Korean Job Discussion Forums

[endo]

I'm headed to China this Friday and will split my ten day vacation between both cities.

I have a few questions relating to my trip and if anybody could offer me some assistance I would greatly appreciate it.

1) Should I exchange my Korean Won into Chinese Yuan at the airport in Incheon or should I covert my won into American dollars and exchange it in China?

And if so where in Beijing should I exchange my dollars? At the airport of a bank?


2) Can you recommend any good hotels that you have stayed at in either Beijing or Shanghai?


3) How difficult will it be to get a train from Beijing to Shanghai? And can I do this at the last minute?


thanks

[kigolo1881]

Howdy,
If I were you, exchange at least 200,000KRW into Yuan for some cash at hand.

If you have a TRULY international Credit or Debit Card (like from an account in the US) you can use almost any ATM in china, just as i did.

It was quite hard to exchange my Korean Money at the banks, since they discriminate on which one they would take, but all my Dollars or Euros were accepted without blinking.

I'm not a familiar with Travelers Cheques and never used them. I just prefer cash whenever going out.

As for Beijing:
When you arrive, stay away from the guys soliciting taxi rides for you; go to the official taxi stand just to be safe. The fare to get to the Jade Hostel (below) should be about 130-150 Yuan.

There's the Jade International Hostel near the Forbidden Palace that I can recommend. They have many rooms with single, double or even 2 bunkbeds; ranging from 7USD for the bunkbed rooms to $12 for the doubles etc.

The rooms, toilets and showers were very clean. The hostel itself was in great shape and the staff was very friendly. They have a restaurant under their roof, but another Living Room area with a nice bar from which u can order a variety of foods. Beer also is cheap there.

When i went last july/august, i met alot of europeans and we all had lotsa fun. I would recommend you the HIKING trip on the great wall. There's the Sightseeing trip/tourist route which is less strenous. The hiking trip covers about 10km in various elevations and is murderous but well worth it. dare I say one of the best hikes ever and the most beautiful scenery! Both are fairly cheap priced. Just pack a snack or powerbars since they leave very early and dont provide breakfast or lunch. You will return in the evening. by the way its a 4 hr bus ride to get to either locations.

Have fun and remember to negotiate the prices with everyone on the streets or on the SILK Market.

[endo]

Awesome, thanks.

That hostel looks perfect.

By the way, when you took a cab to the hostel did you have the directions in Chinese?

I can't seem tp find the dirextions in Mandarin on the website?

[sheba]

I went last Chuseok and stayed in the Novotel Xinqiao Beijing for 20,000 won per night each (shared with a friend). We had a nice room, awesome view, english speaking staff, walking distance to tiannanmen square, and all the extra facilities that comes with the hotel.

Might be worth looking at if you feel like spending a little more for a bit of comfort.