Comments for My Take

Comment on Quick update on German and Chinese football by Mark Dreyer

Mark Dreyer — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:54:00 +0000

Chinese football could get even more exciting if they let Beckham play in the All-Star game, now that he will no longer have a contract with PSG…!

Comment on Huashan- the first day by hcyip

hcyip — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 14:19:27 +0000

It was quite expensive – about 140 RMB. This was the cheapest as well (they showed me an official list but I think I should have tried bargaining). The 2-person room was RMB600. I hadn’t expected those prices, so I was a little miffed. They have no competition since the nearest hostels are at least 40-minutes hiking away.

Comment on Huashan- the first day by NeilC

NeilC — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:19:16 +0000

How much did you pay for your dorm bed at Northern Peak Hotel??

Comment on Huashan- the first day by hcyip

hcyip — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:20:21 +0000

Thanks for commenting, Jimmy. Yeah, some of those steps were ridiculous.
But there were porters who went up these near-vertical steps. I’ll put up a pic or two of that later.

Comment on Huashan- the first day by slightlyreworded

slightlyreworded — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 15:25:22 +0000

I thought the some of the steps on the Great Wall were steep, but that’s crazy. Thanks for sharing.

Jimmy

Comment on Xian- China’s Eternal City by hcyip

hcyip — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:17:05 +0000

Yes, the subway only had one operational line as of Nov. 2012 when I went, but it will definitely have more lines as it is currently being expanded.
Thanks for the suggestion, I will try it if I go back again. I spent a while on the wall but I walked eastwards from the South Gate.

Comment on Xian- China’s Eternal City by Mike's PhoBlography

Mike's PhoBlography — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 03:10:52 +0000

Hopefully the subway will be maintained over the next few decades. It will certainly take the pressure off the bus system above ground. There’s nothing like riding in a bus that should have been sold for scrap twenty years ago. BTW, If you liked walking along the wall, you have to try the little museum inside it. It’s right above Han Guang Men east of the southwest corner. It has remnants of the original wall.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/meckert75/3802984494/

Comment on Xian- China’s Eternal City by hcyip

hcyip — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 13:35:31 +0000

Thanks for visiting. One of the best things about Chinese cities are their museums, and they’re often free, whether it be Shanghai, Nanjing, or Xian. Definitely this is good for locals. The Xian one (Shaanxi Museum) had a huge line queuing up for free tickets on the Sunday morning when I went. Inside it was full too. As a non-local, I wouldn’t mind paying a bit. I actually did pay to get into the Shaanxi Museum (which also included entry to a special exhibition), but that was because I didn’t want to wait in line for the free tickets.

The subway was brand-spanking new and quite efficient, though I wish the doors would open sooner when the train stops. I was impressed by the way people acted in it, such as a guy getting up and giving up his seat for a senior person and that people lined up to buy tokens from machines. The first time I went to the station and tried to buy a token; a volunteer came up to me and helped me use the machine (it’s easy as there’s full English).
I was amused by the fact there’re toilets on the platform as well as a food and drink counter (at least at Beidajie station). I thought that was pretty cool and I’ve never seen that elsewhere.

Comment on Xian- China’s Eternal City by Mike's PhoBlography

Mike's PhoBlography — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:20:01 +0000

By the way, how was the subway? I have yet to try it out since last visiting family in 2010.

Comment on Xian- China’s Eternal City by Mike's PhoBlography

Mike's PhoBlography — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 17:09:03 +0000

It’s amazing the government of China can subsidize the museums to provide free admission. Although the cost is negligible for many foreigners due to currency exchange rates, the real benefit is for the common person living in the area.