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posted
08-Jun-2004 08:32
by: Zedd_at_LP »

last reply
08-Nov-2009 23:33
by: Trakka »

103 replies , 103,680 views

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 7

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!

Travel buddies, travel companions or trek partners
If you're seeking any of the above, then please post on our Travel Companions branch, not on the destination branches. 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 that as a separate topic on the appropriate tr... more »

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posted
15-Jul-2008 17:03
by: chiefnugt »

last reply
29-Nov-2009 14:36
by: gibletdinner »

14 replies , 1,278 views

Asia guidebooks now available by chapter in Pick & Mix

Over the years many of you have told us you'd like to take just the parts of our books you really need. We thought about how best to do this, and last year launched Pick & Mix, which enables you to buy, download and print individual chapters from Lonely Planet guides in digital (PDF) format.

Last week, we added our guides to North East Asia to Pick & Mix. That means the entire range of Asia guides is now available by chapter. So you can check it out for yourself, the first chapter of each guide is free to download. You can see Pick & Mix here.

This is still a new thing for us, and I'd appreciate any suggestions or feedback.

Tom Hall
Product Manager, Pick & Mix

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posted
14-Feb-2009 03:26
by: mrcjonesy »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 09:53
by: everbrite »

408 replies , 56,582 views location: Tibet

Pages 1 2 3 4 ... 28

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 »

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posted
12-Dec-2009 15:30
by: iskiek »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 16:44
by: Ruth_in_Canada »

1 replies , 10 views location: China

cheap accomodation in Yangshuo

Hello dear traveller...

I'm planning to stay about 50 days in Yangshuo for climbing...Is anybody know a cheap
place to stay...A dormitory will be good...I will be there from mid december 2009 and january 2010...

Thank you...i wish you all the best...See you

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posted
12-Dec-2009 12:34
by: sgwelly »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 14:57
by: zt123 »

1 replies , 8 views

Trans Siberian in Winter

I am contemplating doing the Trans Siberian soon and am wondering which season would be best. Summer seems like the best option but also the busiest and most expensive.

Has anyone done it in winter, spring or fall? What are those seasons like? I imagine winter will be mind numbingly cold especially in Siberia but would there be anything to see and do apart from the white snow covered landscape?

Thanks.

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posted
12-Dec-2009 11:48
by: bun_cha »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 13:53
by: laketraveller »

2 replies , 22 views

Cathay Pacific experience

Several months ago we bought 2 RT tickets SFO-HKG-Hanoi and return via BK through HK again. There was a death in our family and with a brief, professional interaction and our documentation of the death, Cathay Pacific is refunding the entire cost of the tickets. And the woman who left the message on our phone gave what really did seem like sincere condolences. Once again, they do an exemplary job.

See you next year!

Budget Guide to HK | Nothing but HK budget accomodation (photos of Dragon and other places) | Hong Kong photos (click Slideshow) | journal more »

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posted
12-Dec-2009 11:46
by: xokapi »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 13:46
by: purple_vine »

2 replies , 18 views location: China

trains from Guilin

If you know Guilin, do you think there would be any problem catching a train from Guilin to Beijing in the week or so prior to Chinese New Year. Thanks for any advice.

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posted
12-Dec-2009 09:20
by: 1bluedevilfan »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 09:48
by: 889 »

1 replies , 20 views location: China

Buying Yixing teapots in Shanghai

HI,

I'm looking for special teapots to give as business gifts. Something made by an artisan versus factory.

Any suggestions on shops in Shanghai for Yixing teapots?

Thanks,

Bud

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posted
12-Dec-2009 08:09
by: globetrotter1982 »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 08:09
by: globetrotter1982 »

0 replies , 12 views location: Tibet

Tibet overland trip - Lhasa to Kathmandu in May2010

HI there,

I am planning to go to Tibet in May 2010. Thinking about a 8 or 9 day trip.
Lhasa - Yamdrok Lake - Gyantse - Shigatse - Sakya - EBC - Nepalese Border.

Who is interested to join in such a tour to share costs?

Thanks and regards.

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posted
12-Dec-2009 06:56
by: susanpingu »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 13:43
by: drumbrake »

1 replies , 24 views location: China

Cheap online airfares from Guyou.com

Hi,

Has anyone purchased online from Guyou.com?

A fellow passenger told me she booked online (Kunming-Shenzhen) for half what I paid and it was from Guyou.com which she pin-yined to me. But I looked up the website and couldn't find it.

Any tips on how to find this website without Chinese? Thanks.

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posted
12-Dec-2009 06:55
by: jeanctc »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 13:32
by: kashgarguide515 »

3 replies , 30 views location: China

2.5 weeks Sichuan,Xinjiang and side trip to Xian??

Slowly but surely I am organising my trip in March 2010.Initially I would have had 10 days;now I have 2.5 weeks.I have already had many recommendations from TTers in and around Chengdu for a week.I am thinking of travelling north to Wolong,Songpan and Jiuzhaighou.Now that I have extra days I would like to make a side trip to Xian mostly to see the Terracotta warriors and then fly to Xinjiang and spend a week there and fly back to Chengdu.I have to be in Chengdu to fly back to Kuala Lumpur.
My questions are:
1.Easiest way to go to Xian from Jiuzhaighou?I guess fly...approximate costs?
2.Is it worth it to go to Xian just for the warriors?How long should I stay there and what other sights are there?(Old town,Muslim quarter.etc..)
3.Recommendations for a week in Xinjiang please!!Where should I fly to from Xian?
4.Finally what will be the weather like in March in those places?
That w... more »

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posted
12-Dec-2009 04:18
by: acrobaticsnail »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 09:25
by: tomongolia »

1 replies , 21 views location: Mongolia

Mongolia Visa

Hi,

I'm hoping to take the trans-mongolian at the end of january 2010. Not yet sure of the exact date i will enter mongolia but will probably be booking my accom in the UB guesthouse in the next few days.
I understand its not exactly t-shirt and shorts weather at that time of year so it may sound stupid but will there be many other back-packers there at the same time does anyone know??
Im a UK citizen, registering my russian visa in st. petersburg, is it possible for me to get my mongolian visa at irkutsk because i plan on staying there a few days enroute??

Thanks!

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posted
12-Dec-2009 00:34
by: alamosf »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 13:58
by: MLH »

4 replies , 43 views location: China

Beijing > Datong > Pingyao > Xian > Beijing

Am in China already and already have plane tickets from Beijing to Datong and back to Beijing from Xian - with 8 days to spend. My plane gets into Datong at 9am and was thinking of spending a night there to see the grottoes and the hanging monastery. Now, after much research, I've learned I might be able to do this in a day and that it might be a good idea to not spend the night in Datong. Anyone know how to hire a car, get on a tour that probably starts at noon and ends soon enough to catch a night bus/train to Pingyao? Considerations/issues: airport to Datong & sites lugging bag around. Or should I just spend the night in town? If so, any tips on where?

Planning on staying at the Yamen hostel in Pingyao. Any thoughts/experiences on the place? I plan on spending some time exploring and soaking up the atmosphere. No set agenda.

Xian: tips? How many days? I've read 3 days/2 night... more »

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posted
11-Dec-2009 20:38
by: bizum1 »

last reply
12-Dec-2009 15:13
by: ZHET »

4 replies , 47 views location: China

TAXI FROM XIANYANG AIRPORT TO CITY

I have booked a hotel in the centre of Xian - they are saying they will pick me and one other person up for 150RMB - is this reasonable? Is it quite easy to get a cab independantly from the airport to a hotel in the centre of town?

Thanks!
Kate

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posted
11-Dec-2009 19:11
by: freenote2 »

last reply
11-Dec-2009 22:56
by: freenote2 »

2 replies , 35 views location: Japan

Snowboarding Toyama

Hi

Can anyone recommend anywhere in Toyama specifically to go skiing/snowboarding please.

I'm aware that it gets a decent amount of snow and am going to be there over New Year.

Also, I would need a hotel to stay at in the resort that's a reasonable price.

I've been searching online and asking travel agents in Kochi where I'm living and it's very difficult to get any useful information.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

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posted
11-Dec-2009 17:41
by: Rickasaurus »

last reply
11-Dec-2009 22:16
by: kashgarguide515 »

1 replies , 31 views location: China

Xinjiang suggestions

Hi. In March 2010 we are doing a trip starting from Kashgar, overnight trip to Karakul Lake, 1 day driving to Hotan, then 5 days trekking in the Taklimakan Desert, from Imam Asim to Mazar Tagh, finally driving to Aksu. From Aksu we fly to Urumqi then visit Turpan for a day and back to Urumqi.

As we reduced the trekking from 6 days to 5, we have one unallocated day in that planned trip. I would appreciate any suggestions where we could spend that day. Our preference is out-of-the-way places, not museums or common tourist spots.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Rick

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posted
11-Dec-2009 15:01
by: damogeo »

last reply
11-Dec-2009 23:19
by: Glenski »

3 replies , 35 views location: Japan

Odori Bus Station Sapporo

Hey Guys,

Am heading to Sapporo in Japan on way to Niseko.
I was wondering if anyone had an address for Odori Bus Station?? I have been trying to find it to no avail.
The reason is that my transfer from Sapporo to Niseko is leaving from there.

I was thinking of staying at Ino's place, but after 'google earthing' it, I think it may be too far from the main area.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Damo

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posted
11-Dec-2009 12:16
by: highbrow »

last reply
11-Dec-2009 20:14
by: myobie »

5 replies , 69 views location: China

Monasteries on Emei Shan

Can anyone who's been to Emei Shan recently recommend some of the better monasteries to stay overnight at? Keeping in mind I'll be there in January. Also, are sleeping bags necessary??

I've searched the forums and do not see any specific info regarding this question.

Cheers!

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