Sam Fury's Blog, page 60
August 10, 2015
Donghe Leisure Guild Review, Dandong, Liaoning, China
This post is a Donghe Leisure Guild review in Dandong, Liaoning, China. It also includes directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
Getting to Dandong was the last really long train ride I will do on this itinerary. It was a pleasant ride with a good temperature. The toilets were cleaner than usual and even some toilet paper in one of them, which is extremely rare to see in any toilet in China.
On the way there were massive fields of corn. Corn is sold on the streets as snacks in pretty much every city, town and village in China, and I dare say that a good percentage of it is grown in the north somewhere between Hailar and Shenyang. The fields were literally as far as the eye could see in front, to the left and right. Every now and again a small cemetery would be in there or a small clump of houses. It stretched for miles. I’m gonna say abut 20 minutes, and the train goes about 80 or so km/hr. It was ALOT of corn.
Donghe Leisure Guild Review, Dandong, Liaoning, ChinaCost: 100rmb a night.
Address: ������������������������, Building 7, Fangba (���������������)
I don’t know how accurate this address is and the map on Ctrip places the Donghe Leisure Guild in the river. Look below for proper directions on how to get to the Donghe Leisure Guild in Dandong.
For the price the Donhe Leisure Guild is a great hotel. It is just off the river front which probably drops the price. It is in a great location with good, cheap food around. It is a five minute walk to the river (if that), a ten minute walk to the Sino-Korean Friendship Bridge, but about a 20-30 minute walk to the train station.
Nice sized room with everything you need.
The room is with everything you need and good security. It is a good size also. Nice bathroom, kettle, good sized and thick towel. Decent toilet paper and enough of it (you’d be surprised how often they just give you small roll of it). I think they just refill the little soaps instead of giving new ones, which in my book is a good thing since it is more environmentally friendly.
Bathroom with a western toilet and decent shower pressure.
The internet is good, but only if you sit near the corridor, which is unfortunate because the desk on on the other side of the room.
The staff are nice but not a lick of English. They take your passport upstairs to get photocopied which made me a bit nervous (I hate when my passport goes out of sight) but it came back safely.
View from the window.
I really recommend the Donghe Leisure Guild. I think value for money wise it is (so far) the best accommodation I have stayed in during this Multi-Cultural China Itinerary.
Book your stay at the Donghe Leisure Guild in Dandong, Liaoning, China.
Getting to the Donghe Leisure GuildIt is about a twenty minute walk from the train station to the Donghe Leisure Guild.
Alternatively you can bus 303 from out the front of the train station to Wen Hua Guang Chang ������������ which puts you at the river front. Walk from there to the Donghe Leisure Guild.
Here’s a map.
Map to Donghe Leisure Guild and surrounding area.
Book your stay at the Donghe Leisure Guild in Dandong, Liaoning, China.
Share your Donghe Leisure Guild review in the comments, or if you have any other questions, thoughts, alternatives etc., feel free to share
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August 7, 2015
15 Inner Mongolian Foods, China
Discover 15 Inner Mongolian foods including pictures, costs and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
1. Nai Yuan������
Yoghurt
Cost: 5rmb
The first item on my list of 15 Inner Mongolian Foods is this Yogurt.
I got this in Hohhot and up until this point I had been eating many awesome foods originating from all parts of China except Inner Mongolia. This is just just straight up natural yoghurt, which I guess isn’t very special to most, but it is in China.
Real Yoghurt is rare in the rest of China.
2. Liang Mian������
Cold Noodles
Cost: 10rmb
This is not special to Inner Mongolia but it was the best Leng Mian I have had in China, so maybe the style of it is special to inner mongolia, or perhaps it is just the way that this particular restaurant makes it. Either way, it was awesome.
Cold Noodles.
3. BreadsThere are many different types of breads filled with different things that I haven’t seen in other parts of China. These photos are all taken from one bakery.
������/���
Meat and veg covering (or on the side) of either rice or noodles.
Cost: 12-20 rmb.
I’ve come to realize that Inner Mongolian food is quite similar to Xinjiang food. Gai mian, for example, is basically Ban Mian. They just call it something different.
I think Gai Mian or Gai Fan are typical dishes in Inner Mongolia where you get your meat and veg with either noodles (mian), which is more italian-ish than other Asian noodles, or rice (fan).
The different between Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia in this aspect is the common dishes that go with the rice or noodles. I’ve noticed a lot more Mu Er (an edible fungus) and also Kung Pao Chicken here. Much less pork is available in relation to the rest of China which no doubt is due to religious beliefs.
There are many types of Gai Fan or Gai Mian. This specific dish I ordered because I hadn’t seen the characters before. They translated to alfalfa (������ – mu xu) but turned out to be cucumber… maybe the shop just substituted.
Gai Mian
5. Dao Xiao Mian���������
Shaved Noodles
Cost: 12rmb
I first tried Dao Xiao Mian when I was working at Guangdong Ocean University and I fell in love with it. I think it is actually a Shanxi speciality but is also very popular here.
Dao Xiao Mian is actually a speciality of Shanxi.
Dao Xiao Mian means shaved noodles.
6. Gan Rou������
Jerky
Cost: Cost varies depending on the quality/type of meat. These were around 70rmb per jin. A jin is about half a pound.
Dried meat is very popular here.
Each of these packets is half a jin, and a jin is about half a pound.
This has a slight chilli flavor.
7. BBQBBQ is everywhere in China but here there are big skewers of lamb which is not really found anywhere else. Not surprisingly, there is more meat and much less vegetables.
These breads are something that I have not seen in BBQ in other parts of China. One is sweet and the other has a hint of chilli.
8. Local BeerI tried two local beers. One from Hailar and the other I got in Manzhouli.
Hailar Beer. Not bad.
At the Manzhouli/Russian border they where selling the one below for 35rmb per cup. I got this can from the supermarket for about 3.5rmb.
Actually, I’m not even sure that this is beer. It is kind of sweet. I didn’t enjoy it.
9. Mongolian CheeseCost: 8rmb
In Manzhouli I tried a lot of different snacks. Manzhouli is unique because it has a mix of Chinese, Russian and Mongolian foods.
This is more of a candy than a cheese.
More of a candy than a cheese.
10. Milk LolliesI first got these on the plane from Hohhot to Hailar. I guess is is candy made from milk. I’ve discovered that where the rest of China would use imitation milk or milk powder, here they use the real thing. Is is very noticeable in the milk tea.
Milk candy. Similiar to the Mongolian Cheese above.
11. Russian IcecreamCost: 12rmb
It is just ice-cream that costs about four times more than other ice-creams in China. The difference is that this is real ice-cream. It;s a bit hard to explain but if you ever try Chinese ice cream you can tell it is not real ice-cream. This was.
It’s just ice-cream, but real ice-cream is hard to come by in China.
12. Russian ChocolateThis is my favorite thing on this list of Inner Mongolia foods., probably just because I haven;t had real high percentage cocoa chocolate in a really long time. The cost varies depending on the type. I chose the 90% cocoa because cocoa is amazingly healthy (seriously, look it up). It was 16rmb for the block.
Cocoa is in fact very healthy.
The other block one was 12rmb.
13. This FruitI have no idea what it is called but I think it is in the same family as the tomato. Most of them are sweet.
I think this fruit might be part of the tomato family.
14. Mongolian Hot PotHot pot can be found all over China but it seems that every other restaurant in Manzhouli is Hot Pot.
Personally I am not a big fan of Hot Pot. It tastes good but I feel like it is a lot of work to get fed. You have to cook your own food of which there is always way to much of (i guess that part can be helped by not ordering so much) and I always burn my tongue on the soup. I guess I just feel it is excessive and overpriced, but I am a hole-in-the-wall restaurant type of guy so I guess to each their own.
Sorry, no picture because I didn’t go eat it.
15. Fruit and Nut SnackCost: 50rmb/jin. A jin is about 1/2 a pound.
The last thing on my list of 15 Inner Mongolian foods is this fruit and nut snack which I found this on the streets of Manzhouli.
It tastes great and is up there with one of my favorite type of snacks (fruit and nuts) but be careful because he says “show me how much to cut off” then he cuts down the whole thing. I ended up with 70rmb worth of the stuff. Luckily I think it will never go bad so it will probably be my emergency food for the next couple of months.
Somehow I managed to buy 70rmb worth of this stuff.
What Other Inner Mongolian Foods Have Your Tried?The post 15 Inner Mongolian Foods, China appeared first on Survive Travel.
7 Free Things to do in Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, China
Discover 7 free things to do in Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, China. Includes short reviews, directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
Manzhouli is not like any other city in China. It shares three cultures – Russian, Mongolian and Chinese. The architecture is amazing and it is a very pretty city. It is small enough to walk around but with enough going on to keep you entertained so it was easy to get this list of 7 free things to do in Manzhouli.
1. Chinese/Russian BorderThe first thing on my list of free things to do in Manzhouli is to go to the Chinese/Russian border.
The fact that Manzhouli is a border town of Russia is probably what makes it unique. I’ve seen my share of overland border crossings and this is by far the one that is most treated as a tourist attraction. It does not surprise me in China. There is something that you pay 80rmb for. I’m not sure what it is but I highly doubt it is worth it (not for a cheapskate like me anyway).
Only the Chinese could turn a border into a tourist attraction.
Next to the border is this market that sells a lot of useless stuff at very inflated prices.
An over priced market next to the border.
Getting to China/Russia BorderGetting to the China/Russia border in Manzhouli can be done by either the number 6 or number 10 bus. The number 6 costs 1.5rmb whereas the number 10 costs 2rmb. I think the last bus comes back from the border at around 1730.
In Chinese the border is called Guo Men (������). It is the last stop. You wont miss it.
The number 6 or 10 buses can be caught from a number of stops in town. The wudaojie stop ��������� is marked on the map at the end of this post.
The bus ride to the border passes a number of places of interest such as Wanda Plaza (a big shopping center) and another market (which is the next thing on this list). You also see some cool buildings.
2. Tao Wa Guang Chang������������
Russian Doll Market
I have just called this the Russian Doll Market. Tao Wa literally translates to set toy, as in a set of toys, which I assume is what the Chinese call the Russian Dolls.
Tao Wa Guang Chang = Set Toy Market = Russian Doll Market
Not surprisingly there are lots of Russians dolls for sale here, much cheaper than those sold and the border. There are also many other things.
Tao Wa Guang Chang has more than just Russian Dolls for sale.
There is a lot of construction going on there. I think it may be an amusement park, or possible places to be live in, which would be awesome to live in a small community with this kind of architecture. It’s most likely an amusement park.
It will be interesting to see what this becomes when it is completed.
A little walk back towards the border and you can go into the Russian Art Museum which costs 20rmb to enter.
20 rmb entry to the Russian Art Museum next to Tao Wa Guang Chang
There are also a bunch of sculptures which can be seen for free.
There a bunch of these sculptures you can look at.
Getting to Tao Wa Guang ChangFollow the same directions as if going to the border (#1 on this list of free things to do in Manzhouli) but get off at the market.
3. Bei Fang Shi Chang������������
North Market
Just to the north of the city is this small tented market. Mostly clothes and souvenirs.
Bei Fang Shi Chang.
Getting to Bei Fang Shi ChangYou can walk there since the actual town of Manzhouli is quite small.
Buses 1, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 stop at the Bei Fang Shi Chang bus stop.
4. Russian Soldier MonumentThere’s a small park with this monument and also polo.
Russian Soldier Monument
Getting to the Russian Soldier MonumentWalk there from the Rand Business Center. It is marked on the map at the end of this post.
5. The LakeThis is a man-made lake to the north of the city. I’m not sure who the monument is.
The monumnet in front of the lake. I’ not sure who the guy is.
Getting to the LakeWalk north (assuming you are in the city). See the map at the end of this post.
6. Go to a Bathhouse.This was my favorite of these free things to do in Manzhouli and it is also bit of a cheat because unless you hotel is a bathhouse (like mine was) then you will have to pay to use it.
Inside the male side of the bathhouse.
7. Walk Around the CityThe last thing on my list of free things to do in Manzhouli is to just walk around the city
The city center of Manzhouli is pretty good to walk around, especially at night. There’s cool architecture and if your into shopping there are a lot of little places to look in.
A very pretty city at night.
Taken from the bridge near the train station.
There’s a bunch of random sculptures in the city.
Map fo Manzhouli town area. Click to Enlarge.
More Things to Do in ManzhouliThey may not all be free but there are lots more things to do in Manzhouli. Visit my go to website for things to do while traveling to discover more things to do in Manzhouli.
Well that’s it for this list of free things to do in Manzhouli. Please add or correct stuff in the comments.The post 7 Free Things to do in Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, China appeared first on Survive Travel.
Rand Business Center Review, Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, China
This is a review post for the Rand Business Center in Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, China. It also includes directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
It was a pretty fast train ride to Manzhouli from Hailar. It makes a nice change from the overnight train rides I have been doing during this trips itinerary. Some good grassland scenery aswell, in fact, apart from being able to actually play around in the grasslands, the view almost as good as Hulunbuir.
Rand Business Center Review, Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, ChinaCost: 191rmb per night including two breakfasts.
Address: 28 Yidao Street (Yidao Jie)(���������28���)
They call it the Rand Business Center but I don’t see them having business meetings there, although it is possible they have meeting rooms I didn’t see.
They do not speak English, and there is no sign-age in English which is unusual. Actually, as it turns out, all the signage in Manzhouli has Russian where there would normally be English.
The staff was good and check in was smooth.
I was in a standard room. It has a bed (obviously) a TV, okay internet (wifi) and a toilet with sink. No shower in the rooms.
I thought is was weird they had shared shower rooms, but then I walked into it. It is a bathhouse! First time I’ve been in a proper bathhouse. It’s awesome. You can just walk around but naked and it’s normal. Three big baths (hot, not as hot and cold), showers, towels, toothbrushes, shaving stuff… everything you need. I think the female side is different with single baths, but I didn’t actually walk in there to check it out.
Inside the male side of the bathhouse.
The bathhouse also has a steam room and a sauna. I took one step into the sauna and had to get out. I lasted about 10 minutes in the steam room. As it turns out I am a pussy when it comes to heat baths. Never the less, I ended up taking a number of (short) saunas during my stay. It was grand.
You can also get them to scrub you down (which I think is free) although I didn’t so it. I don’t mind walking around naked with other men, or even sharing large baths with them, but something about being totally naked and having another man scrub me down did not appeal to me. Maybe I’m just old fashioned.
Free breakfast is a bit short with only a 90 minute gap and ends a bit early also. 0730 to 0900. Also, not that great, but had boiled eggs and spinach (amongst other things) so I was happy. No fruit though.
Buffet breakfast at the Rand Business Center.
They offer many other services (like massage) and I think the public can just come in and pay for them. The bathhouse was never crowded though so that was good.
Decent location. Walking distance to the train station with a bus stop out the front. Walking distance to town.
Book your stay at the Rand Business Center.
Getting to the Rand Business CenterWalk from the train station. Come out of the train station and walk WNW (right). Take a right over the bridge. Go straight to Yidao street. Take a right. The Rand Business Center will be on your right.
This is the entrance to the Rand Business Center
There is a building on YiDao Jie that has the number 28. It is where you get breakfast from. The Rand Business Center is the building in front of it.
This is where you get breakfast. It is to the right as you face the entrance of the main hotel building.
Buses 1, 3, 4 and 7 stop right out the front of the Rand Business Center. The stop is called lian jian da lou ������������.
Map to get to town and the train station from the Rand Business Center. Click to enlarge.
Book your stay at the Rand Business Center.
Share your Rand Business Center review in the comments, or if you have any other questions, thoughts, alternatives etc., feel free to shareThe post Rand Business Center Review, Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, China appeared first on Survive Travel.
August 4, 2015
Hulunbuir Grasslands Review, Hailar, Inner Mongolia, China
This is a review post for Hulunbuir Grasslands in Hailar, Inner Mongolia, China. It also includes directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
What I had originally planned to be three and a bit relaxed days in Hailar did not go as planned. First I discovered that accommodation is expensive in Hailar so I decided to spend one less night there. Then I messed up my flight which cost me another day. Then my actual flight was delayed six hours so I didn’t actually get to the hotel in Hailar until about 0700 the day before I was scheduled to leave. I ended up going to the Hulunbuir Grasslands on the same day I arrived and then went to Manzhouli the next day.
Hulunbuir Grasslands Review, Hailar, Inner Mongolia, ChinaCost: $20 entry + transportation costs.
As with all major tourist attractions in China the Hulunbuir Grasslands were very busy. Also, the weather was not too great (I’m using that as an excuse for my bad photo’s) but the grasslands were beautiful to see regardless.
I took a tour with a friend (read more about how to get to the Hulunbuir Grasslands below) and the driver took us to a number of places to look at.
This is the first place qe stopped. It is where Hulun meets Buir.
Main Site
The last place we stopped had something to do with the Russian. There were tanks and this camel.
Main Site
Main site.
Inside the yurts they rent out to sleep in.
At the main site there are yurts you can sleep in.
Main site view.
At the main site.
They have made these into little dining rooms for the restaurant. We got kicked out before I could take a picture of the inside.
Later on there were lots of people trying to take photos nest to the goat and he/she nearly butted one of them. It made me smile.
It’s a shame about the weather.
The second place we stopped had horse riding (100rmb) and dune buggy type cars.
Getting to the Hulunbuir GrasslandsI’m sure there are a number of ways you can get to Hulunbuir Grasslands and you can probably get a tour from ===Hohhot if you wanted. I decided to go from Hailar.
First get yourself to Hailar (���������, H��il��’��r). You can get an train from Hohhot which takes somewhere between 12-24 hours. I flew which turned out to be a bit less than smooth. First I went to the airport a day early. The next day I went back and the flight got delayed for 6 hours!.
To get from Hailar airport to the city you can catch the shuttle bus for 5rmb. The taxi quoted us 60rmb but I think the taxi should cost 30rmb at the very most. In any case, the shuttle bus is a good option. Just wait out the front of the airport until it arrives. It drops you in town which is not very big so you can walk to your hotel or the driver might be able to tell you which bus to catch if you can speak Chinese or at least show him the address of your hotel.
Once in Hailar I got a private tour with a friend to Hulunbuir (H��l��nb��i’��r, ���������������). It cost 300rmb for both of us and included entry into the main site. It lasted about half a day although I’m sure we could have taken longer if we wanted to and we didn’t bargain so you can probably get it down to about 100rmb each.
At the main site I saw a bunch of big tourist buses. I am sure almost every hotel in Hailar could arrange getting you on one and is probably cheaper but I was happy with paying the extra for the tour. He took us to a few other sites and we didn’t have to wait for others.
Apparently the buses leave regularly from the bus station but I didn’t see any when I went to scope it out. Perhaps there is more than one bus station. I went to the one near the train station.
Cheap Accommodation in HailarI had booked three nights at the Tianyuan Business Hotel but due to some travel mishaps I didn’t get there until the morning of the third night. I had already come to terms with losing the money for the first two nights (I had prepaid and in order to save a few dollars I booked it without free cancellation) and was content with getting the free breakfast for that morning. Unfortunately because I had not contacted them they gave away my room and had none left so I went to the bus station to find somewhere to sleep.
As it happens it all turned out for the best. Because the hotel had given away my room they said they would refund all three nights. I was a bit worried that this would actually happen because they said I had to get the refund back of Ctrip (who I booked through) but after about 5 minutes of live chat with Ctrip the money was refunded.
Also, I ended up finding a room near the station for 120rmb (which is less than half the price the hotel was charging) and the same person also arranged the tour for the grasslands.
So to get cheap accommodation in Hailar go to the bus station, although as far as I can tell none of these are online so if you prefer to book ahead I highly recommend using Ctrip. I book 90% of my accommodation in China through them.
Share your Hulunbuir Grasslands review in the comments, or if you have any other questions, thoughts, alternatives etc., feel free to shareTags – Country, (Attraction or Accommodation) Review, Region
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12 Free Things to Do in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
Discover 12 free things to do in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China. Includes short reviews, directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
1. QingCheng ParkThe first thing on my list of free things to do in Hohhot is QingCheng Park. There are a number of parks in Hohhot, I think this one is the biggest. It’s nice for a little walk around.
Getting to QingCheng ParkBus numbers 26, 50, 76, 81 and 8 all go to Gong Yuan Xi Men ������������ which is the west side of the park.
Inside QingCheng Park
2. Old TownI walked around to check out some of the temples and other religious sites but all the ones I came across where pay to get in. Not only does that mean that they don’t get on this lest of free things to do in Hohhot (because they aren’t free) but I am also reluctant to pay for religious sites unless I feel they are something really worth doing (such as Mati Si in Zhangye).
In any case, the surrounding area of Da Zhao Temple is good for a walk around. I assume it is called old town.
Getting to Old TownI walked to it and although I am certain there are buses that go there, I didn’t not any. You can have a look on the map at the end of this post.
The streets around Da Zhao Temple. I am calling it old town.
3. River WalkOn the way back from the airport (because I went there a day early!) I noticed the river all lit up at night. The next day (on the way back to the airport) I snapped this picture from the bus. It looks like it would be a nice walk about if you have the spare time.
The river which is pretty close to the museum.
Getting to the RiverBus numbers K1 and 83 will drop you pretty close to it. It is beyond the museum.
4. Wholesale MarketIt’s not very big for a wholesale market but if you are into shopping and/or just looking in markets then it is worth a squiz.
Getting to the Wholesale MarketBus numbers 38, 59, K3 and 58 will go there. ������������ Guang Cai Chi Chang is the name of the stop.
Front of the Wholesale Market
5. Food StreetI stumbled upon this when walking around at night. Loads of cheap restaurants and walking distance from the YiJu Commercial Hotel.
Getting to Food StreetWalk there from the hotel. In in the middle of the city. See the map at the bottom of this post.
This is just one food street I found in Hohhot. It is near Xin Hua Square and is marked on the map at the end of this post.
6. Xin Hua SquareI guess this is the equivalent of a People’s Square. A big concreted area where people go. They had some performances (singing and dancing) on the stage. I think it is more lively at night.
Getting to Xin Hua SquareBuses 1, K2, 18, 34, 60 and 201 go to it. The bus stop is ������������ (Xin Hua Guang Chang).
Xin Hua Square
They had this dancing and some singing at the time I was there.
7. Inner Mongolia MuseumA great free thing to do in Hohhot. This museum has four main exhibit areas including dinosaurs, the great plains (my favorite exhibition), underground and space.
The area where the museum is is quite large. On the right I think it is some kind of cinema (like Imax or something). On the left is the museum. There is a ticket booth where they give you a ticket to enter the museum which I figured was so they can track how many visitors entered, but then no-one checks it. Perhaps it is so people can keep it as a souvenir.
You can not take water into the museum.
Getting to the Inner Mongolia MuseumIt took a couple of buses to get there but was well worth the effort.
Bus routes 16, 27, 72, 66 and 52 will take you to stop ��������� (Bo Wu Yuan) which is in front of the museum. Bo Wu Yuan actually means museum.
If coming from the YiJu Business Hotel you can catch bus 102 to stop ��������������� (Nei Menggu Fan Dian) and then swap to one of the above buses (I think it was the 72).
FYI – Nei Menggu is how you say Inner Mongolia in Chinese [Putong Hua (Mandarin)].
The museum is on the left as you look at this picture.
8. MosqueI read many things saying that the Mosque is free to enter. I did not go into it so I can not confirm, but I did take this snap from the front.
The front of the mosque.
Actually, next to the mosque (to the left as you face it) there is another interesting temple type area which seems to be an Islamic temple but done in Chinese style.
I think these tell the history of the site.
I think is is an Islamic site but with Chinese influence.
The temple next to the Mosque.
Getting to the MosqueBuses K3, 81, 102, 73, 8, 4, 6, 59, 24 and 21 all drop you at the Mosque. The stop is called ������������ (Jiu Cheng Bei Men).
9. Pet StreetI stumbled upon this little street that seems to be selling pets (birds, dogs and other random animals). Animals in captivity breaks my heart a little but I guess some will be interested.
I’m not a fan of animals in captivity but I guess it is something that will always be.
Pet Street
Getting to Pet StreetFrom the Mosque go over this bridge, which can be found across the road from the Mosque.
This bridge is over the road from the mosque. Go over it to get to pet street.
The pet street is at the end of the bridge to the right.
10. Islam StreetI read some stuff on the internet about an Islam street and I saw a couple of places that could be it, but I’ve decided to say this one is because it is close to the Mosque and has lots of food, so if it isn’t the actual Islam Street then at least you get something out of it.
Actually, I think the road the hotel is on is Islam street, and perhaps this is Yellow street, or maybe they are the same thing.
Getting to Islam StreetIt is next to the Mosque, almost directly across the road from the bridge that you cross to go to the pet street (#9 of the free things to do in Hohhot).
The food street located behind the Yiju Hotel links up to this street.
Yellow Street? Islam Street? Maybe neither, but good food resides here.
12. Horse TrackThe last thing on my list of free things to do in Hohhot is the Horse Track. Now I’m not 100% sure about this one. To go there and look around is free, but I never actually went in, which might cost something.
I think it was worth the general look around if you have the spare time.
Took this through the fence. I think it might be a show as opposed to racing – or perhaps they race dressed like this.
I’m guessing dome traditional Inner Mongolian structures, possibly yurts.
Getting to the Horse TrackBus numbers 26, 75, 80, 303, 13 and 24 go to the horse track. Get off at ��������� (Sai Ma Chang). I think 13 and 24 will leave from Xin Hua Square.
When you get off the bus walk towards this. It is the horse track.
Here’s a map showing most of the stuff on this list. Click to enlarge.
More Things to Do in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, ChinaThey may not all be free but there are lots more things to do in Hohhot. Visit my go to website for things to do while traveling to discover more things to do in Urumqi.
Well that’s it for this list of free things to do in Hohhot. Please add or correct stuff in the comments.The post 12 Free Things to Do in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China appeared first on Survive Travel.
12 Free Things to Do in Hohhot
Discover 12 free things to do in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China. Includes short reviews, directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
1. QingCheng ParkThe first thing on my list of free things to do in Hohhot is QingCheng Park. There are a number of parks in Hohhot, I think this one is the biggest. It’s nice for a little walk around.
Getting to QingCheng ParkBus numbers 26, 50, 76, 81 and 8 all go to Gong Yuan Xi Men ������������ which is the west side of the park.
Inside QingCheng Park
2. Old TownI walked around to check out some of the temples and other religious sites but all the ones I came across where pay to get in. Not only does that mean that they don’t get on this lest of free things to do in Hohhot (because they aren’t free) but I am also reluctant to pay for religious sites unless I feel they are something really worth doing (such as Mati Si in Zhangye).
In any case, the surrounding area of Da Zhao Temple is good for a walk around. I assume it is called old town.
Getting to Old TownI walked to it and although I am certain there are buses that go there, I didn’t not any. You can have a look on the map at the end of this post.
The streets around Da Zhao Temple. I am calling it old town.
3. River WalkOn the way back from the airport (because I went there a day early!) I noticed the river all lit up at night. The next day (on the way back to the airport) I snapped this picture from the bus. It looks like it would be a nice walk about if you have the spare time.
The river which is pretty close to the museum.
Getting to the RiverBus numbers K1 and 83 will drop you pretty close to it. It is beyond the museum.
4. Wholesale MarketIt’s not very big for a wholesale market but if you are into shopping and/or just looking in markets then it is worth a squiz.
Getting to the Wholesale MarketBus numbers 38, 59, K3 and 58 will go there. ������������ Guang Cai Chi Chang is the name of the stop.
Front of the Wholesale Market
5. Food StreetI stumbled upon this when walking around at night. Loads of cheap restaurants and walking distance from the YiJu Commercial Hotel.
Getting to Food StreetWalk there from the hotel. In in the middle of the city. See the map at the bottom of this post.
This is just one food street I found in Hohhot. It is near Xin Hua Square and is marked on the map at the end of this post.
6. Xin Hua SquareI guess this is the equivalent of a People’s Square. A big concreted area where people go. They had some performances (singing and dancing) on the stage. I think it is more lively at night.
Getting to Xin Hua SquareBuses 1, K2, 18, 34, 60 and 201 go to it. The bus stop is ������������ (Xin Hua Guang Chang).
Xin Hua Square
They had this dancing and some singing at the time I was there.
7. Inner Mongolia MuseumA great free thing to do in Hohhot. This museum has four main exhibit areas including dinosaurs, the great plains (my favorite exhibition), underground and space.
The area where the museum is is quite large. On the right I think it is some kind of cinema (like Imax or something). On the left is the museum. There is a ticket booth where they give you a ticket to enter the museum which I figured was so they can track how many visitors entered, but then no-one checks it. Perhaps it is so people can keep it as a souvenir.
You can not take water into the museum.
Getting to the Inner Mongolia MuseumIt took a couple of buses to get there but was well worth the effort.
Bus routes 16, 27, 72, 66 and 52 will take you to stop ��������� (Bo Wu Yuan) which is in front of the museum. Bo Wu Yuan actually means museum.
If coming from the YiJu Business Hotel you can catch bus 102 to stop ��������������� (Nei Menggu Fan Dian) and then swap to one of the above buses (I think it was the 72).
FYI – Nei Menggu is how you say Inner Mongolia in Chinese [Putong Hua (Mandarin)].
The museum is on the left as you look at this picture.
8. MosqueI read many things saying that the Mosque is free to enter. I did not go into it so I can not confirm, but I did take this snap from the front.
The front of the mosque.
Actually, next to the mosque (to the left as you face it) there is another interesting temple type area which seems to be an Islamic temple but done in Chinese style.
I think these tell the history of the site.
I think is is an Islamic site but with Chinese influence.
The temple next to the Mosque.
Getting to the MosqueBuses K3, 81, 102, 73, 8, 4, 6, 59, 24 and 21 all drop you at the Mosque. The stop is called ������������ (Jiu Cheng Bei Men).
9. Pet StreetI stumbled upon this little street that seems to be selling pets (birds, dogs and other random animals). Animals in captivity breaks my heart a little but I guess some will be interested.
I’m not a fan of animals in captivity but I guess it is something that will always be.
Pet Street
Getting to Pet StreetFrom the Mosque go over this bridge, which can be found across the road from the Mosque.
This bridge is over the road from the mosque. Go over it to get to pet street.
The pet street is at the end of the bridge to the right.
10. Islam StreetI read some stuff on the internet about an Islam street and I saw a couple of places that could be it, but I’ve decided to say this one is because it is close to the Mosque and has lots of food, so if it isn’t the actual Islam Street then at least you get something out of it.
Actually, I think the road the hotel is on is Islam street, and perhaps this is Yellow street, or maybe they are the same thing.
Getting to Islam StreetIt is next to the Mosque, almost directly across the road from the bridge that you cross to go to the pet street (#9 of the free things to do in Hohhot).
The food street located behind the Yiju Hotel links up to this street.
Yellow Street? Islam Street? Maybe neither, but good food resides here.
12. Horse TrackThe last thing on my list of free things to do in Hohhot is the Horse Track. Now I’m not 100% sure about this one. To go there and look around is free, but I never actually went in, which might cost something.
I think it was worth the general look around if you have the spare time.
Took this through the fence. I think it might be a show as opposed to racing – or perhaps they race dressed like this.
I’m guessing dome traditional Inner Mongolian structures, possibly yurts.
Getting to the Horse TrackBus numbers 26, 75, 80, 303, 13 and 24 go to the horse track. Get off at ��������� (Sai Ma Chang). I think 13 and 24 will leave from Xin Hua Square.
When you get off the bus walk towards this. It is the horse track.
Here’s a map showing most of the stuff on this list. Click to enlarge.
More Things to Do in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, ChinaThey may not all be free but there are lots more things to do in Hohhot. Visit my go to website for things to do while traveling to discover more things to do in Urumqi.
Well that’s it for this list of free things to do in Hohhot. Please add or correct stuff in the comments.The post 12 Free Things to Do in Hohhot appeared first on Survive Travel.
Yiju Commercial Hotel Review, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
This is a Yiju Commercial Hotel Review in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China. It also includes directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
The Yiju Commercial Hotel was a good find. My flight from Urumqi was delayed 2 hours but luckily they had 24 hours reception.
Yiju Commercial Hotel Review, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, ChinaCost: 68rmb/night for a standard room.
Address: ���������������������������������300���������. Tongdao South Road, just south of San Shu Dian West Alley.
Good location.
Good security.
Organised staff.
Good sized room.
Majong table.
Twin beds.
Big bathroom.
TV.
Aircon.
Kettle.
Good internet.
Good food street behind it.
Check out at 1300.
Baggage hold.
Nice staff (no English).
The food street behind the hotel.
Love that it had a Majong table.
They didn’t make up the room, which I didn’t mind but just thought it was a bit unusual.
I messed up my dates to the airport and went there a day early so I had to come back to town. I decided to try my luck with accommodation near the train station. I should have just gone back to the Yiju. It was cheaper and much nicer than I got near the train station.
Book your stay at the Yiju Commercial Hotel in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
Getting to the Yiju Commercial HotelI caught a taxi from the airport. I did not research getting from the airport to the hotel properly so I had to pay 60rmb for a taxi. I think it is too much but the original asking price was 150rmb. There is an airport shuttle but thanks to my delayed plane it had stopped running.
After going to the airport (twice! because I messed up and rocked up a day before my flight) I discovered the following:
The shuttle bus cost $15 and leaves from a bunch of places, the most notable ones being the train stations (main and east) and the North side XinHua Square (across the road out the front of the building pictured).
I jumped on a bus at Xinhua Square but it ended up being a company bus, not the airport one, so just be aware that the North side of Xinhua Square is a common pickup/drop off point.
I think the bus is to the right. Make sure you get on the right one.
This is what the bus looks like. Don’t do what I did and get on the wrong one.
I took this picture from the train station which shows the airport route. I marked a few of them in English. Click the picture to enlarge it.
Airport shuttle bus route.
As far as I can translate the words mean the following.
1. Costs 15rmb.
2. Runs from 0540 to 2100
3. It leaves 3 hours before each flight.
4. Take valuables on the bus with you (i.e. don’t stow important stuff underneath)
5. Do do stuff like smoking etc.
There is another bus which goes to other locations, bus this is the one that goes to the places that you probably want to go i.e. town and train station.
Bus number 1 goes from the train station to old town.
Bus number 7 goes from the train station to the new town.
Buses 1, K2, 29 and 34 go to the main train station
Buses 73, K3, 81 and 102 go pretty close to the Yiju Commercial Hotel. Get off at ������ hui zhong.
Book your stay at the Yiju Commercial Hotel in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.
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July 30, 2015
10 Must Try Xinjiang Foods, China
Discover 10 must try Xinjiang foods including pictures, costs and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
1. Qie Zi Rou Ban Mian���������������
Eggplant, meat and noodles
Cost: 16rmb.
The first item on my list of 10 must try Xinjiang foods is Qie Zi Rou Ban Mian. The fact that this is eggplant (qiezi) is arbitrary. There are a wide range of different vegetables you can put in its place. It is the way they cook it that makes it Xinjiang. It comes cooked in a tomato-ish sauce with a side of plain, almost Italian style noodles, but a bit more chewy. It was pretty good. A big meal.
Comes in a variety of ‘flavors’.
2. Nong Min Mian���������
Peasant Noodle
Cost: 10rmb
I went to this noodle shop and they had a bunch of different things but I managed to order the most plain one. Still tasted pretty good though.
Translates to ‘Peasant Noodles’. Pretty tasty.
3. Li��ngP��������
A cold noodle type dish.
Cost: 5rmb
This was the first thing I ate in Xinjiang. I thought because there was a few places advertising it that it was Xinjiang food, but as it turns out it is actually Shanxxi (assuming I understood what the guy told me correctly).
Not local Xinjiang food, but popular to eat.
4. BreadThere’s lots of different types of bread. Buns, round and flat, large, small etc.
Freshly baked in all shapes and sizes
5. IcecreamCost: 3rmb
Not quite ice-cream, but pretty friggin’ close. Great for those hot days. I think it might have something to do with yogurt.
Not quite ice-cream, but pretty friggin’ close!
6. Iced DrinksCost: 1rmb
They have a big block of ice sitting in whatever liquid they are selling. Not the most hygenic but it quenches the thirst. I got this white one which was some type of fermented thing. I wasn’t a fan, but there are different types.
Not the most hygenic thing but quenches the thirst
Iced Drinks – Must Try Xinjiang Foods – Survive Travel
7. KebabThere’s a lot of meat in their diet. Meat and bread. Much like Kyrgyzstan. In fact I even found myself retreating back to classic Chinese food every now and again just to get some vegetables in me.
There’s goats in the street tied up out the front of restaurants and I just know that they will be on the spit in a few days. Can’t get much fresher than that.
Kebabs are everywhere.
8. Meat DumplingCost: 2rmb
I don’t know the real name but it is freshly minced (ground) meat in dough, baked. It’s pretty good.
I’m not sure there real name. I just call them meat dumplings.
At 2rmb each, you cant go wrong (unless your vegetarian)
9. Quick RollCost: 5rmb
Again I don’t know the name. I got this in Korla. There were many different filling with varied prices. This one has Lotus root in it. The sauce is nice. Sweet and spicy.
Good for lunch.
10. La Mian������
Pulled Noodles
Cost: 10rmb
The last thing on my list of must try Xinjiang Foods is La Mian.
La Mian is very famous in China and you will find it in most cities without too much trouble. It is from Xinjiang. I’ve cheated a bit here because I don’t actually think these two noodle dishes are actually La Mian.
The first is xiang gu dun ji mian (���������������) which translates to mushroom, stewed chicken, noodles. It was pretty good.
Mushrooms and stewed chicken noodles.
This next one is called tese xiao zi mian (���������������) which basically translates to specialty noodles which I am assuming is a specialty of the restaurant I got it from. It was definitely Xinjiang style (as opposed to Chinese) but the noodles (I’m almost certain) were not authentic La Mian. It had all kinds of good stuff in it. It cost 13rmb.
tese xiao zi mian – Speciality Noodles. Not La Mian but delicious none-the-less.
There was a couple more things I wanted to try but on my last day in Urumqi my stomach was feeling a bit fragile.
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5 Free Things to Do in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
Discover 5 free things to do in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. Includes short reviews, directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.
I have only put 5 free things to do in Urumqi due to limited time, but there is definitely more there.
As I write this I am sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to Hohhot which has been delayed. Another reason why I prefer trains over flights, well two actually. One is because airport security sucks, and the second is because trains are hardly ever delayed, whereas planes often are. However, I am glad that I am taking a four hour flight as opposed to a two day train ride. I have spent a lot of time on trains recently which is a lot of time on my back, and not in a good way!
1. People’s ParkThe first thing on my list of free things to do in Urumqi is People’s Park. Every city in China is almost 100% guaranteed to have a People’s Square and a Peoples Park. People’s square I can take or leave (usually just a big concreted area with some sort of monument), but People’s Parks are always pleasant.
Inside Peoples Park
Inside Peoples Park
Getting to People’s ParkYou can walk from the Bestay Hotel. Check the map at the end of this post.
Alternatively, take a bus for 1rmb. Bus numbers 8, 44, 58, 903, 912 and 308 all go to the west gate. The bus stop name is Xi Gong Yuan ���������.
From teh North Entrance of Peoples Park
2. Zhen Long PagodaThis one is a bit of a cheat since I am not 100% sure if it is actually free. I think there is a cable car to the view point which would definitely not be free, but I’d be surprised if it cost anything to just walk up… oh hang on, no I wouldn’t.
I took the picture from the bridge but didn’t have the time to actually scope it out for real.
Getting to Zhen Long PagodaWalk to it. You have to cross some major roads. You can see it on the map at the end of this post.
3. Xinjiang MusuemI’m not a fan of museums usually but this one is specific to Xinjiang history and culture with some cool artefacts inside. Best of all, it is free, and I am actually going to name it as my favorite of these free things to do in Urumqi.
I counted about 4 different sections and if you wanted you could spend half a day.
Opening hours for the Xinjiang museum are:Summer – 1000-1800 (Last entry at 1630)
Closed monday and public holidays
Winter – Same as summer except opens at 1030.
Note: They ask you for identification. I didn’t have my passport on me but they accepted my Australian drivers license so I guess any photo ID is fine. Also, you can not take water inside (which is also true for the BRT and many other places).
The front of the Xinjiang Museum
Getting to the Xinjiang MuseumCatch the BRT 1 to Ming Yuan ������. At the exit of the BRT turn right and go to the end. Turn right again and follow the signs.
Alternatively catch a bus to Ming Yuan ������ and then walk through this mall which will put you across the road of the museum. Bus routes 52, 52 (some Chinese character), 303, 311, 532, 536, 906, 910 all go there.
Go through this mall. They won’t let you take water through.
4. Da BizzareThis was not as much of an experience in comparison to the Kashir Bazar but still work a look.
It is also know as the Big Bazar (Da means big) or the Er Dao Qiao Bazar which I’m guessing is because it is close to the bridge of the same name.
Getting to Da BazarThe BRT 3 goes in the vicinity but I am not sure exactly where it stops.
You can take bus 10, 16, 21 or 63 to the Er Dao Qiao stop ���������.
Walk up the street towards the golden building.
When you first get of the bus walk in this direction.
Go down the underpass then turn left and then right before coming out of it.
When you come out of the underpass the golden building should be on your right and you should see this in front of you.
This is what is in front of your when you come out of the underpass.
Walk up the street a little. The entrance is on your right. Apparently here water is okay to bring in. I wonder how they decide where is water worthy and where isn’t.
The entrance to the Big Bazar.
5. People’s SquareThe last thing on my list of free things to do in Urumqi is People’s Square. I was surprised that there was no statue of Mao.
No statue of Mao, but has this monument.
Getting to People’s SquareBus routes 36 and 104 go to Ren Min Guang Chang ������������ which is out the front of People’s Square. Like all buses around the city, fare is 1rmb.
Click to see full size map
Click to see full size map
More Things to Do in Urumqi, Xinjiang, ChinaThey may not all be free but there are lots more things to do in Urumqi. Visit my go-to-website for things to do while traveling to discover more things to do in Urumqi.
Well that’s it for this list of free things to do in Urumqi. Please add or correct stuff in the comments.The post 5 Free Things to Do in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China appeared first on Survive Travel.
