painintheuk

Thanks Moondog.

I'd rather pay with RMB and assumed it would be easier to pay with my Chinese Unionpay card. I also thought that tickets were mostly electronic now. Do they use physical tickets for domestic travel which need delivering?

I will use a local agent when I get back to China next week if that is really easier, but even in Canada I tend to avoid agents as much as possible since except for complex itineraries it is almost always easier to do online myself, and even with the complex stuff I give the agent very detailed instructions on exactly which flights and fare classes to book - that's not really an option for me in China.

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

moondog

1. They won't send a delivery guy out just to give you an eticket receipt. If you need the receipt for expenses, they can either mail it to you or hold it at the airport. Our company has them keep all of our receipts at SHA, and we pick them up about once a month. That way, it's impossible to mistake them for junk mail.

2. SHA-LJG usually doesn't discount much, so if you found a great rate, I would be inclined to grab it sooner rather than later.

3. I looked at Ctrip's "Union Pay Online Payment" option today, and must say that it sure looked like it would work with regular bank cards. Try it out and let us know how it goes.

4. When I refer to travel agents, I'm not speaking of bespoke tours and the like, but rather an office with a computer that is tied into Travelsky. You go there, tell them your name, your passport number, and the flight you want. Then, they take your money, and issue a ticket for you. The system is absurdly simple.

jiejie

This itinerary works fine. Buses will definitely be running up to Shangri-La and no need to go back to Lijiang. I'd head up there. Options for getting to Shangri-La at a reasonable price: 1) Tina's GH bus/minibus from TLG to Shangri-La. Should be running since October is busy but you'd need to call them when you get to Lijiang and confirm it's running and what time it leaves Tina's (Middle Gorge). 2) Public buses running from Lijiang to Shangri-La. All of them stop by the highway at Qiaotou junction, any local can point out the place and there will be other people waiting. But it can be a gamble on getting a seat, and you may have to settle for a stool in the aisle. 3) Given your extended time at TLG, just chat up other backpackers you meet, some of them are bound to be heading for Shangri-La, and split the cost of a car/minivan and driver. Plenty of drivers hanging out in Qiaotou who are willing to do this trip. Will be a bit more than options 1 or 2 but more flexible. Middle Gorge to Qiaotou is about a 30-minute ride. Qiaotou to Shangri-La is only 2 hours and pretty scenic.

Lijiang: Don't stay in the Old Town. If you want to be in Lijiang city, look for someplace in the New Town that's within a 20-25 minute walk from the Old Town. The closest nameplate is the Crowne Plaza Ancient Town which is opposite the south edge of same. Alternate areas with a lot of acceptable hotels would be anything on or east of Xianggelila Avenue, between Yufu Road on the north edge and the S308 on the south edge. Refer to ditu.google.com for clarity. Alternate suggestion is to stay in Shuhe, particularly if you want to stay in a more intimate guesthouse in a smaller setting, though the Banyan Tree and Pullman are also in Shuhe if your wallet is fat.
Shangri-La: 2/3 of Old Town burned down in January, but a few establishments are still in the unburned part. My personal preference is to stay by the Monastery but there aren't any cheap options there. There are quite a few newer hotels in the area north of the Old Town, closer to the main market, and they would be acceptably located for walkarounds.

For the outbound to LJG I'd book online now. For the return: If you'll be back in China within the week, I recommend just gambling that there will still be seats available on the DIG-SHA flight, and pop by a local agent or any MU office and buy it in person with cash RMB or UnionPay. If, worst case, the seats sell out for the DIG flight, you still have plenty of time to Plan B it back to Lijiang by bus in the morning then a mid-afternoon or early evening flight back to Shanghai.

painintheuk

Thanks moondog and jiejie.

After moondog's post I went to book it and realized that I misunderstood the website. I thought it was 1500 RMB return to LNG - it was one way! The trip is getting more expensive (no Banyan Tree for me!).

I think that I will likely just go to the TA across the road after class on Monday and hope for the best.

I'm pretty excited for the trip!

Thanks

Dr. PITUK

moondog

ETA: #3 does not work at present with debit cards.

mnredfox

I will offer an alternative idea, staying in Old Town. I did that and found it to be not too expensive (120 RMB/night) for my own room. I liked being close to things and wasn't a bad experience.

jiejie of course has great thoughts too, so you can consider both options.

jiejie

If you want to try staying in Lijiang Old Town, then stay in the eastern half which is much quieter at night. Lijiang Old Town is convenient for 1) itself, Black Dragon Pool, Dongba Museum 2) minibuses to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Park, 3) Tina's Hostel bus to TLG. Other than that, IMO not particularly convenient for anything else.

painintheuk

Hi all,

Sorry for not replying sooner. I was SO looking forward to this trip, but unfortunately I just can't fit it in with my work schedule.

I came to China to see the country and take advantage of my academic schedule, but it turns out that I actually have to do my outside work as well - what's up with that!?!? . I am still going to get away and go to Beijing for 4 days. After all, I can't be in China for 3+ months without seeing the Great Wall (with http://www.beijinghikers.com/) and the Forbidden City! I would naturally choose Yunnan or Lhasa (and Everest) or Ordos, but it will still be a great trip. 4 nights at the Conrad can't hurt in any case .

Thanks for all your help and I hope that I can do this trip in the future.

Dr. PITUK

roverkt

Anyone keen on retracing Jiejie's steps some time down the road? Am finally more or less settled down in SH and would like to start experiencing this land beyond business trips.