Hi everyone,
Booked a flight to Bangkok via Shanghai using a cheapies deal over June/July
Spending 4 nights in Shanghai under their 144 hour visa free, any suggestions on decent hotels, things to do?
Have started to sort roaming/vpn and Alipay
Looking at 2 weeks in Thailand, was looking at Chiang Mai, Bangkok, maybe Phuket? Any suggestions, random things to do, cool places to stay etc?
Cheers
Cheers! Freaked out by snakes, but will have to give it a look. Did you find the malls similar to NZ just on a larger scale? How many days would you allocate for Bangkok, a week-ish?
Yeah, weirdly I'm not a snake fan at all either, but have been here a couple of times (with friends, and then family) - you're not up close with the snakes (unless you want to hold the super-tame python at the end of the show).
Some malls are similar to NZ, but MBK is def worth a visit for the range of stuff on offer (normal shops + tech stores + 'market' type stuff, great food court). I don't think I bought much from Icon Siam, but it's just a stunning place to visit, with the evening light show, internal waterfall, crazy luxury brands + cars, apple store, cool food/market experience on the ground floor (sooksiam), go late afternoon & take the boat from Sathorn pier (used to be free, now I think it's 10 baht/50 cents).
Personally, I think a whole week might actually be a bit long in Bangkok (depends on what kind of 'pace' you like though). Make sure wherever you stay is as close as possible to a BTS (skytrain) station though. This last trip we stayed 5 nights at Hotel Clover Asoke (got a good deal including awesome breakfast by booking well in advance). The pool has a cool view, but it's smallish so stays quite warm.
You'll be in the wet season, so be prepared for afternoon downpours! oh and get the 'Grab' app (basically uber/uber eats etc)
im from shanghai, recommend to stay near subway station within 5-10 mins walkable distance. Public transport is extremely handy and cheap. Believe more sightseeing and shopping is on Puxi side (not Pudong) or along the Bund. However, you may access to ferry, Didi (taxi app) to go across the river. If you got kids, Disneyland is also a popular destination nowadays, and staying at hotel inside the land gives extra privileges.
Google translator doesn't work in China so download other Translator app in case. Happy trip.
What to shop for in shanghai?
And what food would you bring back to NZ? I eat anything
It depends on what you want. Shanghai is a modern city, and you can probably buy anything there from expensive luxury items to the cheapest goods. Food tastes best when it's fresh, and with New Zealand's strict biosecurity policy, I wouldn't bother bringing anything back. Just buy an air ticket and travel there to explore.
Awesome, will look around Puxi side. Any must try foods? Will download Didi, and a translator app. How tricky will the language barrier be?
Setting up Alipay would be handy as it includes many useful apps such as taxi services, translation, food ordering, and more. It's pretty much a cashless society now, so there's no need to exchange and carry cash anymore. Xiaolongbao is my favorite food, but be sure to watch a video on how to eat it properly, as the hot, juicy soup inside can burn you. Regarding language barrier, talk to the younger generation, speak slowly and use simple words; most will understand you and be willing to help. The city is very safe at night, so take the time to enjoy the beautiful nighttime views. Enjoy :)
'Spending 4 nights in Shanghai under their 144 hour visa free'
I did not know you could do this, so you can fly there without a visa and leave after 4 days? That would be enough to see the great wall and palace.
It is a transit visa which means you must have another flight to a 3rd location.
Yep. Bill's onto it. Flight on to 3rd location with no stopover in China. And limited to one region. Can't fly into Shanghai, and leave from Beijing.
Olyou can't fly into shanghai get the 144 then fly to Japan via Beijing?( Just transit - not leaving the airport)
Can you fly into China and come back to get visa free transit?
Auckland China auckland
i assume transit free visa doesn't work with a ferry ticket to hongkong or macao?
as opposed to a plane ticket
Actually, if you land in Shanghai, you are restricted to traveling within certain regions and cannot travel to Beijing unless you land in Beijing
IMO just do Bangkok and Phuket, especially with 2 weeks
Would you do all 3 if extended trip to 3 weeks?
Yup for sure
Kanchanaburi is well worth a visit. Bridge over the river Khwae, Hellfire pass museum and the cemeteries are incredibly moving. Plenty else to see and do there too. You can get there by train from Bangkok.
I’d skip Phuket and head to Ko Tao or Ko Pha-ngan (stunning place, not just all about the full moon parties). Overnight train from Bangkok to Surat Thani then fast boat. Or you can fly to Koh Samui and boat from there.
Kanchanaburi looks fascinating, how many days did you spend there? Any reason on skipping Phuket, overcrowded? Will look at those Islands. Cheers
This is going back to my backpacking days 10 years ago, I think we were there for about a week, 6 weeks all up in Thailand. Bangkok > Kanchanburi > Chiang Mai > Chiang Rai and out the border at Huay Xai in to Laos.
Went to Phuket a couple years ago and it was crowded, tacky and full of unsavoury tourists from a certain country who's reputation has only gone downhill since.
Download the Michelin guide restaurant app - they're highly recommended places (not necessarily Michelin star)
There's heaps of restaurants in Thailand listed on there and enough to suit every budget.
Awesome cheers, didn't realise this existed. Will try to knock off a good chunk
What about tour companies in shanghai? And Jiangsu/zhejiang
Anyone know if you can get the 144hr visa.
Fly out of china for 2 days. Return back to country (same or different airport in china) and get a fresh 144 hr visa again?
it works each time you enter china, fresh 144 hrs countdown starts again.
Recently returned from a couple of weeks in Singapore & Thailand (4th trip there). Bangkok is pretty intense & lots of fun - check out the Snake farm (mostly for the handling show) for something you wouldn’t see in NZ! or one of the shooting ranges if you’re into that (fun, but pricey!). So many malls - MBK is my favourite, but there are at least 3 others close by. Icon Siam mall on the river is super fancy (with a free boat & evening light show). Grab a ferry up the river, ride a tuk tuk, visit Chatuchak weekend market (mind-blowingly big!), eat amazing food… lots more but depends on what you’re into or who’s with you :) Chiang Mai is great, and way more chill :)
Oh and get the Klook app (it’s a bit like GrabOne)