Xiamen

[TBWG]

Hi

Have just booked an Air Asia promo for a few days in Xiamen Southern China.

Got the Visa, booked the hotel but know bugger all about the place and can't speak a single word of Mandarin.

Anyone been there? any info appreciated, is English spoken widely? or not at all?

Thanks

TBWG

[lannarebirth]

I was there in December. Not much English around and not very much to see either. Gulangyu Island is about it. If I were to go again I'd probably book my hotel on the island for a couple of days. It is not a "market" town and walking around you can see most everything in a couple of days. Like the rest of China, there is construction everywhere and the air is not too good either. Nice airport.

[TBWG]

I was there in December. Not much English around and not very much to see either. Gulangyu Island is about it. If I were to go again I'd probably book my hotel on the island for a couple of days. It is not a "market" town and walking around you can see most everything in a couple of days. Like the rest of China, there is construction everywhere and the air is not too good either. Nice airport.

Hi lannarebirth

Thanks for prompt reply, but oh dear, lucky I am only there for 4 nights! Anyway I do have a hotel room overlooking the island.

It sounds good in the blurb, a motorcycle free environment is certainly attractive, looks as though I am in for a quiet, relaxing time....unless anyone else knows otherwise?

TBWG

[lannarebirth]

Another thing. The boats over to the island are about 9 or 10 Yuan and certain times of the day free. There are some touts about looking to sell significantly higher priced fares. Wasn't really impressed with Air Asia either. Bring a bottle of water on the flight, or they'll charge you for it. Still, 4 days is just about right.

[technocracy]

Just be prepared to do a lot of pointing!

It is rather amusing when in China that English isn't spoken anywhere and don't bother showing a taxi driver something in English either!

I rather enjoy China for this side of things - it certainly adds a bit more adventure to things rather than everywhere you go someone understanding english!

[seonai]

Check this out for What's On and local news etc http://www.whatsonxiamen.com/home.php

[sabaijai]

China isn't in SE Asia, and since China travel isn't Thailand-related, topic closed.

[Jai Dee]

Topic re-opened and moved to Travel forum.

/Moved.

[TBWG]

Another thing. The boats over to the island are about 9 or 10 Yuan and certain times of the day free. There are some touts about looking to sell significantly higher priced fares. Wasn't really impressed with Air Asia either. Bring a bottle of water on the flight, or they'll charge you for it. Still, 4 days is just about right.

Hi lannarebirth

Thanks for tips my previous flights with Air asia have been good but yes you pay for everything.

With the Thai baht ROE poor at the moment I will be taking my nationwide flexaccount card and drawing on GBP, are there lots of ATM's in Xiamen?

Any ideas how you pronounce the name, I have been told "Cee et man" is that correct?

Thanks

TBWG

[ercorn]

Bank of China is the best of the ATM`s (Visa.visa electron,AMEX,mastercard etc.)Industrial Bank of China also ,many other banks only accept local cards.As said not much english spoken you will have to collect business cards to show the taxi driver where you want to go.I have to add that the foods not very nice compared to Thai cusine so don`t expect too much in that department (unless you like frogs and chicken feet/head).

Also spitting season has jsut started you`ll understand what I mean after you`ve been there a couple of days.

I am sure your first time in China will be a real eye opener.Enjoy !!

[Kwong]

English isn't spoken widely. But you can find many young students eager to speak English.

About Air Asia (BKK-Xiamen sector), either pay more to sit in the front or just sit on the last few rows with the polite Thai tourist. The plane is usually filled with lots of aggressive Chinese group tourist.

P.S. Many Chinese in Singapore, Malaysia and south Thailand came from Xiamen area.

[TBWG]

English isn't spoken widely. But you can find many young students eager to speak English.

About Air Asia (BKK-Xiamen sector), either pay more to sit in the front or just sit on the last few rows with the polite Thai tourist. The plane is usually filled with lots of aggressive Chinese group tourist.

P.S. Many Chinese in Singapore, Malaysia and south Thailand came from Xiamen area.

Hi Kwong

Welcome to Thaivisa forum

Thanks for Air Asia tip, I have in fact paid the extra to board first, so think I will head straight to the back of the plane!!

TBWG

[jackspratt]

When I was in China it was pronounced shee ah men.

But I am happy to be corrected

[siam2007]

Another thing. The boats over to the island are about 9 or 10 Yuan and certain times of the day free. There are some touts about looking to sell significantly higher priced fares. Wasn't really impressed with Air Asia either. Bring a bottle of water on the flight, or they'll charge you for it.

then what ? would you have loved to pay a fare double than that of AirAsia on a "premium Airline" only to get a free bottle of water ?

[Kwong]

Just some of 2 years old tourist photo of Xia men. Hope you like the place.

you can see some island belong to Taiwan

a tomb of Singapore Chinese

no car in the island

Edited January 26, 2008 by Kwong

[TBWG]

Just some of 2 years old tourist photo of Xia men. Hope you like the place.

you can see some island belong to Taiwan

a tomb of Singapore Chinese

no car in the island

Hi Kwong

Thanks for photo's ...hotel I have booked is right opposite ferry and my room is on the top floor so should have a good view of the Island.

At the moment I believe the weather there is unseasonably cold, could be a problem if it persists as I only possess 1 sweater and a couple of pairs of long trousers in Thailand!

Any other tips still appreciated, at the moment i am taking advance lessons in spitting so that I can blend in with the locals

TBWG

[ercorn]

I am in Southern China now and it is freezing,It`s very cold because there is no heating in the restaurants and shops,so you will have to bring a good jacket ,scarf and bennie or rush out and buy some clothes on the first day you arrive markets everywhere so that wont be a problem.As the Chinese New year is coming up everyones trying to get home so all the airports,bus and train station are very crowded.

[LaoPo]

I am in Southern China now and it is freezing,It`s very cold because there is no heating in the restaurants and shops,so you will have to bring a good jacket ,scarf and bennie or rush out and buy some clothes on the first day you arrive markets everywhere so that wont be a problem.

As the Chinese New year is coming up everyones trying to get home so all the airports,bus and train station are very crowded.

That's a bit of an understatement....sorry to say so.

"It is estimated that 500,000 people are stranded in the southern city of Guangzhou as they wait for train services to resume."

The same on GZ airport where 10's of thousands of people are waiting for a plane....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7214937.stm

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...amp;refer=china

It's chaos in all major cities in China due to the severe snow&winter conditions (didn't happen since 50 years) and dozens and dozens of millions of people are stranded or have difficulties getting home for Chinese New Year...

"China has about 200 million migrant workers who travel between the cities and their homes in the countryside to celebrate the Spring Festival, a time when Chinese traditionally return to their families, putting huge pressure on the country's transport network.

The Ministry of Railways predicted the country's railways would carry an unprecedented 178.6 million passengers during the travel peak from January 23 to March 2, up from 156 million last year."

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-01...ent_6428525.htm

China covered in blanket of white

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2008-01/...ent_6426651.htm

LaoPo

Edited January 30, 2008 by LaoPo

[Kwong]

Hi Kwong

Thanks for photo's ...hotel I have booked is right opposite ferry and my room is on the top floor so should have a good view of the Island.

At the moment I believe the weather there is unseasonably cold, could be a problem if it persists as I only possess 1 sweater and a couple of pairs of long trousers in Thailand!

Any other tips still appreciated, at the moment i am taking advance lessons in spitting so that I can blend in with the locals

TBWG

Dear TBWG,

Xiamen is about 10-15 degrees Celsius now, normal for southern China. I think you are all right for clothes. I saw the news last night; the storm in Central China is going to clear up. But it still needs few days to clear the traffic.

About the spitting, it was quite severe about 10-20 years ago. But now in big city like Xiamen, you don't find so many people spitting in public place, especially young people. The Chinese government has put many advertisements against spitting in public place. So give them few years, it should be OK.

About the food, Chinese & Thai love chicken feet. Few Chinese & Thai eat frog, but some minority do. Chinese don't usually eat chicken head, it is just for decoration.

Are you from สตึก, Burinam? I was from Hong Kong.

[TBWG]

Hi Kwong

Thanks for photo's ...hotel I have booked is right opposite ferry and my room is on the top floor so should have a good view of the Island.

At the moment I believe the weather there is unseasonably cold, could be a problem if it persists as I only possess 1 sweater and a couple of pairs of long trousers in Thailand!

Any other tips still appreciated, at the moment i am taking advance lessons in spitting so that I can blend in with the locals

TBWG

Dear TBWG,

Xiamen is about 10-15 degrees Celsius now, normal for southern China. I think you are all right for clothes. I saw the news last night; the storm in Central China is going to clear up. But it still needs few days to clear the traffic.

About the spitting, it was quite severe about 10-20 years ago. But now in big city like Xiamen, you don't find so many people spitting in public place, especially young people. The Chinese government has put many advertisements against spitting in public place. So give them few years, it should be OK.

About the food, Chinese & Thai love chicken feet. Few Chinese & Thai eat frog, but some minority do. Chinese don't usually eat chicken head, it is just for decoration.

Are you from สตึก, Burinam? I was from Hong Kong.

Hi Kwong

Yes, I am from สตึกิี Buriram Province but only for 50% of the year, balance in UK, but the UK is becoming less and less attractive, so that may have to change.

Anyway thanks for your input plus other posters, hopefully by the time I go in March weather should be a lot more settled, if not then we are all in big trouble globally!

TBWG