Asia - North-East Asia

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 »

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....

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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.

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...

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.

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.

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

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?

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