FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Category: China

  • China on the Cheap – Affordable Travel in Asia

    China can be one of the world’s most expensive countries to visit, or one of the cheapest. Your experience all depends on the areas you visit, and what you do with your yuan when you get there.

    Chinese money is called renminbi, of which the most popular unit is the yuan. Western travelers might equate this with a dollar, pound, or euro.


    In some parts of China, the yuan goes by the name of kuai, jiao, or mao. You'll need a lot of yuan if you hope to visit China's most popular tourist centers, including Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. There are ways to cut costs in these locations, such as staying in hostels and eating from the street stalls, but you'll pay for any luxuries. They key to traveling frugally in these places is to live as the locals do. Vendors in the markets are open to haggling, while prices are fixed when shopping in the large malls. Traveling by bus or bicycle can require careful planning, but it's much cheaper than getting around by taxi. Experiencing these cities in this way, you might expect to pay Y140 for you accommodation, and another Y140 for other daily expenses. If you prefer to live it up, look to regional areas like Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Gansu, and even Tibet. Family run homestays and guesthouses offer rural hospitality for affordable prices. If you don't have far to go, it’s worth traveling "hard seat." It will make your bus or train ticket much cheaper, although it does get uncomfortable on very long journeys. Meals in these areas are generally reasonably priced, and you'll find some unexpectedly delicious dishes in the hole in the wall eateries. It's easy toinexpensive china trip photo spend less than Y25 on food in some of China's most remote locations, while your food bills may rise to between Y40 and Y70 a day in the more populated areas. You can save cash anywhere by remembering that tipping is not expected anywhere in China. Many mid to top end eateries will sneakily get around this by adding a hefty service charge to your bill, but you shouldn’t have such a problem at more modest eateries. Most travelers would not want to miss the excitement of China's big cities, and nor should they. But with many key attractions like The Great Wall of China and the historic Leshan Dafo Buddha lying further afield, it's certainly worth saving cash and spending some time out of China's big smoke.

  • New Year’s Eve Celebrations Around the World

    Where will you ring in 2011? From fireworks at the Eiffel Tower to watching the ball drop in Times Square, the opportunities for revelry are endless (admittedly, most involve champagne and fireworks).

    Celebrating the beginning of another year in another country is an experience you will never forget. Here are some top global New Year’s Eve celebrations to consider (as well as the expressions you’ll need to really get into the spirit!): Brazil Head to Copacabana Beach for one of the most impressive New Year’s Eve fireworks displays in the world. Dress in white (as is the Brazilian custom) and get to the beach early to enjoy the crowded revelry (and to find a place to watch the fireworks from).  (“Happy New Year” in Portuguese is “Feliz Ano Novo.”) China Solana Blue Harbor Shopping Park in Beijing hosts rock concerts and fireworks display on New Year’s Eve. Be ready for massive crowds.  (“Happy New Year” in Chinese is “Xin Nian Hao.”) Denmark Copenhagen City Hall is definitely where you should be when the clock strikes midnight. Celebrate with the Danes while watching an impressive fireworks display. (“Happy New Year” in Danish is “Godt Nytår.”) France Parisians pack into the Champs-de-Mars (the large grassy area across from the Eiffel Tower) to witness a remarkable fireworks show (timed to music) when the clock strikes twelve. Bundle up or have some champagne to help you stay warm.  (“Happy New Year” in French is “Bonne Année.”) Scotland Edinburgh’s Princes street is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. Have a drink (or several) in one of the many pubs and eateries in this area and then stumble out onto the street before midnight to witness the celebratory cannon shot followed by a fireworks display. Portugal Funchal Harbor on the island of Madeira (just off the coast of Portugal) hosts one of the world’s largest fireworks displays (it’s mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records). (“Happy New Year” in Portuguese is “Feliz Ano Novo.”) Indonesia Head to the Statue of Welcome fountain to watch fireworks during New Year celebrations in Jakarta. (“Happy New Year” in Indonesian is “Selamat Tahun Baru.”) [caption id="attachment_4781" align="alignright" width="300" caption="New Year's Even Fireworks over the Sydney Opera House (Australia)"][/caption] Germany The famous Brandenburg Gate is where you should go to see the most impressive fireworks display in Germany. (“Happy New Year” in German is “Ein Gutes Neues Jahr.”) Taiwan Have you ever seen fireworks explode off the top of a skyscraper? This is what you can expect to experience on New Year’s Even in Taipei City. They set off fireworks from the world's tallest completed skyscraper, Taipei 101. (“Happy New Year” in Chinese is “Xin Nian Hao.”) Singapore Head to Singapore’s financial district to watch fireworks and welcome the New Year in style.  (You’ll be understood with “Happy New Year” in Singapore, but if you want to give it a whirl in Malay, it’s “Selamat Tahun Baru.”) Australia Fireworks explode each New Year’s at midnight over the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Opera House. A spectacular sight. Don’t have the funds to jet off to an exotic locale for New Year’s Eve? Not to worry. You can still have an international experience (and shout the new expressions you learned) from the comfort of your own home. CNN and several other cable channels cover New Year’s celebrations from around the world. Happy 2011!

  • Celebrate Winter at China’s Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

    The winter chills have well and truly set in, and China is preparing to celebrate.

    From January 5 the city of Harbin, in the country's northern province of Heilongjiang, will come alive for the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. The month-long event is a Chinese institution, which was established in 1963 and, after years of interruption due to the Cultural Revolution, resurrected as an annual event in 1985. It celebrates all that's fun about winter, from competitive speed skating and winter swimming in the Songhua River to less physical pursuits like snow and ice sculpting and ice lantern park tours. The snow and ice sculptures are one of the festival's major draw cards, and they impress crowds on sheer size alone. A snow sculpture may be as large as two football fields, and there are few things as awe-inspiring as walking through a castle made entirely of ice. The chilly monuments are lit up with lights and computer-controlled LEDs which cast rainbows on the ice and snow. Competition is fierce, with experienced sculptors traveling from around the world to participate. [caption id="attachment_4764" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Ice sculptures at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival "]Ice sculptures at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival [/caption] Heilongjiang's capital is a natural site for the festivities, as it gets the harsh, cold winds from Siberia. In winter the temperature is an average of -16.8°C, but it can be as cold as -38°C if you’re unlucky! But don't let the freezing Chinese winter climate dampen your enthusiasm. The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is one of the largest winter festivals in the world, and there's a lot of fun to be had if you can brave the cold! To visit the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, take a two-hour flight from Beijing to Taiping International Airport. Then catch a bus from the airport to the festival sites, which are located about an hour away.

    [Image Source: LiYan/Wikipedia Commons]

  • Stay at Hotel Indigo Shanghai – New Luxury Accommodation in China

    New hotels seem to be popping up all over Shanghai in preparation for the impending Christmas holiday season.


    Last month we told you about the Chinese city's new urban resort, the PuLi Hotel and Spa. Now in November we're cast our eyes over the brand new Hotel Indigo Shanghai. Hotel Indigo Shanghai is ideally located on Pier 16 (originally called the Shiliupu Dock), so its 180 rooms offer amazing views of the waterfront Bund district and Pudong skyline. The hotel has been designed with its watery surrounds in mind. Materials like raw steel, concrete, and exposed brick in the dramatically designed lobby make visitors feel as if they've stepped inside a revamped dockside loft. There are even pieces of a retired Shanghai riverboat adorning its walls! Most of Hotel Indigo Shanghai rooms are classed as standard, but for real opulence guests can stay in one of 21 river view suites or one of the two generously sized garden terrace suites. [caption id="attachment_4658" align="alignright" width="150" caption="A bathroom with city views at the Hotel Indigo Shanghai"]A bathroom with city views at the Hotel Indigo Shanghai[/caption] All rooms evoke the essence of old Shanghai, with silk print wallpaper and whimsical Asian artifacts and furniture creating the atmosphere of the Orient. The plush canopy beds are another nod to the past, as their design was inspired by traditional Chinese wedding beds. Perhaps sleeping in them will give your relationship the bliss of happy Asian newlyweds! The contemporary-styled bathrooms are luxuriously large, the perfect place for relaxing after a busy day sightseeing. A glass wall allows you to gaze out at the Huangpu River while you soak in the freestanding tub. Rooms at Hotel Indigo Shanghai start from 1580 Chinese Yuan, which is equivalent to around $240 US.

  • Awesome Architecture in Asia – The Most Beautiful Buildings in the East

    A visit to Asia wouldn’t be complete without taking in the breathtaking architecture of the continent’s palaces, temples, and castles.


    From holy places of worship to monuments made for royalty, here are some of the more beautiful buildings in the Orient. China's Summer Palace was first built in 1750 as the Garden of Clear Ripples. It suffered major attacks during the Anglo-French allied invasion and Boxer Rebellion, but was always restored to its former glory. The striking pavilions, halls, and temples of this World Heritage site are complemented by rolling hills and beautiful water features. The Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu must have been a lucky man. Japan's Kinkaku-ji, or the Golden Pavilion as English speakers call it, was built as his retirement home in 1397. He lived out his days in the magnificent gold-leaf adorned three-tier building. On his death the pavilion in Kyoto was converted to a Zen temple, according to Yoshimitsu's wishes. Looking at the clear reflection of the Golden Pavilion on the ground's mirror pond may be as close to enlightenment as most of us will get. [caption id="attachment_4485" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan"]The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan[/caption] Changeokgung Palace is one of South Korea's five grand palaces, but it's the one that most princes of the Joseon Dynasty liked the best. It's not hard to see why. Its secret garden was a favorite place for archery games and fireworks displays, with its lotus ponds and landscaped lawns. The building itself strives to blend in to its natural surrounds, a revolutionary idea for 1405. Sadly much of the palace was destroyed during the Japanese occupation of Korea, so only about a third of its structures remain. It may not have the rich history of the other buildings we’ve mentioned, but that's no reason to dismiss Coconut Palace in The Philippines. This palace was built under the order of former First Lady Imelda Marcos for Pope John Paul II's 1981 visit. The octagon-shaped building is an excellent example of Filipino design, with its body of hardwood and materials derived from the coconut. There are even more coconuts inside, with coconut chandeliers and furniture inlaid with coconut shells. This quirky building is easily accessible for tourists as it's part of Manila Bay's cultural center complex. So make sure you get out of the bustling cities while you're traveling around Asia; there are some stunning architectural marvels just waiting to be explored.

    [Image Source: Neepster/Flickr]

  • Stay at Shanghai’s PuLi Hotel and Spa, China’s First Luxury Urban Resort

    Ordinarily tourists have to travel to the coast or rural areas to enjoy the serenity of resort style accommodation.


    But new resorts, like Shanghai's PuLi Hotel and Spa, are looking to change all that. Located in the heart of bustling Shanghai, the PuLi Hotel and Spa is China's first luxury urban resort. There are 209 standard rooms and 20 suites located across the resort's 26 floors. It's just a short walk from Shanghai's business and entertainment districts, shopping malls and tourist attractions. However, once you're safely inside the resort's walls, it's easy to forget about the hustle and bustle outside. A meal at the hotel's restaurant Jing'An is a great way to relax at the end of the day. It offers a seasonal menu of Western dishes complemented by traditional Asian fare. The 120-seat restaurant is named after its views of nearby JingAn Park. You can enjoy lunch or dinner there, or a few cheeky cocktails at the attached Long Bar.China Provinces map If that hasn't calmed you, consider a soak in the Jacuzzi or a treatment at the city's first Anantara spa. The spa's treatments are a real experience as they use ancient techniques from China, Thailand, and India. Emphasis is placed on the beneficial powers of natural products including moisturizing avocado, purifying ginger, and healing volcanic stone. Personally I can't imagine wanting to work up a sweat with all this pampering around, but if you do you can work out at the state of the art fitness center. There's high tech gym equipment, a sauna and steam room, and lap pool. A night at the PuLi Hotel and Spa doesn't come cheaply, with rates starting from $500 US a night. However, if you want to come away from your vacation in China feeling truly relaxed, it may be money well spent.

  • Climb Mount Everest – Trek World’s Tallest Mountain

    There are few greater challenges on earth than scaling Mount Everest, the tallest summit in the world.

    With a height of 8848 meters, this is not a mountain trek for the faint hearted. Mount Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain range, touches the borders of China, Tibet, and Nepal. It is the ultimate goal of most mountaineers, and a journey to the top should not be taken lightly. Up to 15 trekkers die on their expeditions each year, while many more succumb to frostbite and low oxygen levels. This isn't a summit one scales without some serious training. Most mountaineers practice climbing smaller peaks with similar conditions, including high alpine terrain and ice falls, for at least two years before tackling the Himalayan summit. You’ll also need to see your doctor to ensure you’re at peak physical fitness before attempting the journey. [caption id="attachment_4269" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Mount Everest in the Himalayas"]Mount Everest in the Himalayas[/caption] The years spent training should be enough for you to raise the sort of cash you'll need, because this expedition is not cheap. An independent voyage can cost as much as $25, 000, while a package tour will set you back around $60, 000. It seems expensive, but $10, 000 of this goes to climbing permits alone. When you add travel, provisions, oxygen, insurance, and equipment into the equation it's easy to see how the dollars add up. May and October are the best times to scale Mount Everest, as this avoids winter snowstorms and summer monsoons. The dangerous journey is probably not one you want to take alone. Tour companies including Jagged Globe and 7Summits regularly organize treks to Mount Everest which help to minimize the risks of this hazardous journey. It's still not a trip one should take lightly, but there are few thrills that compare to the achievement of scaling the granddaddy of the world's famous Seven Summits.

    [Image Source: Ilkerender/Flickr]

  • Sheraton Opens New Shine Spas in China and Vietnam

    Sheraton hotels and resorts around Asia are amongst the first in the world to experience the chain’s latest spa concept, Shine for Sheraton.

    The retreats are designed to feel upscale and luxurious, yet more approachable and accessible than your average day spa. The spas come hot on the heels of Sheraton’s reported $6 billion spend on brand revitalization, but it seems the investment will be worth it for guests who love to be pampered. The Shine for Sheraton spas deliver five signature treatments. These are classic offerings: a massage, a facial, manicure and pedicure, a full body treatment, and a treatment for two. That sounds like a great option for couples honeymooning or simply enjoying a romantic retreat. Sheraton spas will use products from global skincare brand Germanine de Capuccini to ensure their guests enjoy only the most luxurious treatments. [caption id="attachment_4259" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Plunge Pool at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa"]Plunge Pool at the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa[/caption] The Shine for Sheraton spas sound like easy places to relax, with their marble, mahogany, and polished metal surrounds rendered in warm cream, burnished gold, and cobalt blue shades. These hues and materials were specifically chosen to create an atmosphere that feels playful, yet opulent. "Introducing the Shine spa experience across our portfolio on the heels of our $6 billion revitalization effort will be an invaluable, welcome addition to the Sheraton guest experience," Hoyt H. Harper II, senior vice president for Sheraton, said in a press statement. "With this global roll-out, we plan to make spa a cornerstone of the Sheraton brand experience, one that guests will truly embrace as part of their lifestyle." The Shine for Sheraton service is currently available at selected new Sheraton hotels in China and Vietnam, along with the Maldives and the Slovak Republic. It will be rolled out to 12 other Sheraton hotels around the globe over the next 15 months, including the Sheraton Shanghai Hongkou and Sheraton Beijing Dongcheng.

  • Asia’s Quirky Natural Wonders – Outdoor Experiences in China, Japan, and Thailand

    When many people think of Asia they think of shopping up a storm in the cities and discovering the continent’s cultural heritage in temples and museums.

    But some of Asia's most interesting attractions are actually outdoors. Just outside Kunming in China you'll find the Shilin Stone Forest, a forest which really isn't a forest at all, at least not in the way that most of us imagine. Rather than trees, the forest features thousands of differently shaped stones which appear to grow from the ground. Apparently the area was a shallow sea some 270 million years ago, but as the earth moved over time the water retreated and the limestone structures emerged. Visitors can discover attractions like the Major Stone Forest, Strange Wind Cave, and Subterranean Stone Forest over this 400 square kilometer space. If you can visit in June, it's worth making a trip during the Torch Festival. The native Sani people demonstrate wrestling, lion-dancing, and bull-fighting, and legend says it’s the best time to meet Mr or Miss Right! [caption id="attachment_4231" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The Shilin Stone Forest"]Shilin Stone Forest[/caption] For interesting animals and plants, look to the Bonin Islands off the Japanese coast. These 30 different islands were formed long ago by an ancient volcano, and have since evolved in their own unique ways. The islands are home to more than 14 different animals and 100 unique plant species including the protected Ogasawara damselfly, the Japanese Woodpigeon, and the Bonin Flying Fox. Access is difficult though, so you’ll need to be keen. The Ogasawara Maru liner leaves from Tokyo Bay four or five times each month, and takes around 25 hours to reach its destination. Tourists can feel like royalty traveling on the backs of elephants in northern Thailand. The elephants will take you through the forests and hilltribe villages of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Kanchanaburi. There are rides to suit your time and budget, from a half-hour walk to a five-day expedition. The elephants are all well trained and love people, so you needn't worry about being on the back of a petulant pachyderm! Asia offers plenty of natural beauty and experiences for tourists; you've just got to know where to look!

    [Image Source: Kent Wang/Flickr]

  • Explore Asia’s National Parks – Natural Paradises in the East

    When international travelers think of Asia they think of technological innovation, a bustling lifestyle, and all that delicious food.

    While Asia's cities buzz, its national parks are a real draw card for tourists looking to get back to nature. The following parks, many of which are UNESCO World and Natural Heritage sites, are amongst Asia's best. The Three Parallel Rivers Protected Areas in China's Yunnan Province is somewhat of a lost paradise. Here 16 indigenous groups live simple lives, free of the stresses of the modern world. Many offer accommodation for visitors who come to the area to see the gorges, glaciers, and enormous rivers. While much of Hong Kong is a thriving metropolis, one fifth of the nation belongs to the trails of Tai Tam Country Park. This area is steeped in history; tourists can explore ancient forts and towers while admiring the ocean views and diverse flora. There are also several areas for barbecues and picnics, so why not make a day of it? Many ecological experts consider Shiretoko National Park to be Japan's last surviving wilderness. It's a haven for marine and land animals, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for the brown bears, dolphins, and seals that live there.
    Sightseeing boats regularly leave from the mainland to take tourists closer to the warm Kamui Wakka Falls. Or you could travel to the falls on foot and soak yourself in the hot springs. You might not know it, but if you're a James Bond fan you're already acquainted with Thailand's Ao Phang Nga National Park. This gorgeous natural oasis was featured in the spy flick The Man with the Golden Gun. You can hire small boats to explore the area and its natural rock formations and limestone pillars which emerge almost mythically from the ocean. It's the kind of locale you'll want to linger at, and with bungalows and camping sites available you can. The buzzing cities of Asia are alluring, but if you'd like a change of pace the continent's national parks can deliver it.