Buses and Minibuses
Despite the ever-widening net thrown by the rail lines, there are still many parts of China unreachable by train - in which case bus is the cheapest (and often only) way of getting there. The huge numbers of private operators who have sprung up in the last few years mean that services are increasingly frequent, even to remote places, though some cities have so many depots it can be hard to find the right departure point. The advantages of bus over train travel are that seats are cheaper and it's no trouble to buy a ticket - queues really don't compare. And, while you can't usually book more than a day in advance, you are also almost guaranteed a seat, albeit often a hellishly uncomfortable one, even if you buy the ticket minutes before departure. On the downside, bus travel is very slow - count on an average speed of 30km per hour, breakdowns from time to time, and stops every few minutes to pick up or set down passengers. Airhorns make the experience noisy, too, as drivers are obliged to announce their presence before overtaking anything, and earplugs are seriously recommended. There are some new expressways, but poor surfaces and maintenance means that country roads can be downright dangerous, as is the habit of saving fuel by coasting down hill or mountainsides in "angel gear" - neutral, with the engine off. Take some food along, because though buses usually pull up at inexpensive roadhouses at mealtimes, they have been known to take two drivers and plough on for a full 24 hours without stopping. Tickets are sold at the point of departure, whether this is a proper bus station or just a kerb stop - in which case you'll pay on board. You'll do this too if you hail a bus in passing; destinations are always displayed (in Chinese characters) on the front of the vehicle. It's best to buy your ticket a day or two in advance if possible, though it's often unnecessary; hotel desks might do this for you but queues at bus stations are rarely as horrendous as those for the train. The standard Chinese long-distance bus is fairly ramshackle, with wooden or lightly padded seats; they're never heated or air-conditioned, so dress accordingly. Legroom and ceiling height are none too bad, but you'll still feel cramped if you're more than 1.5m tall. Owing to the frequent police checks on roads in China, however, buses are seldom illegally overcrowded. Luggage racks are tiny, and you'll have to put anything bulkier than a satchel on the roof, your lap, or beside the driver. On popular routes you'll also find two more comfortable options, although these are thirty to fifty percent more expensive than an ordinary bus. Luxury buses have larger, better padded seats which often recline; sometimes there's even air-conditioning and video - not always a welcome addition to the noise. Sleeper buses have basic bunks instead of seats, and can be comfortable if a little cramped; they tend to be harder to book, however, and road travel at night is always more dangerous. Lower bunks ( xiapu) are a bit more expensive than upper bunks ( shangpu), but are more comfortable and have space underneath to store shoes and luggage. There are no luggage racks for upper berths. Minibuses are common on routes of less than 100km or so, and can be immensely useful. If you've missed the only bus to where you're going, you can usually hop there in stages by minibus. All are privately run and prices vary around the country, but they typically cost a little more than the same journey by public bus.
Voyageinchina.comAdam Yin says "Chinese Visa Application
The following information is FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY, Please contact Chinese embassy or consulate general in your country or region for accurate and detailed information.
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According to the Law of the People's Republic of China Concerning the Administration of Foreigners Entering and Leaving the Country, foreign tourists must apply for visas at China's foreign affairs offices, consulates or other organizations authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A group of five tourists or more can apply for a group tourist visa. This is usually handled by a travel agency organizing groups. People coming to China from countries which have visa agreements with China (such as agreements which exempt tourist groups from visas) are treated in accordance with these agreements.
If anyone wants to go to Tibet for a visit you can apply for a visa only with the consent of the Tourism Administration of the Tibet Autonomous Region or any one of its foreign representative offices. A passport is required for visa application, the passport shall be valid for at least 6 months beyond the duration of the tour.
A Brief Introduction to Chinese Visa
Chinese visa is a permit issued to a foreigner by the Chinese visa authorities for entry into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory. The Chinese visa authorities may issue a Diplomatic, Courtesy, Service or Ordinary Visa to a foreigner according to his/her identity, purpose of visit to China and passport type.
The Ordinary Visa consists of eight sub-categories, which are respectively marked with Chinese phonetic letters L, F, Z, X, C, G, D, J-1and J-2.
L Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for tourist purposes, family visiting or other personal affairs.
F Visa: Issued to an applicant who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months.
Z Visa: Issued to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members.
X Visa: Issued to an applicant who comes to China for the purpose of study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period over six months.
C Visa: Issued to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them.
G Visa: Issued to those who transit through China.
D Visa: Issued to applicant who is to reside permanently in China.
J-1 Visa: Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China.
J-2 Visa: Issued to foreign correspondents on temporary interview missions in China.
Validity of Visa: normally speaking, a visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance (date of application) and on any day within this period, the visa holder may enter China.
Duration of Stay Specified in the Visa: normally speaking, a visa holder may stay in China for 1 month which counts from the date of his/her entrance into China. To stay longer, you need to specify your request in your application form and itˇŻll be subject to the permission of the consul in charge.
Overseas Chinese Visa Authorities, include Chinese embassies, consulates, visa offices, and the consular department of the office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. If a foreigner intends to enter into, exit from or transit through the Chinese territory, he shall apply to the above-mentioned Chinese visa authorities for a Chinese visa. For further information, please consult the nearest Chinese visa authorities.
5)Important Notes:
According to the relevant international law, any sovereign state has the exclusive rights to decide whether or not to allow the foreigners to enter its territory, and accordingly to issue visa, reject visa application and cancel an issued visa according to its national law without providing the reasons.
With its valid Chinese passport, a Chinese citizen can enter China without a visa.
" www.voyageinchina.comAdam Yin says "Emerald Tour Ltd., a registered inbound travel operator in China. providing high quality destination management services for exceptional value including: China tour packages; Shanghai, Beijing City tours; hotel reservation; and MICE service in China.
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Hilltops pop up from nowhere like trees in the forest and they are shaped like buns, camels, fishes, saw-teeth, horses, etc. It is a city you must visit or you will miss those beautiful landscape there. Rivers flow around like green silk ribbons while the hills reveal themselves as jade hair-pins. Guilin embraces great landscapes like green hills, clear waters, pretty rocks and fantastic caves.
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8. Faming Activities and Stay in farmers' houses
9. Hot Balloon
10. Li river cruise tour. Cormorant fish, fantastic caves
11. Longsheng dragon's backbone rice terraces
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" Explore China On Line (Video and Stills)David Mundstock says "My film "The Last Emperor’s Home Video” offers visits to China’s best known places, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, Beijing’s Summer Palace, the Grand Canal, Xian, beautiful Guilin, Shanghai, Suzhou, Hangzhou, plus Hong Kong.
“The Last Emperor’s Home Video” can be seen on the web, if you have a high speed internet connection.
This is a free, non-commercial, streaming video on the Windows Media Player. No ads and no strings attached. I still sell absolutely nothing.
The gallery of still photos from China can be viewed with any modem.
There are over 30 of my other amateur travel videos on-line covering all seven continents. Visit Japan, Italy, England, Antarctica, Bali, Hawaii, Russia, Peru, Mayan Pyramids, Egypt, Greece, or Turkey; see whales, penguins, or polar bears.
The planet is yours, including my Home Page giant galaxy of still pictures.
To watch a video or view the stills, please ask a search engine for:
Intrepid Berkeley Explorer"
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