2002-2006 General Reports

[Heel Lover]

Penney:

It depends on yout port of entry. Beijing is totally fine for me. I've been coming in through Beijing airport internationally not less than 50 trips, to me, no problem at all. They would just let people pass through and randomly ask someone to put their lugguge through the X-ray machine. I think Shanghai is also ok.

But I had bad experience in entering from Shenzhen and to a less extend in Guangzhou for a few times, at one time in Shenzhen they seized my CDs (well over 200, may be in their eyes I must be a smuggler. I know, carrying 200CDs is a bit too unuasual), but then again it was four years ago.

Beijing has not changed on this - in most cases you don't even need to put your bag through the X-ray.

[Heel Lover]

Hello My Freinds
I Met 2 Girls In Hangzhou But Need Help With Language.
Please Someone Tell Me What Hi Gang Lai Mu Means.
Because I Need To Know What They Are Saying To Me .
Thanks Vndr

It sounds to me like "Hai Guo Lai Ma" which means "will you come again?"

[Santa]

You don't have to pay high prices in China. Use a guide book to find cheap hotels and places to eat. Use this forum to help you find quality girls at lower prices. Thank you Jackson!

Try Dongguan, Shenzhen, Chongqing, Xian etc. No need to spend too much time paying high prices in the big cities. Get your pus at the barbershops or hunt for freebies.

For those of you on tight budgets, know that it is easy to live cheaply and have fun in China.

[Caine]

Hello My Freinds
I Met 2 Girls In Hangzhou But Need Help With Language.
Please Someone Tell Me What Hi Gang Lai Mu Means.
Because I Need To Know What They Are Saying To Me .
Thanks Vndr

The only sense that I can make of that is "ni gang lai ma?" = "Have you just come/arrived?"

[Cento]

Hello My Freinds
I Met 2 Girls In Hangzhou But Need Help With Language.
Please Someone Tell Me What Hi Gang Lai Mu Means.
Because I Need To Know What They Are Saying To Me .
Thanks Vndr

[Papadum]

i'm right about going to china armed with my laptop and digital camera. i have many music cds and burned movies. just wondering if it is a wise choice to bring it with my luggage or will customs agent confirep001e and arrest me.

i will be staying for quite some time so i really want my music and movies but my laptop's hard drive just isn't that big.

penney:

it depends on yout port of entry. beijing is totally fine for me. i've been coming in through beijing airport internationally not less than 50 trips, to me, no problem at all. they would just let people pass through and randomly ask someone to put their lugguge through the x-ray machine. i think shanghai is also ok.
but i had bad experience in entering from shenzhen and to a less extend in guangzhou for a few times, at one time in shenzhen they seized my cds (well over 200, may be in their eyes i must be a smuggler.... i know, carrying 200cds is a bit too unuasual), but then again it was four years ago.....

[Papadum]

Making my first trip to China in April, will land in Beijing and stay at the Landmark for a couple of days. Hope to visit Maggies, Pig & Whistle and the Den..Then on to Chongqing for about 3 weeks staying at the Holiday Inn D.T. Hope to get local info. from the expats at Newcastle Arms. Final stop, Shanghai for a couple of days again at Holiday Inn.

I'm mid 50's, retired Canadian, looking for quality over quantity(40's - 50's), would also like to see hutongs (sp) and parts of Chinese cities the way they were 50 - 100 years ago.

Will be taking an introductory course in Mandarin prior to leaving, and getting my Hep A & B shots.

Any advice appreciated, Willie

Hey another Canuck eh? Welcome to the land of confusion but full of pretty girls! I am from Scarberia of T.O. and you?
Spending just a few days in Beijing could be fulfilling when planned ahead. No worry pal. I don't know about Chongqing but the folks in the Beijing thread are very helpful to nice new comers, just don't complain about pictures then you'll be finen and happy. :-)
Be my guest when you are here.

[Genuis8]

Making my first trip to China in April, will land in Beijing and stay at the Landmark for a couple of days. Hope to visit Maggies, Pig & Whistle and the Den..Then on to Chongqing for about 3 weeks staying at the Holiday Inn D.T. Hope to get local info. from the expats at Newcastle Arms. Final stop, Shanghai for a couple of days again at Holiday Inn.

I'm mid 50's, retired Canadian, looking for quality over quantity(40's - 50's), would also like to see hutongs (sp) and parts of Chinese cities the way they were 50 - 100 years ago.

Will be taking an introductory course in Mandarin prior to leaving, and getting my Hep A & B shots.

Any advice appreciated, Willie

My advice: Bring in as much money as you can afford to spend. You can use CC to pay for the hotels, but the fun stuff would be cash. What is your budget? Is your trip primarily for the place and experience or P4P? If P4P and quality, budget $200-300/day. If not $2000-3000 for P4P would be enough plus about $1500-2000 for the rest.

Please note that a lot of returning chinese from the US budget around $6000-$10,000 for a month of partying. Of course, it costs a lot because they have to treat their old friends too. And Karaoke KTV are too expensive and not good value for money (in terms of FS).

[Willie263]

Making my first trip to China in April, will land in Beijing and stay at the Landmark for a couple of days. Hope to visit Maggies, Pig & Whistle and the Den..Then on to Chongqing for about 3 weeks staying at the Holiday Inn D.T. Hope to get local info. from the expats at Newcastle Arms. Final stop, Shanghai for a couple of days again at Holiday Inn.

I'm mid 50's, retired Canadian, looking for quality over quantity(40's - 50's), would also like to see hutongs (sp) and parts of Chinese cities the way they were 50 - 100 years ago.

Will be taking an introductory course in Mandarin prior to leaving, and getting my Hep A & B shots.

Any advice appreciated, Willie

[Weelock]

Penny,

I think it's OK as long it's not any porn stuff like movies, magazines, DVD and it doesn't look like you are trying to sell them. About 20 disks and less is fine. If they think something funny, they will play your DVD or CD inside and you might pay a hufty fine but will not arrest you. No X-Rated Stuff.

Weelock

[Bill Lee]

BD.

My bad. Read my own posting and I wasn't clear on the Macau entry situation.

Did you check out my post of the Macau trip on the GZ or Macau board?

Bill

[Bill Lee]

Being through Chinese custom at the HK border over 10 times in the past 6 years and never had them look into my belonging that hard.

Only one time was asked to open luggage after scan through. China border agent saw that I had alot of gadgets with me, video, adapters and wirings. But when she saw my U.S. passport and when I spoke in English, she hurriedly let my go. Probably fearing that continue attempted conversation with me will lead nowhere.

Sure. take them with you. As long as you don't appear to be a wholesalers, they don't really care.

Bill

[Mock A Bee]

i'm right about going to china armed with my laptop and digital camera. i have many music cds and burned movies. just wondering if it is a wise choice to bring it with my luggage or will customs agent confirep001e and arrest me.

i will be staying for quite some time so i really want my music and movies but my laptop's hard drive just isn't that big.

i doubt they will arrest you for bringing in cd's or dvd's, let alone bother to look inside your bags. in fact, knock on wood, but i have never been inspected at china customs, however there is always a first time. i always claim nothing to declare on the customs forms. ymmv.

quite frankly, customs officials in china would rather you not bother them with declarations. they would rather get back to drinking tea and picking their noses rather than check out your cd collection.

rather, it is your own country's customs officers looking for pirate dvd's and other fake or pirate goods from china that you will have to worry about.

good luck!

mab

[Kunshan]

You shouldn't worry at all about bringing DVD/CDs into China, unless you have porn or political crap (ie about certain cults) on them. Customs couldn't give a sht about your movies and music.

So when going through Customs, be cool, you will have no problems.

But remember that in China you can buy DVD movies and music very very cheaply, the worst that Customs will do is laugh.

[Penney]

i'm right about going to china armed with my laptop and digital camera. i have many music cds and burned movies. just wondering if it is a wise choice to bring it with my luggage or will customs agent confirep001e and arrest me.

i will be staying for quite some time so i really want my music and movies but my laptop's hard drive just isn't that big.