Korean Job Discussion Forums

[penfold]

Hi everyone,

After deciding going to sri lanka from S.Korea would be too much, i had a look for cheap flights. I have found a VERY cheap flight to Beijing! (check xanadu 330,000 after taxes)

However i assuming that this is because China is very cold at the moment. As i am in a very small village, getting a travel guide is not easy, so the internet is the only option for info, and while i have found out many things that would be great to see, i am wondering whether I could see them in winter i.e. mountains, hikes etc.

So at the moment i am flying into Beijing in two weeks and i have a month to waste. What should I do?

1) I'm thinking of going to see the ice festival in harbin, has any where been there?

2) Fly into Beijing -->Xian and into Tibet. Has any one been into Tibet in winter? I've heard it is cold but bearable and a great time to go as there a very few tourists. Also can i do this with a single entry Chinese visa?

3) Any where else that you would recommend that I could realistically see in winter. or that would be worthwhile regardless of the weather?


Sorry for the vague question but this issue of 'it being winter' has really confused me as to where I go and see realistically.

penfold

[soviet_man]

I've been to Harbin. It will be very cold and dark in mid-winter (easily -20 degrees celsious below zero) and the hotels there will be very full during the ice festival. So make sure to make advance reservations or you may end up sleeping on a park bench. But some wonderful Russian influences in Harbin.

The train from Beijing to Shanghai is also exceptional. Very fast, cheap and clean. As is the similar one from Shanghai to Hong Kong.

Tibet would be good - although I understand you still need a special permit along with your tourist visa. A good travel agent should be able to sort it out.

Harbin, Beijing, Shanghai + a short side trip to either Tibet or Hong Kong would be a fairly neat 4 weeks.

[penfold]

Thanks for the quick reply, regarding the -20 issue what does one wear?

These days in southern Korea a pair of thermal tops and bottoms plus a fleece top is fine but -20???

Obviously a bigger jacket will be needed but what else, do i need to buy special shoes?

Coming from Australia this is a bit scary you see.

[tzechuk]

You wear thermal underwear, thick jumpers and down-feather snow jackets! Basically lots of layers - don't forget your scarves and gloves and boots!!

Harbin will be extremely cold at this time of the year, it's right next to Siberia
(so to speak!).

Go to Hong Kong for a week - it will be well worth the trouble and the warmth! If you can stand the train (make sure you get a sleeping car, soft seat, otherwise it's quite unbearable). Going from Beijing takes around 3 nights (I think?) and a couple of nights form Shanghai. I've always wanted to do that but never had the time/chance.

Beijing's temperature is similar to Korea, to be honest. May be a degree or two colder but otherwise same.