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. 

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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 3-5]: 3D2N Guilin

<< Previous Post: Day 2 & 3 - 2D1N in Yangshou <<

Dear Yangshou, thanks for the wonderful and sweet memory but unfortunately after spending 2 days and 1 night, it's time for us to bid goodbye to this little old county with a rich history spanning more than 1,400 years to the Sui Dynasty. Our next destination is heading to Guilin. Of course you can catch train or bus from Yangshou to Guilin but my husband decided to hire private transfer for the convenience of our little baby boy. You know, he's our VVIP currently. 

OUR ACCOMMODATION IN GUILIN
Because all the accommodations were fully booked by my husband and also, due to the name of our accommodation is in Chinese, hence I don't any info about this. But what I know is that our stay is sits on the banks of the Li River. It's situated right next to Sheraton Guilin Hotel but strangely enough, you won't able to find this on the Google map. Bear in mind, Google map is helpless when in China.  

#1: Our accommodation in Guilin. Again, husband booked the room with bathtub 

#2: Ensuite bathroom 

#3: I love the design of their rooms. Each room comes with different interior design. Awesome! 

#4: My friend's room 

#5: Bar and teahouse on the 8th floor 

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT HAODILAO 
The first thing we did in Guilin was to celebrate our little sonshine's birthday at Haodilao - that's the main reason why we booked our trip to China. Can't believe my little one is growing up so fast. Can the time slow down a bit cause I want to hold you in my arms a little longer? 

#6: Baby's birthday celebration at Haodilao Guilin 

THINGS WE DO & SEE IN GUILIN

1) Elephant Trunk Hill 
One of Guilin's top attractions on the Li River, Elephant Trunk Hill is a rock resembles a giant elephant drinking water from the river. This landmark is located 10 minutes walk from where we stayed. By the way, it's free of entry. Because of that, this place is so crowded with tourists both from local and overseas. 

#7: Elephant Trunk Hill, a rock resembles an elephant drinking water from the river

#8: Love Island

2) Sun and Moon Pagodas 

The most iconic landmark of Guilin, Sun and Moon Pagodas are twin pagodas built in Shanhu Lake in the center of Guilin. They are also known as Gold and Silver Pagodas due to their colour beautifully illuminated during the night time. There are many spots around the lake where you can take stunning photos with the Sun and Moon Pagodas.  

#9: Most iconic landmark of Guilin

#10: Photos with the twin pagodas from different spots 

#11: Strongly recommend to visit Sun and Moon Pagodas at night when the lights are turn on

3) Zhengyang Pedestrian Street 

As one of the most renowned commercial and leisurely streets in Guilin, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street is bristle with all kinds of shops ranging from local snacks, drinks, souvenirs, clothing shops to entertainments. 

#12: Zhengyang Pedestrian Street

#13: It's more happening at night than during the daytime

#14: When you want to give your shop name feel like "atas" but then, how to pronounce leh? 

THINGS WE EAT IN GUILIN

#15: Every morning we had our breakfast here. Not just near our stay, they are affordable and yummylicious too.

#16: Our dinner just underneath our stay 

#17: Mixue and Luckin Coffee - China's homegrown brands. Must try when you are visiting China

>> Next Post: Day 5&6 - Travel to Shenzhen Before Flying Back to KK >>

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2024 China Trip [Day 2&3]: 2D1N in Yangshou

<< Previous Post: Day 2 - From Shenzhen to XingPing Ancient Town <<

 Continue from XingPing post...

After spending nearly 4 hours in XingPing Ancient Town, we took minibus to Yangshou which takes about 40 minutes ride. However when almost approaching Yangshou, we requested the bus driver to stop somewhere near our guesthouse instead of drop-off at Yangshou Bus Station. And from there, we walked over to our guesthouse but we didn't know it turned out to be more than 20 minutes of walking.  

OUR ACCOMMODATION IN YANGSHOU

Sorry to say that I unable to share the name of the guesthouse we stayed because firstly, my husband was the one in charge of doing all the booking for our accommodations and secondly, all of the accommodations that he booked are only written in Chinese name, no English name. And I can't even read Chinese at all. 

But one thing I requested him was to book our accommodation close to those shopping street so that I can go down and do shopping at anytime I want. 

#1: Our accommodation in Yangshou

#2: My husband even booked a room comes with bathtub for our lil boy to enjoy it. 

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#5: Rooftop view from the 7th floor 

WEST STREET OF YANGSHOU 

Our accommodation is ideally situated in the West Street, the oldest street in Yangshou which has history spanning more than 1400 years. Locally known as Xijie in Chinese, this street is filled with countless of guesthouses, restaurants, snack shops, souvenir stores and more. You can even find well-known fast food restaurant chains like KFC and McDonald's here too. There's even a three-storey Starbucks too with a classic design of a Chinese garden pavilion. 

And guess what, this town has instantly become one of my favourite towns in China. Too bad that we're only spending 2 days 1 night here in Yangshou because I'm seriously in love with this town.

#6: Yangshou West Street Scenic Spot

#7: West Street of Yangshou, the oldest street in town 

#8: Countless of shops selling snacks, souvenirs, restaurants and more

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#11: Three-storey Starbucks with a classic design of a Chinese garden pavilion

#12: Our dinner 

#13: Guilin Rice Noodle and dumplings 

>> Next Post: Day 3-5 3D2N in Guilin >>

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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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