China - never a dull moment!

[Cruiser Elite]

IME absolutely ZERO chance with a seat map for any trains. Are you in First Class or Business Class?

As for VPN I think Express VPN as good as any - if you ask this specific question in FT China WeChat group with 100 members you will get 25 diff VPN preferences.

 

[Atleastonce]

IME absolutely ZERO chance with a seat map for any trains. Are you in First Class or Business Class?

As for VPN I think Express VPN as good as any - if you ask this specific question in FT China WeChat group with 100 members you will get 25 diff VPN preferences.

Thanks for reply. We are in first class and in row 11, carriage 1.

 

[woodyren]

We just got off a G-Train today. Were in Row 14 only in 2nd class and it was towards the other end of the carriage away from the luggage storage rack.

 

[mushez]

I asked for the last row so we could store our bags directly behind our seats.

I didn't know / don't know of any way to have any any preferences as to seat allocation taken into consideration of allocation of seats. Normal way is to negotiate with others on the train to swap seats for the seats you ideally wanted. Possession is 9/10ths of the law.

Last row in a carriage, can be the front row - as the seats in all classes are turned around for the return journey (one of two directions are reversed). 1st row in a train, can be last row that can then have bags put behind - and only reason 1-2 bags can be put behind - is the room to allow the seat to rotate.

You put your carry on bags in the racks above your heads in 2nd and 1st class - which is what most PAX have only. Bulky bags in the luggage racks near the doors. Crew hate any straps hanging down, so make sure not a single strap of your bag is hanging down - otherwise they will come and correct when passing through the cabin.

Whats more - first and last rows, are not the rows I would prefer not to pick for my bags or sitting especially if standing tickets are sold. Standing ticket holders hover around the doorways and in the gap behind the last row where you put your bags - and use your bags as something to perch on. Having your bags in the luggage racks is often the better option when standing tickets are sold.

I fail to see why one would want to have their bags directly behind the seats they were in vrs somewhere in the middle of the carriage and bags in the luggage racks by entrance doors.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I am headed to Beijing for the weekend and was wondering, does anyone have a recommendation for tour guides to take me out to the Great Wall? I have contacted Simon Service, but i would be grateful for your advice on the highly likely chance he is unavailable.

This might explain why Simon has been tardy in responding to work related queries - he posted this on WeChat:

 

[straitman]

Cruiser,
Greetings from coughet.
I haven't forgotten your advice for our trip. Just haven't got back to you. We are doing most of your recommendations so we can blame you if it doesn't work!
Simon has proven to be a gem thanks. He can only do one day but has a mate organised for day 2.
A great big thanks.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

This might explain why Somin has been tardy in responding to work related queries - he posted this on WeChat:

View attachment 99253

What marvellous news! Simon very kindly arranged a friend to take me to Mutianyu. It was a brilliant day.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

For those who haven't travelled on CRH (High Speed) trains be aware there is indeed a Dining Car on all trains. Here you can buy warm beer and shii.tty food - just a total experience!

 

[Atleastonce]

Is it ok to take panadeine forte and lyrica into china with a doctors letter and package showing it is prescribed to me.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is it ok to take panadeine forte and lyrica into china with a doctors letter and package showing it is prescribed to me.

Short answer: yes

Longer answer: codeine based cough syrups are currently banned in China and will be seized if you are attempting to bring in multiple bottled without prescription. It's possible the ban could be extended to tablets, but who knows if or when. Even then, a limited amount for personal use, with prescription, is unlikely to raise an eyebrow.

In reality: no one is even going to look or ask for prescription medication. I've had my bag x-rayed about once in 50 flights. All pax were directed through the bag x-ray but no idea what they were looking for... could have been anything... like milk powder. Even if they are looking for medication, a tourist with a prescription and supply only for the time they are in China would be fine. (Customs is nothing like, for example, Japan, where they are very strict on the medications you bring in.)

 

[mushez]

Is it ok to take panadeine forte and lyrica into china with a doctors letter and package showing it is prescribed to me.

Assume you accidentally missed the question mark of that question by error, made me have to read it a few times to try to see if it was a question or not.

I cannot see why any prescribed mediation for personal usage for stay would not be allowed to be taken into China, for the most part Chinese Customs are lax - and tend to focus on Chinese PAX with excess volume of baggage to see if there is duty and taxes to be paid.

The arrival cards are just requiring your personal info and where you are going to stay, no tick boxes of what you have and don't have.

Once I arrived with trunk loads of baggage and was pulled aside, and upon them seeing my APEC card - waved me through. Another time at Wuxi, they xrayed all baggage of PAX on arrival upon departing baggage collection area, and because of the truck tons of products in my bags for my supplier friends in China (inc Milk Powder) - they opened all up to look, but after kicking the tyres for a few minutes just let me pass in after repeating a few times in questioning they were all gifts for my friends in China. Their focus was only on tax they could collect on imports.

 

[Atleastonce]

Assume you accidentally missed the question mark of that question by error, made me have to read it a few times to try to see if it was a question or not.

I cannot see why any prescribed mediation for personal usage for stay would not be allowed to be taken into China, for the most part Chinese Customs are lax - and tend to focus on Chinese PAX with excess volume of baggage to see if there is duty and taxes to be paid.

The arrival cards are just requiring your personal info and where you are going to stay, no tick boxes of what you have and don't have.

Once I arrived with trunk loads of baggage and was pulled aside, and upon them seeing my APEC card - waved me through. Another time at Wuxi, they xrayed all baggage of PAX on arrival upon departing baggage collection area, and because of the truck tons of products in my bags for my supplier friends in China (inc Milk Powder) - they opened all up to look, but after kicking the tyres for a few minutes just let me pass in after repeating a few times in questioning they were all gifts for my friends in China. Their focus was only on tax they could collect on imports.

Thank you, and yes I missed the question mark!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I am not going to spoil coyotes thread anymore:

I don't get why anyone would want to go to Bali?? Just an example!

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-...-killed-meat-sold-tourists/8620128[/QUOTE]But consumption of dog meat is not uncommon in Asian countries - Westerners may totally disagree - but their country - their rules - there cultures:

Food Or Friend? Dog Meat Festival Opens Despite Ban Rumours

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am not going to spoil coyotes thread anymore:

But[/URL] consumption of dog meat is not uncommon in Asian countries - Westerners may totally disagree - but their country - their rules - there cultures:

Food Or Friend? Dog Meat Festival Opens Despite Ban Rumours

Perhaps under different circumstances.

Animal cruelty has no place in anyone's culture. This is not a case of the humane breeding, slaughter, and consumption of animal meat (for which in theory dog meat should be no different to any other). The conditions under which these dogs are being farmed, transported and killed is not acceptable as you can see from the pictures in the article.

 

[Atleastonce]

A question about power point outlets in China. I have researched this and some say there is a three prong (grounded) like Australia, but others say the Australian power plugs don't fit, others say there are three types of outlets. Can someone please shred some light on this please. I usually take a power board with me for my numerous powered items, but think I may need to utilize USB connectors rather than power outlets. Thanks in advance.

 

[TonyHancock]

A question about power point outlets in China. I have researched this and some say there is a three prong (grounded) like Australia, but others say the Australian power plugs don't fit, others say there are three types of outlets. Can someone please shred some light on this please. I usually take a power board with me for my numerous powered items, but think I may need to utilize USB connectors rather than power outlets. Thanks in advance.

I have certainly had issues with Australian plugs, sometimes but not always. The western hotels I have stayed at have had US style plugs and multi style plugs that take just about anything.

 

[moa999]

Vast majority of China is Aus plugs +though often upside down, although hotels often have multi plugs.

Some newish Chinese plugs as a safety mechanism require the third (ground) pin to be inserted so won't accept a 2-pin Aus plug

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Check here - Chinese Power Outlets - as a general rule your Australian plugs will fit many but not all Chinese power outlets - when anybody travelling abroad always best bet to have 1 universal power adaptor with them.

All decent hotels will have multi pin outlets - of course if you still have prob hotels will lend you one or you can buy from any C Store which are on every street corner.

 

[mushez]

A question about power point outlets in China. I have researched this and some say there is a three prong (grounded) like Australia, but others say the Australian power plugs don't fit, others say there are three types of outlets. Can someone please shred some light on this please. I usually take a power board with me for my numerous powered items, but think I may need to utilize USB connectors rather than power outlets. Thanks in advance.

I personally have NEVER had an issue at a factory or in a hotel finding a 3 pin Australia plug to plug into. That is 3 months a year in China, each year, for the past 8 years (give or take).

I do have issues with 2 pin plugs, like OEM Iphone charger Australian plugs - as the 3 pin plugs have the safety enabled about 70-80% of them, that checks it is a 3 pin and not a 2 pin being inserted. 3 pin plugs, have the 3rd earth a little longer, and that being a little longer acts as a key when inserted to unlock the top two for neutral & live to slot in. But most sockets have the option of a two pin option, that you can half put your 2 pin plugs into, but not fully in as they are slightly winder, and you see your prongs of the plug flexing out - but gets the job done.

I have also had issues in a couple of older, normally 4 & 5 star hotels, that they had an Australian 3 pin plug around the office area in the room, but all other plug sockets in the room, inc ones by bedside tables were the ones that you needed an adapter for and clearly fitted many moons ago. As above, always an option in the room, just might not be where you want that option to be to have your phone on charge on your bedside table.

I tend to try to get the laptop out and plug in, then plug USB devices into the 4 USB ports in the laptop - 1 of them will charge even when the laptop is powered off, and charge all that way. Often trying to keep all charged through the day off the power bank, and then just having to recharge the powerbank overnight.

If you really where having issues, for 10-30 RMB, you can go to any convenience store or supermarket, and get a 3 or 4 way switchboard, blue and white tend to be the better ones I find - that have a 3 pin Australian plug on them - and have multi plug option on each socket in the board - and often the cheaper ones have no security to verify if 2 prong plugs are being inserted vrs earthed 3 pin.

 

[Atleastonce]

Thanks for the information on the power sockets. So much more helpful than a general google search. Thanks again.