So.. before we take into consideration as to how many days.. we must consider what kind of trip would you like to have.   Do you want an amazing race adventure or a light and easy trip?   When you’ve decided if you want to kill or relax yourself, decide how many days would you like to stay in the city.  3, 4 or 5 days?

In any case, here’s a 3 day itinerary for you.  When I say 3 days, that’s 3 whole days so make the necessary adjustments.

Day 1   -    Wake up early in the morning and go to the nearest street corner to eat some “Jian Bing”.  That’s a Chinese pancake.   If that won’t wake you up, head to the nearest park and join the morning exercises of the old biddies.  For places to see, head to Temple of Heaven and start from the south gate.  Buy the all access pass for RMB 35.   Allot 2-3 hours there and exit the east gate for the subway line.  After lunch, hop on the subway and proceed to the Olympic Park.  The home of the 2008 Olympics, you’ll get a chance to see the Bird’s Nest, Water Cube, National Indoor Stadium and the NBC Tower.  You can check the inside of the Bird’s Nest for RMB 50.   Allot 2 hours there and be trigger happy especially on a clear, blue sky day.   Take the subway again and get off at Tuanjiehu station, eat some Peking Duck at Da Dong Roast Duck Restaurant for dinner.

Day 2 – Rise and shine early in the morning and head to Qianmen Street to catch a tour bus to the Great Wall – Badaling section.  If you don’t want to mingle with the throng of people, hire a car for RMB 450 (2-4 ppl) or RMB 650 (6-8 ppl) and head to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall.   For car hires, you can contact our friendly local guy Mr. Wang Dong @ 13311332360.  Get your Chinese friend to tell him where you want to go and be dropped off.  You can also get Kung Fu and Acrobat show tickets from him at a discounted price.   Allot 3 hours @ Mutianyu wall.  I suggest take the cable car going up for RMB 40 plus entrance fee of RMB 35 then walk on the wall till you reach the toboggan area and toboggan down for RMB 40.  After your hike, grab some lunch at The Roadhouse at Mutianyu(大路馆儿).   In the afternoon, have yourself dropped off at the Summer Palace (颐和园). You can either grab the all access pass of RMB 60 or the regular entrance fee of RMB 30.  In any case, the must see places inside are Suzhou Street, Seventeen Arch Bridge, Tower of Buddhist Fragrance, East Gate and Marble Boat.  If you can do all of these in the whole afternoon, you’re a fast walker.   In the evening, grab some dumplings and fried rice at Din Tai Fung.

Day 3 – By now, you’re so tired after the gruelling day before.  Today, it will be filled with walking again!   Take the subway and get off at Tiananmen West.  Get some photo ops outside “The Egg” or the National Center of Performing Arts.   Afterwards, take a cab and get off at Jingshan Park.  Climb up the hill to get a bird’s eye view of the Forbidden City.  After getting a glimpse of what’s ahead of you, walk down and head towards the north gate of the Forbidden City.  Stroll around the home of the emperors (RMB 60) and check the clock museum (RMB10).  Audio guides are RMB 40 for a history of the place.  Exit the south gate and you’ll get the chance to see Tiananmen Square.  By the way, once you exit, have a photo of yourself with my man “Mao”.   Cross the street to reach Tiananmen Square and have a photo of yourself outside Mao’s maosoleum, Hall of the People and the Museum of National History.  Your day is not yet over as you take the subway to Hujialou Station to watch the 715pm Acrobat Show at Chaoyang Theatre.

Still up to it??  Just writing it makes me tired as that itinerary is really tiring.  You don’t even have time to shop and go out and enjoy the nightlife!  So.. better make it to 4 or 5 days.  If you have 4 days, your itinerary will be something like this.

• Day 1  -  Temple of Heaven and Olympic Park
• Day 2  -  Great Wall and shopping at Hongqiao Market or Yashow Market
• Day 3 -   Summer Palace and Acrobat Show
• Day 4 -   “The Egg”, Jingshan Park, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Qianmen Street

Still a bit tiring but it’s better than combining the Great Wall and Summer Palace in one day which will tire your legs out.   What are you waiting for?  Pack your bags and visit Beijing.  Don’t forget your visa as most countries are required to have one before arriving the airport.

If you want a 5 day itinerary or longer, let me know and I’ll make one up for you.  If you want any other information about Beijing, send me a note or write your comments.

Happy Travels!

Another headline on CNN was music piracy.  In China, where everything can be copied and intellectual property rights are difficult to protect, Google China in cooperation with major music labels offer free downloads on Google.  Their aim is to beat Baidu on it’s huge share of the internet search engine market.

When I found out about it, I tried it this afternoon downloading my favorite Chinese and English songs.  They don’t have a very wide selection as yet but they’re aiming for 1 million songs before the year ends.  The search engine is in Chinese but it’s easy to navigate even though you’re not a Chinese reader.

Here’s how to use Google Music:

• Go to http://www.google.cn
• Click the “音乐” icon.  That’s the 5th one from the left.   Then, it will open a new window
• On the search field, type your favorite artist.

Happy Music Downloads!  It’s Free and Legal!

There are several ways to reach this city, you can plane or train it from Beijing.  If you plan to fly, you have two airports to choose from: Hongqiao and Pudong.  These two airports are located at the opposite sides of the city.  Hongqiao is mainly domestic and is located west of the city.  Pudong airport which has two terminals serves mostly the international riding public is located east of the city.   To train it, there are two stations : Shanghai Main and Shanghai South.  To check the train schedule and prices, browse through my train guide here.  For flight information, you can try www.ctrip.com or www.elong.com.

Shanghai has a pretty good subway system almost similar to Paris.  Subway fare ranges from RMB 3-6 depending on the distance.  The maglev train or magnetic levitation train shuttles passengers heading to and from Pudong airport at a top speed of 431 km/hr.  Fare costs RMB 50 one-way or RMB 40 for passengers with flight tickets and RMB 80 for roundtrip.  Taxis flag down rate is RMB 11 between 6am to 11pm and RMB 14 between 11pm to 6am.

Top 5 sights:

1.  The Bund (外滩) – A stretch of road overlooking the Huangpu river which hosts buildings that were built in the early 1900s.  It’s pretty nice at night as they light up the stretch of building and gives you a good view of the Pearl TV Tower and the Lujiazui area buildings.  During daytime, if you can enter the buildings and get some stolen shots, make sure you go inside HSBC bank and look up.  However, when we went there, construction was ongoing on the street in front of the Bund.  Nearest subway stop is East Nanjing Road.

2.  Pearl TV Tower (东方明珠塔) – located at Pudong district and is the tallest tower in Asia.  It is 468m high and was completed in 1995.  It has 11 spheres big and small supported by three columns.  It hosts fifteen observatory levels, revolving restaurant, exhibition facilities, shopping mall and a 20 room hotel.  Nearest subway stop is Lujiazui.

3.  Xintiandi (新天地) – is an urban tourist attraction located south of Huaihai Middle Road.  It is divided into two blocks and the architecture reminds me of Europe.  The atmosphere here is relaxing and chic.  Alfresco dining is the norm even during the winter months.  This is a place to go if you want to forget yourself that you’re in China (hehehe!).  Nearest subway stop: South Huangpi Road (Huangpi Nan Lu).

4.  Yu Garden (豫园) - is located in Shanghai’s Old City and houses a market.  Every time I visit this place, it’s packed with people.  There are lots of shops everywhere from tea, food, clothes, souvenirs and jewelry.  The place screams old but painted new.  I didn’t get to enjoy it much due to the throng of people.  Probably in a good day, you will enjoy strolling from shop to shop and enjoy the scenery.

5.  Nanjing Road – it’s a long stretch of road filled with shops and restaurants.  It’s the pedestrian street of Shanghai where no cars are allowed.  If you plan to shop, better head there late in the morning or afternoon.  However, if you’re a tourist, best time to visit this place is at night when the lights are all aglow.  It’s quite near the Bund so you could do a day of both.

Other recommended places to go would be:

• Shanghai Aquarium – located beside the Pearl TV Tower is home to the longest tunnel travellator.  Ticket cost RMB 120 and it’s worth going to if you have kids or like sea animals.
• Urban Planning Museum – located at People’s Square gives you a minature version of Shanghai.  Locals say it’s quite a good museum but I haven’t been inside to comment.
• People’s Square – a smaller version of New York’s central park located at the heart of Huangpu District.  Underground is the main hub of the subway.

Food:

Shanghai is known for their Xiao Long Bao or steamed dumplings filled with soup.  The trick to eat this is either to let it cool a bit or bite a small piece of the bun, drink the soup and eat everything.  It’s a good takeaway food for those on the go.  I can’t point you to the best one but I enjoyed the one at Din Tai Fung.

I think two days is enough for this city for sightseeing.  Nightlife is quite good but the price is higher than Beijing.  Pictures to follow.  Happy travels!

Unlike Beijing tumblers, Shanghai have box sets perfect for gifts.  I was lucky enough to purchase a Shanghai box set and a Zhejiang box set.  Each box set costs RMB 388 (Ouch!).   What I like about it is, some of the tumbler designs are transparent and can only be purchased in a set.  The Shanghai box set is composed of Shanghai, Xintiandi and Yuyuan.  The Zhejiang box set is composed of Ningbo, Shaoxing and Hangzhou.  Check out the pictures of these sets.

Shanghai Box Set (Shanghai, Xintiandi, Yuyuan):

Zhejiang Box Set:  (Hangzhou, Shaoxing, Ningbo)

Beside the box set, I also purchased the global Shanghai edition for another collector.  The lid is red and the picture is a flower.  It’s a disappointment compared to the ones on the box set.   You can also purchase individually the Xintiandi tumbler and Yuyuan tumbler.  However, they’re not transparent as in the box set.

Well, that chronicles my Shanghai Starbucks adventure.  Oh yeah.. they don’t give out coupons anymore.  Apparently, some people sell their coupons online that Starbucks was forced to put a sign on their stores informing the public that they don’t sell Starbucks coupons.

Photo credit: http://jackilin.pixnet.net/

In any case, I only got the chance to visit this place last month after church.  It wasn’t full as it’s a Sunday and to make up for their lack in bust size, they perform a 30 second dance routine almost every half an hour.  Service was great and the place is filled with flat screen TV tuned in to different sports channel.

In China, Hooters has 4 branches.  Two in Shanghai, one in Beijing and one in Chengdu.  In Beijing, to encourage more people to visit their place, they have promotions almost daily.  Monday night from 5-7pm, food is 50% off excluding seafood, set meal and platter (minimum spending over RMB 60 per person after discount).  Tuesday night is Ladies night and after 630pm all cocktails are only RMB 23 for ladies.  Wednesday night is Wing night.  Guests dining after 6pm who orders 1 big Budweiser Big Daddy gets 10 wings free (naked only).  No doggie bags and one order per person only.

Monday to Friday from 3pm to 6pm is Happy hour where all drinks are buy one and get 2nd one for free (glass only).  College students get 50% off from Monday to Thursday, 130-530pm.  Hootie Hour is every night after 9pm and all Hooterstizers are 40% off excluding platter and seafood.  Also, if you buy 4 Budweiser draft, you get the 5th one for free.

Have a hangover on Friday night?  starting from 11am to 3pm, Western breakfast starts from RMB 28 for the weekend brunch.  Business people can avail of the Lunch special from Monday to Friday, 11 am to 3pm with set meals from RMB 28 up.

BTW.. there’s a 10% service charge and free wifi.  The wings are great and quite cheap.  10 wings for RMB 28 + 10% service charge.  If you don’t know where to go on a Friday night, better grab your friends and enjoy the atmosphere at Hooters.  You can dance along with the Hooters Girls during their dance routine.

Hooters in China:

• Hooters Hongqiao:  Unit B1, Shanghai City Center, 100 Zunyi Road.  Tel: 021-62370080.
• Hooters Pudong:  Esplanade, Super Brand Mall,  Fucheng Road, 168 West Lujiazui Road.  Tel: 021-50490199
• Hooters Beijing:  2/F, China View Building No. 1, Intersection of East & North Worker’s Stadium Road.  Tel: 010-65858787
• Hooters Chengdu: 1/F, 62 North Ke Hua Road, Lippo Tower, Chengdu, Sichuan.  Tel: 028-62818877

Website:  www.hooterschina.com

Near Dongzhimen, East Gate Apartments has a bowling alley at the basement of their mall.   Each game cost RMB 15 before 5pm and RMB 20 after 5pm.  The alley closes at 12mn so you better time yourself well.  They have fewer lanes and columns in between lanes are a bit distracting.  No smoking or drinking allowed.  Beware of flying balls as some players literally throw their balls and not towards the pins but it slip off their fingers when they’re about to throw it.  If you get a prepaid card worth RMB 3600, each game before 5pm will cost RMB 3 and after 5pm will be RMB 6.  In between bowling tournament, this is where we practice to reduce cost.

Last Saturday night, the International Friendship Bowling league had their Awards night.  Gongti 100 raffled off two bowling ball set.  Each set is consist of a bowling ball, bowling shoes and bag.  This set retails at RMB 1080 at their alley.  These were the two main prizes that night but the one I won was only the bowling ball and bag.  I was shocked and giddy!  I was actually planning to buy a ball to help me achieve my goal but now, I don’t need to.  Woohoo!!  Save me some big bucks but I’m grateful for it.  Maybe this would be the payment for being one of the officers this coming season.  Hahaha.. In any case, thank you thank you thank you!  Thank you Lord!

In any case, to all bowling fans in Beijing, you are cordially welcome to join as a group of 4 to 6 people in the International Friendship Bowling League.  This League plays every Tuesday starting 730pm.  The players are composed of expats from different countries and different sectors of society.  We have players who work for the different embassies, hotels, news groups and businesses.  It’s fun and a good place to network!

Last Tuesday, we had fun night.  It’s a free for all game where the highest team, female and male scorers win trophies during awards night on March 7.  I can’t believe my score!  Would you imagine in all 3 games I scored 111 on each game?  Geez!  I was hoping for a higher score on the third game but it didn’t happen.  Oh well.. at least it’s higher than my average.  The best male bowler that night is the outgoing President of the league, Mr. Cesar Flores.  He scored a whopping 238 in one game.  The best female bowler that night with handicap is Ms. Resie Ona.  I was actually playing against their team and you can see how good her game was that night.  Of course, nobody can beat this season’s top team, Team Pinbowl!   Pinoy rules!

Without further ado, I like to congratulate the top three teams in this season’s bowling tournament.  Third place goes to Let the Kuai Fly (cream shirts).  Second place goes to Beijing Landmark Hotel group (multi-colored) and First place goes to Team Pinbowl (red shirts).

So.. what are you waiting for?  Write a comment if you want to join and I’ll hook you up with the league officers.  No registration fees.  Just join in the fun every Tuesday, 730pm at Gongti 100, #6 Gong Ti Xi Lu.  We play 3 games every week for RMB 100.

This year, I’m seeing someone but I’m not really sure if we are really in a boy/girlfriend relationship or just good friends.  It never was so clear but I’m still hoping that I would receive something from him.  In any case, I just received a text message from him saying Happy Valentines Day and sweet dreams.  Hey that’s a start right, but it ended there.  I woke up around 9am and just laze around the apartment.  I finished all my laundry and cook my lunch.  I feel so lifeless as if I realized that there’s nothing between us.  I lost my appetite and just had snacks for dinner.  I watched Caregiver and Sex in the City then went to bed.  Pretty lame for a romantic day.

In any case, this year, Beijing people tend to celebrate Valentines Day with flowers, chocolates and dinner.  For flowers, it’s not just 3 roses to say I love you but it’s either 1 rose saying “You’re my only one” or 12 roses or the most common, 99 roses.  I’m not kidding when I say it’s 99 roses as I really counted them last year when one of my colleagues received it from her boyfriend.  Dinner in fancy restaurants and hotels usually cost around 400 rmb per couple and up.  Ferrero Rocher chocolates are a hit even though they cost around 30 rmb for a 6 piece pack.

So.. if you’re into romance and shelling out some cash.. celebrate Valentines Day in Beijing.  If you want to celebrate it twice, join the Chinese as they celebrate Qi Qiao Jie on August 26, 2009.   Happy Hearts Day!

Before                                                  During                                                     After

At around 830pm last night, the Television Cultural Center at the new CCTV complex was engulf in flames.  The Television Cultural center has a cinema, theatre, recording studios and the flagship hotel of Mandarin Oriental. Witnesses say it was due to fireworks.  One firefighter died due to smoke inhilation.  In the matter of hours the whole building was like the highlight of the firework show to celebrate the last day of the Spring Festival.  When we walked past near the area around 12mn, we can’t see anything due to smoke.  This morning on my way to work, you can see how big it really was and the extent of damage of the fire.

(Photo Credits: Rico Calma, ai de ke flickr photos)

Between October and the present, here are some stuff I missed in my previous note:

• ICBC can only provide either a passbook or an ATM account.  Bank of China on the other hand can provide you both passbook and ATM when you open an account.
• You can use your ATM card to withdraw in other countries as long as the ATM machine has the Unionpay logo.  Make sure it’s Unionpay as it also look similar to the JCB logo.  Maximum withdrawal per day is RMB 5,000 worth of whatever currency you’re in and RMB 15 for each withdrawal.  RMB 4 will be charged for balance inquiry.  This is a cheaper alternative than Western Union or Moneygram.         
• For faster service in the bank, go for VIP accounts.  China Merchants Bank offer their Sunflower Gold Card for clients with RMB 50,000.  Bank of China will offer VIP service to clients with over RMB 500,000 in deposits.
• Money transfer using ATM is acceptable.  Same bank transfer will be quick but inter-bank might be a hit and miss.
• Platinum credit card of Bank of Communication will incur an annual charge of RMB 1,000.   However, you will get VIP access to airport lounges in China.
• When you open a savings account, you are not limited to RMB currency only.  You can also put other currencies such as Euro, USD, HKD, JPY alongside with your RMB.
• Interest rates and witholding taxes are added or deducted from your account every 3 months.
• If you need a bank certificate, take note that your money will be frozen up until the date you would like the certificate to be valid.  You may withdraw it at any time but it will be a hassle.  Also, they levy a service charge of RMB 10-30 for each certificate.

That’s it for now.  I know it’s not a lot but don’t worry as I’ll add more in the future.  This is the best way to rant about bank services. Hahaha!