Aventuras De Viaje's Blog, page 36

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, China

Cost: 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 Center

Walk 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 share

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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, China

Cost: $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 Grasslands

I’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 (海拉尔, Hǎilā’ěr). 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 (Hūlúnbèi’ěr, 呼伦贝尔市). 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 Hailar

I 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 share

Tags – 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 Park

The 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 Park

Bus numbers 26, 50, 76, 81 and 8 all go to Gong Yuan Xi Men 公园西门 which is the west side of the park.

Inside QingCheng Park

2. Old Town

I 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 Town

I 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 Walk

On 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 River

Bus numbers K1 and 83 will drop you pretty close to it. It is beyond the museum.

4. Wholesale Market

It’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 Market

Bus numbers 38, 59, K3 and 58 will go there. 光彩市场 Guang Cai Chi Chang is the name of the stop.

Front of the Wholesale Market

5. Food Street

I stumbled upon this when walking around at night. Loads of cheap restaurants and walking distance from the YiJu Commercial Hotel.

Getting to Food Street

Walk 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 Square

I 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 Square

Buses 1, K2, 18, 34, 60 and 201 go to it. The bus stop is 新华广场 (Xin Hua Guang Chang).

Xin Hua Square

They had this dancing and some singing at the time I was there.

7. Inner Mongolia Museum

A 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 Museum

It 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 博物院 (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 内蒙古饭店 (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. Mosque

I 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 Mosque

Buses K3, 81, 102, 73, 8, 4, 6, 59, 24 and 21 all drop you at the Mosque. The stop is called 旧城北门 (Jiu Cheng Bei Men).

9. Pet Street

I 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 Street

From 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 Street

I 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 Street

It 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 Track

The 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 Track

Bus numbers 26, 75, 80, 303, 13 and 24 go to the horse track. Get off at 赛马场 (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, China

They 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 Park

The 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 Park

Bus numbers 26, 50, 76, 81 and 8 all go to Gong Yuan Xi Men 公园西门 which is the west side of the park.

Inside QingCheng Park

2. Old Town

I 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 Town

I 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 Walk

On 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 River

Bus numbers K1 and 83 will drop you pretty close to it. It is beyond the museum.

4. Wholesale Market

It’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 Market

Bus numbers 38, 59, K3 and 58 will go there. 光彩市场 Guang Cai Chi Chang is the name of the stop.

Front of the Wholesale Market

5. Food Street

I stumbled upon this when walking around at night. Loads of cheap restaurants and walking distance from the YiJu Commercial Hotel.

Getting to Food Street

Walk 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 Square

I 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 Square

Buses 1, K2, 18, 34, 60 and 201 go to it. The bus stop is 新华广场 (Xin Hua Guang Chang).

Xin Hua Square

They had this dancing and some singing at the time I was there.

7. Inner Mongolia Museum

A 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 Museum

It 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 博物院 (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 内蒙古饭店 (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. Mosque

I 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 Mosque

Buses K3, 81, 102, 73, 8, 4, 6, 59, 24 and 21 all drop you at the Mosque. The stop is called 旧城北门 (Jiu Cheng Bei Men).

9. Pet Street

I 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 Street

From 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 Street

I 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 Street

It 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 Track

The 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 Track

Bus numbers 26, 75, 80, 303, 13 and 24 go to the horse track. Get off at 赛马场 (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, China

They 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, China

Cost: 68rmb/night for a standard room.

Address: 通道南街附院十字路口南300米路東. 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 Hotel

I 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 回中 hui zhong.

Book your stay at the Yiju Commercial Hotel in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China.

Share your Yiju Commercial Hotel review in the comments, or if you have any other questions, thoughts, alternatives etc., feel free to share

The post Yiju Commercial Hotel Review, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China appeared first on Survive Travel.

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

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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

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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��

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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. Bread

There’s lots of different types of bread. Buns, round and flat, large, small etc.

Freshly baked in all shapes and sizes

5. Icecream

Cost: 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 Drinks

Cost: 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. Kebab

There’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 Dumpling

Cost: 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 Roll

Cost: 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

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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.

What Other Xinjiang Foods Have You Tried?

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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 Park

The 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 Park

You 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 Pagoda

This 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 Pagoda

Walk to it. You have to cross some major roads. You can see it on the map at the end of this post.

3. Xinjiang Musuem

I’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 Museum

Catch 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 Bizzare

This 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 Bazar

The 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 Square

The 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 Square

Bus 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, China

They 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.

Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express Review, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China

This is a Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express Review in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. It also includes directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.

The train ride from Kashgar to Urumqi was much more pleasant than the one from Korla to Kashgar. Really dusty but much cooler temperature. Also, apparently when I took a picture of the “desert”, out the other window was mountains. Once again I underestimated the length of the train ride and arrived two hours later than expected, which turned it into a 26 hour journey. This time I made sure I had plenty of water.

Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express Review, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China

Cost: 139rmb for a single room + 20rmb deposit (returned on check out).

Address: 49 Yangzjiang Rd, Urumqi (not #12 like it says on Ctrip.)

The first thing I noticed when walking into the hotel lobby was the smell of popcorn. I guess there is a cinema nearby.

The staff do not speak English but are very nice and the check-in was seamless.

The room was a tad on the small side but it had everything I needed including kettle, shower, western toilet, air con, TV, ample power points and even a small desk I could work at.

The rooms a little small but you get everything you need

Shower pressure was decent, but no big towel.

The shower even has a shower curtain which is unusual in China

Internet was really good.

Security is also very good (electronic doors with the key-card needed to access the elevator up).

Perhaps the walls are a bit thin. I could hear people in the hallway in the morning, although I have had this happens in most hotels.

Great location.

Clean.

Considering the price and location I’d say the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express is a pretty good place to stay. I recommend it.

Bathroom with western toilet

Book your stay at the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.

Getting to the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express

From the train station you can catch the BRT 1 (a bright orange bus). Line up, discard your water (you can not take water onto a BRT), pay your 1rmb and get on. Prepare to be crowded at the next stop. Get off at ��������� Wen Hua Gong (which I think was the third stop) and then keep walking in the same direction the bus was going.

The Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express is on your left hand side, just beyond the bridge.

The front of the hotel from the street. The entrance is a little tucked away to the right.

Alternatively you can take the bus, which is probably a tad slower but you can take water on it and it is probably not as crowded. Also, the stop is out the front of the hotel (you just need to cross the road). But numbers 52 and 909 go from the South Train Station (which is the main train station). I think the bus stop name is the same as the BRT (Wen Hua Gong) but can’t be certain. Just keep an eye out for the hotel and bridge.

Other buses that go to the same bus stop are the 51, 52, 52 (with a Chinese character), 109, 909 and 914.

To get to the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express from the airport you can get the shuttle bus from the bottom of the t2 terminal (arrivals) and perhaps even the other terminals also.

The shuttle costs 10rmb. Get off at the Southern Airlines Pearl International Hotel and then walk to the Bestay Hotel Express (see the map at the end of this post).

Operation Times for the Airport Shuttle.

This is actually from the train station to the airport because that is the way I did it. It is similar in reverse.

From train station – Pearl hotel – Airport
Runs from 0700 – 2200
Every hour from 0700 – 0900
Every 30 minutes from 0900-2200

The international pearl hotel can also be reached by bus numbers 7, 14, 17, 68, 157. The bus stop name is Hong Shan ������, which is out the front of the hotel.

A final way to get from the airport to the Bestay Hotel Express is by local bus number 51. Go to the bottom of T2 (arrivals) and follow the sign.

This map shows where the airport shuttle is in relation to the Bestay

Book your stay at the Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.

Share your Urumqi Bestay Hotel Express review in the comments, or if you have any other questions, thoughts, alternatives etc., feel free to share

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Bruce Lees Jeet Kune Do: Jeet Kune Do Techniques and Fighting Strategies

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10 Free Things to Do in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

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Discover 10 free things to do in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China. Includes short reviews, directions, pictures and other useful information as well as some (perhaps not so useful) personal ranting.

Just today I have decided to update my guidelines for posting to be that if it is a list of things to do then it will be for free stuff. If it is a paid attraction then it will get it’s own separate review. This also affects my personal travel guidelines which will now be that if I think it doesn’t deserve it’s own post, then I will not pay to go in it.

The main reason I planned to come to Kashgar was for Lake Karukol, but alas I never made it due to time restrictions.

The train ride in from Korla was incredibly hot, so much so that I could not sleep. And no wander, because out the window was basically a desert.

Scenery from the train from Korla to Kashgar

In any case, here is the first of what I assume will be many of my free things to do lists. Without further ado, 10 free things to do in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China.

1. People’s Square

The first thing on my list of 10 free things to do in Kashgar is People’s Square. Go and have a look at this big statue of Mao. I wonder how the Xinjiang people feel about this. In my opinion they are not Chinese. They have their own language, own foods, own traditions and clothing etc. To me they are culturally closer to Kyrgyzstan than China.

A giant statue of Mao in People’s Square, which he probably had erected while his people were starving,

Getting to People’s Square

People’s square is walk-able from the Kashgar Old Town Youth Hostel. Check the map at the end of this post.

Directions to the hostel can be found on the Kashgar Old Town Youth Hostel review post.

This sign is on the main road

2. People’s Park

Attached to People’s Square is Peoples Park. Its a well used park and even has some carnival typs rides and games in the center of it.

A girl frolicking in the water in People’s Park

Getting to People’s Park

The entrance to People’ Park is right next to People’s Square.

People’s Park

3. Sunday Bizarre

Don’t be fooled by the name, it is open every day until 2000 (or so I was told). Perhaps in winter it opens less. In any case, it a big maze of a place with loads of stuff for sale.

A whole section dedicated to cloth.

Getting to the Sunday Bizarre

The following buses go to the Sunday Bizzare. 3, 6, 7, 20, 21 and 30. The bus costs 1rmb and it gets pretty full.

Out the front of the Sunday Bizzare

4. Old Town

This was my favorite of these free things to do in Kashgar. The hostel I stayed in is located in old town. Just walk around, there is lots of interesting stuff around and some of the architecture is pretty cool.

Getting to Old Town

Follow the same directions getting to the hostel which can be found here.

Take a strroll around Old Town.

5. Art Street

I was wandering around Old Town and came across this row of art galleries. Good for a look.

Getting to Art Street

It’s in old town and is marked on the map. The mark on the map is not 100% accurate. Where the mark is, is a little road you need to go down.

A group of art galleries in old town.

I saw this mural just walking around (not near art street). The location is on the map below.

6. Food Street

���������������
huan jiang meishi jie
looping road good food street = Food Street.

Get a good, inexpensive feed.

Getting to Food Street

See the map.

Can’t pass up a good food street.

The front of the food street. One of the entrances to the underground mall is to my left.

7. Underground Mall

A fairly large network of shops underground.

It is where the food street is. Just go down the underpass.

8. River

Not as good as the one in Korla but still nice to walk up/down.

Getting to the River

Go to People’s park then head east until you hit the river.

9. Fountain

It was 2045 when I came across this and the fountain show was in full swing. I stayed for about ten minutes and it was still going. I’m gonna have a punt and say it goes from 2030 to 2100, but it is just a guess.

Getting to the Fountain

Check the map at the end of this post.

The fountain show has about 3 or 4 moves that it just repeats.

10. Mosque

The last thing on my list of free things to do in Kashgar is the mosque. This mosque is very near the Old Town Youth Hostel and I think is the biggest in Kashgar. Actually, the mosque doesn’t interest me much but the surrounding area is cool to walk around.

Getting to the Mosque

Check the map at the end of this post.

Actually, I’m not even sure if this is the mosque, but it is in the general vicinity,

Here is a map with lots of the stuff mentioned in the post on it.

YHA is the Kashgar Old Town Youth Hostel

Well that’s it for my list of free things to do in Kashgar. Please feel free to add or correct stuff in the comments.

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