I cannot be too sure, if this concept will work. But, sometime ago, I had a chat with Charles Chua, and we were talking about going to China. We have not agreed on the month, but the concept goes like this.
I shall book an apartment in one of the major cities in China, for one whole month. Perhaps, a 3 room apartment with cooking facilities, in a gated community. Likely convenient to supermarkets, train stations or bus stations. I was thinking of Shanghai or Beijing because of cheaper flight connections.
Participants can block by weeks, we can only announce after we find the apartment or house. You can even block for a whole month. Costs will be pro-rated. Participants can travel anywhere they like. There is no itinery or schedule or plan. Participants make their flights to and out the residence. Buy your own food, and get use to local Chinese way of life in Shanghai or Beijing. Food can be as cheap as you want or as expensive as you desire. You can even buy or rent a bicycle as China roads are great for bicycles. Go see the little lanes, also practise your potonghua, have a hairdo, and drink tea the whole day.
China has long term visas for us, so you can even stay 3 months. And, if you have a friend who has a house, ready to be rented out, do let us know.
This trip is not ideal for those who are thinking of short stays like 3-7 days. Not ideal for those who cannot walk. Not ideal for those who enjoy Singapore toilets. Not ideal for those who do not enjoy road side stalls. And, not ideal for those who are sensitive to being lost.
Now, let the dream starts.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
Yes I remember about this trip.
Please keep me in the loop and let me know once you have the dates. I will block out my diary.
BTW do you speak Mandarin? Any Mandarin speaking people out there who are interested? We may have to meet to sort out the concept’ and aim for this kind of ‘travel’, to avoid any misunderstanding due to misperception.
Briefly the purpose is to ‘travel’ like a local, ie live like one, eat like one, ie not much restaurants, just simple street food (that you like, no dieting intention here), absorb the atmosphere, make some friends, perhaps, follow their routine, join a neighbourhood or park to learn tai ji, or juggling, whatever strikes your interest, practise your Mandarin, learn Shanghainese cooking, if you can find a good teacher,(both not for me, as I am hopeless) and make short trips around Shanghai.
For me I need a internet connection to stay connected with Singapore, news etc, after which I guess the rest of the day can be spent wondering around, exploring, eating, shopping. The ‘disadvantage’ for me is I have no interest in learning Mandarin, so my immersion there will be completely unproductive. But like many things, they are never perfect. Despite this I am interested as I know I will enjoy the weather and feed my exploratory and observatory impulse. So my downside is limited
My request to you is if you avoid the warm months in Shanghai as it can be hot and humid even up to late Sept. Walking in Shanghai, even in the evenings are not pleasant.
What can you do in Shanghai, you may ask? For shopping, you can try the ‘specialty’ markets, like electronic goods, antique market, tailor some clothes, buy some ‘fake’ winter wear, even formal clothing, (which I heard is so close to the real McCoy, they even give you the ‘pirated’ wrapping/box. Some of you may have friends or distant relatives there, so you can have some real quality time, instead of ther usual “hello, dinner and good-bye”. Some may like to visit the language schools to enquire about a teaching position for themselves or their friends, others may like to visit a rural school or orphanage, which their Singapore friends are donating to. Whatever, the key is to fill up your time, doing what you like, in a climate different from what we are used to, 365 days a year, for the last 45+ years. Meanwhile, food is about the same, they don’t sell sticky rice with mango, or having to eat kebabs all day long for 2 weeks.
Who knows? You may even find it so comfortable you may want to live and work there (not necessarily for remuneration) for 6 mos in a year? If it is a failed experiment, just book a flight back. I think Jetstar now flies to Shanghai.
Cheers to all.
Wow, Terence!
Trust you to come up with this idea! This is exactly what I was thinking about when some of us were discussing long-term overseas retirement. But I was thinking of Thailand like in Chiang Mai or Phuket. This was because of the cheaper cost-of-living and easy accessibility by budget airlines.
Still, Shanghai is an atttractive place to consider and I don’t mind committing myself to two weeks if the idea takes root.
By the way, “wo de putonghua shuo de bu hao!” So don’t expect me to stay longer… might have to eat McDonald’s everyday if I cannot communicate my food preferences.
What a brilliant idea, Terence! You sure have innovative ways of enjoying life and kudos to you for unselfishly sharing them with us. This can be a long term project within different countries/cities. I do see your point that the only way we can really, really get to know a country is to ‘live like a citizen of that country’.
I’ll skip Shanghai but I’ll be looking forward to other cities you have in mind for the future.
3-7 days no no? Hmmm…. maybe you can compromise as not many of us can live abroad for weeks…
Cheers
Ros
Hi Terence
Your initiative to set up a base in Shanghai for exploring its vicinity is a good idea except for picking the biggest city in China where we have to endure the hustle and bustle of a urban life. I think we have enough of this congested living in Singapore. I am thinking of those less crowded places like Hangzhou, Lijian where we can enjoy the good climate and scenic beauties. These places are acccessible by public transport like buses and trains.
We are 45+ and want to recharge ourselves by recuperating in a condusive environment
From the little that I know of China, I feel Zhu Hai, next to Macau, would be an ideal place for retreat. Weather is very much like Hong Kong-winter is not too cold and summer is not too hot. Surrounding is very orderly-very much like Singapore but less congested and much cheaper for cost of living. I understand our late Dr. Goh Keng Swee contributed to their town planning.
From ZhuHai you can easily go to Hong Kong/GuanDong/Macau for your extra shopping trip or R&R trip.
Shanghai is a big financial city. Certainly cost of living is higher but it’s modern, busy and more urban life style living.
HangZhou is certainly quieter with beautiful lake.Good for those who like to be close to nature.
Have your pick!
JL2e
Hi Boss,
Great idea!!!
If the full month happens to be during the China Refrigeration Expo (in April 2011, see http://www.cr-expo.com/en2009/Generalinfo.asp), will certainly want to “bunk-in” and take the opportunity to “run/cycle around” in Shanghai too from a biz prospective/angle ….. hahaha, hopefull not like the Golden Rock trip at Kaiktiho/Myanmar … kekekekke!
Do keep me posted. TQ.
Jeremy #5,
I, like you, prefer the less crowded city like Zhuhai, which
is just across the Macau border. Things there are pretty
cheap, even in a big shopping center.
I was there last Sep (my 2nd trip), a bowl of beef
noodle can be bought for only S$1.40 (RMB7), haircut S$2
and electrical/electronic products at 1/4 to 1/2 the price
here. Massage services is at $8-$10/hr & some can go to
your hotel/residence. There are also many roadside shops selling an array of mechandise and it’s a paradise for ladies shopping. Many shops open till 11pm+.
There is a nice beach near the immigration border and I remembered my frens jogged twice when we were there for 5 days.
Traffic is much less congested compared to Shanghai/Shenzhen and it’s rather easy to get around on
our own. Even if you get lost, just show the address to
the cab driver, who will be too willing to take you to
your destination at a small cost.
Travelling on package tour to other parts of China is also
easy and cheap. My frens have a regular tour agent there
and she charged around $200 (RMB1000) for a 5 days trip
to Guilin including airfare. However, if you take a domestic
flight, the fare is higher. My last trip from Shanghai to
Shenzhen/Zhuhai cost RMB700 one way (book tru’ internet).
Cost of a 2-bedroom apartment, I heard, is around $200-$300
per month.
On top of that, we have 2 budget airlines flying on a daily
basis (cost $150 to $250 return, less if you wait for
promotion).
If I have a choice, I’ll probably ‘retire’ here.
james
Hi James,
If you want to retire in Zhuhai, better check out the place a few times first, more so if it is so cheap.
Heard many good things about the seafood there.
Was there from Macau but never got past the first building
Hi All,
Good day !
I like the idea. As i’m also thinking the same,but it’s in Bangkok.
The cost of living in Shanghai, if i’m not wrong is even higher than Beijing….
BTW, could anyone give me advices or recommendations on living in Bangkok, particularly on accomodations?
Many thanks~
Jane Lum
Oh ya, Charles, forgot to mention the seafood.
A couple (Singaporeans residing there) who brought us
to the seafood restaurant (near immigration) ordered 10
dishes and thebill came to only RMB600 for a table of 10.
That worked out to only S$12 pax, which included live prawns, fish and mussels.
Those who want to sin in food will find this an ‘ideal’ place.
Hi James
From your description of Zhuhai I gather you know the place well. My impresion is that the place is enticing. It is not expensive and one can access to other destinations quite conveniently.
How about the weather. What is the best month to visit Zhuhai. Would you be able to plan a tentative trip to stay in Zhuhai for say one month.
Cheers and regards
Robert
for say one month
Cheers and regards
Hi James
Looks like Zhuhai is the place to be! Put my name down for an exploratory trip. And, James, please arrange to lead the SHC group. I need to practise my putonghwa… help!
Best regards
Kenneth
Robert, Kenneth,
I’ve only been to Zhuhai twice, and getting around the city
area is not much of an issue.
During both times, the weather was rather hot, slightly
better than SG, and the I think best months to visit are
Mar-May, Oct-Nov periods.
I don’t have enough leave to stay there for 1 whole month.
However, there is a likelihood that I may visit Zhuhai
again for another week and this time, using this
city as a staging point to go to Guilin, which I mentioned,
cost only about S$200 for a 4D3N package.
Please leave me your contact no to my email “jamestancl@gmail.com”
if you are keen.
james
Hi James #13
Just sharing with the ladies who are visiting Zhuhai….I hv my eye lashes perm for S$10 at Zhuhai and it lasted 3 months and no allergy reaction whereas a eye lashes perm here lasted only 3 weeks costing 3 times more. Preferably visit the Beauty Saloon with people who knows the beautician or already have existing packages with them. I don’t like the way they did the eye brow and permanent lashes but to each of his own………..for the other overhaul i think is value for money only if they are recommended, personally i will not take chances.
Jeremy #5 easy access to the other destination in china – sound fun. I remember we flew to Hongkong travel to Shenzhen/Guangzhou/Zhuhai/Macau by land and ferry across back to Hongkong……. wonder it can be cheaper to travel to Huang San from these areas?
cheers
freda
Hi Terence
Most of us are agreed that your concept of short-term living overseas is a great idea. You mentioned Shanghai and some have proposed Zhuhai. I hope I am not throwing a spanner in the works, but I would like to propose Kunming, capital city of Yunnan.
I have a lady friend, an interior designer, who has an office in Kunming. She is a Singaporean and started off in Shanghai but has now moved to Kunming. I don’t know the real reason why she got out of Shanghai but she now finds Kunming heavenly. I am sure she could help out in looking for a suitable apartment.
Kunming’s attractions : Stone Forest, countless stone pillars weathered into countless bizarre shapes; Lijiang Old Town, and have a cycling adventure around the countryside; visit Naxi Baisha Village and witness the Naxi people’s ancient music, and see how they have lived unchanged for centuries; make an astonishing adventure in Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas and experience the adventurous outdoor life; Conquer the amazing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and enjoy the breath-taking scenery and pristine glaciers; Trek the world’s deepest gorge, the Tiger Leaping Gorge, a breathtaking hike amid soaring cliffs and waterfalls; Visit the town of Shigu, the best vantage point to view the “First Bend of Yangtze River”; See the towering Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, and cycle along the shore of the ear-shaped Erhai Lake; Wander the ancient streets of the Dali Ancient City, and witness the Bai people with their ancient and fascinating culture; Discover the mystery and tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in Zhongdian by visiting the Songzanlin Monastery, the Napa Hai Grassland and even a Tibetan family; Take your taste buds to paradise with the diverse, unique Yunnan Cuisine which is a perfect blending of many traditional minority cuisines; visit the Yuan Yang rice terraces, Nujiang River, Dongchuan Red Land to capture the thrilling beauty of the landscapes. Strolling in Jianshui, which with a 1200-year history, rich in cultural heritages from the ancient; Lastly, visit Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian (Shangri-La), etc.
Wow, there is a lot we can cover from a base in Kunming.
Cheers
Mega
Hi Terence
Most of us are agreed that your concept of short-term living overseas is a great idea. You mentioned Shanghai and some have proposed Zhuhai. I hope I am not throwing a spanner in the works, but I would like to propose Kunming, capital city of Yunnan.
I have a lady friend, an interior designer, who has an office in Kunming. She is a Singaporean and started off in Shanghai but has now moved to Kunming. I don’t know the real reason why she got out of Shanghai but she now finds Kunming heavenly. I am sure she could help out in looking for a suitable apartment.
Kunming’s attractions : Stone Forest, countless stone pillars weathered into countless bizarre shapes; Lijiang Old Town, and have a cycling adventure around the countryside; visit Naxi Baisha Village and witness the Naxi people’s ancient music, and see how they have lived unchanged for centuries; make an astonishing adventure in Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas and experience the adventurous outdoor life; Conquer the amazing Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and enjoy the breath-taking scenery and pristine glaciers; Trek the world’s deepest gorge, the Tiger Leaping Gorge, a breathtaking hike amid soaring cliffs and waterfalls; Visit the town of Shigu, the best vantage point to view the “First Bend of Yangtze River”; See the towering Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple, and cycle along the shore of the ear-shaped Erhai Lake; Wander the ancient streets of the Dali Ancient City, and witness the Bai people with their ancient and fascinating culture; Discover the mystery and tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in Zhongdian by visiting the Songzanlin Monastery, the Napa Hai Grassland and even a Tibetan family; Take your taste buds to paradise with the diverse, unique Yunnan Cuisine which is a perfect blending of many traditional minority cuisines; visit the Yuan Yang rice terraces, Nujiang River, Dongchuan Red Land to capture the thrilling beauty of the landscapes. Strolling in Jianshui, which with a 1200-year history, rich in cultural heritages from the ancient; Lastly, visit Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian (Shangri-La), etc.
Wow, there is a lot we can cover from a base in Kunming.
Cheers
Mega
James, Robert, Kenneth
Zhuhai is the place for shopping, food etc I visited there last year. Its cheap . Live seafood for less than S$15 pax
include scallops, abalone,crabs etc Transport , accomodation also cheap. Nice weather in spring & autumn like HK.
And for the gamblers …. Macao is so near.( but expensive )
I’m going there in end March for a short trip.
For sightseeing Yunnan is best. #16 Mega is right.
Unless yr potonghua is good enough there may be problems to move arnd.
Cheers!
Ronald Lam
Hi guys!
Yes, there are so many places to consider for retirement living and, by that, we should define it as spending a longer-than-the-tourist stay of one week or so.
Again, the main considerations are proximity to Singapore and cheap airfares/transport. Reasonable long-term rentals for a small apartment if we are looking at Terence’s idea for sharing an apartment. Good services and variety of food at lower costs. For older SHCs like myself, easy local transport and good medical services.
So far we have identified Malaysia, Thailand, southern China as being suitable. I am sure that there are many others. But can we come to a consensus looking at all the differing views and opinoins? And are there many SHC members who can commit to a longer-term stay?
I think these are the main factors that stand in the way of SHC ever considering long-term stays.
Sweet dreams!
Kenneth
P.S. We have our own Kunming and Yunnan expert in Feztus. He’s led several groups to the wonders and attractions of Yunnan.
hi mega, looks like you have covered many places in yunnan.
myself and another folk from shc(an architect) would be keen to meet your pretty lady friend for one of our plan, don’t worry, we will try to relate to her on appropriate business. how can we contact her? I am going there soon.
As for place for retreat, yes yunnan can be one of the good station for shc folks to rotate their travel around china. But realistic speaking, yunnan is the better option as opposed to the eastern cities of china; there are many reasons i can list but the main few are;
1. cool weather 365 days, perfect for all silver hair folks
2. cost of living/lifestyle from staying in classy Banyan Tree outfit to $10 a night clean guesthouse, bearing in mind we do have high flyers professionals as well as silver hair folks that need to do some work and to upkeep their stay while in china
3. Cost of food/veg/fruit; Most of the eastern cities either buys veg from yunnan or have contract farms in yunnan feeding their supply for export, because labourer cost is also lower
4. colorful lifestyle; Yunnan has many interesting ethnic and bio diversities to indulge in and even for me who have been there since 1994, I have yet to cover some corners of yunnan, plus we can go to Laos, Chiangrai(Thailand), Vietnam, Burma from Yunnan!
I am waiting to hear from the round table experts what feasible plans they have so that we can puzzle piece yunnan into it.
If your putonghua is limited, and whenever i cannot be there, I am able to arrange staff or sweet guides to assist any traveler and take care of you, better if you are in a group.
Better still if you want to do volunteer work, there are opportunities with the religious as well as non religious groups, whether you are a catholic or muslim or buddhist etc.
Again, those who want to go for whatever reason, business or benevolent or just traveling, feel free to get in touch with me.
Hi Feztus, Ronald and Mega
The three of you seem to favour traveling to Yunnan which have many plus points.
Perhaps the few of us can form a group and start planning for a trip. I envisage to go for longer stay in Yunnan. Please contact me by email: hbrong37@gmail.com.
I have no problem in coversing in Potonghua
Hi all,
As far as weather is concern, I cannot find a place in China better than ZhuHai. Temperature, very much like Hong Kong, range from 18 to 31 degrees Centigrade. For Singaporean, we don’t need to worry too much about winter clothing when we go there. We may need a outer jacket. Ideal months for visit (20 to 28 deg. C) : Mar to May.
Transportations are very convenient. Use train or buses to move from city to city. Taxis are inexpensive. Always ask for receipt (“fatt phey”) when you board a taxi, anywhere in China. Any problem with the taxi, with the receipt, you can complain and very stern action will be taken by the authority against the taxi driver.
JL2e
Hi guys and gals, on living in and around Shanghai,
Gee, looks like no one wants to share my house or apartmentin Shanghai. My plan was to use Shanghai as the starting point, because of the convenience of bus and train stations. Many other cities are nearby. But, no worries.
I think that SilverHairs can explore medium term stay away from home. A month or even 3 months can be possible; even better if you can gather together in groups of 4. There is advantage of safety, economies of scale, and company.
Hopefully, some of you may find it more economical, besides being able to enjoy the world. China is an excellent place to consider.
Have fun guys and girls, travelling and find place to enjoy and retire, without bursting your purse.
Terence Seah
Hi Jeremy at message 21:
From my understanding ”fatt phey” (phonetically read as F?piào) is Invoice. It is very rare for them to use receipt (?? – phonetically read as Sh?ujù). That’s the different between Singapore and China.
Hi guys!
Can I suggest one more place in China to consider?
It’s Shenzhen! Because, as Terence says, you need to be close to buses and trains. Jokes aside, Shenzhen is easily reached by budget airlines from Singapore. And you can also fly from their international airport to anywhere in China at cheaper fares than you can from say, Hong Kong.
So you can travel by bus or train or ferry to Macau, Zhuhai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, etc. within 2 hours. Or you can fly to Shanghai, Kunming, Beiqing and even Xian, Jinhong, and Chiang Mai in Thailand.
So, a base in Shenzhen?!!
Hi Terence,
I am a non-active member of Silverhairsclub but do logged in from time to time for updates of the activities organised. Your groups may also consider short-term living oversea in Hainan Farmstay(9 rooms for 18 paxs) or Condominium Studio Apartment city stay for 2 paxs in Jiaji-Qionghai. You may contact me dckyap@yahoo.com for more informations. I do travel up quite frequently whenever there are cheap fares available in Budget airlines. Moreover, Fast rail are currently in operations(258km/h)which cut travels time to half hour from Meilan Airport to both locations ie. Qionghai Station to Condo and Boao Station to Farmstay(Ngee-kim house).
i think as opposed to persuade each other that such and such a place is good, gooder.. for all unprovened reasons and discounting any personal agenda, what will be neat is this;
someone can be host in each province or city or touristy town,
once we have a whole listing, any folk wish to travel can hook up, finalize the costings and payments and make plans to travel around that area.
even if the listing is just 3 or 4 provinces, it is a good start. for example; Yunnan is one province, Fujiang is another, Hainan is another, Shanghai or Tianjin etc.,
Hi all! I’ve been to Kunming and maybe because it was early winter when I went there, my impression of that city was not good. I cannot stand cold weather at all! Brrrrrr……
I do love the way they cook their vegetables though. Every stalk of greens is cut finely and cooked with pork and ham.
They do eat a lot of ham -dried and cured kind.
I understand DharLi is nearby and much more modernized than Kunming. There are lots of artists’ villages in Kunming though.
China has many beautiful scenic spots – mountains, lakes, forests, natural waterfalls. The only setback for me is the weather.
Cheers
Ros
Hi All
Just a weather reference for the few places that members have mentioned/shown interest.
As we speak, HK is 10 degrees c, Zhuhai/Shenzhen is 8-17 dc, Kunming is 4-13 dc and yes, Shanghai is -2 to 4 dc.
Obviously we are not going to these places right now; look like a dumpling lately with endless layers of clothing even with the heater on.
You know, with global warming, this winter in HK is much colder for a long period. In the past the weather might drop to 3 dc but it was like for a couple of days and back to high tens. Everyone feels the difference now. This weekend is 10 to 15 dc. Thank goodness it will be warmer for CNY; around 14 to 19 dc.
Terence, I am interested in Shanghai. Must pick a pleasant month; think the beginning of autumn right after summer will be nice. Don’t like humidity or freezing weather (old bones can’t take it). Will stay for at least 2 weeks, 3 weeks tops.
Do keep me posted with your Shanghai plan.
I am also interested in Zhuhai so will see if members are planning a trip there.
By the way, I speak putonghua (Beijing accent….kekekekeee) – mei wen ti.
Hi Geraldine and fellow SHCians intersted in using Shanghai as the base to enjoy China,
It is very likely I shall use Shanghai as the base. A large apartment or house will be identified. The season is likely to be Autumn. Hopefully, it will not be cold or hot. Interested participants may consider teaming up in groups of two or four to travel around Shanghai and nearby cities.
Your feedback would be worth the adventure.
Terence Seah
Terence
One week with Geraldine, in Autumn, in Shanghai sounds very romantic. I think it is worth dying for.
Let me ask my wife.
Hi Tian Soo #30,
I am in Perth now, and when I read this, I jump for joy. You are going to save my life.
Autumn is gong to be windy and more than cool. Falling leaves, and everybody starting to cover up.
Terence Seah
My, my TS, you’ve managed to make this old cow blush.
Spending time with me means 2 things; you either run away and never to be seen after one day or less or you’ll never leave. Kekekekekeee. So……….still worth dying for?
As for Terence, don’t understand why he jumped for joy when he read your comment.
Terence, are you terrified that I may join? I like to be on top. KAKAKKAKAKAAA.
Hi All,
Found this article in which potential visitors to Zhu Hai may be interested. Enjoy!!!
Return to Zhuhai’s outer islands
After two years CNNGo reader Christopher Cottrell revisits China’s gateway to Macau to sample its fresh seafood and dried duck
Chinese play on the rocks of Dongao Island.
View GalleryView Gallery
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Wrapped around Macau and just 63 kilometers west of Hong Kong is the coastal city of Zhuhai. It is famed for its seafood and as a passage into Macau, but is also home to a dozen or so islands, just a few of the more than 100 islands that are part of the Pearl River Delta’s flow into the South China Sea.
I am returning to the outer islands after two years, to rediscover this fast-changing area.
But it does not start well.
“This is not Dongao Island,” I say in Putonghua to the guard. He smiles and says, “This is Guishan island. Come back at 10:30 for the boat to Dongao.”
So original plans abandoned, I land up on Guishan Island after a 50-minute ferry ride from Zhuhai. Standing on its concrete docks it becomes clear why places like this don’t make it into the tourist brochures.
Guishan Island
A basket of fish from Guishan Island.
For one, Guishan is largely a Navy island. As if to ram home the point, a guard rushes out as I accidentally wander towards some small PLA boats. He has a bright smile and directs me towards the far end of the dock where the fishmongers are.
It is a fishing port, and for RMB 8-15 I can buy a fresh perch from a nice lady who will gut it for me on the spot. I can then walk across the street to any of the half dozen seafood restaurants who will fry it up for me with rice.
But with so many fishing boats trailing rainbows of fuel in the water, this is a far cry from my first visit to these islands in 2008, when I visited a hidden beach on Wai Ling Ding island.
Wai Ling Ding
Like all ferries headed to Zhuhai’s outer islands, Wai Ling Ding is reached from the port of Xiangzhou. This little burgh is accessible by taxi from Zhuhai’s primary port of Jiu Zhou Gang, which has regular 70-minute ferry rides running to Shenzhen, Shun Tak Hong Kong and Macau Ferry Terminal and the Hong Kong International airport.
The Wai Ling Ding trip takes about two hours by ferry, and is well worth it. It is best to pack some picnic supplies if you’ll be staying a few days and want some home comfort food.
For those that don’t pack the snacks, Wai Ling Ding caters to Chinese travelers and has nice local snacks and Cantonese restaurants with fresh fish and dim sum.
Heading to Dongao
From a Zhuhai Ferry control desk, with captain, crew and VIP cabin members.
As I begin to get in line for the ferry to Dongao, a large man appears clad in fishing gear; leather, rubber, expensive poles.
This man is cashed up and ready to fish and so are the scores of passengers bound for Dongao on a Chinese package tour.
As I had been put on the wrong ferry initially, the attendants let me sit in first class upstairs. Leather seats … TV with Chinese melodramas … and views into the captain’s control chamber.
Dongao
Calm life at Dongao Harbor.
Dongao has a bay that comes together at an isthmus. I noted two locomotive-themed passenger carriers. One named “Adam,” the other “Eve,” these are aimed at marriage parties.
As I was not looking to get hitched (at least not on this trip) I headed out to the nearest beach and skipped the love trains.
I found an extremely clean beach of golden sand facing an emerald cove populated with just a few fishing tourists and Chinese couples getting frisky on nearby rocks.
The Dongao Make Holiday Villa is near the beach and charges RMB 260 per night for spartan yet cheery rooms. Don’t expect the hotel restaurant to have every item on the menu, but they do have some quality fresh fish.
Prepping fish, Hengqing Island.
The transport trams on Dongao are infrequent so rather than sweat in the sun, I hitchhiked back with a kid on a motorbike loaded with a box of vegetables. We roared into town just in time for the boat back to Xiangzhou.
Changing fast
For all its sleepy charm, Zhuhai is changing fast. In fact, one of my favorite places in Zhuhai is gone — the oyster farms of eastern Hengqing Island. They used to line the road and you could see Macau while chewing on savory barbecued oysters and kicking back a cold beer.
There were ducks splayed open and dried, their skeletons exposed with chopsticks.
Drying ducks.
Now, the oysters and ducks have been moved to a new location, and the area is being redeveloped for resorts.
How long before the scores of small islands reached from Zhuhai lose their rustic charm? My friends in Zhuhai tell me that the resorts are on the way in, so there isn’t much time to see how it is now.
Beer and oysters, Hengqing Island.
Getting to Zhuhai’s islands
To get to Zhuhai’s Islands requires a trip to Xiangzhou Port. Zhuhai-based website http://www.deltabridges.com has all the information for getting to Xiangzhou port and around Zhuhai. Times and routes fluctuate so check the site for the latest information.
Where to stay in Wai Ling Ding
It’s best to arrive in the morning and go to the police station just a block away from the port. You will have to register with them anyway when checking into any hotel.
Where to stay in Dongao
The Dongao Make Holiday Villa
Where to stay in Zhuhai outer islands
The outer islands hotels are very unpredictable and it is recommended to have a hotel on the mainland and make day trips out to the islands.
Read more: Return to Zhuhai’s outer islands | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/escape/citypulse/destination-dongao-and-beyond-zhuhais-outer-islands
I had earlier planned to get an appartment in Shanghai for one month, and that some of us can use it as a base to travel areas around Shanghai. Looks like the interest among members is elsewhere other than Shanghai. Therefore, I have dropped this plan, although I still have to go to Shanghai at that time.
Many SHCians have travel interests, and I can see there are also many EOs and leaders too. Festus’ trip is exciting, and the weather is great especially for those thinking of China. Have fun guys and gals.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
I was the first to respond to your idea of ‘travelling like a local’. But was apprehensive about spending 1 month in Shanghai (or that area) in Sept as I think it will be humid and warm.
So I am quite relieved you have ‘postponed’ your plans and hope that I have not caused you to change your plans. I do apologise if I have done that.
Someone just sent me a photo journal of a train ride from Moscow to Beijing. It looks very nice, of course, but also very long.
I am wondering if any here are interested in a train trip from Heilongjiang to Ulan Bator in Mongolia and Irkurtsk (?) is doable?
Any interests here?
Hi CharlesC #35,
No worries, I guess China is too big a place to travel, and many members have a wide choice when it comes to travel. I am still going to Shanghai as planned, but it will be just a hotel room. It wont be a holiday though.
Terence Seah
Greetings Charles #35
“a train trip from Heilongjiang to Ulan Bator in Mongolia and Irkurtsk” ? sounds rugged and interesting……
cheers
Hi Freda @ #37,
There was a trip I made to Jiuzhaigou where the guide, a Singaporean, told me the best place to visit was Heilongjiang, ie Harbin and Dalian. So I remembered his opinion and posted it here. But to answer your response, I checked with the map and think that the railway from Moscow to Irkurtsk continues south to Mongolia, Ulan Bator and China, Beijing.
So to take a train from Harbin to Dalian to Beijing to Irkurtsk is quite convoluted.
Nevertheless for those who like train travel, it might even be enjoyable.
So this trip, if it materialises, needs some like-minded people to meet and think through before it gets off.
But I know another SHC member is planning an easier trip, Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet by the new bullet train, next year.
Those interested and serious, can meet to discuss. No look-see type at this stage. As usual these trips require those that enjoy train travel, ie can sleep soundly in a train with all the jostling and sideways rocking, the boredom, likes to read to occupy themselves and can live on train food. I know I can, but who else is keen out there? Are you? Do you know of others? Can you speak Mandarin? I only know how to say “ting putong” and can point at my lunch
There is still a lot of time before this trip materialises, unless there are some who have done this trip. But you have 1 potential here.
Thanks for initiating the interest. Let’s see where this leads to.
Hi Charles #38
I would say we are open to rugged trips before we get even older, hopefully next year.
Though we have heard about cheaper rural areas trip in China, we have not seriously consider it because of “back ache”. Other than Machu Picchu (still thinking thru and thru) we thought perhaps we could try the nearer countries and only took baby steps to improve our stamina. So far, the train travel I did was only in Norway and Europe so nothing to share other than I was told (if I remember correctly) not to start train trip from Beijing to Ihasa , it is too far, abt 48hours and cost more than S$1 K and not the fast bullet train but the ordinary one. It’s nearer to take the train from Xian etc. Hence I am looking forward to the generous sharing from those who have done such train trips……
Cheers
Shanghai -8D/7N by Apple Holidays
Land tour – $50 per pax / twin sharing
Recommended additional tour – $95
Mandatory tipping – $6/person/day =$48
Flight – book your own
Min 10 pax to go
I am planning to go in August/Sept 2012.