Taipei and a few days out of Taipei

HI everyone. I will be in Taipei for a conference in November and will have a few days (4 to be exact) after the conference. I plan to spend 2 days in Taipei and was wondering if it was possible and worthwhile to get out of Taipei for a visit to somewhere different. I hear Tainan and Kaoshing are places that are worth visiting and also possible to do a day trip.

I can't seem to find a link to train timetables to see what the travel will be like and frequency and the edition of Lonely Planet I am reading was obviously printed before the high speed train came so does not say much.

Any suggestions on the above, where else and what to do and see will be appreciated.

Thanks again

2-week Itinerary Advice

Hi,

I am planning an approx. 2-week trip to China this July, and I'm concerned if the itinerary is too rushed. As a first trip, it is meant to be a brief overview (I know it would require a few trips and more time to really get to know China), but I am also trying to avoid cramming in too many sights and just breezing past them.

I would be thankful for any advice / feedback on the following itinerary (city / # of days):

- Beijing / 5 days (1 day will be a trip to Jiankou)
Beijing -> Taiyuan (train); Taiyuan -> Pingyao (train)
- Pingyao / 2 days
Pingyao -> Taiyuan (train); Taiyuan -> Xi'an (overnight train)
- Xi'an / 2.5 days
Xi'an -> Jiangyou (overnight train); Jiangyou -> Jiuzhaigou (bus)
- Jiuzhaigou / 2.5 days
Jiuzhaigou -> Chengdu (bus)
- Chengdu / 1 day
Chengdu -> Hangzhou (plane); Hangzhou -> Huangshan Tangkou (bus)
- Huangshan / 1.5 day
... more »

Bus - Hagurokan and Yamagata

We will be travelling north to southeast from Akita. I know there is train access from Akita to Tsuruoka, but we are staying one night at Hagurokan, then two nights in Yamagata. Does anyone have bus schedule times between Tsuruoka and Haguro, and Haguro and Yamagata - weekday, end of June.

Also, where exactly is Hagurokan lodging? Is it in the village at the base of Mt. Haguro, or is it the lodging at the top? I've tried the website, but am unable to figure out.

Yehliu, Juming museum, Teresa Teng memorial, Dharma Drum - public transport

What's the best order and public transport to ensure I can see the following in a day trip from Taipei?
Yehliu
Yehliu Ocean World
Juming Museum
Teresa Teng Memorial
Dharma Drum Monastery

Thanks.

Kaiping to Hongkong, way of transport

Hi, what is the smootehst way of transport to go from Kaiping to Hongkong?
On the net I only found this information from 2010:

• bus from Kaiping to Zhuhai (RMB65)
• find the Zhuhai Port Plaza mall across the road
• navigate through the crazy mob (it makes Mongkok seem Civilized) to the public transport (taxi) area
• take metered taxi to "jiu Zhou gang" (???), for the ferries to HK. About 10-15 mins, ~35RMB
• ferries every half hour either to China Ferry Terminal in TST or to Macao Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan. (RMB165). Takes 70 mins.

Help needed for Chengdu - HuangLoong - Jiuzhaigou trip in autumn

Hi...

Planning for the trip from 16 - 22 Oct during the peak season. We have 7 persons in our group. Arrive Chengdu 10.30pm. Accomodation not book yet.. Any recommendation for a decent hostel/budget hotel? Is it easy to get taxi from the airport to hotel at this hour? or may it be more convenient /cheaper if we ask the hostel/hotel to arrange the transport?

We hope to fly to Jiuzhaigou next day. We know that the airfare is really expensive! I checked that there is a promo fare right now for night flight (Sichuan Airlines) 22.10pm on 17 Oct from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou. Is it advisable to take such a late night flight? Where to stay if arrive around 23.00pm? Someone was suggesting either we stay at Chuanzhisi or Sonpan so that we can go to Huangloong Park the next morning. However, will flying from KL at sea level and then to Huanglong airport and stay at Chuanzhusi area be no... more »

Nyingchi province, Mount Namjagbarwa and Yarlung Zangbo river

Hello Folks,

after many hours spent looking for info I have a general understanding of the places I would like to go but I am not sure on the permit situation, checkpoints, and logistics for this eastern part of Tibet.

I would like to visit the Yarlung Zangbo river gorge in the area of Mount Namjagbarwa and medog county. So far I understood that I need to get to Shangrila which is the last town before heading into Tibet. I read all about the TAR but also I am not interesting in going too far into tibet, just travel on G318 to Bowo then onto to Paliongcun. I see a lot of pictures on panoramamio and some are also fairly recent 04/2012.

What I am wondering is if a tibet permit is needed, if there are checkpoints, or if I can just get a local permit from the local police, which I have seen suggested by a few people.

If I need to get a tibet permit will I be able to travel ind... more »

Yuanyang This Summer

Going to YY in Yunnan Province this summer. Couple of questions: is pre-booking necessary for the bus from Kunming? I note there are not many services each day.
Secondly, what accommodation is available with fans or AC? I remember that guesthouses and hostels in Kunming often come without and in the height of summer, I think it's necessary. Is it necessary in Yuanyang? I don't know. Help will be much appreciated.