Holiday Inn

First-time in Meilong Holiday Inn Express

Shanghai, being a metropolitan city, is not always a cheap place to visit. If you know how to strike a bargain, then you’d probably hit a gold mine. That’s what happened to our accommodations. We stayed in a hotel with services that made us extra comfortable, yet got a discounted rate. Meilong Holiday Inn Express …

Shanghai World Expo

First-time in the Shanghai World Expo 2010

As we touched down at Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, everything was World Expo mode. Even the expressways had special directional signs to the expo site. We were fortunate to have our visit timed during the World Expo, an internationally registered event (major expo) which happens every five years only and the venue held in …

Shanghai

First-time in Shanghai

If you want to see the more modern face of China, Shanghai is the place to be. Everything seems to be on a rush in this metropolis. So, all we did was go with the flow of human traffic until our feet led us to the many highlights of Shanghai. Sightseeing Despite its modern structures, …

Great Wall of China

First-time in Beijing Outer Rings and Beyond

The morning was gray and gloomy with the drizzling rain seem to be stopping our great adventure to the outskirts of Beijing. We were to climb the Great Wall of China and we didn’t allow the weather to be an impediment to this important endeavor. We were thankful that our hostel provided a cheaper Great …

Beijing

First-time in the Forbidden City and other Beijing Sights

For someone visiting an important nation like China, it is a must to make a stop in its most essential city, its capital, Beijing. Although our entry point and exit was Shanghai, we made sure that we can swing a trip to the capital. It was a long journey as we flew to Xi’an and …

Terracotta warriors

First-time in Xi’an

China is one of the oldest civilizations in the world. Xi’an is one of the early capitals of this great nation for several dynasties. The first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, was known as an effective general who later united the whole of China. He ruled in Xi’an. Apart from its glorious history, Xi’an was also …

Encounters in China

One of the good things I enjoy in traveling is meeting new people along the way. May they be local residents or fellow travelers on the road, these persons I encounter in my journeys make my travels more colorful and memorable. I recently had a nine-day tour of China, from Shanghai to Xian to Beijing …

Guangzhou

First-time in Guangzhou RiverSide Youth Hostel (Jiangpan)

I’ve never experienced hosteling until I went to Guangzhou, a city in the southern part of China.  I thought it would just be another small hotel, or an inn, for that matter.  I didn’t expect that there was entirely something different with the experience, particularly with youth hosteling, which I never realized till I was …

Shenzhen, China

First-time in Shenzhen: Exploring the Wonders of the World

In Shenzhen, a bustling metropolis, I embarked on a transformative journey that revealed the world’s wonders within one city. It was an extraordinary voyage where time and distance seemed irrelevant. Shenzhen, a gateway to boundless exploration, offered travelers a unique chance to witness a kaleidoscope of global marvels in just a day. Shenzhen opens a …

Hong Kong

First-time in Hong Kong: A Taste of Asia’s World City

It was an unforgettable jaunt to the mesmerizing city of Hong Kong, where East meets West in a captivating fusion of tradition and modernity. Nestled on the southern coast of China, this dynamic metropolis boasts a breathtaking skyline adorned with towering skyscrapers. From bustling street markets to tranquil temples, Hong Kong seamlessly blends vibrant street …

Guangzhou

First-time in Guangzhou: Exploring China’s Southern Gem

While the neighboring autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau enjoy a great influx of tourists, South China’s Guangzhou and Shenzhen wouldn’t want to be left behind with what both cities can offer.  When one thinks of China, one would instantly associate it with Beijing (Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Olympics 2008), Shanghai (ShanghaiTower), …