Is China Expensive?
Discussion
Guangzhou is brilliant, and its really cheap when coming from Europe. Hotels are a bargain (you can literally bargain at 4 star hotels on the rates, and get some ridiculously cheap prices), and you can have some really good seafood for about 5-8 pounds. Guangzhou is known as a 'food city' so make sure you try quite a few places.
Also head down to Shamian island, it is a former colonial terratory where all the former 'favoured nations' established their consulates after the opium wars. Its a really beautiful place to walk around and explore at night - theres also a thai restuarant there next to the youth hostel which serves some amazingly nice thai green curry.
Also head down to Shamian island, it is a former colonial terratory where all the former 'favoured nations' established their consulates after the opium wars. Its a really beautiful place to walk around and explore at night - theres also a thai restuarant there next to the youth hostel which serves some amazingly nice thai green curry.
If you're there 15th-28th April, it gets much more expensive in Guangzhou because of the Canton Fair.
Hotel rooms go from $25-$40 a night to $150 - $200.
Food is quite cheap.
Get a guide/translator, they'll make the most of it for you and take you to all the places you would never find on your own.
If you get in need of 'western comfort' head for Shamien Island, it's near the American embassy and is totally different to the rest of the city, much more like colonial England than China.
Give me a shout if you want to arrange a translator/guide beforehand, I have offices and staff in Shenzhen who went to Uni in Guangzhou, I'm sure they could put you on to somebody.
It's an amazing place for a first time visit, you'll have great fun!!
Edited - I just spotted somebody mentioned Shamien Island before - it must be good then!
Hotel rooms go from $25-$40 a night to $150 - $200.
Food is quite cheap.
Get a guide/translator, they'll make the most of it for you and take you to all the places you would never find on your own.
If you get in need of 'western comfort' head for Shamien Island, it's near the American embassy and is totally different to the rest of the city, much more like colonial England than China.
Give me a shout if you want to arrange a translator/guide beforehand, I have offices and staff in Shenzhen who went to Uni in Guangzhou, I'm sure they could put you on to somebody.
It's an amazing place for a first time visit, you'll have great fun!!
Edited - I just spotted somebody mentioned Shamien Island before - it must be good then!
Edited by maser_spyder on Friday 20th March 00:16
TVR Moneypit said:
If your going to Guangzhou, then I think that it is only fair that you learn a few choice local phrases.
Repeat after me;
Gay do chin? Ho gwai!
Gan in ya!
Tow ne ma.
Du lai lo mo.
Yak cee jig gau.
Say hoy.
Lei ho tau puqai.
Even though the exchange rate has taken a dive, you should still find it pretty cheap so long as you stay away from the main touristy places.
Have fun.
Repeat after me;
Gay do chin? Ho gwai!
Gan in ya!
Tow ne ma.
Du lai lo mo.
Yak cee jig gau.
Say hoy.
Lei ho tau puqai.
Even though the exchange rate has taken a dive, you should still find it pretty cheap so long as you stay away from the main touristy places.
Have fun.
Do you want to get him killed??The expense is purely down to where you go to buy things.
Go to the western/tourist type shops and you will pay western prices.
If you go to the local and traditional shops/restaurants then you will pay much less.
The £vsYUAN rate is under 1:10 at the moment and has been steadily dropping over the past 2 years. So the 'cheapness' of china is steadily becoming a thing of the past.
For example last January it was about 1:14.
I was over there in Shanghai for most of last year. China as a whole is a cool place to visit. (Couldn't live there though)
Generally nice friendly people, but you have to accept the culture difference in the way people treat strangers (or people they do not know).
The main difference in price you will find is transport....VERY cheap to get around.
Go to the western/tourist type shops and you will pay western prices.
If you go to the local and traditional shops/restaurants then you will pay much less.
The £vsYUAN rate is under 1:10 at the moment and has been steadily dropping over the past 2 years. So the 'cheapness' of china is steadily becoming a thing of the past.
For example last January it was about 1:14.
I was over there in Shanghai for most of last year. China as a whole is a cool place to visit. (Couldn't live there though)
Generally nice friendly people, but you have to accept the culture difference in the way people treat strangers (or people they do not know).
The main difference in price you will find is transport....VERY cheap to get around.
If you've not already organised a hotel, stay at the White Swan...
http://www.whiteswanhotel.com/index.php
http://www.whiteswanhotel.com/index.php
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