos, Ecuador, and asked about the cost of taxi ride to some waterfall. It was $15. It was apparently a popular attraction with tourists. We kept that in mind as we wandered around. Then we saw a chiva (an open-sided bus with seating on the roof) go by playing music. We asked about that.

The chiva took us on a tour of the city (I rode on the roof), then up into the mountains for a view of the city from above. Then we watched the volcano Tungurahua erupt and spit out a bit of lava. They served us hot rum drinks (included in the price), and there were fire-juggling entertainers. Passengers had to push the chiva to get it started for the trip back to town. The cost of all this? $3 each. Cheap travel does not mean uninteresting travel.

Budget travel has become a necessity for most people with the cost of gasoline and other consumer products on the rise. But when we start considering when, where, how and what type of vacation to undertake, we sometimes get caught up in the anticipation and excitement of the upcoming trip and let the more important financial side of things slip a little. After all, for most of us, taking a vacation may only happen once a year and for some, even more infrequently, so we tend to indulge and forget about our pocket book a little.

There are many ways to save money, avoid unnecessary cost, ensure you take care of details end up a smart and perceptive traveler. Travel planning is easier that you might think and here are eight great budget travel tips for making your travel dollar go further!

1. Cushion your budget – When considering a trip or planning budget travel, it is important to plan for the unexpected and consider the financial side of things early on. This ensures affordability, liquidity and having the resources to enjoy it to the fullest! Plan for the worst-case financial scenario and prepare for things to cost a little more than you expected. Allow up to 20% increase in cost to be on the safe side of things.

2. Emergency money: Carrying some spare cash somewhere can also be a lifesaver. The rule of thumb seems to be around $50-$100 in small bills. This can be used for incidentals, ground-transportation like cab fare and/or your return home, tips and more.

3. Set your priorities: Set some budget travel spending priorities and criteria in advance, like eating at a special restaurant or attending a concert, even if this means sacrificing a bit on lodgings or visa versa, depending on what is more important to you.

4. Keep an eye on your credit cards: It is extremely easy these days to have access to your financial resources through ATM’s and credit cards. Just remember that it is just as easy to overspend because of it being so readily available. A little discipline will go a long way to protect your financial interest and help you stick to your travel budget.

5. Maximize gas mileage and efficiency: If you’re planning a road trip, make sure that your car has been serviced at least a week before your trip. A well-maintained vehicle will go a long way to ensure carefree driving. If your budget allows, you may consider renting a vehicle to save wear and tear on your own. Small economy cars are better on gas and are much more comfortable than they used to be. Minivans and sport utility vehicles are practical only if you have to transport a large family with a lot of equipment or luggage.

6. Gas fill-ups: For filling up your car en route, avoid pushing to the limit until the gas runs out. Gas will obviously be more expensive when filling up in remote locations. If you miscalculated and the light on the dashboard indicates that you are really in need, opt for filling just half a tank until you reach the next more densely or major populated destination, where gas might be a little cheaper.

7. Pack-a-snack: Bring your own refreshments and snacks. Gas station prices on drinks and snack food are high. Avoid these during a pit stop, if you are counting your budget travel dollars. A cooler packed with lots of cool drinks, water and ice and/or a thermos of coffee or hot water for tea, some fruit, granola bars, or a sandwich, goes a long way to still the hunger and save you money by avoiding all high priced stops en route.

8. Travel necessities: It is advisable to travel with basic necessities, like a cell phone and a first aid kit, since both can prove to be essential in emergencies. Most people have cell phones at their disposal, but in the event that you are not one of them, a prepaid cell phone may be the answer for your trip. The peace of mind it offers is worth the small investment. Cell phones can also save on hefty surcharges and higher long distance rates that hotels and resorts often charge.

Chomping down on Chinese food while watching the 2008 Summer Olympics at Beijing could seem like the ideal way to pay homage to the host country. Some Hakka Chow, Chilli Chicken, Schezwan Fried Rice and Veg Manchurian … fantastic deliciousness. But if you get on that diet, your body will look more like Mahesh Bhatt than Mahesh Bhupathi.

Nutrition analysis of Chinese dishes show that they are extremely high in calorific value, sodium content, high fat content and high in simple carbohydrates (which behave like sugar in your body). Many Chinese dishes are high on soy, which increases sodium content drastically in the food. Excess sodium leads to increase in blood pressure and retention of water, which increases your weight and makes you look bloated and fat.

So, whats a solution? Clearly, not eating Chinese food is a bad solution But you can make healthy choices while ordering Chinese food.

Lets start with everyone’s favourite .. those little steamed eatables called Dim Sum- You think its healthy because its steamed. But Dim Sum is primarily made of maida (refined flour), which causes your blood sugar to spike (watch out diabetics) and promotes fat storage. For starters, go for stuff that’s stir fried, chicken satay, flavored veggies, or a clear soup with veggies and/or meat in it. Or you can skip the starters and go for the main course

The main course is like a mine field of bad health bombs. Stir Fried dishes are good, since they are relatively low on sodium, are cooked fast and in lesser oil (since its not deep fried). Stay away from that Manchurian. First its wrapped in maida (refined flour), then its deep fried. Then its soaked in a high sodium sauce. Is there a better way to spell HEALTH D-I-S-A-S-T-E-R. Basically, stay away from anything that’s served as dough wrapped balls in sauce. All sauces, from Black Bean to Sweet and Sour are drowning in sodium. And some of them have loads of sugar added, like Sweet and Sour or Garlic.

For your starch options, there’s another mine field. The noodles are all made from refined flour and then they are soaked in oil and flavouring (including soy)- you know what that does, so stay away from it. The fried rice is a slightly better option, since its rice based, but again, lots of oil and soy, since rice soaks both of them fast! The best option is steamed rice. Besides, the relatively lower calories, it reduces your sodium intake. Also, it gives you a chance to really taste the flavour of the dishes. Try jasmine rice, it smells fantastic.

In dessert, I’m yet to find a true Chinese dessert. All the standard Indian versions of Chinese dessert are pretty unhealthy- darsaan (fried dough with sugar), sugar coated walnuts, fried ice-cream. Do I even need to get into why these aren’t good choices. Chinese joints aren’t known for their chocolate based delicacies. Stay off it, even its on the menu

Our advice, go for the fresh fruits for a light and a sweet finish. Don’t forget to get some of that green tea or jasmine tea. You know, green tea is good for you.

It takes some questioning the wait staff, to solve the health mystery of a new dish. But don’t be shy – eat this way while watching the Olympics and you’ll be 1 step closer to looking like Michael Phelps. Have you seen the 60 pack he’s got?

This article is about the China vacations and you can find some useful information in it if you are planning your China vacations now.

1. How to get in?
There are 2 ways to get in: (1). From the south of Mount Huang. (2). From the east of Mount Huang.
(1). You will see a lot of scenery spots if you visit Mount Huang this way. The major attractions are: Ciguangge, Banshan Temple, Yupinfeng, Tiandufeng, Lianhuafeng, Tianhai Hotel, Guangmingding, Feilaishi, Xihai Hotel, Paiyunting, Xihai Valley, Danxiafeng, Beihai Hotel, Lion feng, Shixin feng, Baieling, Yungu Temple. This trip is not an easy one.
(2). This route is easier than the first one.  You will not see many scenery spots when climbing the Mount Huang but some scenery spots will be available when you get down. They are Fenghuangyuan, Jiulongpu, Feicuigu. I like the Feicuigu. It is also called Valentine Valley(Qingrengu).
Generally, if you wanna see the sunrise in Mount Huang, you will need to stay in a hotel of Mount Huang. In this case, the first route will be a good choice for you.
If you don’t wanna see the sunrise here, the second route will be better for you.( You can find more info about China vacations and Lhasa travel at Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM )

2. Hotels in Mount Huang:
The hotels in Mount Huang is not bad (about 500 rmb for a two beds room, 140 rmb for a bed in a five beds room). If you wanna see the sunrise in Mount Huang, the Tianhai Hotel is a very good choice for you. It is very close to the Guangmingding(about 10 minutes’ walk). If you wanna see the Yunhai (cloud sea), the Beihai Hotel or Shilin Hotel will be good for you. They are about 20 minutes’ walk from Beihai(the place to see the Yunhai).
There is a small town named Tangkou. It is near the Mount Huang and you can choose a hotel here if you don’t wanna stay in the hotels of Mount Huang. The hotels in Tangkou are much cheaper than the ones in Mount Huang (only 150 rmb for a 2 beds room).

3. Eat in Mount Huang:
You can find lots of delicious local food here(Choujie fish, Maofeng fish, Mount Huang Yijue, Shicai, Sunganshaorou, Chou Tofu). I will recommend a restuarant named Huizhoumeishi. It is in the Tangkou town. The food are delicious and their services are not bad. (tel: 3388276, 13955958064, the last name of the restaurant owner is Jiang). I once had a lunch in this place and we get 30% off and the cost is about 20 rmb for a person ( pretty cheap,   ). If you wanna eat in the restuarants in Mount Huang, it is much more expensive. A bottle of water will cost you 15 rmb. By the way, you can try some local food in the farmers’ home. It is not expensive. I recommend this one: Guoliang Hu, tel: 0559-5154189.

4. Some tips for your Mount Huang travel:
The ticket price of the Mount Huang (main gate) is 131 rmb(including the insurance). The one way ropeway costs 65 rmb for a person( you can get a 50% off if you have a student ID). For the scenery spots in Mount Huang: Fenghuangyuan costs 30 rmb. Jiulong waterfall costs 30 rmb. Feicuigu costs 42 rmb. Xidi costs 55 rmb.

Copyright belongs to Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM .  You can find more information about lhasa travel,beijing flights and china vacations from our web site.
NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article’s source URL Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.

This article is about the Lhasa travel and you can find some useful information in it if you are planning your Lhasa travel now.

The Lhasa railway station is located in the south west of Lhasa. It is 20 kilometers far away from the Potala Palace and its altitude is 3600 meters. Now the road from the Lhasa railway station to the downtown of Lhasa is much better than it used to be.

There is a 100 thousand square meters’ square in the north of the Lhasa railway station.  The Lhasa railway station is built near a mountain and its decoration is in a traditional Tibetan style(mainly with 3 colors: white,red and yellow). It occupies 23.6 thousand square meters and is 22.9 meters high.

Entering the Lhasa railway station, you will find youself in an ancient Tibetan palace. The hall is mainly decorated in red. 8 pillars are a very special feature of this hall. They are in a traditional Tibetan style and is fireproof because of some specail chemical disposal. In the south east of the hall, there are three VIP waiting rooms and one soft seat waiting room. The booking office is in the west of the hall. You can buy the tickets for the train, plane and bus there. There are 10 service windows in the booking office. A big LED screen is used to show all kinds of travel information to the tourists.(You can find more information about Lhasa travel and China vacations at Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM)

In the second floor of the Lhasa railway station, you can find a small shopping center(fast food restaurant, cafes, small shops, etc). The regular waiting rooms is In the south of the second floor. It occupies 1760 square meters.(800 square meters for the soft seat waiting room and 700 square meters for the VIP waiting room)

There is also a small clinic in the Lhasa railway station. It is responsible for providing basic medical cares to the travellers.(altitude sickness,etc)

The Lhasa railway station has 6 platforms. 2 of them are backup platforms. 10 trains can enter the station synchronously. The total capacity of Lhasa railway station is 2700 travellers a day.

Copyright belongs to Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM .  You can find more information about lhasa travel, tibet travel, china vacations from our web site.
NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article’s source URL Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.