Talking about backpacking in China/HK/Macau

They said you should never backpack while in china especially if you can’t speak proper mandarin. Well, Eton and I, both of us, we broke the norm. I speak mandarin so I thought we're going to be just fine or so I thought, well, it turned out to be an unforgettable journey.  If you asked me again can it be done, well, I would probably say a big NO.  

We reached Shenzhen at around 8pm. Took a bus to the Luhua railway station and later took the train to Guangzhoudong where we stayed overnight. 

Arrival card must be kept until the departure day

Later that morning, we took a taxi from the hotel to the Guangzhou railway station and endure a 20 hours journey to Beijing.  We could feel the autumn breeze at 16 degree Celsius even when inside the train. Using my SIMs and eton’s phone, we pre book a hotel somewhere in the southern part of Beijing city. THAT search alone had caused my phone bills to rise up to RM400. We stayed for three days and two nights, managed to visit the Mutianyu Great Wall and Tianmen Square by using public transportation.

We took a flight back to Shenzhen from Beijing using the China Southern Airlines. Left our backpacks at hotel in Shenzhen China and took the train to Hong Kong, where we stayed overnight. From Hong Kong we took the ferry to Macau, rent a tricycle for one hour tour before we head back to Shenzhen. 

Train and bus tickets

During the eight days of unexpectable journey, I just want to say that I forgive the Nigerian guy (I don’t mean to be racist here, it’s just a coincident) who stood behind us and made us the victim of interrogations. I thank those younger generation Chinese who had made the 20 hours train journey bearable. I forgive the taxi driver who had dropped us at the roadside and made us walk our own way to the hotel because the road route was not designed for green coloured taxi.  I thank the old man who speaks Cantonese who became our voluntary tourist guide cum photographer in Macau. I forgive the lady who sold us the SIMs card saying it’s going to function just fine when we reach HK but it didn’t.  Last but not least I want to thank my loyal travel companion Zaiton, who endure my anger & frustration and most of all for being just who she is, a friend. Until our next get away impulsive traveller…!!!    

Our Macau tour guide

Listed here are the things that should be observed while you backpack in China:-

1)      Go on a big group best with a tour. We were detained and interrogate for half an hour in the airport suspect of carrying drug. Remember that Eton, you almost lost your temper..!! While, I kept my eyes on the clock because any longer we definitely would missed the train ride to Guangzhou.

2)      Bank only except exchanges for dollar, not Ringgit, not Rupee, not Peso. But if you have activated your ATM card to make overseas transaction you will definitely benefit from it rather than exchanging your money in the airport because the exchange rate is higher.

 

3)      Learn the function of the taxi meter. Button here and there, they certainly will ‘robbed’ you if you let them.  Some coloured taxis only go to certain route in the city so make sure you take the correct taxi.

4)      When you buys things, bargain to your heart contain.   

5)  Pre book your hotel online and make sure you book a hotel nearest to the common public transportation for easy accessibility. Or you will have to get by with one of those ‘taxi’ that will cost you to bleed. It is also advisable to pre book your train ticket online especially on occasion such as school holidays and New Year.  

6)      If you buy one of those SIM card make sure the operator help you to activate both voice call and data call. And make sure you test it or you will be so very disappointed that you end up cursing that person who sold you the SIM card.

  

7)      The Chinese loves to eat so restaurant is abundant. You will probably gain weight because their food is always served in big serving.