The Great China Adventure Start 26-Jul-09

Introduction

Well My Name is Ross Hoey, recently graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University. I will be shortly starting a round the world tour. My first stop is china. I will be in Beijing one week before the start of this tour and will be staying on in Hong Kong for a week before flying of to Japan. From Japan I am flying to New Zealand then North America.

This is my first trip on my own, and therefore a bit nervous and hoping that this tour will give me the confidence to travel to the rest of the world without a guide.

I hope to hear from everybody else soon.

If anyone else is going to be in Beijing before the 26th please let me know

Hi Ross

Hopefully some of the other group members will be in touch over the forum.

I'm sure your fellow group members will have a wealth of travel experience between them and you should be able to pick up some good advice to assist you on your world tour.

Have a great time in China
David

The Great China Adventure 26.July 09

Hi Ross,
My name is Mandeep and I will also be on the Great China Adv Tour starting 26. July. I am travelling alone and will be arriving early Sunday so I guess i will see you then!
Enjoy your first week in Beijing.
Mandeep.

Hi,
I'm Beth and I am also going to be on the Great China Adventure starting July 26th-and am practically counting down the hours now!

I arrive early Sunday morning (think about 9:00)-if anyone else is arriving at the same/similar time maybe we could figure out a way to meet up and share a taxi to the meeting point hotel?

Looking forward to meeting everyone!
Beth

i am looking forward to meeting you.
Beijing is really warm just now but with cloud cover.
i`m trying not to do too much site seeing as i don`t want to spoil my first few days with the group.

i had no problems at beijing airport. i also arrived at about 9. i had decided to take the advise of a Chinese passenger sitting next to me on the plane, and got the express airport train to dongzhimen that cost 25 yuan where there is an underground system i got a single underground ticket for 2 yuan (i waved my hand for help with the ticket machine as it didnt accept my notes. the machines have an english option)
i changed at jianguo onto line 1 (i ended up going the wrong way at this point. i got off and went round to the train going the other direction) i got off at tiannamen east but you could carry on to muxidi which is close to the meeting hotel.

it took about 2 hours from the airport. i think a taxi from the airport will take up to an hour and a half. my problem was finding the hostel after i got off the tube. a taxi was eventually used for an embarrissingy short trip

the tube can get very crowded but people still seem to be able to get on and off and there are little light indicators telling you how close you are to each station.

my advise is to use the express train but if you dont want to try the tube get a taxi from dongzhimen (i dont know what the availablity is like there but taxis seem to be everywhere) or simply get a taxi from the airport and definitely have the hotel meeting point written in Chinese to hand

i hope this advise is helpful and will see you all on sunday

Ross, Beth
Thanks for the advice Ross. I booked a transfer when I booked my trip so I am hoping someone will be there waiting for me! If we can find a way of meeting up then maybe you could join me Beth? My flight arrives 08.55 - Finnair Airways.
See you soon,
Mandeep.