Category Archives: linhtinh

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Beijing welcomes you…

Well, I enjoy my trip in China. And I was amazed by how far the country has grown. It is not only the economic attraction or whatever media tells you, but also what I experienced over there. Besides the facilities or transportation, more importantly, it is about the people. I’ve heard that Chinese people even learn a better way to eat and behave in preparing for Olympic. It’s hard to describe, but it’s something I feel…

For that I admire China, for such transformation…

Even the habit of spitting is still popular in Beijing

Even in the world map there, Hoang Sa and Truong Sa belong to China…

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Foggy. Crowded. Google Maps & 14-42 vs 40-150mm

You should not rely much on Google Map search results in China. My hotel in Beijing is shown in the map as being close to the Beijing railway station and the Square. But none of these is true 🙁

It was not rainy during my staying in Beijing. But the air was foggy, all day…

All sightseeing places (Forbidden City, Square and Temple of Heaven – photos) are crowded with mainly local tourists. Full of tour ads at various prices.


At first I used 14-42mm lens for landscape photos- but it did not fit in the purpose. Too many people around that you can hardly get a good landscape, especially in such foggy environment. It occurs to me that 40-150mm was a better choice, at least to “isolate” us from the crowd in our photos 🙂

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Transportation

Shanghai: if you go as a group, better take taxi. The train system are complex with 8+ lines and very crowded with people pushing really hard to get it :|. Walking to the stations is also tiring :). The price of single ticket is 4 RMB, not very cheap…

Beijing: I prefer to take train here as the system is as good as MRT in Singapore, except for the long walking and climbing staircases when you need to transfer between lines. The ticket is cheap, 2RMB regardless of distance. It took me 2RMB to the Square by train, as compared to 30RMB/3 for taking a cab 😐

Well, I’m amazed by the traffic in Beijing. But lately I know it is because of the “number control system” that only cars with even or odd numbers are allowed on even/odd day during the olympic period. It’s nice 🙂

Shanghai – Beijing: I’m still happy with the choice of taking train. The price (499 RMB) is cheaper than air ticket. The quality of the train, or soft-bed in particular, is great. Not to mention that you can save one night of staying in the hotel as the traveling time is from 7pm to 7am on the next day 🙂

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Bargaining

When we walked on the old streets in Shanghai, my friend just did an amazing deal with a shop owner

A watch that I should not mention its brand was sold at 260 RMB. We walked away right away… The shop owner followed us and kept asking how much we want. We just said some price and keeped walking away…

In the end, it was sold at 45 RMB – as compared to the initial price of 260 RMB :))
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Chinese in China

I still think that you need to know a little Chinese, when travelling to China. Even for Beijing and Shanghai, 2 biggest cities in China, not so many people here understand English…

Once in the restaurant, I asked for the bill. “Bill, receipt” does not work. I waive a piece of paper. The waiter seemed very happy since he got my request. And to my surprise, I got a chunk of tissues :))

Two good things occur to me: (1) My girlfriend and my friend (Dudy) can speak a bit of Chinese and (2) People are friendly when I speak English to them, even they don’t understand 🙂