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Asia - North-East Asia

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08-Jun-2004 08:32
Zedd_at_LP

last reply
21-Jul-2010 04:03
Harry_Mudd

122 replies
117,052 views


Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 9

North-East Asia branch Frequently Asked Questions thread

This branch covers China (inc. Hong Kong and *Macau*), Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan and Tibet. Other information about the region can be found under Lonely Planet Destinations.
Inside this thread we hope you'll find the answers to all your questions, if not, feel free to share anything you feel is missing!

SEEKING TRAVEL COMPANIONS OR TREK PARTNERS? Please post only on our Travel Companions branch, not here on the destination branches. Any such topics posted on this branch will normally be moved by the moderators to the Travel Companions branch without notice. If you also have a travel question then please post it as a separate topic on the appropriate travel branch.

*Choosing a... more »

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14-Feb-2009 03:26
mrcjonesy

last reply
29-Jul-2010 18:10
lamania

570 replies
90,445 views
location: Tibet

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 39

PERMIT SITUATION UPDATE

OK.......just spent yesterday trying to get to bottom of the permit situation for the next few weeks. Here is what I have found out.

1. Some Tibetan areas of Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai are closed to foreigners until the end of March (I could not get confirmation of which areas...sorry!)

2. Lhasa and central Tibet (Namtso, Shigatse, EBC etc) IS open (with permits) at the moment.

3. American and European travellers are being denied Chinese visa's in Nepal. and the rumour is that this will remain until the end of March. (this means there may be NO WAY to enter Tibet from Nepal until the end of March) This news comes from friends in Kathmandu. It is tough to officially confirm this news as this decision comes from the Chinese Department of Foreign Affairs.....not from the Tourism Bureau who is low on the totem pole!

4. As usual there are a few independent travellers (usual... more »

01-Aug-2010 12:36
froeschlido

last reply
01-Aug-2010 12:36
froeschlido

0 replies
19 views
location: China

Xinjiang-Tibet Highway News?

We are travelling the Xinjiang-Tibet-Highway starting from Yecheng (Xinjiang) right now. The road is blocked from the rain and huge stones. Does anyone have some news about the road condition? There were around 25 trucks and cars lining up two days ago, and we had some news it is still the same, but no reliable information. Would be great if somebody who is travelling the same route could post what he knows....

01-Aug-2010 12:11
eager2travel

last reply
01-Aug-2010 12:11
eager2travel

0 replies
10 views
location: China

Traveling in China with Sleep Apnea

Will it be a problem for me to use my CPAP machine in China? I know I have to go to Radio Shack to get a converter, but will there always be electricity as needed on sleeper trains and in hotels/hostels?

Thank you!

01-Aug-2010 10:28
eager2travel

last reply
01-Aug-2010 10:28
eager2travel

0 replies
18 views
location: China

oer

Is Tiger Leaping Gorge a strenuous hike? I know it's 14 miles long... but that doesn't necessarily mean it's tiresome going up and down hills. Can anyone enlighten me to this effect?

Also, I realize that 14 miles is a one-way hike. How does one return? Does one have to come back the same 14 miles? Is there a van? Do drivers hang out waiting for people to finish TLG.

And where do people store their luggage? I won't be backpacking the whole time. This is the only part of my entire trip where I will be "backpacking." I don't even feel comfortable calling that because I'm only "roughing it" for two days!

Thanks.

01-Aug-2010 09:29
lilly369

last reply
01-Aug-2010 12:34
optimistk

3 replies
36 views
location: Japan

day trip to Tsumago and Magome from Inuyama

Hi there

Can you please advise whether it's worth a day trip in a hire car to these villages?

I know cars aren't allowed on the main road of the town and I'm travelling with my young daughter and elderly mother and wanted to know how far do you have to walk from where the "car park" is?

We would be travelling from Inuyama.

Many thanks in advance.

01-Aug-2010 07:12
possopo

last reply
01-Aug-2010 07:12
possopo

0 replies
11 views


7 to 10 days in Mongolia / getting organized

on my way from Irkutsk to Beijing in early october, I'll be spending about a week in Mongolia (possibly up to 10 days depending on how much I'm ahead of my schedule) .
I'm thinking about going to Karakorum and Erdene Zuu (for historic / architectural and landscape reasons).

besides that, I'm asking for advice.

I'd really love to see bactrian camels and besides that, typical Mongolian landscapes (OK, there are many different types of Mongolian lanscapes) and as much variety as I can. along with at least one night in a ger.
I've read a lot on this forum about many different places but they're still are many things I need to clarify (I haven't bought a guidebook yet :/)

so my questions are :

  • where can I see bactrian camels ?

  • are landscapes in Terelj national park very different from what I'll see on my way to and from Karakorum ?

  • is it real that there are sand d...
more »

01-Aug-2010 05:13
akelasaathi

last reply
01-Aug-2010 10:30
roadahead616

3 replies
51 views
location: China

Shanghai hotels

There are innumerable hotels in Shanghai. Would be very thankful for your actual experience of stay in a clean comfortable hotel near subway station and close to Nanjing/Bund area? Any recommendation, anyone? Do not know any Chinese language and we are a retired couple. Thanx.

01-Aug-2010 05:06
akelasaathi

last reply
01-Aug-2010 11:54
ansh_jain_97

1 replies
37 views
location: China

Hong Kong Sight Seeing

We want to spend 3 nights (4 Days) in Hong Kong. Any suggestions what we must see? Kindly provide an itinerary. I assume Macau will be a must among other spots.
We are not back packers. Any experience of a good hotel to stay for a couple (not honeymooners)?

Thanks.

01-Aug-2010 04:50
akelasaathi

last reply
01-Aug-2010 11:56
ansh_jain_97

2 replies
29 views
location: China

Hotels

We are a retired couple (not back packers). Would much appreciate recommendations for respectable hotels in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong where you have had actual experience of recent stay. A clean, comfortable, non-smoking room within walking distance from subway stop and close to important sightseeing areas would be preferable. We do not know any Chinese language. Please also provide hotel rating and tariff per night .
Thanks.

01-Aug-2010 03:51
sesma

last reply
01-Aug-2010 12:10
rhythm_blues

5 replies
54 views
location: Japan

ATM servise

I have been reading lots on ATMs use in Japan and most of the people advice that I can access them no problem.

"The cards can be used at Japan Post Bank ATMs.You can use in all the Japan Post Bank ATMs in Japan."

I have a master card and it looks like I can use it since is part of CIRRUS and my visas are part of PLUS.
I have 2 debit Visas, one Mastercard Debit and a credit card VISA. cash cards are debit cards right ? :/

After searching videos on youtube, most of the poeple complain that the ATM wont accept them or that you need to read Japanese in order to make the transaction.

Any words of advice or picture instructions that I can get??
Thanks in advance.

01-Aug-2010 01:59
lmrtw

last reply
01-Aug-2010 09:46
lmrtw

2 replies
31 views
location: Mongolia

Where to buy Mongolian currency in UK?

Hi,

I'm heading to Mongolia soon and want to have some Mongolian currency in my pocket before I arrive. Does anyone know a good place to buy this from the UK? I have looked at 5 or so travel money exchange sites and they don't advertise Mongolian currency?

Thanks in advance!

01-Aug-2010 00:18
lmrtw

last reply
01-Aug-2010 11:58
ansh_jain_97

7 replies
86 views
location: China

China itinerary - Suggestions / Advice

Hi,

I'll be starting my trip to China in Beijing in October and have a double entry visa (60 days on each entry). I would like to visit:

  • Beijing (Great Wall of China)
  • Datong (Yungang Caves)
  • Xian (Terracotta Warriors)
  • Shanghai
  • Nanjing
  • Chongquing (Yangzi river cruise & Three Gorges Dam)
  • Chengdu (Wolong Panda Reserve)
  • Lijiang (Tiger Leaping Gorge)
  • Hong Kong
  • Macau

After which I will make my way into Vietnam or Laos. I would be grateful if someone could suggest a good route between these places starting in Beijing and how long visiting these places may take as this is causing me some problems at the moment?

Also I would be interested to know if I am missing any of China's "not to be missed" highlights?

Thanks in advance! more »

31-Jul-2010 21:43
Alice1981

last reply
31-Jul-2010 21:43
Alice1981

0 replies
21 views
location: Mongolia

Invitation letter for visa

Hi

I'm currently in Beijing hoping to apply for my Mongolian visa on Monday. The sign on the embassy door says an invitation letter is required but a recent post suggested that it isn't needed. Does anyone know what the current situation is? I have found a website offering invitations for $25 but don't know if this agency is 'approved' http://www.legendtour.ru/eng/mongolia/invitation.shtml.

Any help would be much appreciated!

Alice

31-Jul-2010 21:38
princessgarnet85

last reply
01-Aug-2010 09:09
westwood

1 replies
29 views
location: South Korea

chinese visa help!

Is there any loop hole in which i can get a chinese visa as I now read that tourist can't get visas in South korea for China. I just noticed this!

My plan was to get a visa in Osaka, Japan, but because of my residence status I couldn't get one (I am registered as a resident in Sendai and so am not able to get one as Tokyo handles my area, I didn't know this until I got here), so I thought I could wait until South Korea to get one but now I find out this and I leave for Korea tomorrow.

I am going to be in China for just over 48 hours as I am getting a flight home to the UK. I have a flight booked from Seoul to Shanghai, would they let me board it without a visa, also I would be ok with staying in the ariport until my flight the following day, is that possible?

31-Jul-2010 20:45
cresti

last reply
01-Aug-2010 09:10
westwood

2 replies
54 views
location: China

Road from Shangri-La to Dequin still interrupted

So if you want to head over there, it's not possible at the moment.

Hope this helps.

31-Jul-2010 20:22
bannedagain

last reply
01-Aug-2010 11:09
John555

4 replies
57 views
location: China

China to India, return flights

Hello!

Could anybody suggest a cheap airline/s to fly return from China to India. Id prefer to fly out of Beijing, but Shanghai wouldnt be a problem either. In India, i dont really care where i fly into, i just want the cheapest fare!

Cheers in advance

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