Travel
Airports
Beijing Capital Airport
The distance between Beijing Capital Airport and the centre of Beijing is around 25 kilometres, and it takes 40 minutes if there is no major traffic congestion. The best method of transport is by taxi, located outside the airport. Normally, the cost should not exceed 90 yuan (75 yuan plus 15 yuan for the road toll) to the centre of the city. Don’t accept rides from taxi touts operating in the arrivals hall but rather proceed to the proper taxi rank outside the terminal building. For more information please see the Beijing Capital International Airport website.
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (old airport)
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is the domestic hub for Shanghai, via which you can fly to most Chinese cities. It is a standby airport for international flights. The distance between Hongqiao Airport and the centre of Shanghai is around 13km, and should take you about 30 minutes to the city centre without major traffic congestion. The best method of transport from the airport is by taxi, which should cost you about 40 yuan. For more information see the Shanghai Airport Authority website.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport (new airport)
The distance between Pudong Airport and the centre of Shanghai is around 50km, and the journey should take you about one hour depending on traffic. The easiest method of transport is by taxi, which should cost you about 150 yuan to the city centre. Check at the information desk in the airport arrival hall for buses that travel frequently to leading hotels. This is a cheaper option but you may need to wait for up to 30 minutes for the next bus.
If you are looking for something different to transfer you from the airport to Shanghai, Shanghai's magnetic levitation (MagLev) train opened for service in November 2004, and makes the 30km trip between Pudong Airport (PVG) and downtown Shanghai in only eight minutes. It is basically a train that floats on an electromagnetic cushion, which is propelled along a guide way at incredible speeds. The train runs between Pudong International Airport and Longyang Road station on the Shanghai subway line 2. For more information please see the Shanghai Airport Authority website.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
The distance between Baiyun Airport and the centre of Guangzhou is around 12 kilometres, and it takes less than 30 minutes to get to the centre of the city. The best method of transport is by taxi, and normally the fare should cost between 30 to 40 yuan to the city centre. If you take a taxi in China always ask the driver to put their meter on and ask for a receipt (fapiao) when you pay the fare. Travel to airports from your hotel can usually be arranged through an Airport Shuttle Bus pick-up service. On arrival at your hotel, it is a good idea to check with reception to see if this is available. For more information please see the Baiyun Airport website.
Ground transport
Public mass transportation may not take you to your exact destination, so the best option is to either hire a taxi or arrange a limousine. A limousine with an English-speaking driver can be arranged through your hotel or a car rental company. The indicative daily rate for limousine hire is USD200 (8 hours/80km/sedan).
Taxis are plentiful, inexpensive, and are metered by law. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers. As most taxi drivers do not speak or read English, it is useful to have your destination written on a card in Chinese characters. Also be aware that roads can be extremely congested during the peak hours from 8.00am to 9.00am, during lunch and dinner hours - so allow plenty of time.
- In Beijing, the standard flagfall is 10 yuan for the first four kilometres, with each additional kilometre costing two yuan.
- In Shanghai, the flagfall is 11 yuan during the day and 14 yuan after 11pm. The flagfall covers the first three kilometres, with each additional kilometre costing 2.1 yuan.
- In Guangzhou, the flagfall is seven yuan. The charge per kilometre after flagfall depends on the size of the taxi, and should be displayed on a sticker on the right rear window.
Hotels
In China, there is an expansive range of international and Chinese hotels for you to select from. Your choice of hotel will obviously depend on your budget, preferred location, and services offered. The websites listed below provide you with the option to browse a directory of hotels, including a description of services, location, prices and services offered. You can reserve a room and book online on each of these websites.
The following websites provide you with a list of hotels (mostly international) for major Chinese cities ranging from five star rating down to two star rating - ctrip.com, China discount hotel or Sino hotel.
The following website provides you with a directory of Chinese hotels at discount rates - China hotels.
Dining
Are you seeking a pleasurable 'dining' experience in Shanghai, Beijing or Guangzhou? Listed below is a selection of Chinese and international cuisine for you to consider.
Shanghai
For an Australian connection, you might consider:
M on the Bund
Australian Michelle Garnaut opened M on the Bund in January 1999. Located at the top of the former Nissin Shipping Building, constructed in 1921, M on the Bund overlooks the historic Bund and the futuristic Pudong skyline. The cuisine has been described as ‘eclectic European’ with Turkish, Lebanese, French and Italian influences.
Web: www.m-restaurantgroup.com
Laris
Laris overlooks the waterfront, and is one of the six drinking-and-dining places at Three on the Bund. The venue has a main restaurant, seafood bar, vault lounge, and two private dining rooms. Australian Greek chef David Laris describes the menu as ‘creative global cuisine’, including a fresh seafood bar and an in-house chocolatier.
Address: 6F, No.3 The Bund, 3 Dongshan Zhong Yi Road
Tel: +86 21 6321 9922
Mesa Manifesto
Located in the old French Concession, this restaurant incorporates a spacious bar and a rooftop terrace, and is renowned for its fine dining, wine list and cocktails. The restaurant’s Australian Owner and Executive Chef, Steve Baker, prepares meals inspired by the flavours of contemporary Australian cuisine.
Web: www.mesa-manifesto.com
Further information on restaurants in Shanghai can be found at That's Shanghai Magazine or Smart Shanghai.
Beijing
Beijing cuisine is a collection of varieties from the surrounding northern provinces, which includes barbequing, braising, deep-boiling, roasting and smoking. Internationally, Beijing is most well-known for its Roast Duck cuisine. You might consider the following Roast Duck restaurants:
Beijing Qianmen Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant
Address: 32 Qianmen Avenue Xuan Wu District,
Tel: +86 10 6701 1379
Bianyifang Roast Duck Restaurant
Address: A2 Chongwenmenwai Dajie, Chongwen District
Tel: +86 10 6712 0505
Further information on restaurants in Beijing can be found at That's Beijing Magazine or the Travel China guide.
Guangzhou
Guangzhou cuisine, more commonly known as Cantonese cuisine, is one of the 'famous eight' in China with its different flavours and styles. The basic cooking techniques include roasting, stir-frying, sautéing, deep frying, braising, stewing and steaming.
Further information on restaurants in Guangzhou can be found at the Travel China guide or That's PRD Magazine.
Tipping
Tipping is not customary in China, however, it has gradually become accepted as common practice like other countries in the world. It is a personal choice when you tip, and depends entirely on the service you receive. Tipping is greatly appreciated by the Chinese, however, you are under no obligation to do so.
Tourist attractions
If you have some spare time to relax between business meetings, then you may consider visiting the following tourist attractions around Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Hotel reception desks can recommend large tour groups for you to join.
Beijing
The Great Wall (Chang Cheng)
Located to the north and northwest of Beijing, the Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure, zigzaging more than 6,400km from the Shanhai Pass in the east to Lop Nur in the west. The Great Wall was built over 2000 years ago during the Qin dynasty. Badaling is the site where most tourists travel to, but can become quite crowded during peak season. Mutianyu, Simatai and Jinshanling are alternatives options depending on your timeframes.
The Forbidden City (Gu Gong)
The Forbidden City is located in the middle of Beijing, and is commonly known as 'gugong' in Chinese which means 'former palace'. It was the Chinese imperial palace from the mid Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty. Built from 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 surviving buildings and covers 720,000sqm. (Ensure you wear comfortable shoes).
The Summer Palace (Yi He Yuan)
The Summer Palace is located next to Beijing University, in the northwest corner of Beijing, 15km from the city centre. The Summer Palace is the largest imperial garden in the world, and was originally used as a summer residence by China’s imperial rulers. The initial construction of the Summer Palace was commissioned by Emperor Qianlong in 1750, was destroyed by Anglo-French foreign forces in 1860, and was rebuilt on its original foundations in 1888 by Empress Dowager Cixi. (On your return trip, be careful about taxis parked outside the Summer Palace – some have fake or adjusted meters).
Temple of Heaven (Tian Tan)
The Temple of Heaven is located in the southern part of Beijing. The temple grounds cover 2.73sqm of parkland, and comprises three major constructions including; ‘The Earthly Mount’, ‘The House of Heavenly Lord’ and ‘The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests’. The Temple was built in 1420A.D. during the Ming Dynasty for the emperors to worship heaven, and its overall design reflects the ancient Chinese thinking that ‘the heaven is round and the earth is square’.
Further information on tourist attractions in Beijing can be found at TravelChinaGuide.com or Beijing Tourist Information Office.
Shanghai
Yu Yuan (Yu Garden)
The Yu Garden is a famous classical Chinese garden located in the Old City of Shanghai south of The Bund. The Yu Garden covers five acres in area, and was built in 1577 during the Ming Dynasty. Pan Yunduan, a former treasurer of Sichuan Province, constructed the gardens for his parents in their old age, and so named it Yu Garden meaning 'pleasing garden' in ancient Chinese.
Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Located on the Pudong side of the Huangpu River, tourists can scale the 468m high Oriental Pearl TV Tower and experience panoramic views of Shanghai (on a clear day). The Tower’s design expresses the concept of 'pearls big and small, dropping on a jade plate'. The Tower is a multifunctional structure incorporating sight-seeing, dining, shopping, entertainment, accommodation, radio and TV transmission.
Nanjing Road
Nanjing Road extends 5.5km from east to west, and is the premier shopping street for fashion seekers. Over 600 shops and commercial businesses extend along both sides of Nanjing Road offering famous brand name products. If you like shopping at markets, 580 Nanjing West Road (next to Chengdu Road North) is a must see!
The Bund
The Bund, also known as Zhongshan Road, runs along the western bank along the Huangpu River, and is one of Shanghai’s most popular tourist attractions. The Bundhas been regarded as the symbol of Shanghai, and stretches almost one mile in length. The Bund houses 52 buildings of various architectural styles such as Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, neo-Classical, Beaux-Arts and Art Deco. In the latter 19th and 20th century, the Bund became the political and financial centre of the international community, and today reflects European, British, American, Japanese, and Russian influence. A walk along the Bund at night should not be missed!
Further information on tourist attractions in Shanghai can be found at TravelChinaGuide.com or ChinaPlanner.com.
Guangzhou
Yuexiu Park
Yuexiu Park is located in the north of Guangzhou, not far from the Guangzhou Railway Station. It is the largest park in Guangzhou with an area covering 92 hectares, containing landscaped gardens, man-made lakes, and recreational areas. The best known sight in Yuexiu Park is the Five Rams Statue, which celebrates the legend of the five celestials that came to Guangzhou riding on goats to bring grains to the people.
Qingping Market
The Qingping Market is located across the short bridge from the north shore of Shamian. The Qingming Market is one of the largest markets in China, and caters to a wide variety of shoppers. The goods on sale range from vegetables, furniture, memorabilia, antiques and more. You should be wary of the animal section if you have a weak stomach!
Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall
Sun Yat-sen’s Memorial Hall is the most symbolised building in the city, located on Dongfeng Road in downtown Guangzhou. The Memorial Hall was built in 1931 and is a famous commemorative structure of the Chinese Revolution of 1911. The complex is 49m high, with a floor space of 3,700m.
Further information on tourist attractions in Guangzhou can be found at TravelChinaGuide.com or China Travel Tour Guide.