Tibetan areas in Gansu and Qinghai

Hi, any tourists in Tibetan areas of Gansu and Qinghai these days? What places are open and worth visiting? What places are closed or best to avoid? I know the situation changes regularly, but just wondering what looks possible for the next few days of travel. Thanks!

Where To Live In Shanghai?

Hello,

My name is Steve and I am 23 year old recent college graduate from the United States. Going abroad has always been a dream of mine and I am beyond excited about my international opportunity. In early February, I will travel to Shanghai to work as a currency trading intern for a wealth management company. Everything is set besides where I will be living. The American company I am working with to coordinate the internship will soon be finding a location for me to live. If I want, I can have a say on where I live in the city.

My company is located on Wudong Road in Yangpu, Shanghai. Some people I have spoken with recommended that I live near some of the local universities. I want to meet as many new people as possible and hopefully live in an area that is both a reasonable commute to my work and has things to do (I fully understand this may not happen). I told my American co... more »

TRADITION: Bringing a Gift for your host while in china?!

So I read somewhere it's tradition that you should bring a small gift when you go to someone's house in China. We are going to be staying with two different friends while there and are brainstorming on what would be cool to bring them.

They actually bring us gifts whenever they come home and visit our home now too so I know they take it seriously.

We we're thinking maybe something that they can't get there that they miss from the United States.

Just for fun - does anyone have any clever ideas for these gifts? We are drawing a blank!

feedback on china itinerary in March?

Arrive Late Mar 3
Mar 4-6 Shanghai (daytrip to Hangzhou or Suzhou?)
6-9 Fly to Dalian (3hr drive to non-touristy great wall)
10-13 Beijing
13-15 Overnight train to Xian (not enough time for Jiuzhaigou)
15-18 Guilin and Yangshuo
19-21 More time in Yangshuo? Nanning? Get to Guangzhou (not enough time for Stone Forest or Lijiang)
21 fly Guangzhou (CAN) direct to Ho Chi Minh

I have family friends in Dalian. They fly to Ho Chi Minh via CAN on Mar 21.
I am meeting another friend in Guilin March 15 or 16.
Or cut a day from Shanghai at the beginning and fly Guilin back to Shanghai and then fly direct to Ho Chi Minh.

Arrive Late Mar 3
Mar 4-5 Shanghai
5-9 Fly to Dalian (3hr drive to non-touristy great wall)
9-13 Beijing
13-15 Overnight train to Xian (not enough time for Jiuzhaigou)
15-18 Guilin and Yangshuo
18-20 Shanghai (daytrip to Hangzhou or Suzhou?)
21 fly Shangh... more »

Clueless about Japan

I will be heading to Japan from 1st - 10th April.

My main aim:
1) see cherry blossoms n take pretty photos
2) onsen ryokan stay (either Hakone / Izu )
3) eat ramen, sashimi etc
4) shopping

Primarily I will be based in Tokyo
However, people are suggesting side trips to Kyoto, Yokohama etc
And yet, there are ppl who feel that Kyoto can be skipped as Tokyo is gd enough... Hmm~

I m getting a lil confused hearing fr them.

So thought of getting myself (either more confused or enlightened! Haaa~ by asking if any kind souls has any suggested itinerary on how I shd travel?

Thanks so much if YOU can help! :)

trainticket dandong pyongyang flight ticket PyongYang Beijjing

We will start a tour in Pyongyang ( of course all inclusive) but for the train from Dandong to Pyongyang we can book a ticket at our travel agency for €95/$130 each ticket excluding handling costs at station Dandong of €50,00/$65 for two
Is there an alternative possiblity to buy a ticket at the station at Dandong or??
Flight Pyongyang Beijing is impossible to book on internet but is there an agency whre you can book it??
We have been informed that one way ticket should costs €275,00/$325,00 ?

Hong Kong advice

Having just done 3 months backpacking Australia and New Zealand, I've now got the travelling bug. I'm planning my next trip, which I hope to start around June 2013. Ultimately I want to end up in Australia to see the places I havn't been yet. I plan to make a few stops in Asia before I end up in Australia. One of the places I've thought of going to is Hong Kong.

The things I wanted to ask are:

1. How long would be a suitable time to see Hong Kong?

I want to see the main tourist attractions (Giant Buddha, water front, see shops, scenic views of sky scrapers, disney possibly, go for a trek possibly, see the nightlife, and sample some of the local cuisine). Anything else to add to the list?

2. Would it be worthwhile adding Macau to my itinerary, and if so, are there backpacker like places to stay, what would be the cost of getting over to Macau, and how would I get over ther... more »