guangzhou

16th – 17th June 2007
[Weather: Clear and Sunny]

Shenzhen Train Station

Our driver left us behind the train station and we had to walk from the back of the building to the front. To find where the departures of trains, search for electronic stations which dispenses train tickets. It’s rather easy to purchase tickets as it has a heat sensing screen.

First, you choose which station you wish to alight. Second, select the time of departure and the number of tickets you wish to purchase. Third, slip in the money for the tickets and out comes the electronic paper tickets! The ticket works like an EZ link card in Singapore. You have to tap the ticket at the barricades and tap when you get out. The only difference is only that the ticket can only be used once. Well, I saw some people topping up their paper tickets at this machine. However, those are for locals and as I was in a hurry, I wasn’t able to check it out. The vicinity is rather new, clean and spacious. There are sufficient signages hence I don’t think one is able to be lost there; unless you don’t read Chinese.

On The Train

To my pleasant surprise, the seats were clean and spacious. There’s a bunk overhead to leave your bulky hand carry luggies. The 50min train ride was really comfortable because I fell asleep. The seats are numbered hence you need not rush in as they open the doors 10mins before the stipulated departure time. However, the trains leave exactly on time. If you are late, you are late; buy another ticket and get on the next train. The toilets are clean yes but a little stinko. If you mind stenches like such, I reckon you get those perfumed tissue and cover your mouth and nose as you do your “business”. Don’t bother bring food in coz they sell food stuff on a pushcart. It’s affordable and edible too. Cold and hot water dispensers are available should like a drink or have cup of instant noodles. Smoking isn’t allowed on the trains. (thank god) Oh, there will be this lady who will walk past with cups and a flask of hot tea in her hand. Be sure to call her as she walks past you to get a free hot cup of tea. Hee~ Anyways, the trip there cost me 80 yuan.

Guangzhou Dong Train Station

Different from the station in Shenzhen. A little messy with people walking in all directions as you hear people speaking in Chinese over your shoulders. Signages are big so not to worry. I’d advise you use the train’s toilet before alighting as its cleaner than the ones at the station. Guangzhou Dong Station is supposedly less messy and complicated than Guangzhou Station so I guess we’re quite blessed and not mugged by some unknown Chinese. Just beware of your surroundings. If you do not speak Cantonese or Chinese, best advice is to keep your gap shut unless necessary. You wouldn’t know who’s eyeing your belongings hence its better not to invite unnecessary attention to yourself. Just turn left and head out to the roads where you’d find a cab to take you wherever you want.

Cabs/Taxis & Buses

We traveled on highways hence the meter kept jumping and jumping! The cabs are rather similar to Shenzhen’s the only difference is that they charge you an additional 1 Yuan for fuel fee. Buses are generally the same compared to Shenzhen. All the drivers on the roads are extremely skilled when driving around bends and speeding which seems effortlessly safe.

Beijing Lu

The place calls out to all shopping freaks! Selling all sort including fakes, apparels, bags, shoes etc… there’s a lot more stuff then I can list. Ever seen how the olden days’ roads look like? Back in those Ming and Song Dynasties? Yup, they actually preserved some parts the olden roads along Beijing Lu and its incredibly interesting to me! Oh! Do try the fruit flavoured ice-cream which cost only 1 Yuan!

7 Days Inn [ http://www.7daysinn.cn/inn.asp?id=8 ]

I was elated to find a cheap hotel like motel. One room per night cost us only 187 Yuan! Tho’ sparsely decorated with furnishing, it’s quite pleasing to find a really comfortable bed, bathroom and TV. We even got an extra pillow for each room! The receptionists at the lobby were friendly as most importantly they spoke English! That’s a bonus! You don’t need to lug your showering items or towel there because it’s been provided for! Also available were toothbrushes, comb, hair dryer for common use and electric flask.

Travelynns

There’s a bus stop [省邮校 ] right outside the hotel. Take Bus 819 to Ti Yu Zhong Xin where you get to the place where you find food and shopping.You’d pass by a building on the right which says SUNING, a U-turn, a tall tower which looks like an inverted U, and along a small road with trees at the side. Alight and get to 体育西站 [MTR] and using the underpass, get to Exit D2 to a shopping mall called正佳广场. There is a really good Shuang Pi Nai shop; 雯信 within 宏Jun广场 which is adjacent to 正佳广场. Shang Xia Jiu (Up down 9) is also near the MTR however, we have to walk a distance.

Shang Xia Jiu (Up down 9)

A shopping area which is more a little complicated then Beijing Lu. Pedestrians walk alongside vehicles and on a dusty road. Shops lined in a untidy order, people shuttling in and out and crossing at their own will. It’s a mess of cars and people. We saw a GEMs mall selling all sorts of beadies, pearls and wad-nots for jewellery. I guess it’s the retail place for GEMs after all. What a great find! Always remember to start at 1/3 of the opening/quoted price . Haggle aggressively (like the Chinese; it may seem uncouth at first…. When in Rome, do what the Romans do!) and you’d be able to bag loads of savings and return home with a smile. I know coz I was grinning from ear to ear. Hee~