Summary of My 6D5N China Trip - Shenzhen, XingPing, Yangshou & Guilin

Summary of My 6D5N China Trip
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu → Hong Kong → Shenzhen 
Day 2: Shenzhen → XingPing Ancient Town → Yangshou 
Day 3: Yangshou → Guilin
Day 4: Guilin
Day 5: Guilin → Shenzhen 
Day 6: Shenzhen → Hong Kong → Kota Kinabalu 


My Travelogues

• Kota Kinabalu → Hong Kong → Shenzhen (post here)
• XingPing Ancient Town (post here)
• 2D1N in Yangshou (post here)
• 3D2N in Guilin (post here)
• Travel To Shenzhen Again Before Flying Back To KK (post here)

Internet Data

Normally I will purchase physical Sim card or like currently I will get e-Sim from Hello1010 but because I will going to Japan right after coming back from this China trip, hence I decided just to buy the roaming package from Digi. It allows access to Whatsapp, Google, Facebook and even Youtube too without any restrictions. I always try to compare both Hello1010 and Digi package first, before proceed to purchase any Internet data from any of them.   

As for Internet plan in China, I'm using Digi roaming 

Payment Method In China

The most common question revolve around travelling - cash vs card, which is better? However, not for China as it's currently the global leader in mobile payments, leaving both cash and cards behind. Digital payment apps like AliPay and Wechat have become the preferred way for the local to pay everything, from grabbing a tasty bite on the street to making payment for 5-star hotels. As for Malaysian, you can use TNG e-wallet apps in order to make payment in China. It's super convenient, easy and fast. 

Nevertheless, you still need bring small amount of Chinese Yuan Renminbi along with you, especially in those smaller towns and rural areas where mobile payments are not accepted. 

Remember to download TNG e-wallet apps before travelling to China 

My Travel Haul 

Surprisingly I didn't shop much for this trip. Apart from fridge magnets and postcards, seriously I have no idea what to buy there. 

Fridge magnets are no longer cheap in China. One piece can easily costs RM10 and above

Postcards I got from XingPing Ancient Town and Yangshou West Street 

Travel Expenses For 2 Pax

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	¥	RM
Airfare KK – Hong Kong – KK via AirAsia Add: Infant fee Add: Luggage, meal, seat & etc.   Accommodations XingPing – 1 night Yangshou – 1 night Guilin – 2 nights Shenzhen – 1 night		954 198 375     250 200 440 200
	TOTAL	2,617

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2024 China Trip [Day 5&6]: Travel to Shenzhen Again Before Flying Back to KK

After spending 3 days 2 nights in Guilin, our next destination is travelling back to Shenzhen again, before flying out from Hong Kong International Airport back to Kota Kinabalu. Apparently in Guilin, there are 3 main railway stations; Guilin Railway Station (which also known as Guilin South Station), Guilin North Railway Station, and Guilin West Railway Station. From where we stayed in Guilin, we took DiDi to Guilin West Railway Station.  

#1: Guilin West Railway Station - Taking high-speed train to Shenzhen 

OUR ACCOMMODATION IN SHENZHEN

The accommodation we stayed in Shenzhen was pretty simple and basic with no bathtub this round. The room is equipped with air-conditioning, working desk and mini sofa. The private bathroom is fitted with hot and powerful shower. 

#2

#3

EAT & SHOP IN SHENZHEN

If you are searching for what to do, where to go and what to eat in Shenzhen, I'm so sorry to inform you that my blog is not the right place for you to search these kind of information. This is because we did nothing much in Shenzhen - our trip was pretty laid-back and chilled one, especially when you're travelling with baby. 

As we're staying close to Dongmen Pedestrian Street, we scouted one or 2 restaurants in order for us to settle our dinner and also breakfast on the following day.   

#4: Wonton noodles for breakfast 

#5: This is the restaurant we went for breakfast 

#6: Probably it's too early, that's why the street was quite empty and quiet 

#7: To kill some time, we hang around the mall 

 

#8: Anyone love to collect Starbucks tumblers and mugs? 

#9: Hong Kong International Airport - And this concludes our trip to China  

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2024 China Trip [Day 2]: From Shenzhen to Xingping Ancient Town

<< Previous Post: Day 1 - KK - Hong Kong - Shenzhen <<

 

DAY 2: 16 OCTOBER 2024

On the second day of our trip, we decided to proceed with our plan to XingPing. Just when I thought we'll be taking train from the railway station which is not far from our hotel in Shenzhen, my husband told me that we'll be heading to another Shenzen Railway station which is situated on the north side. Dear China, you are enormous! And confusing at the same time. I never thought that Shenzhen will have two railway stations within the city. 

#1: Departing from Shenzhen North Railway Station to Yangshou Railway Station

#2: Baby Daniel's first bullet train experience

#3: Scenery along the high-speed train heading to Yangshou

#4: Strangely enough, Yangshou Railway Station is located in XingPing and not in Yangshou itself. Right after we arrived Yangshou Railway Station, we took shuttle bus to XingPing Ancient Town. It takes about 20 minutes bus ride. 

The shuttle bus departs from Yangshou Railway Station stops exactly next to XingPing Ancient Street. XingPing is relatively a small town that you can easily walk to most of the main attractions. But because we brought baby along with us, we had to narrow down the main attractions in XingPing and only selected those that are child-friendly. So those activities required to hike, instantly we skip! Maybe next time. 

PLACES WE VISITED & FOOD WE ATE IN XINGPING 

1) XingPing Ancient Street

Exploring old town or ancient street is always my favourite thing to do when it comes to visit a city. So when I found out that XingPing has ancient street, immediately I put this in my must-visit list. Although the historic street of XingPing wasn't that big, but I enjoyed strolling through the stone-paved street as it gave me that slow, steady and laid-back vibe. Apart from the traditional houses, we also came across wide variety of shops such as cafes, restaurant, souvenir shops and even those renting traditional costumes. I got myself few pieces of stunning postcards from one of the shops there. 

2) 20 Yuan Banknote Viewpoint 

One of the main reasons that draw visitors to come over to XingPing is due to the iconic view of the breathtaking karst mountains and serene Li River which has been depicted on the back of the 20 Yuan RMB banknote. Not far away from XingPing Ancient Street, you can walk over to find the spot that sit on the respective banknote. Though we found out that there are few different spots that you get the viewpoint, we just simply find a location that is almost similar to the one on the banknote. 

3) Yangshuo Beer Fish

It's approaching noon time and that's mean it's time for lunch! Basically, we don't have any list of which restaurant must-go but then, what we know is that we must try their local Yangshou specialty dish which is Yangshou Beer Fish  (Pijiu Yu 啤酒鱼). Luckily for me, and my husband too that the taste of the beer wasn't that strong because both of us don't drink at all. Besides this specialty dish, we even ordered bamboo chicken and bamboo sticky rice too. 

By the way, do you know how we pick a restaurant to dine-in? My friend said if there is at least 5 person eating at a certain restaurant, it shows that food there must be nice. Hahaha... 

After spending nearly 4 hours in XingPing, we then proceed to Yangshou by taking the bus. Although we had to forgo our stay in XingPing due to the flight delay, we glad that we made it to this ancient town eventhough for just few hours. At least, we got to see what we want to see and eat the local specialty dish too. 

XingPing Bus Station 

>> Next Post: Day 2 & 3 - 2D1N in Yangshou >>

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2024 China Trip [Day 1]: KK - Hong Kong - Shenzhen

Our trip to China was out of the blue when I told my husband, "Let's go oversea for our baby's 1st birthday". Little did we know that AirAsia was having promo when we scouted a round-trip to Hong Kong for roughly around RM400 per pax. As usual for travel addict like us, without thinking any longer, immediately we clicked book and there it goes our trip to China. 

Wondering why we chosen to travel around China instead of focusing on Hong Kong when we had a confirmed tickets to Hong Kong? All is about budget as we found Hong Kong is kinda pricey for us to travel around. And since because I have never been to Guilin, so we decided to grab this chance to travel there.  

DAY 1: 15 OCTOBER 2024 

Oh well! Things don't always go as planned. Our trip kicked-off with unexpected flight delay by none other than AirAsia. Not 1 or 2 hours, but turned out our flight was delayed for freaking long 3 hours and this cause us unable to catch the trains to XingPing, a town sits between Guilin and Yangshou on the Li River.  

#1: Because of the flight delay, we landed in Hong Kong International Airport 3 hours later than the original flight time.  

#2: Compulsory to fill in arrival card when visiting Hong Kong  

Due to the delay, we made a quick decision to overnight in Shenzhen before continue with our original plan on the following day. And this means that we have no choice but to burn our first night stay we booked in XingPing, an ancient town situated in the northeast of Yangshou County.

From Hong Kong International Airport, we took Airport Bus (A43 towards Luen Wo Hui Bus Terminal) and align at Sheung Sui stop. From there, we catch MRT from Sheung Sui Station to Lo Wu, which is the Hong Kong border before entering Shenzhen. 

#4: So, this is the hotel we booked last minute. Nay, just kidding!

#5: Vienna Hotel (Shenzhen Luohu Port Railway Station) - This is the hotel we booked last minute 

My husband booked this hotel from Ctrip but you can search from Trip.com

#6: Shopping and food just few steps away from our hotel.

#7: Crab lover anyone?

#8: Obviously using Google translate. Hahaha....

#9: Shenzhen Railway Station 

Basically on the first night, right after we checked-in into the hotel and dropped our luggage, we're casually wandering around the street nearby our hotel. Simply settled our dinner at a restaurant served Hong Kong cuisine before we call it a day. 

Do you think we'll be able to make it to XingPing? Stay tune on the upcoming post...

>> Next Post: Day 2 - From Shenzhen to XingPing Ancient Town >>

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4 Days of Shenzhen, China Trip With Family (2011)

This post served as a compilation for all the post relating to my trip to Shenzhen with my dearest family, like what I always did for most of my previous trip. This is also because I don't blog consecutively, so here is to ease myself when I want refer back in future.

Day 1 (28th May 2011)
The Arrival, Sushi & Shopping

Day 2 (29th May 2011)
McD & Continue Shopping

Day 3 (30th May 2011)
City Day Tour Around Shenzhen

• Splendid China Part I: Shenzhen China Folk Culture Village
• Splendid China Part II: Miniature China

Day 4 (31st May 2011)
Last Day & Cheap McD Breakfast

Extra Features:
1. Sofitel Dongguan Human Oriental
2. My Shopping & Food Haul

Although it was a kinda short trip, but I really have a precious and wonderful moments with all my family members. You know its kinda hard to gather all my family together especially my sister who is currently working in Singapore and also my brother is studying in Kuching now. I'm not sure when will my family and I will travel together but I really hope we will have another trip to Singapore this year end where is not just a vacation, holiday for us but also to visit my sister who was being promoted recently.

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Shenzhen, China - Day 4 Last Day & Cheap McD Breakfast

Note: So, how's is Valentine's Day celebration? I plan to blog yesterday but I worry that no one gonna read my blog because everyone is busy with lovey dovey. By the way, do you aware that I am doing give-away contest? If not, hurry up and join the fun before it ends this Friday (click here). Good luck guys!

Date of Visited: 31st May 2011

Ok! So this is the final travelogue of my Shenzhen trip with my family. Took me almost 2 months to finish it because I am damn so lazy sometimes. Prefer to blog other things instead.

Back to the story. So, it's the final day and it's time to check-out from the 2nd hotel we stayed in Shenzhen. But before checking out, I saw this notice which stick at the back of the door that kinda attracted me. You might think what special of this notice but please do read the below:

Can you see the "Alien" words? Who on earth does the alien refer to? Sounds weird but yet kinda funny too at same time.

But before check-out, once again my mommy was planning to do her last minute shopping. I mentioned before that the hotel that we're staying was so near to subway station and underneath there, there is even a shopping centre. Hence, my mom would like to venture around before seriously saying goodbye to Shenzhen.

So this is the subway that connecting us to everywhere we wanna go

That's our hotel and can you name the artist on the billboard?

However, it was too earlier for Shenzhen people to start operating their business at 9.00 am. Mommy kinda dissapointed and therefore, decided going back to the hotel. Somehow, I saw this 24 hours McD restaurant and I was told before that if wanna try their pork burger, it is only available for breakfast. Hence, I tried my luck to buy the pork burger. Bingo! Yes, the pork burger is only available in the morning and you won't believe it how much it cost. China's McD breakfast is so freaking cheap.

1 pork burger with the choice either coffee or tea (their tea is cold peach tea, taste much more better which Malaysia don't have) cost RM3 per set. Yes, it cost RM3 only and mommy bought 8 sets of them. I even "tapao" the burger back to KK for my boyfie.

Shenzhen International Airport - It's kinda small and not much things to buy.

Did I mentioned before that even you have free wireless connection but it is kinda sucks cause China totally banned facebook, twitter, youtube and blogspot. Damn! Damn! Damn! I tried to log in facebook, twitter and my own blog for half hour but keep fail to upload for almost thousand times. Not until I went and google search "China Banned Social Network", only then I realised I was so stupid for wasting my time to keep log in.

So, that's all of my Day 4 trip in Shenzhen. And if you're asking me whether will I going back for a second trip, might not at this moment. Better plan and heading to other place of China instead like Shanghai which is currently in my travel list. *cross fingers* I'm looking for a travelmate for trip to Shanghai at this moment.

Photo credit to Wikitravel

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