Kunming And Guangzhou

[damo]

Hi all,

I want to go to Guangzhou for 5 days this coming June,(solo) I want to go there to do heaps of cheap shopping - Pratunam / Jutujak style shopping, enjoy real Chinese food and have a quick look at a bit of China, the big city side of China.

Guangzhou is all I really know about as I had a friend who used to teach there and from his description it sounded like it offers what I want. Since I will be flying Chiang Mai to China and return, the best city to travel to and from is Kunming as it is a direct flight from CNX and a good time of day and for an excellent price.

For those who have traveled in either city how would you rate either? or compare one against the other. Would I achieve the same from 5 days in Guangzhou as I would in Kunming given my objectives?

Any advice or opinion is appreciated.

Damos.

[FACTOR]

Two very different cities. Kunming is much more relaxed than Guangzhou. However, if you want a hard-core BIG Chinese city experience just for the anthropological interest, Guangzhou is the place to spend some time, it's being the third larget city in China, not counting Chongqing as first.

[seasia]

Hello

I`ve been to Guangzhou a few times although not for quite some time.

I went primarily to do some buying( for import in to UK ) and quite liked the place although some of my friends hated it.

Out of touch now so can`t suggest where to go but you should be able to find cheap( ish) goods there.

If you want a reasonably pleasant area to stay in, google Shamian Island, I`ve stayed in that area about 3 times, at both the White Swan Hotel and the Victory Hotel.

Near the river, there was at the times I went a few bars by the riverside to relax in the evening with an iced beer or two.

You`d need to use taxis to get to more central Guangzhou but no hardship with that.

[damo]

Thanks guys,

Bit of a late reply, (been away for work), I have ended up Booking 8 nights in Guangzhou, flying Air Asia from Don Muang to Boa'an (Shenzen) and then bullet train across to Guangzhou.

Booked my flights with an increased baggage allowance for the return leg. Can't wait!

[damo]

Anybody got any more tips or info about Guangzhou, in particular shopping?

I'd apprieciate any info.

[bunnaag]

Thanks guys,

Bit of a late reply, (been away for work), I have ended up Booking 8 nights in Guangzhou, flying Air Asia from Don Muang to Boa'an (Shenzen) and then bullet train across to Guangzhou.

Booked my flights with an increased baggage allowance for the return leg. Can't wait!

which airline CNX to Kunming?Have you got some hotel information for Kunming?

[siam2007]

why did you book AirAsia to Shenzhen and not directly to Guangzhou then ? Or is it that you need the bullet-train experience ?

as well as for shopping, Shenzhen is actually BY FAR the better place. Shenzhen has the biggest IT-shopping street worldwide, and at the Luoho-Malls and departmjent-stores, you can get all things cheap you think you ned ( but actually don't). If arriving in Shenzhen, stay at least a night there (even though the airport is quite a distance from the CBD / Luoho area, but the MRT goes there in 40 minutes or so. If using the train to Guangzhou, you need to get to Luoho first anyway, me thinks.

[MrWorldwide]

Shenzhen blew my mind in 2002, and they were still in the middle of a crazy building boom then - must be a total freakout by now.

[bunnaag]

did somebody check taxi and shuttle bus service from the airport to diff.hotels?acc to a website price per person per shuttel to a hotel about 13.km away about1600 TB per person is this possible?

[damo]

I priced a red taxi for a 42km trip (late night) and came up with 120-140 RMB or 1000 / 1200 Baht.

@siam2007: Spot on, from my homework I have booked a night right near the Luohu train station, I arrive late night @ boa'an and taxi across town to the hotel, stay the night and the bullet train to Guangzhou the following morning. Yes the bullet train is something I am really looking forward to experiencing. I was going to stay in GZ for all of my trip and just pass through Shenzhen on the way back to BKK but after seeing all the electronics I think 3-4 day in Shenzhen is the best option.

[seasia]

Hope you enjoy your trip.

I liked Shenzhen when I visited, large shopping centre very near the Luohu train station.

Good location IMO.

You might be able to do a deal or two there.

Not everyone`s cup of tea but I quite liked Mini China/World theme park, short taxi ride from the train station.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/guangdong/shenzhen/window.htm

if you have time when your trip is over I for one would appreciate a report, be interesting to see what you think of Shenzhen/Guangzhou.

[damo]

No probs, will do.