Job Discussion Forums

[zondervan]

Quitting Japan in August and need some advice as to how to get out cheaply. I am not in any particular rush so was considering taking a ship/ferry to either Russia (poss. Vladivostock) or China (poss. Beijing) with the goal of eventually travelling down to Thailand.

I am in the early stages of planning and would like to hear from anyone who has made a similar journey. I live in the port of Sendai in northern Japan but can easily access Niigata which is on the Japan sea and closer to Russia/China.

Would like to see a little of Russia but have heard that entering and travelling within the country can be quite difficult.Anyone know about this?

I can probably afford to fly but since the flight would be in August prices are inflated. If sea transport is significantly cheaper then I would consider this route.

Also can anyone recommend good places to visit on China's east coast?
Can I get by with English or should I begin studying some Chinese now?

Help

[sandinista445]

I live in Beijing and have travelled some in China.

Yes, you should learn some basic Chinese. Very few people can speak or understand English from my experience, even in the big cities like Beijing (Shanghai is better, but it still helps to know Chinese).

If you're travelling across China by train, know how to ask for the kind of ticket you want (eg. ying zuo=hard seat, ruan zuo=soft seat, etc.), and it's also a good idea to carry the names of your destinations in Chinese Characters so that you can find the right train.

i would recommend getting a travel guide and a mandarin phrase book. Most restaurants have menus in characters only, and many will not have pictures. At least with a phrase book you can point to something and ask if they have it.

Places I recommend in the East:
Beijing: (capital, lots to see as far as old China and monuments). Also a different flavour from the south.

Shanghai: A fun city and so full of energy. It's very western by mainland standards, and you may be able to get by here as a tourist without knowing any Chinese. Also a beautiful city, especially around the waterfront.

Hangzhou: I didn't much like the city itself, but who cares when you have the west lake, a beautiful area next to the city with pagodas and Chinese gondolas drifting by. On a misty day you can pretend you're in ancient China.

Xiamen: A beautiful, small, seaside city. Check out Gulangyu if you go there, an island full of European colonial architecture, gardens and beaches.

HongKong and Macau: Not mainland China, but they're two of my favorite cities in Asia. Both have a unique flavour which is very different from the mainland, and as a foreigner you will find the people here to be a relief after all the (unwanted) attention you'll get on the mainland. Of all of these cities, HongKong has the most to offer.

Hope this helps.

[Travel Zen]

I would include Zhuhai. Lots of foriegners there and a good climate (and party/bar scene).

[isanity]

Go to Huangshan- the classic Chinese misty mountain.