China Romance
General Discussion and Useful Links => Newbies Corner => Topic started by: Folsom Mike on February 10, 2010, 08:07:45 pm
-
Hello,
I am new to this site, new to online dating and have never been to China. I am greatful to have found this site, the threads are informative as well as very entertaining to read and I thank you. I have been writing a sweet girl I met about two weeks ago through Chnlove and I can't believe how well it's been going thus far. I know we are communicating with each other through a translator and many things written may not be coming out to both of us exactly the way we meant but all in all it works great. We have just started text messaging each other. The translator application I downloaded to my iPhone works great! I have a question or two that I'm hoping the fine members of this site can help me with. As I said I have never been to China but would like to visit soon, perhaps the earliest would be this summer. I would like to stay for 2 weeks and we will most likely do the site seeing thing in and around Beijing and the city she lives in, Handan. Can someone please give me an idea of what I might expect to pay for that period of time? I'm good with the round trip airfare and hotel stay while I'm there. I'm referring to travel once there, food, any customary gifts for her and family(how much to spend on a gift without insulting someone),tipping for cab fare, 4 hr train ride from Beijing to Handan. The one I'm really worried about are the gifts to the family, no clue. This especially because I will probably marry the sweet lady. I did say I had two questions didn't I? Thanks in advance for any help.
-
Welcome to the brotherhood Mike.
In my experience I spent less than 1000 dollars.
Tipping was a no no. Not the taxi drivers or your servers in the restaurants. My girl wouldn't allow it and if you tried they usually denied it. I got away with tipping the bell hop and that was it.
As far as gifts for the family my girl would not let me buy them anything while I was in the country, I wasn't even allowed to pay for any meals when I was with her family at all.
Gifts for your girl is another story she will allow you to take her shopping for her and yourself. In this case I would take more then what i took. I could have easily spent over what I budgeted for my trip. buying her gifts made her eyes light up, and it made me happy.
The train ride to Handan will be roughly 25-40 RMB per seat. A trip to the great wall, to the Olympic plaza buy subway, Tiananman Square. Mostly by taxi a few bus rides.
Sorry I am unable to give you an exact layout of where my money went my girl did most of the money handling.
I was there 10 days, 6 days in Beijing and 4 days in Baoding. Also out of that 1000 dollars i payed for my hotel about 250 dollars. Hope this helps a liitle and there are more guys who have spent more time in Beijing than I have they will have a different take.
-
Very helpful Josh! Thank you!
-
No problem brother, and I went in July its was like the midwest summer 1000% humidity. haha
-
Hello,
I am new to this site, new to online dating and have never been to China. I am greatful to have found this site, the threads are informative as well as very entertaining to read and I thank you. I have been writing a sweet girl I met about two weeks ago through Chnlove and I can't believe how well it's been going thus far. I know we are communicating with each other through a translator and many things written may not be coming out to both of us exactly the way we meant but all in all it works great. We have just started text messaging each other. The translator application I downloaded to my iPhone works great! I have a question or two that I'm hoping the fine members of this site can help me with. As I said I have never been to China but would like to visit soon, perhaps the earliest would be this summer. I would like to stay for 2 weeks and we will most likely do the site seeing thing in and around Beijing and the city she lives in, Handan. Can someone please give me an idea of what I might expect to pay for that period of time? I'm good with the round trip airfare and hotel stay while I'm there. I'm referring to travel once there, food, any customary gifts for her and family(how much to spend on a gift without insulting someone),tipping for cab fare, 4 hr train ride from Beijing to Handan. The one I'm really worried about are the gifts to the family, no clue. This especially because I will probably marry the sweet lady. I did say I had two questions didn't I? Thanks in advance for any help.
Usually I spend SGD2000 or about USD1400 for 2 weeks in Tianjin, excluding airfares but including all the rest, and we ate & shopped well. If in Beijing USD2k should be enough if you go backpacker style. Hotel would take up some 40-50% of the money. I usually take 1.5x what I expect to use in cash (RMB). Credit cards are rarely usable in shops, but bigger hotels often do accept them. You can draw extra cash at ATMs using your credit card. Smaller cities should be cheaper, not sure if the case with Handan.
-
It all depends on how much you want to spend. What kind of restaurant you want to go and what kind of tours. I've spend anywhere between 5K to 15K in two weeks in China.
-
RegnisTheGreat,
Jeez, ....What the hell did you spend 15 thousand dollars on???? You must have been giving it away !!! haha!!!
David.......
-
Great advice guys, much appreciated.
-
RegnisTheGreat,
Jeez, ....What the hell did you spend 15 thousand dollars on???? You must have been giving it away !!! haha!!!
David.......
Perhaps he will leave the car he bought with me.LOL:icon_cheesygrin:
Willy
-
Folsom Mike,
Always bring a little more than you intend to actually spend, but lock it up in the hotel safe and don't change it up for RMB. Just treat it as emergency money. One more thing, don't change more than you will need for the first day in China in your country, you will always get a far better exchange rate in China. As this is your first time in China, then your best bet is to change your dollars at the Bank of China. There absolutly everywhere!! Never change your money up at the hotel, unless you absolutly have too, and then only as little as possible.
As others have stated you can use your card at the ATMs too. The Extra cash mentioned above is just in case you lose your wallet, or your wallet gets stolen. ...Yes it happens in China too!!! ...hahaha!! Depending on how well you get on with your lady, it can be a good idea to give your wallet to her for safe keeping, while your out and about. Believe me, they never lose anything ...lol!!!
Hope that helps you a little.....
David....
-
I didn't spend too much in China, but it depends if your lady is a Shanghai Princess ha ha ha.
It's worth taking plenty of RMB if you're not going to a major city, as exchanging foreign currency in smaller cities is a hassle, even with your lady to help you out.
I'm pretty sure I got a better exchange rate in the UK, but it's small change on the amount of RMB I actually spent.
-
I didn't spend too much in China, but it depends if your lady is a Shanghai Princess ha ha ha.
It's worth taking plenty of RMB if you're not going to a major city, as exchanging foreign currency in smaller cities is a hassle, even with your lady to help you out.
I'm pretty sure I got a better exchange rate in the UK, but it's small change on the amount of RMB I actually spent.
Here in Singapore it is not much different from doin it in China, but can be a hassle there, depends where u are. Exchange rates here are ok, so I usually change mine here.
-
This really is a brotherhood, man you guys are awesome! Thanks to all.
-
Brett,
That is the craziest advise i've seen on this site, not only are you wrong in what your advising a brother to do, your TOTALLY wrong on the exchange rate in the UK for RMB. The difference is not small change by anyone's standards. If you are prepared to lose an amount of cash by changing all your money in the UK, by all means, ...but don't advise others to do such a stupid thing.
Wuhan is not small, I don't know where you get this idea from, and there are plenty of Banks of China in that city. Yes it can sometimes be a bit of a hassle, but not that much of one. I can only surmise that you must of confused the matter, when you went to exchange your cash in China!!
007,
You are in Singapore, Folsom Mike is in the USA, Big difference!! Asian rates among Asian currencies, (in Asian countries) tend to be better (follow much closer exchange rates) than those outside of that area. Been a long time since my time in Singapore, so i'm taking what you have posted to still be correct and that there is very little difference between your rates and China rates for your currency. But please be aware that this could be confusing to Folsom Mike, and anyone else outside of Asia, because there can be big differences between US/European and Chinese exchange rates.....
David.....
-
I took 1000USD (cash) with me and got exchanged in Bank of China. No hassle at all. When I run out I used my ATM card to get money out of an ATM machine, the machine was chinese and english. Zero problem. One thing though, call your bank and tell them that you will be traveling to china and using your card there, otherwise you card might not work.
-
Mike in total I spent $2674.00 (£1.440.00) that included airfare from the UK, hotel for 2 weeks and the rest on spending money.
Across the road at the Bus Station in Handan, there is a nice restaurant. the Hotpot is GORGEOUS:icon_biggrin:
-
David is correct, dont exchange money at home as the rate in China is far better.
When i flew here all the time out of SanFrancisco i would exchange only 50 usa
dollars there so i had money when i landed in China. I did that because i would
like to pay for the cab fare from the airport and for something to eat for whoever met
me. if i remember correctly when i came here in sept the rate in san fran was 5.56 and when
i went to the bank of china the next day it was 6.87 so the difference is quite a lot but i guess
thats how they make their money.
-
You guys are real pros. Really appreciate all the good advice. If any of you run a guide business where I'm going let me know because I could definately use your services. Thanks for the restaurant tip Scottish_Rob, I'll have to stop in while I'm in Handan.
-
Folson Mike,
I am heading for Handan in about 3 weeks. I assume we are seeing ladies from the same agency. If you want, I will let you know any good restaurants, hotels, and whatever else I come across. I plan on visiting the agency while there, too. And since Rob mentioned it, I will check out the restaurant also . PM me if there is anything in particular you'd like me to check out.
Don
-
It's quite a big open place.. the bar faces the front door.....The beef tated quite good too...not too pricy...
Although I did not like the look of Handan, so was quite pleased I never got the job I was there for...However, what my taste is, may not be your taste...BUT you guy's enjoy the trips:icon_biggrin:
-
RegnisTheGreat,
Jeez, ....What the hell did you spend 15 thousand dollars on???? You must have been giving it away !!! haha!!!
David.......
Perhaps he will leave the car he bought with me.LOL:icon_cheesygrin:
Willy
Sorry, that was 15,000RMB not $15,000. It was two week in Shenzhen not counting accommodations. It was the first time with my ex wife in China, we had a banquet and it was 1200RMB/table and we had 5 tables.
-
Thanks Don, awefully nice of you! There's a translator in the Handan office by the name of Freya. She has been extremely helpful and very nice. Please tell her I said hello!
-
Thanks Don, awefully nice of you! There's a translator in the Handan office by the name of Freya. She has been extremely helpful and very nice. Please tell her I said hello!
No problem, Mike. Happy to do it.
Don
-
In my experience I spent less than 1000 dollars.
I was there 10 days, 6 days in Beijing and 4 days in Baoding. Also out of that 1000 dollars i payed for my hotel about 250 dollars. Hope this helps a liitle and there are more guys who have spent more time in Beijing than I have they will have a different take.
Josh, you must have got the bargain of the century, espcially to make your way there from the middle of the USA for $1000! I had planned to go from Australia to Wuhan to meet a girl last year (did not eventuate) and the airfare was around $1500 and hotel around $700. Quite expensive for a 10 day trip. I found it costs more to fly to Wuhan than London and hotels there are a lot pricier than in South East Asia. China does not seem like a cheap destination.
-
Seagull, i think Josh was just talking about the money spent there including
hotel. dont think he was including the air fair.
your right China could be an expensive destination if you dont plan and
co-ordinate properly. book ur flights and the first night hotel but dont book
the whole trip from home. thats were you pay top dollars. or have your lady
book it. when there evrything is negotiated. but if you lock in top price at
home then your paying that price. Voiceoviep(frank) can attest to that as we
went to a hotel he might stay at in gz and the prices were given to him anywere
from 450 to i think 680 but when we talked to them then it was 231
-
Ted,
Good advise, i've mentioned the same thing here in the past. Your dead right, where money is conserned ...everything in China is negotable!! lol!! If the bro's are coming here for the first time, always get there lady to negotiate and book the hotel.... As you say, ... there are big savings to be made!!!
David....
-
I booked all the hotels and paid for all the travel when I was in Beijing and Baoding... $1000 is plenty...unless you're aiming pretty high in terms of the hotel. But if all you're doing in the hotel is sleeping, then business hotels are sufficient (internet is a little slow, but good enough for most things). In Beijing, you're looking at roughly $25 to $35 a night for a business hotel... In Baoding, for a little bit more (~$40-45) you could get a 4-star hotel room. I never really ate at the hotel, instead going for some of the mom and pop restaurants...you never know when you'll find a gem there.
Keep an eye on ctrips and check out the ratings on tripadvisor.com.
-
Yes the room is for sleeping and showering as long as its clean then you
have more money for the outside. that was my policy on my trips to vegas
3 times a year :icon_cheesygrin:
-
[/quote]
Josh, you must have got the bargain of the century, espcially to make your way there from the middle of the USA for $1000! I had planned to go from Australia to Wuhan to meet a girl last year (did not eventuate) and the airfare was around $1500 and hotel around $700. Quite expensive for a 10 day trip. I found it costs more to fly to Wuhan than London and hotels there are a lot pricier than in South East Asia. China does not seem like a cheap destination.
[/quote]
I did not include my airfare. My airfare was close to a grand it self. Just spent the $1000 on my room, food, travel (Bus, taxi, subway, train), and gifts.
-
Mike I don't knpw what I was on the night I posted about the restauant...The town I went to was Rizhao NOT Handan...Sorry bro
:huh::huh::huh::@:huh::s....Ooooppppssssss lol:icon_cheesygrin::icon_cheesygrin:
-
Gee, Rob!!!! I could have spent my whole trip looking for that restuarant and worrying about it.:huh:
Just kidding, but thanks for letting us know its NOT there.:icon_cheesygrin: I'll scratch that off the list of things to see and do!!!
Don
-
On my four Trips , I averaged about $ 3,000 to $ 3,500 per Trip .. with Airfare . Shanghai , Beijing , Hangzhou , Hong Kong are not cheap places to Visit and staying at better than average Hotel's and going to Restaurant's with private Rooms all the time . So , I concider this was a bargain for us two . My Visit's were .. 11 - 12 - 14 and 16 day's in that order . This did not include Gift's though , which of course varies between each Person .
-
First of all Welcome to the best site on the internet for what you are doing. Remember this, everyone here just wants to help. You may get differing opinions and you may not like the advice you get but it is never given to be mean or nasty, it is not tolerated here.
I spent about $4000 on each of my first two trips. I stayed about 12-14 days. My third trip I stayed for 3 months so you cant count that and this trip I am staying for a month. David 50 is right. Exchange your money in China but MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAN CRISP MONEY, the Banks will not take anything that is crinkly or torn or worn. It was a pain for me the last trip to change money in Beijing. I really do not know why that was such a hassle most times it is pretty simple. So before you leave go to your bank and change your money to new money. Now I dont even change anything. I just put the money in my wifes account and she handles it. Like Arnold said it makes life easier. I just keep a little for myself and she gets the rest. Now I dont recommend it the first time you are going to meet her. hehe But, afterwards if you are engaged and trust her, I would do it.
My wife is in Beijing and it can get expensive for an apartment or hotel compared to other cities. I have paid $100 per night and this last time I was paying $35 a night. But that is out of town a ways. Going to the Great Wall is not that expensive. I have done it twice. The first time was on a tour and cost me $50, but that was three places and included lunch. The last time we hired a car for the day. That ran about $73 plus lunch for him. Then we paid for our admissions. Taxi's are cheap and plentiful in Beijing. But just be aware that the driving here is nothing like you have ever seen in your life. No place and I mean No place on Earth is like here. Even after 3 months I was still jumpy every time we got in a cab. I have driven in about every major city in the us plus some around different countries, even Australia and nothing compares. Even Jamaica is not like here. So be prepared. Now be warned that if you do not know the driver, always take a taxi. They are easily identified and regulated. You pay the meter period. Private cars can be up to three times what you pay for a taxi. however going for the whole day can be different and that can be negotiated. When we do that I usually tip the driver depending on how he does. We have used the same guy all the time, he is fair and will be there when you want him. Most days he just sits in the car waiting for us. He pays the tolls and for gas. Make sure that is negotiated also. Usually let your lady do the bargaining. The minute most of them see a foreigner, the see dollar signs. They cannot get it out of their head that we are all rich and compared to most of them we are well off.
Communicating with your lady. if she has great English skills no problem. But, if she says her English is fair, i suggest a translator. the first days I used a guy i know there. The ones from the agency are usually overpriced. After that we bought a Besta with the pen so you can actually write on the screen. They run anywhere from $150 upwards. You can find them on E bay even. I guarantee you will use it a lot. Also carry a pocket dictionary with you in case the batteries run out. we still use ours from time to time when trying to get a point across.
As time gets nearer we can help you even more but these are some things to think about. Plus read read and read the threads here especially in the newbie area and ask an experienced member area. you will get plenty of great info there. I am not an original member here but I came on early in the facebook days and am a married member. i got the lady of my dreams here and I wish you the same. One last thing for now, different areas of the country have different customs, my experiences have been in Beijing, Wuhan and Xi'an. Others have had a little bit different experiences.
Best of luck to you.
Jim & Gina
-
Hey Jim,
I was wondering if you could tell us where you got the hotel $35 offer? Was it in Beijing? I've gotten it down to $30 a night, but that was in a "business hotel" (2-3 stars). The place is clean and fulfills my requirements, but I wouldn't mind checking out a few other places if I can get better value (as I think we all would).
For those of you who want to want to look at hotel chain I stayed at for $30 a night, click here (http://www.jj-inn.com/en/Default.aspx). It's called Jinjiang Inn. Not a 4-star by any stretch of the imagination, but it gave me a clean place to sleep and shower and rest. Free internet as well. I'm also considering the Super 8 chain (if anyone has any opinions about them) for my next visit.
-
It is in the N. 4th ring area. quite a ways out from downtown. it suits me as it is near my wife's work. It sounds pretty much like the one you are talking about. it is nice and clean, big bed, small room. It has KFC, Wal Mart and a number of restaurants right across the street. The one problem wit h it is it does not take any credit or debit cards. Cash only. I prefer to pay with my debit or credit card as i get a good exchange rate plus I have the bill as a receipt. I think it carries a little more weight with the government because it is more difficult to play with that kind of receipt.
I have heard good things about the Jinjiang inn's. So i guess it depends on what you want in a hotel. I know best value but like i said the first time I stayed in a 5 star at $100 a night plus. I wanted that feel and the impression it made on my now wife. (in hindsight that was a mistake. it gives the impression of money is no object and it took me a little while to counter that). For me as long as it is clean no smoking and in a decent neighborhood, that is all I care about now. Oh, yes and a western style toilet is a must!! hehe
-
It sounds like it's somewhere near the Bird's Nest and Water Cube. I'm not sure if there are more than one Walmart in Beijing, but I remember a sign in one of the subway stations pointing out that there was a Walmart nearby on my way to the Bird's Nest (that was a trek in itself when you change lines like that).
The Jinjiang Inn I stayed at primarily (I've been to a few) is located at the Chang Chun subway station. There's a McD 5 minutes away and numerous small restaurants and markets nearby. It's also a little inset instead of being directly on the main road so less noise (although during NY, you will still hear fireworks). Western style toilet is a go. The only really disturbing thing is that the washrooms are usually raised above the floor, making you feel like you're walking on a sheet of plastic.
I think I will try the super8 next time just to see what they're like.
-
Just for clarification ... for a 2 week trip ...
- $1000 to $2500 (approx) of fresh unrumpled (country of origin) notes stuffed down your pants somewhere
- $50 (approx) RMB in pocket
- plastic (CC for back-up, after advising your bank that you are visiting China)
- book a hotel/motel for a night or two and ask your lady to negotiate better rates or find another hotel/motel for you
At least I don't have to worry about the money not being accepted, it's very hard to rumple our notes :P
-
That about sum's it up ...lol!!!
David...
-
Thanks David :)
I don't usually make lists but in this case I wanted to make sure I understood the information provided.
There are still parts I need to investigate further like gifts & paperwork but they are for another thread.
-
ahkiwi ,
Why not ask your lady to book the hotel for you before you come, she'll probably get a rate that you wouldn't be able to get booking yourself or from going through a 3rd party. I don't know what area your intending to visit/stay, but there maybe bros here that can suggest an appropriate and reasonable hotel that your lady can book for you in advance...
One more thing, it's a good idea that you bring a large value pristine note, that you keep locked up in the hotel safe as a back-up/emergency cash.... that you have no intention of ever spending, but it's there for you ''just in case''!!
The 50 dollars, in RMB, is just to cover you, until you can get down to the Bank of China the following day. I said Fifty dollars, because i normally change up 50 GBP. That basically gives me 500 RMB, which is more than enough local currency to see me through until the ''Tommy Tank'' (Bank) opens the following day... I have an account in China, so i'm normally putting money into the account when i visit these days, and use my card for most stuff, but still need cash in my ''Sky Rocket'' (pocket).....
David.....
-
Have no fear, once I've decide to visit I'll be on here asking for advise :D
I was trying to clarify what sort of amounts to take/have on me, not having visited there before.
The last lady I was communicating with fell through so I'm starting again (no EMF's this time!!!), I'll have to see how it goes this time :)
-
You Gents are a wealth of information and I certainly do appreciate every bit of it. Thanks again Brothers!