"Metro" - ing around Guangzhou

I found that the MRT system in Guangzhou quite useful for either society or travellers. The condition of the MRT station is clean, almost the same like in Singapore, and the languages used for announcements include English, Chinese, and Canton. The interchanges between different lines are also easy to access, as you don't need to walk very far to reach another line.

The cost is very cheap. The nearest destination only costs RMB 1, and the furthest destination is only RMB 12. With RMB 12, you can travel to other city (Panyu). There are a few of ticket - selling machine in each station, and if you are having difficulty or you don't have small change ( the machine only accept maximum RMB 10) buying the ticket using the system, there are counters where there are officers selling the tickets manually. If in Singapore, when you buy a single - trip ticket, you get a one thin plastic card, but in Guangzhou, instead of getting a card, you will receive a plastic coin. Be careful with the coin, you can easily loose it.

Guangzhou - 16 April 2008

This morning, after having Chinese breakfast in hotel, we depart for Guangzhou by An Extremely Fast Train. I still remember, about my last trip to Shenzhen 4 years ago, we still have to travel 3 hours by train to Guangzhou, but now... according to my dad, it only takes 1 hour approximately. The tickets are about RMB 75 ( my father accidentally bought the 2nd class ticket), but the train is extremely nice, compared to the train 4 years ago. The new train is called GSRC , and we take it from Shenzhen Train Station. No kidding, the train runs on 201 km/h ( well, this is my first time boarding the train that runs for 200 km / h, but I noticed there are 400 km / h train in Shanghai).




After we arrived at my friend's house, I went to a bank to register a new account in China, for my future business purpose. After that, we went to Liu Hua to register as buyers at 103 rd Guangzhou Trade Fair by Guangzhou Metro (My friend told me that it's better to register in evening period, to skip the long queue). The MRT in Guangzhou is very nice, even compared with Singapore one. One tips if you want to visit the Guangzhou Trade Fair is that it's better if you ask for an E-pass from the Canton Fair Official Website, which can save you RMB 100 each person, and you must do this at least a week in advance.



Well, the site is so large, that it takes us 4 hours just to walk through 10 % of the whole exhibition site, and we are just focusing on garment site (as my father is doing garment accessories business), so I haven't had the chance to look at other sector. For those who cannot speak Chinese, there are lots of interpreters outside the exhibition site waiting to help, on a reasonable cost. But from what I noticed, most of the buyers that have decided to go for this exhibition, are able to speak in fluent Chinese, no matter they are from which part of the world. I 'm surprised, in order to do business with China, they are willing to learn Chinese language.



After a tiring walk throughout the garment site, we decided to come again tomorrow, to explore the rest of the garment site. O yeah, one tips for the buyers, please take a luggage with you when you explore the exhibition site, as you need it to keep all the brochures and catalogues that are given to you. Trust me for this, because for tomorrow, I'm taking one as well.

Shenzhen - 15 April 2008

Arriving Shenzhen Bao An International Airport, we took the 330 airport bus towards city center, and it only costs us RMB 20 per pax. The trip takes about 1 hour from Bao An International Airport to Hua Lian Bus Stop. I was told that we should stop at Hua Lian, because it's quite crowded there, compare to the last stop (Train Station), so we can take a cab to our hotel. Well, taking a bus is a good option, because we can save much for the cost, and the interval of each bus is about 10 - 15 minutes only. I heard the taxi cost about RMB 170 to RMB 200 to go to city center, but I have no idea if there is extra charge during midnight.






After check in, we went to nearest restaurant to have dinner (Thank God during 11 o clock the city still crowded, but there is not much options left). I have a bad time during the flight, so I skip the dinner during the flight, and reaching hotel, my belly starting to scream like hell.






Well, have to get to bed soon..... Tomorrow early morning we have to catch a train to Guangzhou... Until then.....

Coconut Peeling Show

Well, I've been missing these few days, because I got an assignment to escorting a group of people visiting Malaysia and Singapore. Something interesting I want to share during the travelling.

Well, I found this guy during our stopover from Singapore back to Kuala Lumpur