China Travel Forum

[karry]

I'm planning to visit Hangzhou in October. I'm looking for clean (minimal creepy crawlies) and cheap accomodations (less than $40USD). Will two days suffice if I want to see the West Lake and surrounding area? Also, I don't speak Mandarin. Will I have a difficult time?

Any help would be much appreciated

[Aynur]

Could you refer to the page where I've answered similar questions:http://www.virtualtourist.com/f/p/fb68/2 days are suffice to see the West Lake and its surrounding area, but not enough for other places of interest in Hangzhou.It won't be difficult if you speak English, people there are very kind and willing to help travellers.Any more question, let me know.

[mical]

Welcome to Hangzhou, (I am happened to be in Hangzhou now). Colombo's answer is correct. but I have another advice, if possible, you'd better not come to Hangzhou in the time at the end of Sept to Oct. 7. It's the long National's Day holiday, in this period, Hangzhou is very crowded, difficult to find a good hotel, price go up about 50% than normal time.

[mengchao]

I know there are international youth hostel in Beijing, the price of which was around 80RMB ($10USD maybe) per day two years ago. I guess you can find international youth hostel's information through intenet and see whether there are branches in the spots above. Also you can meet a lot friends there and you can travel along with them. Don't concern much about the language. There are a lot of means to bypass it. For example, find a Chinese friend to help you translate some sentences you might use and put them (both Chinese and English) down. When you need help, just show them the paper.

[barbi]

I know there are international youth hostel in Beijing, the price of which was around 80RMB ($10USD maybe) per day two years ago. I guess you can find international youth hostel's information through intenet and see whether there are branches in the spots above. Also you can meet a lot friends there and you can travel along with them. Don't concern much about the language. There are a lot of means to bypass it. For example, find a Chinese friend to help you translate some sentences you might use and put them (both Chinese and English) down. When you need help, just show them the paper.Report Advertising or Inappropriate Posting

[mobarres]

I have been to the West Lake a few times and saw the usual tourist attractions. I was not impressed with the boat ride or the shoreline. However, the last time I went there, my wife and I discovered a beautiful part of the West Lake that justified its fame to us. It was a overcast late spring day and we stumbled into the garden (forgot the name) in the northwest corner of the lake. It was late in the afternoon on a weekday and the garden was deserted. We strolled on meticulously cared for paths that wind through islands and quant bridges. Every turn showed us a different vista with pristine shorelines, overhanging branches, waterlillies floating on water, scattered pavilions, and not a soul in sight. It was a very natural Chinese garden without the usual artificial overlay. And the mood of the empty garden in a light drizzle was overwhelming. We whispered to avoid disturbing the beuaty and we just absorbed the ambience. It was the most enjoyable walk in any garden in China for us and was one of the most memorable moments of our lives. Compared to this corner, the rest of the West Lake was pale and tasteless. I hope you will go there and find what we serendiptiously found.