Travelling to Beijing

Now, I write down place I’ve been visit at Beijing.

Greatwall Tour

I book tour at: http://www.greatwalltour.net/beijing-coach-tour-F.html

For half day tour, to Great Wall, Summer Palace, Jade factory, Pearl market – CNY 220

Which is I regret for it.

Why, the tour was fine, but I didn’t like when they took us to jade factory or tea house (it just wasting time).

Great Wall.

Web: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/map/beijing.htm

It was must visit place when you came to Beijing. Even many people said, there was nothing inside, but still have to visit one of 7 wonder of the world, right?

To go there:

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/greatwall.htm

By bus, take number 919.

Bus frequency was many, so it won’t take long time to queue. Minus thing ride bus was traffic jam. It’s horrible.

By train, in one day only had several train to Great wall, of course no traffic jam. But sometimes the train ticket sold out.

Badaling was the famous one, of course it crowded, because Badaling was the first wall opened for public, so the facility more complete. But if I had other opportunity I’ll go to other wall, with not many people visit, Juyongguan pass maybe.

During walk to the wall, many good spot to take picture. Some people ride horse.

Best time to visit, for me at 16.30 – when the sun not too bright, so it will be pleasant walking around.

Every snack, water here was expensive. I didn’t buy anything here, just water CNY 5, for 1 bottle.

Summer Palace.

Web: http://www.chinavista.com/travel/yuheyuan/map.html

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/summer.htm

Opening Hour : 06.00 – 18.30

Admission fee: CNY 60

Try to take Dragon Boat CNY 30 (round trip) at Kunming Lake, Just follow the corridor (till the end). Some craft and painting was original.

The main Palace was forbidden to enter.

Inside the Palace there were some building, but to enter it had to pay admission fee.

No building we enter here, since we joint tour so we had to follow their regulation. This is also one thing I didn’t like joint tour.

Summer Palace was queen palace, inside there were 4 pavilions, symbol of 4 seasons.

One thing I like here, many willow tree.

Also the view was beautiful, like painting (it’s true).

The palace was great, but when I came, the palace was crowded, so can’t enjoy it.

Beside building, there were market (Suzhou Street and Danning Hall), but I didn’t visit it. Maybe it’s not worth to visit, since during my trip, all market at Beijing was same. Not to cheap, they open highest price, and to buy things had to bargain till 80%, and it’s really hard bargain with them. The goods quality also not too good, for me it’s not worth.

Olympic Birds nest stadium.

Web: http://www.everytrail.com/guide/the-birds-nest-and-water-cube/map

Best time to visit: at Night.

The easy way, take subway, exit at B2. Then just follow the sign.

It takes probably 8 minutes walk before I saw the stadium. A long walk, but it’s beautiful.

The lamp will be shut down at 22.00, so be there before it.

Tian an Men Square and Forbidden City

Tian An Men Square

Well this place was big, and crowded. I didn’t enter or go there, just passed by. It’s only building and tower.

Also the biggest subway station I ever visit during my trip at Beijing.

The tunnel was full with people cross by to from Tiananmen to Forbidden City.

It was my first time cross such a crowded and big tunnel, full with people, I suddenly want to go up stair as soon as possible, I couldn’t breaths.

Forbidden City

Opening Hour: 08.30 -1700

Admission fee: CNY 60

I found interest web for Forbidden City : http://www.kinabaloo.com/fcf.html

Best time to visit: very early after it open, so it won’t be crowded or hot.

I think early autumn is the best time to visit Beijing, not too hot or cold.

It was my first time I ever visit such a big palace. But when I arrived it already 11.00, and had to queue at ticket counter. And believe me it not comfortable at all. We had to queue without roof above, so it’s really hot. They only print 1 ticket, 1 ticket can be for 10 persons (max), not 1 ticket for 1 person, but 1 ticket for 1 payment. At the ticket it was printed amount of the people.

Tips: Don’t forget to bring maps, it’s really big place. Also bring your own food and water.

No free map, they only rent self audio. The citizen sold the map at entrance gate.

Forbidden city map: http://www.tour-beijing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Forbidden-City-Map-big2.jpg

We enter from meridian gate and exit at north gate, so we just walk straight. Because we didn’t had map and no direction, so we didn’t know where are we.

The palace was soo big, from one gate to other was so far, we walk at the left edge, there were museum along the way. It took more than 3 hour to visit the whole place. Since we didn’t through from the middle (it really hot), only at left edge, so I can’t tell what at the middle and at the right side. But as I know it similar as I saw at the movie.

Behind the palace, near north exit gate, there were nice garden. I like this place. There were many trees and beautiful pavilion. There was old tree already 200 year olds, the tree was blacks, and big, of course forbidden to touch.

Also there were small room, at inside, there were ancient interior chair, table (like I saw at china historical movie), even the wood door knob (the knob was dragon craft) still original. Many poem hang there, it already dusted.

Oh, I only found one building with 9 dragons at the roof during my travel at Beijing, it was at Forbidden Palace entrance gate.

According ancient story, long time ago, the dragon had 9 child.

Each child had different symbolizes meaning. But I didn’t know it. I just knew the smallest one Killin (If I’m not wrong the head was dragon, but had tiger body), represent of prosperity, that’s why many business people buy it.

Beihai park

From Forbidden City north exit there were Jingshan park, just cross the street.

But we didn’t visit it, we went to Beihai park.

We took bus number 109 (don’t cross the street), only one stop.

Opening Hour: 06.00- 22.00

Admission fee: CNY 20

Web: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/beijing/beihai-park.jpg

Of course no map here: at the entrance gate there were huge board about Beihai park.

There were mini lake, and it’s beautiful. The lotus blooms so beautiful at the lake. Willow tree surround the lake.

There were food stall, restaurant and picture counter with China traditional costume.

The place was huge, we took boat cross the lake. One way CNY 10, for round trip CNY 15. We bought for one way ticket.

This place nice, quite, not too crowded, enjoy afternoon here was great.

Many citizen doing activity here, dancing, singing, wushu, exercise, walking, or just blather with their friends spend the days.

There were many interest building can be enter with out pay admission fee (some of them closed when I came). I found ancient temple here, the wood totally black, the Buddha statue was old.

Shicahai

From Beihai park we just walk cross the street. And then walk with crowded, Don’t forget to bring maps. Map at Beijing were very very important.

Shichahai Map: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/beijing/shichahai.jpg

Actually I had better map, but I lost the link. Just Google it, you’ll find it.

We rent bike here, CNY 10 per hour. It’s cheap. We rent not at the front, but we walk in till we saw the lake. We rent with a stall keeper lady beside the lake. We got new bike. Buy Chinese snack here, it’s cheap.

Beside cycle at Shichahai can ride canoe, it’s really nice. Many place can visit here like prince Gong Mansion, there were small garden, Hou hai Gong Yuan, temples, most of them closed at 17.00.

Shichahai was near Hutong (Beijing ancient village) – just cross the street, also Drum Tower and Clock Tower. Since we didn’t have much time so we skip Drum Tower and Clock Tower. It’s already near, what a pitty.

Other place must visit was Yandaixiejie. It’s only shop there, sold many things, bag, merchandise, accessories, clothes, books, tea, etc. But I didn’t buy things here, it’s expensive.

Temple Of Heaven

Opening Hour: 08.30 - 16.30 (Park open from: 06.00 - 22.00)

Address: 214号 Dongsi North Street, Dongcheng

Admission fee: CNY 35

Get in: Subway Tiantan Dong Men exit A1.

Web: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/beijing/temple-of-heaven.jpg

Don’t forget to bring map, it’s very important. This places is huge and big, no direction and no map, no board. 75% of this place was garden, so don’t get lost, no one or counter at the garden.

Many citizens spend their day here, gathering with friends, knit (man and women), play china chest, practicing singing, or exercise. For photo snapper, this place offer many object to be snap, but had to search it.

There were only 4 places can be visit here:

1. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (祈年殿)

The biggest place at Temple of heaven, it was place for king pray to God. The main building not too big (forbidden to enter), but the yard was huge.

2. The Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇)

Compare with The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, this place was smaller, the building also forbidden to enter.

3. Echo Wall

No one can stand near it, it was forbidden.

Echo Wall was inside The Imperial Vault of Heaven (皇穹宇).

4. The Circular Mound Altar (圜丘坛)

Only round altar, nothing there, only stone.

From one place to other was very far, I mean very very far, so prepare your feet well, don’t forget brings water, and no roof above, so bring umbrella too.

For me, this place was not too worth enough to visit, unless you have no place to visit then go there.

There were some stall food, but only sold drink and snack. Oh, also there were photo corner with king costume, but I didn’t know the price.

Lama Temple

雍和宮 – Yōnghégōng

Address: 12 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng, Beijing

北京市东城区雍和宫大街12

Admission fee: CNY 25

Opening hour: 09.00 - 17.00

Web: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/images/map/beijing/yonghe-lamasery.jpg

Get In: Yonghegong subway station Exit follow the sign.

At subway station I already can feel the temple, during walk along the street to the temple, there were many store sold dupa, candle, flower. Also the only place I saw bagger at Beijing was here.

There were many Temple inside, with different Buddha statue at each building. Citizens pray or maybe tourists who understand how to pray, they pray. But we just looking around, it’s quite and clean. The quite place I ever go, during my visit at Beijing.

The Buddha was Tibet, how do I know, from the alphabet.

At the behind of the temple, there were main building, with giant statue inside. It’s was on Guinness book of World Records, the giant Buddha statue. It was state it was Maitreya Buddha, the last Buddha on this era.
(picture below, was belong to the owner, since mine not too good to share - too dark)

I like this place, recommend to visit.

Pearl Hong Qiao Market.

红桥珍珠市场 (hóng qiáo zhēn zhū shì chǎng)

Address : 北京市东城区天坛路9号

Opening hour from 09:30 to 19:00.

We ride taxi from Temple of Heaven to here, fare CNY 11.

This market only had 4^th floor, not too big. At 1^st floor there were food court, all was fast food.

The market sold bag, shoes, shirt, Chinese style clothes, pearl (at 4^th floor). Bargain till 80%.

The quality not too good, I skip here, only buy bag.

The shopkeeper can speak English.

Yaxiu Market

三里屯雅秀市场 

Address: Gongti Beilu 58, Chaoyang District

朝阳区工体北路58号

Get in: Subway get off at Guomao station, then I continue ride Bread minivan to Yaxiu CNY 10.

It was the biggest market at Beijing, and everybody recommend me to go there.

Well this place big, had 3 or 4  floors, but the things they sold similar. Price was absolutely high, need to bargain till 80% more (if you can bargain till 90% - it’s OK, why not, just try). And they not kind at all, need to be patient buying things there. I don’t like it at all. First because the goods quality was not good, and nothing special, all was fakes, but price they offered completely crazy.

The shopkeeper can speak English.

Since I’ve been to China before at Shenzhen, and I shop there (at Lou hu), the price was high too, but we can bargain till 80-90%, they kind, also the quality was goods, at least better then Yaxiu.

So for Beijing markets, for me, I prefer skip it. Better buy Beijing snack rather than goods. China product was many at my country, so why had to buy it far away, also at my country our own product, similar with them and the price was similar, sometimes cheaper at my own country, Indonesia.

The Place Mall

世贸天阶

Add: 9 Guanghua Lu, Beijing, Chaoyang Distric.

北京市朝阳区光华路甲9

I ride taxi to come here from Yaxiu market, actually it can be reach by bus (had to exchange), I already ask information centre at Yaxiu, but since we already tired so we decide to take cabs.

One of top ten malls must visit at Beijing.

This mall have giant screen at the front. Beijing citizens, especially young people gathering here at night. The screen will start turn on at 19.00.

Inside the mall, sold branded things. But we didn’t visit it.

Beijing Circumstance

It's been 5 month since my last trip to China. So, I can't write too detail, but I'll give information about place I've been visited and China circumstances. I already visit China at year 2008, but I only had chance visit south China (Shenzhen and Zhu Hai, others is Hongkong and Macau). This time I visit north China : Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuzhen.

My trip at year 2008 was by tour, so there was not much I could tell. Hongkong and Macau was easy to go, to Shenzhen, well... it needs effort. But Place I can recommend at Shenzhen is: Splendid of China and Widow of the World, shopping at Lou Hu. While Zhuhai was small town, it sold many medicines.

Since I visited north China by myself, so I have many information I can write down.

First is Beijing.

The airport was big, and queue quite long. First time came to the capital from the biggest population country in the world, trust me it was sooo crowded. I had to queue in everywhere I go.

How to go down town from Beijing Capital Airport?

1. The easy way, by taxi.

Fare probably CNY 150. Legal taxi police number is “B”, yellow colors at arrival floor.

But to take cabs had to queue quite long (very long actually).

2. By bus.

Buy bus ticket at bus counter, cost CNY 16 (I get off at Beijing Railway Station, since I stay nearby). Just say: “Běi jīng Zhàn - 北京站”, to the officer (don’t expect too much, the officer can't speak English, so you got to prepare by yourself).

After that queue to get in to the bus, don't forget to ask first, for the direction.

The bus had several route, this is the web: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/transportation/airport-shuttle.htm

3. Airport railway

Fare CNY 25, get off at Dongzhimen subway station. Then continue ride subway or taxi. The railway close at midnight.

 

To visit China needs to prepare many information, first no people I can ask (they didn't speak English), I arrived at 2 AM in the morning, no direction in English, all in Chinese, but if you speak and read Chinese, then it just fine.

Also, for me, I prefer ask to the passenger rather then ask the officer, since the passenger was nicer. Maybe because I was look like Chinese, they thought I was citizen.

How to ask: “qing wen, zhe ge ba si dao bei jing zhan ma? – 請問, 這個 巴士 到 北京站 嗎? (Excuse me, is this bus go to Beijing Station?). Oh, also you need to speak loudly, they speak so loud.

By the way, my Chinese alphabet was traditional (I only had traditional alphabet at my computer) and China used Simplified one.

In the bus, there were small television – no sound, it describe bus route, but once again in Chinese. Beijing station was the last stop.

Arrived at Beijing Station, we continue take cabs to the guesthouse (9 Dragon House). All cabs was illegal (we arrived at 03.00 AM, legal cabs only available inside Beijing Railway Station, which is closed), and the price they ask was too high, 10 times then normal fare.

Try to bargain. But if you look like foreign (I mean non Chinese), don’t try this, why, they won't cut the price.

If come to down town early in the morning was inconvenient, then just stay at the airport till morning, then take bus or airport railway. Many tourists did it.

Actually from guesthouse to Beijing Railway Station fare only CNY 11, but they ask CNY 140 (crazy driver), I bargain and got CNY 40, still expensive, but it was the best option, since I didn't knew the way.

Tips bargain: Don't show them you didn't know about Beijing at all.

Place I stay during my visit at Beijing:

9 Dragon House (Xinmao Hostel)

No.78, Dongsijiu Alley, Beijing, Dongcheng District

北京鑫茂青年酒店

北京市东城区东四九条78号

Web: http://www.dragonshostel.com/Hostel%20Rooms%20&%20room%20rate.html

Tips book: book early (I book 8 month before I arrived), because the price will raise high. When I book I got CNY 158, when I arrived the price already raise to CNY 328.

9 Dragon House (Xinmao Hostel).

Bedroom was nice, had window, bathroom clean, standard facility: air conditioner, television, cup, cooking water (I didn’t knew the name – sorry), towel, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet, shower, toilet sandal, hanger, big mirror and cupboard, free wifi (wifi was good), no breakfast, the lamp not too light.

During my stay, I slept with open windows everyday (even I turn on the air conditioner, but I prefer fresh air), and it safe.

Front desk speak English fluently, many tourist (non Chinese) stay here.

Provide Beijing city tour (but I didn't take it, I got cheaper tour then here).

No elevator. It had 4^th floor (I stay at 4^th floor, and had to carry my own luggage by myself). Location is near Hutong (Beijing ancient village), near Subway station, easy to find food.

The guesthouse offer free picking from Beijing railway Station (only till 18.00).

Deposit CNY 100 was needed, and return when check out.

I had breakfast at Huguo Temple snack, only 2 minutes walk from guesthouse. It was at the main road.

Nearest subway station Zhangzizhonglu exit C, only 5 minutes walk.

Hostel 161

No. 161 Lishi Hutong, Dongsinandajie, Dongcheng District,

北京市, 东城区, 礼士胡同161号

Location next to Hutong, easy to find food, near main street (main street sold many things, but for me it's expensive). From Dongsi Subway station exit C, just walk 3 minutes. Deposit CNY 200.

Front desk speak English fluently, many foreign (non Asia) stay here. The interior was modern, nice hostel.

The hostel was cozy, but unfortunatelly, when we arrived there the wifi under restriction. There were free computer can be used at 1^st floor (but I didn’t used it), near cafeteria. No breakfast. The fare also higher compare with Xinmao hostel CNY 358/room.

We got room at 2^nd floor, but at here there were bellboy, so we didn’t have to carry our luggage by our self, of course we tipping. Room interior better rather than Xinmao Hostel, modern and clean, but at here they only provide towel, no toilet sandal, toilet equipment, hanger, big mirror nor cupboard. The light better than Xinmao hostel.

Compare with Xinmao hostel, Hostel 161 neighborhood more crowded, at Xinmao more quite. For fresh air, I prefer Xinmao hostel.

By the way, the air conditioner and television remote all in chinesse language (same with Xinmao hostel), so better ask explanation at front desk.

Huguo Temple Snack (护国寺小吃店)

Address: 东四北大街214号(近平安大道)

Here the web: http://www.dianping.com/shop/2006086

In Chinese alphabet but you can see the food picture, also can translate by Google.

http://www.dianping.com have many information for Beijing food, at each district. It will help, but had to know Chinese alphabet since the web on Chinese.

Beijing Railway Station

It's totally crowded, many citizens slept at Beijing Railway Station, maybe they didn't get ticket so they stay there (at the yard).

Outside the station building many stall, they sold fruit, instant noodle CNY 2,5 – CNY 4 (depend on the taste), Chinese food. Price were normal, water CNY 2, fruit was cheap.

To buy train ticket had to walk, till the end of the building from subway exit.

Be careful there were many illegal pander sold train ticket, of course the price higher then buy at the counter. They offer me train ticket to Harbin, but since I was foreign they can sold it, because it need ID Cards to print at the ticket.

Harbin train ticket was hard to get, if really want to go Harbin, had to buy it at least 3 days before the day.

The counter ticket were many, but only 1 counter available for foreign (closed at 21.00) – number 16 (it stated for foreign - but many citizen buy ticket there). But if you already had itinerary and know about the train schedule, train number, just queue at every counter.

The counter closed at 24.00.

As I know – till the day I visit Beijing, the train ticket can’t buy online, there were charge CNY 150 buy online (buy not direct with the station).

At Beijing Railway Station can buy ticket to from many places.

I bought round trip ticket from Shanghai to Hangzhou, Shanghai to Suzhou here.

Here china train web: http://www.chinatrainguide.com/

Ride taxi from here, was crazy. I never saw long queue for cabs as long as here. It took 1 hour for queue. I never ride taxi from here.

Beijing Transportation

1. Taxi

Web: http://www.beijingtrip.com/transport/taxi.htm

Tips ride taxi: Choose legal one, blue color, always ask for receipt. Ride taxi near subway station is easy, but at rush (morning and afternoon) hour it will be difficult.

Sometimes they refuse to bring passenger, when they way was not same with them. I had this experience once, when I ride taxi from Temple of Heaven, the driver was female, she’s kind, but she said that the direction wasn’t same with her. Maybe because at 15.00 there were changing shift for taxi driver.

Beijing taxi fare:

                                                            Day Time        23.00-05.00

Flang fall (3km)                                       ￥  10,00         ￥      11,00

After 3 km                                              ￥    2,00         ￥        2,40 per km

> 15km                                              ￥    3,00         ￥        3,40 per km

Fuel surcharge - if the journey > 3km  ￥    2,00         ￥        2,00

There were charges for passenger CNY 1 per person. But not all taxi gave it. I only had it twice.

2. Subway.

Web: http://www.chinahighlights.com/image/map/beijing-subway-map-new.jpg

Don't forget to buy IC Card.
At every Subway station entrance there were scanner, all belonging had to be scan before enter the subway station. Subway clean, and crowded. Subway station closed at 23.00.
Not all station had machine to buy subway ticket, so had to queue at counter.

3. Ricksaw

The ricksaw was using bicycle. It was cheaper ride cabs rather than ricksaw. Bargain fare before get on it.

At my country we call it Becak. Similar used bicycle, but not exactly same.

4. Bread minivan

The rider was at front, and the passenger at behind. But only 2 passengers can ride on it. Price can be bargain.
 

     5.   Bus
           It's easy ride bus at Beijing, using IC Card to ride it was more efficient.

IC Card

How to buy it?

Not all subway station sold IC Card. I bought it at Tiananmen Subway station. Deposit CNY 20 for the card, and it can be reload by our self with ATM machine or at counter.

IC Card was refundable (full deposit and balance). But not at all subway station.

IC Card can be refund at:

Subway Lines             Stations

Line 1                          Guchenglu, Sihui

Line 2                          Fuxingmen, Xizhimen

Line 3                          Lishuiqiao, Yonghegong, Dongdan, Songjiazhuang, Xizhimen

Line 4                          Jianguomen, Beitucheng

Line 10                        Shaoyaoju, Zhichunlu

Line 13                        Dongzhimen

Airport Express           T2 of Beijing Capital Airport

I refund at T2 of Beijing Capital Airport, since at Dongzhimen (not at subway station, but at bus station – front of subway, so got to get out from the station first than cross to the bus building, by under pass) didn't receipt it. I wonder how it can't be refundable at Dongzhimen?. Till now I still didn’t know the reason. Maybe it's because the type of my card (dunno).

Since my flight at Terminal 3, but the IC Card only can be refund at Terminal 2 (I ask to the officer where I can refund it, when I buy airport railway ticket), so I get off at Terminal 2, and told the officer I'm going to refund my IC Card, I didn't had to tab my train ticket, so I can ride next train to terminal 3.

IC Card can be used at Subway station, and to ride bus.

Or buy subway ticket CNY 2 (for one single trip, single fare to all destination). Ticket can be bought only at the counter.

Book Domestic Flight

Well, travelling using train at China was comfortable, but sometimes travelling using airplane better, of course faster. Sometimes they offered cheap fare. They already open the ticket at least haft year before the date.

Cheap domestic flight:

Air China Airlines       : http://www.airchina.com.cn/en/html/index/index.shtml

Eastern Airlines           : http://en.ceair.com/

Southern Airlines        : http://ec.csair.com/B2C/modules/order/internal/bookOrder.jsp

But for foreign can’t book it, only for citizen, but at least we can see the promotion.

Book at agents:

www.9588.com (I book here: http://ticket.9588.com/FlightTicket/Main_E.aspx)

www.elong.net.com

www.ctrip.com (I book here, for hostel at Wuzhen)

www.travelzen.com

There were no charges, but before book better to read the regulation carefully.

Beijing Citizen

Well, they didn't smile, and they speak loudly. They tend not polite. So when you meet kind citizen had to be careful, maybe they want something from you (not all people like this).

When queue they tend to get in front of, also they didn't say sorry nor thank you (don't surprise with it).

They eat a lot, the portion of the meal was large.

The toilet, the cleanest one, still had “special toilet perfume”, even at branded mall, was same. So had to prepare your self before enter the toilet, bring your own paper toilet.

Ask with young people better rather than elder. Even if you speak Chinese, younger people more manner. It's hard to find people who can speak English.

Perjalanan ke Hangzhou dan Wuzhen - Dongzha

Hangzhou, Sabtu, 24 Agustus 2012

Hari terakhir di Cina.

Pemandangan dari jendela kamar Guesthouse

Bangun pagi, mandi, langsung bilang ke pemilik guesthouse kalo kita mau sarapan pagi. Karena kita tamu yang paling pagi bangun, masakan belum siap.

Meskipun tidak bisa bahasa mandarin, tidak perlu khawatir, karena ada menu in English. Jadi kami order roti tawar n telur mata sapi. Karena saya vege, saya tidak berani makan bubur yangdisediakan. Sedangkan teman saya tidak suka makan bubur.

Lt 1, kamar Guesthouse tempat aku nginap

Selesai breakfast, saya cuma keliling disekitar guesthouse saja, tidak sampai kebelakang.  Jalan sampai ke belakang, dengan menikmati view perlu waktu 45 menit. Alternatif lain keliling naik boat, tarif per boat CNY 120. Karena masih pagi, jadi tidak ada boat.

Malam hari Xizha terlihat romantic, penuh dengan lampu, artistik.

Pagi hari Xizha, tampak seperti kampung kota air kuno yang cantik.

View dua duanya bagus. Kalau berjalan sampai kebelakang ada pagoda, saya kurang tau pagoda itu baru dibangun atau sudah lama, dan ada pound yang keren.

Perahu untuk keliling di Zixha

Karena hari terakhir dan masih ada tempat lain yang harus dituju, jadi kami tidak keliling sampai belakang. Selesai makan check out, kembali ke receptionist, ambil uang deposit, langsung jalan ke pelabuhan (bukan pelabuhan sih, lebih tepatnya ke tempat parkir perahu).

Ada rombongan keluarga dari Hongkong bersama sama dengan kami menyebrang.

Sampai dipenyebrangan, ada ruangan dengan replica kehidupan masyarakat Xizha jaman dahulu kala, sampai jaman sekarang.

Kami masuk sebentar, keliling disana, foto foto di gate dan air mancur di depan lobby.

Lobby Xizha sangat keren, langit langit lobby tergantung lampion naga yang besar.

Tujuan selanjutnya, kota air lain selain Xizha, yaitu Dongzha.

Dari Xizha menuju ke Dongza, tersedia bus gratis. Cukup ngantri di bus stop, disana ada jadwal keberangkatan bis dari Xizha menuju ke Dongza.

Sampai di bus stop ternyata bis sudah datang, dan tidak menunggu sampai bis penuh, bis berangkat sesuai dengan jadwalnya (happy, no need to wait any longer).

Perjalanan hanya sebentar kira kira 15 menit sudah sampai di Dongzha.

Karena sudah beli tiket Xizha Dongzha kemarin, jadi kami langsung masuk tidak beli tiket lagi.

Begitu masuk rute seharusnya, belok ke kiri , tapi kami belok ke kanan.  Kami jalan sesuka hati hehehe…

Disana terdapat sebuah kapal apung, yang ada show pertunjukkan kungfu. Sayangnya waktu kami sampai disana jam pertunjukkan pagi hari ditiadakan. Mungkin karena tidak banyak orang yang datang.

Jadi kami melanjutkan perjalanan mengelilingi Dongzha.

Disini banyak toko yang berjualan snack, manisan, teh dan baju. Harga tidak begitu menjulang seperti di Beijing, tapi tetap harus ditawar, min 50%.

Saya cuma beli celana pendek, dengan kain sutra palsu seharga CNY 10 (see harga ga jauh beda sama kalo beli di Indo).

Kios Kios di Dongzha

Dongzha, menurut saya kurang artistik, kurang luas. Secara geografis Xizha lebih luas dibandingkan Dongzha. Di Xizha benar benar ditujukan untuk wisatawan (walaupun ada penduduk local yang tinggal disana), jadi teratur, bagus, bersih. Sedangkan di Dongzha, masih terlihat penduduk lokal  dengan aktivitas mereka sehari hari.

Bedanya masuk Dongzha tidak perlu naik perahu, bisa ditempuh lewat darat.

Dongzha lebih dulu dibuka untuk dijadikan kawasan turis, dibandingkan Xizha. Jadi tidak mengherankan kalo Xizha lebih bagus untuk wisata.

Bangunan mirip, air sungai sama sama coklat hehehe….. Perahu lebih bagus yang di Xizha.

Kami berfoto foto disini, great spot buat foto.

Hanya saja kalau di Xizha desain arsitektur jembatannya lebih beragam lebih bagus, ada jembatan kayu, ada jembatan batu. Kalau di Dongzha hanya jembatan batu saja. Keunikan bangunan rumah kuno juga lebih bagus di Xizha.

One thing for sure, jangan order makanan disini. As I said warna air sungai coklat, dan air itu dipake buat nyuci baju and sayur, OMG….

Ada 1 foto, tempat saya berdiri buat foto, dibelakangnya ada penduduk local sedang cuci baju, tapi saya tutupi hehehe….

Kami mampir ketempat pembuatan kain di Dongzha, salah satu kerajinan tangan penduduk asli. Yang sudah ada sejak jaman dulu kala. Dan ditempat ini pernah dipakai buat syuting film kungfu.

Karena bentuk bangunan sama, dan tidak ada yang special ditempat ini. Kami memutuskan untuk keluar, tapi kami exit dari tempat yang tidak sama, jadi kami bingung, jadi kita putuskan untuk kembali masuk kedalam, dan exit dari tempat kami masuk.

Agak deg degan sih waktu mau masuk, karena tiket masuk dan keluar discan. Tapi waktu kami tunjukkan tiket, ternyata bisa dipakai untuk masuk lagi, leganya….

Entah kalo di Xizha bisa masuk lagi or ga, ga nyoba soalnya.

Seperti tiket kami bukan untuk single entry, jadi bisa masuk dan exit berkali kali.

Disini kami berjumpa dengan banyak sekali rombongan tur local. Kami mengikuti mereka.

Yang menurut info dari guide di Dongzha pernah dipakai untuk pembuatan film perang  kuno, ada foto artisnya.

Pengen sih foto interior rumah penduduk tapi ga berani. Interiornya modern koq, ada sofa, tv flat, kulkas.

Yang pasti kehidupan mereka tidak kuno, walaupun bangunan dan gaya hidup mereka kuno (masih bisa ditemukan penduduk dengan pakaian kuno wanita cina).

Para kakek dan nenek duduk duduk didepan rumah, menikmati angin, sambil ngobrol.

Saat kami hampir mencapai exit, ada rombogan wisatawan dari jepang,seperti rombongan perusahaan. Mereka semua pakai self guide tur (pakai seragam kaos putih), walaupun sudah ada tur guidenya in Japan language of course.

Dan ada keluarga local yang punya anak lucu sekali. Waktu mau difoto sama papanya, mama bilang ketawa, dan anak bener bener ketawa sampai terdengar suara hahaha….how cute…

So kita exit. Karena sudah jalan 8 hari ala backpacker dan makanannya amburadul, jadi energy sudah terkuras dan kurang begitu semangat. Tempat ini bagus layak untuk dikunjungi. Rekomendasi dari salah seorang teman saya.

Kalo ga punya waktu harus pilih Xizha or Dongzha, jawaban saya Xizha.

Kita naik bis lagi kembali ke Xizha. Karena bis menuju ke stasiun bus cuma ada di Xizha. Saya tidak berani tanya tanya ke penduduk local, males and ga mau ditipu.

Sampai di Xizha kita tidak masuk kedalam, tetap di Bus stop menunggu bis menuju ke stasiun bis. Hanya ada 1 bis K350, warna hijau, tarif CNY 1.

Naik bis menuju ke stasiun bis tidak memakan waktu lama kurang lebih 15-20 menit (karena bus stop dibeberapa tempat, menaikkan dan menurunkan penumpang). Bayarnya tidak bayar ke sopir, tapi masukkan koin ke kotak plastic disamping pintu masuk.

Karena kota kecil, maka bis yang tersedia juga kecil, kapasitas 20 tempat duduk.

Sampai di stasiun bis, kami mengikuti orang orang berjalan masuk kedalam stasiun.

Dari pintu masuk langsung terlihat loket, kami beli tiket menuju ke Hangzhou. Anehnya harga tiket koq lebih murah hanya CNY 25, padahal waktu kami berangkat menuju ke Wuzhen tiket bis CNY 30.

Untungnya sudah ada bis yang akan berangkat, jadi kami hanya menunggu kira kira 15 menitan.

Sepanjang perjalanan saya tidur, dan didalam bis panas banget, AC sama sekali tidak terasa. Lebih bagus bis dari Hangzhou menuju ke Wuzhen, AC juga lebih dingin.

Ternyata di dalam kota Hangzhou ada stasiun bis, didaerah Sijiqing. Tau gitu kemarin kita naik bis dari sini aja (saya naik bis dari Hangzhou jiu bao bus station, yang jauuhhh dari west lake, Hangzhou). Ternyata info yang saya dapat dari internet kurang akurat.

Stasiun ini lebih besar dan moresn dibandingkan Hangzhou jiu bao bus station.

Next sop Sijiqing. Tempat apa ini?

Disini ada 2 mall yang terletak bersebelahan. Kami jalan kaki dari Stasiun bis, karena saya melihat tempat ini dekat dengan stasiun bis. Yang ternyata lumayan juga kalo jalan kaki siang siang (jam 11 an), panas. Mending naik taxi aja, paling hanya kena min charge.

Mall pertama, berjualan baju, dan jeans. Baju model out of date dan mahal. Jeans 11/12 sama jeans di Ciampelas. Menurut saya lebih murah kalo beli di Indo, waktu dept store menggelar diskon besar besaran. Kualitas celana juga standar, jadi mending beli di dept store aja kalo pas diskon, merk juga lebih jelas.

Mall ini hanya ada 2 floor, tapi sepi, banyak tenant yang kosong, ga ada yang menarik disini.

Tetangga sebelahnya, mall ini lebih ramai. Khusus menjual sepatu dan tas saja. Ada 3 atau 4 floor (saya lupa), dan sama sekali tidak ada food court atau depot didalam mall. Jadi kalo mau makan ga tau harus makan dimana.

Tas keren, sepatu dan sandal, keren. Ada juga yang obral.

Yah, ada harga ada rupa lah. Harganya juga tidak murah murah amat, kualitas lumayan, ada yang bagus ada yang standar.

Bagi yang mau beli sandal atau sepatu bolehlah disini.

Lantai 1 lebih ramai, banyak diskon, dan sepertinya melayani eceran. Sedangkan yang lantai 2, sepertinya hanya melayani grosir. Jadi penjual di lantai 1 lebih ramah dibandingkan dengan lantai 2.

Saya beli sandal dilantai 2 kayaknya penjualnya ga begitu perlu uang, dengan pembeli kurang begitu ramah. Kesannya acuh tak acuh. Malah ada toko yang hanya mau melayani kalau benar benar ingin beli, kalo ga, ga bakal dilayani.

Kami hanya beli bakpao isi sayur CNY 2 disini, tidak ada yang bisa dimakan.

Next kami menuju ke Wushan Square (salah satu jujugan turis di Hangzhou).

Gambaran Wushan Square, seperti drama Taiwan Love keeps going, episode 14 keatas. Hanya saja saya koq tidak menemukan tempat seperti yang digambarkan yah.

Wushan squre merupakan tempat berjualan asesoris, pernik pernik, dan snack. Tapi sepanjang mata memandang ga ada tuh, asesoris yang bagus  bagus amat. Sama seperti asesoris gelang, kalung, cincin, etc yang dijual di mall mall Indonesia.

Banyak sekali rombongan turis disini.

Karena belum makan kami masuk ke salah satu gerai dan makan disana.

Selanjutnya seharusnya kami menuju ke Wulin rd (fashion) atau ke Hefangjie (snack or antique market), yang kata dekat dengan Wushan square, tapi sepanjang mata memandang sama sekali tidak menemukan jalan menuju ke sana. Entah kita yang ga bisa baca peta or info dari mbah google kurang akurat.

Jadi saya masuk ke Information center di Wushan Square.

Ada 1 orang bule cewek yang menggagumkan, dia juga bertanya petunjukkan arah, in Chinesse, Wow… dan spellingnya tepat, tidak aneh, keren… Pertama kali saya berjumpa dengan bule yang fasih berbahasa mandarin. Lebih fasih daripada saya keliatannya.

Saya ambil map in English dan Chinese. Bertanya petunjuk arah ke petugas, dan minta digambarkan dipeta. So kita jalan mengikuti petunjuk dipeta. But you know what, petanya ga sama, dan peta yang akurat adalah peta in Mandarin. Untung bisa baca, kalo ga, bisa jalan tak tentu arah nih…..

Hopeless, tidak bisa menuju kea rah Wulin rd, saya bertanya di loket Informasi. Yang petugasnya tidak bisa ngomong English. Dan saya tanya dimana bisa beli baju, ditunjukkan kalau didepan banyak mall, bisa beli sana.

Ok, jadi kami berjalan kearah mall itu. Mallnya keren, ada banyak gerai, baju Ok, saya koq lebih senang beli di mall yah, ga perlu nawar hehehe…. Dan enaknya belanja di mall, kalo ada diskon, harga bisa murah.

Tapi semurah murahnya harga disana, sama koq sama di Indo.

Saya beli kaos Baleno, harga diskon 50%, jadi CNY 40. Sama harganya kalo beli di SOGO, kalo counter Baleno lagi ada diskon 50%.

Barang barang dimall juga sama dengan di Indo, harga juga kurang lebih sama. Nothing special.

Kami makan malam discounter food court ini. Harga makanan disini tidak murah, saya pesan bubur polos CNY 13. Dan saya pesan jus mangga harganya CNY 18. Dan setelah selesai minum itu jus, langsung batuk. So tidak rekomen minum es disini.

Jam setengah 7 kami kembali ke Hangzhou railway.

Mau naik taxi, ampun susahnya, jadi kami sambil berjalan sambil menyegat taxi..

Akhirnya kami naik bajaj Cina, setelah tawar menawar disepakati  CNY 20 ke Hangzhou railway. Abang bajajnya ngebut.

Sampai di railway station, kami tidak diturunkan didepannya persis, tapi di depan Goethe hotel (hotel ini letaknya didepan Railway station).

Saya bertanya ke satpam hotel (yang lagi berdiri didepan) dimana letak bis ke airport dan dimana loket tempat penjualan tiket bis ke airport. Yang ternyata loketnya kayak loket hansip, kecil banget, letaknya ditempat parkiran bis bis, persis didepan hotel.

Ya udah langsung ke sana beli tiket bis ke airport CNY 25 (tidak ada jadwal keberangkatan bis, jadi kami hanya disuruh menunggu).

Selesai beli tiket kami bergegas masuk ke railway, ambil bagasi, bongkar muat, ke toilet, lalu kembali ke tempat beli tiket bis airport.

Dengan jalan kaki (tanpa koper) dari loket bis menuju ke railway station kira kira 5 menit lebih. Dengan bawa koper bisa jadi 2 kali lipat lebih.

Itupun saya sudah jalan super cepat, takut ketinggalan bis airport.

Informasi tentang Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport :

Chinese Name: 杭州萧山机场

Airport Code: HGH

Website: http://www.hzairport.com/

Address: On thesouthern bank of the Qiantang River; 27 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou.
Chinese Address: 杭州市萧山区 

Teman saya sudah gempor ketinggalan dibelakang. Waktu sampai di depan hotel Goethe, sudah terlihat bis airport masuk menuju ke tempat pemberhentian bis (bis berwarna putih). Saat kami menyebrang jalan masuk ke lokasi bis, penumpang sudah naik, kurang 100 meter pintu bagasi sudah ditutup. Saya melambai lambaikan tangan kearah petugas, maksudnya tunggu kita….

Ternyata bis sudah penuh, hanya tersisa seat dipaling belakang, dan setelah kami masih ada 2 orang cewek yang naik. Then bus full. Saya bilang ke kondektur bis, kalau saya turun di gate international. Tapi dia kurang mengerti sepertinya. Ya sudahlah, yang penting sudah di bis dan on the way to airport.

Jam menujukkan pukul 8 malam lebih, flight kami jam 00.15, jadi masih ada spelling waktu lama.

Perjalanan ke airport kurang lebih 40 menit ke Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. Waktu sampai airport sedang hujan deras, dan kami semua turun di gate domestic, tempat yang memungkinkan turun tanpa kehujanan. Tapi dari sini bisa masuk ke gate International.

Airportnya besar, luas, bersih, tapi kursi untuk duduk ga ada. Kami masuk ke toilet, berbenah, ganti baju, cuci muka, sikat gigi, persiapan tidur didalam pesawat. Setelah itu window shopping. Ada 1 snack yang wajib beli kalau berkunjung disini, karena tidak bisa beli bebek peking (exp date 7 hari dari tanggal produksi), ada snack bebek peking (exp date 2 bulan dari tanggal produksi) dalam bentuk sachet kecil. Mahal sih 1 paknya, isi 30 atau 40 sachet, kalau ga salah inget hampir CNY 100 (mungkin CNY 97), maklum beli di Airport, kalo beli diluar pasti lebih murah.

Ada 2 macam, tidak pedas dan pedas. Direkomendasikan yang pedas. Dan menurut adik saya yang makan, enak, good quality. Saya juga beli biji teratai yang sudah dipacking dalam sachet, yang katanya cocok untuk panas dalam. Penyajiannya bisa langsung disajikan dengan air panas atau air dingin. Kalau suka manis bisa ditambahkan dengan madu.

Saya sudah minum, dan rasanya tidak mengecewakan, enak sekali sih tidak, tapi bisa diminum koq. Apakah khasiatnya bagus or ga, saya juga ga tau, ga terasa apa apa.

Setelah itu kami antri dicounter check in Jetstar. Tapi counter belum dibuka (counter baru buka 2 jam sebelum board), jadi kami antri dikursi ruang tunggu. And again saya lanjut drakor A Gentlemen Dignity J.

Setelah counter check in buka, kami antri, lumayan lama juga sih antrinya.

Setelah itu kami langsung ke imigrasi, stamp passport, tunggu di ruang tunggu. Dan tidak ada 1 pun counter yang uka, semua sudah tutup karena flight kami tengah malam. Hanya ada 1 kafetaria yang buka, saya beli hot chocolate karena ngantuk tingkat berat. Harganya alamak mahal banget CNY 58.

Flight agak delay, akibat ada salah satu penumpang anak kecil yang jatuh dan kepalanya berdarah, jadi kami semua harus menunggu sampai masalah anak itu diselesaikan. Koq untung yah masih ada dokter di airport, sudah tengah malam soalnya.

Kalo ga salah saya dapat seat nomor 20. Bayangan saya pesawatnya bakalan sama kayak Airasia X. tapi ternyata flightnya sama seperti pesawat dari Surabaya ke Singapore. Dari Sub – Sin, biasanya dapat snack muffin or roti dan air minum. Tapi di Flight ini tidak.

Jadi untuk flight perjalanan jauh, saya sama sekali tidak rekomendasi naik Jetstar.

Kursinya juga sepertinya lebih kecil, saya lebih bisa tidur naik Airasia X, dibandingkan naik Jetstar.

Ga salah, kalo banyak orang komen jelek ke penerbangan ini.

Jetstar cuma cocok buat flight jarak pendek.

Terbang kira kira 1 jam, pemandangan langit bertaburan bintang memanggil saya, saya duduk disebelah jendela. Tapi mata sudah ngantuk berat dan gempor abis, jadi saya tidur zzzzzzzz….