Summary of My 6D5N Eastern China Trip - Hangzhou, Suzhou & Shanghai

Summary of My 6D5N Eastern China Trip
Day 1: Kota Kinabalu → Hangzhou
Day 2: Hangzhou
Day 3: Hangzhou → Suzhou
Day 4: Suzhou → Tongli Water Town → Suzhou → Shanghai
Day 5: Shanghai
Day 6: Shanghai → Kota Kinabalu

My Travelogues

• Hangzhou
• Suzhou
• Tongli Water Town
• Shanghai

My Travel Haul

Nothing much I shop from this trip. Probably due to the cold weather which causing us hard to do any shopping around and both of us are not fancy shopping at the mall. We prefer to venture and shop at street markets more, especially those night markets. But of course, souvenirs like magnets are hard to miss out from my shopping list. 

Besides magnets, I also bought luggage tag


Chinese New Year greeting cards 


Unhealthy snacks. My favourite flavour is the one in cucumber


TOTAL DAMAGE

NOTE: Unfortunately, I unable to trace most of the transportation as well as all the food and souvenirs I spent. I lost the note that I keep track all my expenses. So these are the few things I managed to keep and save in my list.    

PARTICULARS	AMOUNT
	CNY	RM
Airfare KK – Shanghai – KK via MAS KK – Hangzhou via AirAsia Accommodations Victoria Regal Hotel Zhejiang – 2 nights All Seasons Hotel Suzhou – 1 night Narada Boutique Hotel Shanghai – 2 nights Transportation High-speed train Suzhou to Shanghai Ground Transportation A Day Tour with Suzhou	- - - - - 39.50 288.00	999 179 196 100 309 20 144
TOTAL (RM)		1,947

My Trip Back To Kota Kinabalu From Shanghai Was A Disaster

Before I end this post, I would like to share something happened on the day we're about to fly from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu. Just when my mom and I thought our trip are going to be smooth and manageable one, our trip ended with unfortunate events. Not one but two and it happened on the same day as well. Earlier on I did mention that I have two tickets departing from Kota Kinabalu - a round trip ticket with Malaysia Airlines to Shanghai but because we found the length of the trip was kind long, I booked another one-way ticket which was to Hangzhou with AirAsia. As for my return, we will stick with our first ticket which is to fly with Malaysia Airlines from Shanghai. Oh boy! It's totally wrong decision that we didn't fly with Malaysia Airlines at the first place. I wasn't aware that once you didn't show or fly, the whole ticket consider burn immediately. I only found out about this when I unable to do web check-in and called Malaysia Airlines call centre. They told me that my whole ticket was burnt and I need to book another new ticket. I have to be honest with you that this is the first time I experienced this in my life. I was absolutely confused and lost at the same time. What should we do now since we're no longer have any tickets back home? I was in state of shock when I search that one way ticket from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu is about RM1,200. Just one-way! Another option which I could think of at that point of time is to take flight from Hangzhou but again, we need to take the train from Shanghai to Hangzhou in order to catch the flight.

After the long discussion with my mom, finally we agreed just to book another new flight with Malaysia Airlines. Luckily I brought along my credit cards to China. It was indeed pain in the ass to buy new tickets with such a hefty price but it's better than stranded at foreign place, right?

Now we have settled with our new tickets. What's next? Our flight was delayed for more than 2 hours. I bet none of you will enjoy the trip when experiencing any flight delay. Furthermore it's a red eye flight and we're stuck in the airport. Just when this morning I can't have peace of mind due to the airtickets thing, and right now I can't have adequate rest after long and tiring day. Maybe like what Twilight Man said, I should practice the floral bath ritual (mandi bunga) before going for any trip to avoid these unlucky things happen again in future.

On another note, finally I managed to complete all my 2014 travelogues. Now I need to speed up to complete the rest of my travelogues, especially those in 2015. 

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Tongli Water Town

Apart from the classical freshwater lakes and beautiful gardens as well as amazing courtyard parks, another thing you shouldn't miss when visiting the eastern part of China is the ancient water towns. Among all the top 10 ancient water towns near Shanghai, we picked to visit Tongli Water Town which is very close to Suzhou. 

#1: Tongli Water Town

From Suzhou to Tongli Water Town
By Metro Line 4 (Highly recommended)

Take metro line 4 and get off at the terminal Tongli station. The metro journey will take approximately 50 minutes. Then continue by taking a bus either from;
1) Exit 10, where there will be tourist buses waiting between 8am to 5pm to transfer tourists to Tongli water town scenic area. The bus ride is free if you bought along the entrance ticket which costs CNY88; OR
2) Exit 2, where there are pubic buses there such as no.725 can take you to the Tongli water town scenic area. If you take a 725 bus, remember to get off at the Shi Pai Lou Station (石牌楼站) to reach the scenic area (725 bus station at Tongli station where tourist waiting for buses heading to Tongli water town scenic area).

By Bus
➤From Suzhou Railway Station to Tongli
There are tourism buses departing from the square in front of Suzhou Railway Station. The departure time is every an hour from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day. The journey takes about 1 and half hours. The ticket fare is about 9 yuan per person. If you take trains to get to the Suzhou Railway Station; you can take the bus here to get to Tongli Water Town. It is quite convenient.

➤From Bus Passenger Terminal in Wuzhong area to Tongli
There are many Tourist Special Line Buses departing from Bus Passenger Terminal in Wuzhong area (吴中区汽车站). The bus leaves for Tongli Water Town from here every 20 minutes from 7:50 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. The journey takes about 1 and half hours. The ticket fare is about 9 yuan per person.

➤From Suzhou North Bus Station to Tongli
There are many shuttle buses leaving for Tongli from Suzhou North Bus Station (苏州汽车北站). The bus departs from 7:05 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. The journey takes about 1 and half hours. The ticket fare is about 9 yuan per person.

➤From Suzhou South Bus Station to Tongli
There are many shuttle buses leaving for Tongli from Suzhou South Bus Station (苏州汽车南站). The bus departs every 30 minutes from 7:30 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. in a day. The journey takes about 1 and half hours. The ticket fare is about 9 yuan per person.


#2: The map of a thousand-year water town of Tongli.

Although Tongli Water Town has a history for more than 1,000 years but the water town is still well-preserved and it's worth to explore and experience. True to its famed reputation, Tongli Water Town is indeed one wonderful travel destination where you can spend a marvelous holiday but at the same time, you can experience the traditional Chinese culture. Its rivers, streets, bridges, civil residences, and gardens are integrated perfectly as one, earning it the name of "the Oriental Venice" due to its unique water town scenery.


#3: The street preserves its original style in stone-paved and now, it lined with stores including specialty stores, handicraft stores and snack stores.

Tongli has been open to the public since 1986, and the architectures and cultural relics of the Ming (1368–1644) and the Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, such as pavilions, towers, temples, and gardens, can be spotted everywhere within the water town. Surrounded by five lakes, Tongli is lined with streets and lanes alongside rivers, and numerous ancient bridges built in various dynasties are available. Some bridges still stand as highlights in Tongli, silently telling the stories and legends of the ancient town.


#4: You rent these traditional Chinese costumes for photo opportunity.

I'm not sure whether cause we were there after the lunch time or probably due to the low season which is during the winter time, we hardly spot enormous crowd of tourists here. It's less crowded and not so commercialised which I personally think it's good time to visit where we can leisurely walked around the water town with relax and laid-back pace. Both my mom and I didn't dropby at any restaurants or cafe cause we prefer to shop at souvenir stores instead. And I got myself an embroidery painting with 9 koi fishes on it which believes to be auspicious.


#5: Tongli is rich in rivers and bridges; therefore, it is essential to take a cruise in order to appreciate its ancient beauty.


#6: Some locals took a boat ride along the canal.


#7

#8: One of the ancient bridges


#9: Arched roofs, stone bridges and green willows lining the banks can be found almost everywhere in the town.

We spent almost two hours in Tongli water town before making our way back to our hotel in Suzhou. Bear in mind as the journey from Suzhou to Tongli water town takes about an hour or sometimes more, hence it's best to spare at least half a day if you are interested to visit here.


#10: Goodbye Tongli Water Town! 

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One Day Suzhou Ground Tour

<<Previous Post: 2D1N in Hangzhou - West Lake & Hefang Street>>

I hardly join or sign up for any private tours but since my mom requested for it, hence I booked "A Day Trip to Suzhou" from the hotel we stayed in Hangzhou. The tour package seems fairly reasonable which costs CNY288 per person and this including hotel pick-up and drop off, entrance fee, tour guide but excluding lunch and tips. And the best part, I don't have to worry about the transportation from Hangzhou to Suzhou cause they will drop us there. 

#1

When Hangzhou is well-known for its beauty classical lakes, Suzhou on the other hand famed for its beautiful gardens and courtyard parks as well as traditional waterside architecture. In order to get to Suzhou from Hangzhou, you can either take trains (both high-speed train and normal train) or bus. Unfortunately I unable to share more details cause all the logistic has been arranged by the private tour we signed with. 

The first attraction we went in Suzhou was the medieval Pan Gate Scenic Area. It's a historical landmark in Suzhou and known for the "three landmarks of Pan Gate". They are the Ruiguang Pagoda, the earliest pagoda in Suzhou, the Wu Gate Bridge which is the entrance to the gate at that time over the water passage and the highest bridge in Suzhou at the time, and Pan Gate. Pan Gate is part of the ancient city wall that surrounded and protected Suzhou. 

#2: Ruiguang Pagoda, the earliest pagoda in Suzhou. 


#3: Visiting Pan Men includes access to a large and rather lovely garden with ponds and pavilions


#4: Pan Gate - part of the ancient city wall that surrounded and protected Suzhou.

Next, we were brought for a boat ride along the ancient Grand Canal of Suzhou. The Grand Canal is the oldest and longest canal in the world and dubbed "Venice of the East". This is one interesting and fascinating way of overlooking the city low down in the network of canals and exploring the lifestyle of Suzhou locals. Most of the Suzhou's attractions are linked by the Grand Canal cruise and therefore, it is an ideal way to take a cruise along the canal.


#5: Boat ride along the ancient Grand Canal of Suzhou


#6: Spotted Journey To The West (JTTW) sculpture. JWWT is one of the four great classical novels of Chinese literature.

Once we done with the canal ride, we then proceed to North Temple Pagoda. The pagoda was once eleven stories tall, but was damaged and reduced to nine stories. The peak of the pagoda is Suzhou's most famous and there is a garden and temples are on the grounds.


#7: North Temple Pagoda

A trip to Suzhou is incomplete without visiting any of their spectacular garden and courtyard parks. Our last stop in Suzhou is the Lion Forest Garden. It is one of the four great gardens of Suzhou and is admired for the incredible collection of pitted, eroded rocks that were greatly appreciated by classical Chinese scholars. It was originally part of a Buddhist monastery. The gardens are a reminder of the Buddhist story of the lions. The layout of the garden follows many twists and turns. It is easy to get quite lost in these winding paths.


#8: Lion Groove Garden, or Lion Forest Garden is one of the UNESCO-listed gardens.

#9


#10

As for our hotel in Suzhou, it is one of the best hotels I ever stay throughout my entire trips to China. Well, the hotel room actually looks pretty decent and average but what I like about this hotel is that there is a beautiful garden and grove within it. I felt like I was transported into the past. Too bad we're only staying in this hotel for a night. How I wish we could stay longer cause I really love the classical architecture. And the icing on the cake, there is a shopping and food street just nearby the hotel which my mom and I able to shop and eat at night.


All Seasons Hotel Suzhou Branch
Date Stayed: 23 to 24 December 2014 (1 night)
Room Rate: RM199 for a superior twin bed room (Booked via Agoda)




Before I end this post, I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every of you,

"May the year of Rat brings you good luck & good fortune. Happy Chinese New Year!"

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2014 X'Mas Holiday in China (Sneak Peek)

Although my family and I don't celebrate Christmas, but I do love the Christmas feelings and celebrate it abroad always part of my wishlist. In 2010, I celebrated Christmas in Taiwan, 2011 in Indonesia and 2012 in Singapore. As for this year, I tagged my mom along to China for the joyful Christmas holiday cum my year end trip as well. This is the fourth trip I sponsored my mom, after Indonesia, Japan and South Korea (from airfare, accommodation, transportation, foods, shopping & etc). Wondering, how many of you sponsored your parents a trip abroad actually?

We started our trip by flying in into Hangzhou first (we burnt our Shanghai tickets actually) and one of ultimate place to go in Hangzhou is none other than mesmerising and awe-inspiring freshwater lake, West Lake itself.

#1: Three Pools Mirroring The Moon, the largest island of the West Lake of Hangzhou.

#3: Ended our night by strolling in Hefang Ancient Street of Hangzhou before leaving to Suzhou

From Hangzhou, we proceeded to Suzhou where we booked 1 day Suzhou ground tour and out from the 24 tourists of this tour, only two of us are Malaysians whereas the rest are the Mainland Chinese.  

#4: Besides few pagodas and temples and not forgetting, we also visited The Lion Forest Garden, one of the four great gardens of Suzhou.

In one of the temples, we were requested to see the fortune teller. Normally I don't believe these but the first thing fortune teller said to me was, "You are the type that don't sit still at home one. Always travel around here & there." How's true is that?

#6: The ancient architectures along the canal in Tongli Water Town. 

Before we move to Shanghai, we managed to go Tongli Water Town, a thousand year ancient town with a long history and the typical style of water town located an hour away from Suzhou. 

#8: Meanwhile in Shanghai, the first place we went was Yu Garden, an extensive Chinese garden located in the heart of bustling Shanghai

#9: We tried the Nanxiang Steamed Bun but turned out to be so so only. Kinda disappointed

#10: Kill our time in Nanjing Road for window shopping. Seriously, just window shopping cause everything was so expensive there.


#11: Last but not least, a view of Pudong from The Bund is a must when visit Shanghai. Oh boy! Shanghai is so amazing and breathtaking especially at night. 

Frankly speaking, my trip to China with my mom is like roller coaster ride with lots of ups and downs. We started off with a pretty good start not until the day I woke up on the Christmas day itself, we were told by Malaysia Airlines of an unpleasant news when I unable to do web check-in. Kinda piss off with the T&C promotion fare. And the next day again, received another bad news stated our flight back to Kota Kinabalu from Shanghai will be delayed. From the original ETD of 1.30 am to 4am. Although we were compensated with food vouchers, but all I want is hotel vouchers instead. 

#12: First time in my life I have such an early flight

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