My 1st Week In Shenzhen

Ok, so this should have been written earlier. But well, with limited access to online.. and the business of settling down, I can only find time to write this now.

I thought I'd document my very first week in Shenzhen as it does mean something "special" in a way. I'm in a new city, that I'm rather unfamiliar with (I didn't even know how it looks like before I arrived!).

 

I arrived Shenzhen on my birthday. Personally, I didn't feel so wow. I mean, spending my birthday rushing to the airport, and on the plane to an all new city (the anxiousness).. just didn't feel that fantastic. And well, even though I arrived dinner time, all I had was to eat my first meal at some hawkers nearby the hotel. 

For a guy who likes birthdays to be spent with nice meal and all.. this was a lil setback la! But well, a "sacrifice" I have to make as the next day, I'll be starting work. 

 

The very next day, I have started to use the subway. It's really efficient (peak hours trains have like 2 mins interval!). But it's really packed in the morning and I'm still trying to get accustomed to that life of having to queue up, get pushed and well.. not having the luxury of driving! (yea, spoilt I am!).

 

For the 1st week, there were a lot of documentation for visa application. And at the same time, I had to quickly find a house to stay. This was another challenge. As I don't even know which part of the city to look for a house. I decided the ones nearer the office (like a few stations away) would be best as I need to wake up early for work (ps: can't be late or salary will be deducted!).

 

I saw about 7 different houses.. and OMG, prices here are expensive! Actually, I saw many "terrible" homes, and to a point, I thought I have made a "wrong" decision. For the same price I'm paying in KL, but I see houses which are located on the 7th storey of a low cost apartment in KL - and it's a walk up! And the staircase is sooooooo dirty!

But then, I finally found a house with a pool. Slightly smaller.. more like a studio. While I could get with 3 bedrooms for the same price back in KL, this is still... well rather okay (more of the house once I'm ready to show it). 

 

House is not the only expensive thing in Shenzhen. Like my China friend mentioned, China has now become really expensive. Food is nearly 30-50% more expensive than back home! So far, the only cheaper place I found is this western restaurant, Saizerya... which pizzas go for less than RMB20!

Oh btw, on my first week, I managed to celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival. A local friend brought me to a park in the city. You'll be amused that the celebrations are much less here compared to back home - if not wrong, the only celebrations was at this park! Anyway, I still managed to borrow a lantern from someone just for a photo!

In all, I thank my friends for helping me in my 1st week in this new place that I'll be calling "home" for a while. Without them, I really don't know how my 1st week would have been!

*On that note, people here in Shenzhen are generally nice. It's not the same like the ones you hear from tourists who visit those tourist spots or my previous encounters with locals during my China trip 5-6 years back!

Wow, Macau!

Firstly, sorry for the no updates on the trip the past few days... I've actually arrived Macau 4 days ago.

And as much as I would love to share the sights & buzz of what I see in this scenic place, the problem is it's hard to find internet connection here. Well, I found some internet cafes, but was unable to upload any photos... but finally decided that the abscence is a lil long... hence, decided to write this post minus the Macau pics.

Anyway, minus the internet issues aside, Macau is simply amazing! I've never expected this place to have so much buzz, glitz.... and yet, retaining it's very own culture and heritage. The city has changed so much from a decade back! Wow!

Already coming from HK, I've never imagined more buzz here... but how wrong I am! Now, I'm glad I made the decision to visit Macau - a decision made only in HK!

In many ways, this place is just like another China city that has just awaken... and waiting to burst into the limelight (or already am). But there's more to it here - the nights are colourful with neon lights, performances amidst their big & bold buildings (think Beijing in some ways)... making this city like one huge playground by itself.

And yet despite the huge structures all over... there lies its main old town in the city central - the World Heritage area with short & somewhat pretty old buildings and cute coloured floor tiles.

And on the other island of Taipa, there is the Mecanese heritage - a mix of Portugese & Chinese culture.... something that reminds me closely to old... Malacca (ehem!).

Well, there's more similarities between the 2 cities, and yet, there are much more differences as well. That is something I'd love to share about in my future posts.

As for now... I'm logging off (I've only allowed 30 minutes here in the library's wifi). Till then, it's more sightseeing & trying more Macau egg tarts! :)

China Souvenir (And One For You)

China Souvenir

What is a trip without bringing some souvenirs back? So, while in my China trip, I actually did shop for a few things - some to remind me on what a beautiful trip I had and others for more practical use.

I bought lots of tea back - this chrysanthemum tea is apparently very popular in Wuzhen.

And when I was in Hangzhou, I bought lots of green tea with its few different grades (there are 4 grades). One of them - the most premium one, at the Hangzhou tea plantation. This is my first time buying tea... and I'm now kinda hook with tea!

I also bought some art paintings at the Yuyuan Garden Bazaar in Shanghai. I like the art as they come in a series of 4 (for 4 seasons) - Im now figuring where to display them haha!

I bought a fair bit of paintings - as they were quite affordable (think this is 10 yuan). The only problem was carrying back, as paintings are quite fragile in a way.

Also at the Yuyuan Garden Bazaar, I bought some magnets - for me this is my no. 1 item that I buy on my trips (btw, this is so appropriate for Chinese New Year!)

In fact, that's not the only magnets I bought, though this is pricier as compared to the 2 yuan magnets above (this was 6yuan).

Also at this 2 yuan shop, I bought a few Chinese New Year decoration souvenirs, which I thought was quite a bargain... but then I saw some back home also quite cheap!

Actually, my souvenirs from China seem to revolve a lot around Chinese New Year! (thought the card is quite unique - do we have it here too?).

But I did managed to buy something for myself as well, like this souvenir of China - the I Love China t-shirt. Firstly, I love t-shirts, and secondly, I like to collect 'I Love t-shirts' in all the place/ country I visit.

It's just too bad that I could only find very few t-shirts as it was winter time, and most clothes were winter wear.

So, what I got myself is actually a trench coat (been wanting this much!), which I bought in Hangzhou, and also China's very own sportswear, Li Ning (I got a pair of shoes). I like the Li Ning brand which is all over China, for its slogan "Anything Is Possible".

Oh, I did managed to buy some shirts too (which is meant for Chinese New Year clothes). I would have done more shopping hadn't I been in 4 winter wear, which makes trying clothes difficult... plus having the cameras & video cameras all around me.

And finally, the other stuffs I got are these key chains which I bought from the sellers outside the metro while in Shanghai. The bright colours kinda got my attention!

Now, here comes the exciting part.

Some of you readers have been a big encouragement to the whole China Trip from my very first day in China when I'm One In A Billion, sharing with me the funny memorable moments of having Ice Cream At Zero Degrees, seeing with me the picturesque Hangzhou West Lake and the scenic water village of Wuzhen, being with me through the Stressful China Incidents, knowing what China Food I ate, and understanding my observations to guess those Definitely Not From China.

And then, there is Shanghai - with me sharing from the popoular shopping area at Nanjing Road and Xintiandi, plus all the other unique Travel Places in Shanghai. And I'm thankful too as you guys encouraged me to write a beautiful post dedicated to this China city: I miss Shanghai!

China Souvenir For You
As this China Trip series come to an end, I would like to give 1 special reader a lil keychain I bought from Shanghai (the blue rabbit above). I've been thinking hard on how to do this.... and I decided I'll do on a feedback.

Ie. if you are interested for the blue rabbit keychain, just let me know what you liked about the series or anything you think I could improve on (just be kind in words haha!). But seriously, I will appreciate your feedback lots to help me improve! :)


*This documenting of my trip 'on the go' is my first - you guys really made this special! Thank You! :)

Song Dynasty

I figured that the Hangzhou review wouldn't be complete hadn't I mentioned about the Song Dynasty theme park & show that I visited & watched.


Actually when I was in Hangzhou, I wasn't really into any show - thinking that they are most likely going to be boring and expensive. But the hotel staff convinced me somehow saying that this show was "really, really good!".

(I half believed her, but thinking that there's nothing else to do on my last night, why not give it a try).

The Song Dynasty was a lil far, and after about 20-25 minutes ride, I arrived and bought my tickets, to which I got a lil surprise. Apparently, one have to purchase not only the show ticket, but also the theme park ticket.

This was not mentioned in the brochure - and came in a rather rude shock for me. But coming so far, I guess, there's no turning back. And besides, I'm a tourist - so I think they somehow know, that we will spend - if it's still affordable!

And so, I paid for the Song Dynasty theme park ticket too (if not wrong, 80 yuan, on top of the show ticket which was 100 yuan).

Entering this theme park, I'm greeted with rows of eateries that seem to pop out from a China village - very authentic.

I must admit I enjoyed the setting quite a lot. I ate my chicken thigh here in this outlet.

I enjoyed walking around the theme park, as I managed to see the many rows of shops selling different kinds of traditional food.

And the many traditional snacks done in the traditional way, plus being able to see how the mainland Chinese people bargain, with the shopkeepers stamping their grounds!

Another segment of this theme park is focused on games - traditional style. I think I somehow grew out of this.

A bigger segment of the Song Dynasty theme park is dedicated to this water park area. If I get this right, it is suppose to teach us about the Chinese science using water as a medium.

Anyway, the adults seem to enjoy here a lot!

Despite the authentic setting and all, I felt that the time flew rather slowly in the not too big theme park, and I couldn't wait to go in for the show (which is really why I went there anyway)!

So when the theatre doors were opened, I was one of the first to go in. Oh btw, here's what I got in anticipation - looks really good!

But of course, I didn't want to put too much hope - as after all, this is a cultural show. So I prepared myself that this show might be a lil 'slow'.

But, when the stage came alive, this grand show was nowhere near slow. It was really fast paced, and had a good cordination of music and lights.

I like the play of lights particularly which was interwined with the costume colours. This was done in the different themes (there were about 4-5 themes) - something similar to the movie Hero. The difference was that each had its own plot, showcasing Hangzhou's past, its history, and Hangzhou today!

And though the Song Dynasty show was somehwat short, but it really lived to its own billing - of being a Las Vegas & Moulin Rouge performance!

I'm glad I believed in the hotel staff... and didn't turn back despite the extra ticket price... cos this is the best cultural show I've ever watched!


*Apart from Song Dynasty, another good show to watch in Hangzhou is Impression - the West Lake, directed by Zhang Yimou. However, I missed this as it only shows on Friday & Sat nights.

*There is also the free nightly musical fountain by the lake, but this has irregular timings (not as stated in the tourism brochure) - hence I missed this though I waited over an hour.


*For the full series of my holiday in China, go here: China Trip. Btw, this is my 2nd last post for the holiday China series.

And if I may invite you, come back for the last one - there's something special coming up!

Things To Do: Hangzhou

Things To Do: Hangzhou

It seems that I didn't write much on my Hangzhou trip so far. Well, I actually did more...

Apart from going to Hangzhou's scenic West Lake and it's park,

where I saw people exercising their wushu in the morning,

taking beautiful walks (in the cold weather) at the roads along the West Lake,

going shopping in the city centre (or at Qinghefang),

and trying out the Hangzhou delicacies,

I actually visited a very popular green tea plantation, which apparently has leaders from the world over visiting.

And it was here that I was given the sample of trying 2 different types of green tea grades (the super high end and the very low end one, which took me a while to distinguish from taste).

Actually, the taxi driver who wanted business badly, also brought me to see 2 other 'must buy' items in Hangzhou (apart from green tea) - the silk factory and the pearl shop... of which I didn't quite enjoy nor buy any....

Instead enjoyed more scenic Hangzhou's views from the car ride!

Talking about rides, I actually took the bus ride in Hangzhou as well once - mainly to save money, as I find the taxi there a lil expensive (starts from 10 or 11 yuan, with 1 yuan fuel surcharge (huh?)... and with the meter moving quite fast).

*Btw, don't you think this information stand at the city bus stop is quite impressive?

I think I did quite a fair bit of what a tourist would do in Hangzhou. However, the only thing that I did not do was to take a cycle on the many bicycles provided in Hangzhou.

The reason for not cycling is because I was hesitant to learn the paying system of the bicycle and found walking good enough (or the taxis if far).

However, saying that, I find this go green system in Hangzhou very impressive - where one can get the bicycle from any of its stands and park them in another.

Looking back, it does seem that I've had a more laid back holiday in Hangzhou despite spending a good 5 days there. But, there's one more thing I did in Hangzhou in the night.... and that's coming up next! :)

*For the full series of my holiday in China, go here: China Trip. Btw, this is my 3rd last post for the holiday China series.

China Food

China Food

I tried many types of food throughout China - from fast food to local delicacies and many times eating what the locals eat.

This is especially so in both Shanghai and in Hangzhou.

Hangzhou Food

I'd just pop by their local restaurants which I think is decent enough, and then look for the pictures in the menu and start to order! And if without any pictures, I'd just ask for recommendations.

This include trying the ever popular dumplings (I think that dumplings in China are quite nice, and one of the better food around China, or at least the cities I went).

I even tried this fried noodles which looked so similar to what we have back home. This was in a local like fast food restaurant. Again, having hot plate during the cold weather was nice, though the food was a lil too oily for liking.

And while I was at Qinghefang, I noticed such a long queue for food. I thought that this must be good, or at least worth the try. And so, I went in to order the food that was selling like hot cakes.

I seriously waited with much anticipation.... but for this. Huh? It's just like roti canai/ prata/ pancake - minus the curry (give us ours anytime!).

But that wasn't the only food I ordered in this Muslim food outlet. I also had the famous West Lake carp in sweet sour sauce. This made up for the pancake lots... The fish is very fresh and the sauce though a lil heavy, is delicious.


I also tried other delicacies from Hangzhou - including this dongpo pork. But I felt, it was so hype.

And funnily, in the travel guide, it says that the pork isn't fatty. But what I got was a half fat pork! (that's why they really can't blame us for our perceptions on China, Chinese & Chinese food haha!) - btw this one piece pork costs 8 yuan.

One of the things I find unique in China is that their local food like this you tiao is also available in fast food restaurants. This is a meal set which comes with the soya bean. Makes a good snack, though a lil oily.

One of my other highlights in Hangzhou is to try out the local Chinese delicacies. This is one of the many restaurants/ outlets in the traditional like setting in a tourist area, Dynasty Town.

It was quite interesting to have tried this chicken for the way it's cooked and also the salty beancurd.

Oh ya, and one of my highlights in Hangzhou is to try this unique dessert in the 'Honyemoon Dessert' outlet, which I enjoyed lots.

But, I was self pitying myself as I only found out about this outlet on my last night there... but then as fate have it, I found another of their outlets in Shanghai!

Wuzhen Food
When I went to Wuzhen, I also made a point to try their local food.

The main highlight would be this authentic looking restaurant near the Dongzha district, which apparently is frequented by the China celebrities.

I tried Wuzhen's most popular dish - the mutton cooked in dark sauce and the rather unique vegetables. The restaurant really lived up to its name, and I don't mind coming back here (though I doubt I'll go to Wuzhen again soon, or ever).

And apparently, the smely tofu is quite popular here. This one is one of the better ones I tried, which was served at a push cart, also around the same Dongzha area.

And like the other places I visited, I tried Wuzhen's own local noodles. I like the spicy gravy on this one.

And of course, apart from main dish, I had to try the special local desserts!

The one I enjoyed most is actually this steamed cake.

Knowing it was prepared in this rather authentic setting just made it taste better!

I enjoyed this quite a bit, and ordered this again in another stall... this time in the Xizha district.

Looking back, I really ate such a wide variety of China foods! I guess it takes one to be adventurous enough to try - for in between the many so-so foods, there tend to be the good ones! :)


*Hangzhou's traditional cuisine apart from the dongpo pork and steam fish is the beggar's chicken and stewed duck.

For Wuzhen, there's also the fresh fish, though mutton seems to be super popular there.

*The China series which I've been writing for about a month is about to end. If you've missed any, or would like a reference, you can visit China Trip.