China Travel Forum

[Elmer]

We're a work group for a China culture, history, travel, and life style project. And we're collecting materials on various topics like: What do you want to know about your trip to Beijing, especially the information you feel difficult to find out on the internet? Where do you want to visit? Which types of activities are you interested in? Do you prefer travel in an independent/private way or pick a seat-in-coach package? Do you travel with self, friends or family?
thanks Elmer

[kamal]

Hello,

it is always a good idea to travel by bike not only inside China but for other countries too. By this means of transportation you will have a lot of contacts to the locals, because you will come through areas which you will never see if you are using buses and/or trains. For cycling inside China you have to know, that it can happen to get stopped by the police because you are cycling in closed areas. It must not happen but it can! If you have a good explanation for cycling in closed areas you can move on otherwise you are forced to take train or bus. But to be honest this does not happen often.

When I am in a big city like Shanghai, Beijing or Guangzhou (Canton) I prefer to use my bike to get around. For me it is more convenient than using the overcrowed buses and it is normally faster.

For a cyclist coming the first time to Beijing (othe cities too) he/she is very interested to know:
- what is the best way from the airport to downtown (can I use the Highway from the airport?)
- where are local bike-shops where staff speak at least basic english
- are there english/chinese streetmaps available
- which are the sightseeing spots