I'm feeling tragic, like I'm Marlon Brando

[fancycwabs]

We just booked the tickets. It appears that I'll be flying from Memphis to Hong Kong on December 3, and from Beijing to Memphis on December 13. In the meantime we'll hit Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Does anyone need anything? Any messages to scrawl on the Great Wall? Know anywhere to get good Chinese food?

Comments

Re: unasked for advice for YOU

[fancycwabs.livejournal.com]

We're probably catching a flight from Guangzhou to Shanghai, but there's the possibility of taking a train from Shanghai to Beijing. Unfortunately the trip is business, so day trips are also probably out, but I might be able to sneak away on another trip later.

And keep up with the unsolicited advice! I know nothing about China.

Re: unasked for advice for YOU

[rabswom.livejournal.com]

I shall try to think up some good advice.

Mainly, eat as much foood as you can fit in your tum while you're in Guangzhou -- Schezhwan (jesus christ I cannot spell chinese things) food is fucking amazing. And if you brought me back some hot sauce from Schezhwan Province, I would worship you. Forever. MMMMMM.

Also, in Hong Kong, I will never forgive you if you don't get dim-sum. It's where dim sum is from!

I loved the Shanghai. Don't bother going up into the tower [Pearl Tower or something] if you're not really excited about high up views -- it's bizarre being up in some giant pink thing. I'm sure that work decides where you stay, but if you could stay one night at the Peace Hotel, it's worth it. The Peace Hotel is the renamed "Cathay Hotel" and it's this old fabulous imperialist's wet dream. I stayed there for a night when we had very little money (I think that we booked online for about $100 for a double? which isn't very expensive but was for us then) and it was awesome. TV in the bathroom. Amazing old hotel. At least go for drinks if you can.

Walking along the Bund in Shanghai is also nice, though I found I got stalked by young Chinese guys.

There were some really amazing old Imperial Gardens in Shanghai. I have no recollection of their name (sorry, it's been a long time). Try to get to one of them -- they're quite beautiful.

Beijing is just a cool big city. You can get clothing made there really cheap, if that's your kind of thing (I got a couple of shirts made). Um, the big tousity things are in Beijing -- Tienimann Square, Mao's body (totally amusing), etc. The Wall is a Day Trip, you know that, right? It's very worth it though.

I'll try to get some restaurant advice in Beijing from my friend who lives there.