Chinese-only airfares?
Jun 1, 2017, 10:38 pm
#16
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Jun 1, 2017, 11:10 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
No, the the no-foreigner restrictions still exist. And my impression is they're becoming stricter.
I've sometimes noticed room rate differences between English/Chinese ctrip and elong, but looking at the fine print, the terms are usually different. For example, the Chinese site may offer a cheaper room on a pre-paid basis that isn't available on the English site.
I've sometimes noticed room rate differences between English/Chinese ctrip and elong, but looking at the fine print, the terms are usually different. For example, the Chinese site may offer a cheaper room on a pre-paid basis that isn't available on the English site.
Jun 2, 2017, 7:58 am
#19
Ambassador: China
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Malibu Inferno Ground Zero
Programs: UA AA CO
Posts: 4,836
The interpretation of residency depends on the state but is not directly related to nationality. In the case of California, all it takes is being able to prove living there for more than a year, and foreigners can qualify as well. As far as I know even the immigration status is not verified.
You must have the legal ability to establish a permanent domicile in the United States, meaning that you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or hold a valid, qualifying nonimmigrant visa.
Or
A recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, including the child of a
recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor, is eligible for an exemption from
nonresident supplemental tuition and mandatory system-wide fees.
Jun 2, 2017, 6:42 pm
#20
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No, the the no-foreigner restrictions still exist. And my impression is they're becoming stricter.
I've sometimes noticed room rate differences between English/Chinese ctrip and elong, but looking at the fine print, the terms are usually different. For example, the Chinese site may offer a cheaper room on a pre-paid basis that isn't available on the English site.
I've sometimes noticed room rate differences between English/Chinese ctrip and elong, but looking at the fine print, the terms are usually different. For example, the Chinese site may offer a cheaper room on a pre-paid basis that isn't available on the English site.
Jun 2, 2017, 8:08 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,097
Like I said, it appears to be getting more difficult than ever for foreigners to stay in even two- and three-star hotels in parts of China.
I normally use the revolving-door rule: if a place is good enough to have a revolving door, then it's good enough to accept foreigners. But that rule is no longer reliable.
About 15 years ago, the Chinese government did in fact announce that the shewai system was being abolished in some cities -- including Beijing -- and that foreigners could stay in any hotel there. But in spite of the announcement, the shewai system was in fact not abolished.
In any event, there's a lot of local variation, so in some places finding a room can be very difficult, in others not.
And yes, as your recent experience indicated, it can be exasperating to arrive at night only to find the hotel won't take you, and who knows how you'll find a room somewhere. Intolerable that travellers should be put through that sort of travail in 2017 China.
I normally use the revolving-door rule: if a place is good enough to have a revolving door, then it's good enough to accept foreigners. But that rule is no longer reliable.
About 15 years ago, the Chinese government did in fact announce that the shewai system was being abolished in some cities -- including Beijing -- and that foreigners could stay in any hotel there. But in spite of the announcement, the shewai system was in fact not abolished.
In any event, there's a lot of local variation, so in some places finding a room can be very difficult, in others not.
And yes, as your recent experience indicated, it can be exasperating to arrive at night only to find the hotel won't take you, and who knows how you'll find a room somewhere. Intolerable that travellers should be put through that sort of travail in 2017 China.
Jun 3, 2017, 10:17 pm
#22
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Like I said, it appears to be getting more difficult than ever for foreigners to stay in even two- and three-star hotels in parts of China.
I normally use the revolving-door rule: if a place is good enough to have a revolving door, then it's good enough to accept foreigners. But that rule is no longer reliable.
About 15 years ago, the Chinese government did in fact announce that the shewai system was being abolished in some cities -- including Beijing -- and that foreigners could stay in any hotel there. But in spite of the announcement, the shewai system was in fact not abolished.
I normally use the revolving-door rule: if a place is good enough to have a revolving door, then it's good enough to accept foreigners. But that rule is no longer reliable.
About 15 years ago, the Chinese government did in fact announce that the shewai system was being abolished in some cities -- including Beijing -- and that foreigners could stay in any hotel there. But in spite of the announcement, the shewai system was in fact not abolished.
We weren't after anything fancy, anyway. We were simply spending the night with an early departure in the morning, why spend money on fancy we wouldn't appreciate? Where we ended up staying was fine by that standard, but certainly not revolving-door quality.
In any event, there's a lot of local variation, so in some places finding a room can be very difficult, in others not.
And yes, as your recent experience indicated, it can be exasperating to arrive at night only to find the hotel won't take you, and who knows how you'll find a room somewhere. Intolerable that travellers should be put through that sort of travail in 2017 China.
And yes, as your recent experience indicated, it can be exasperating to arrive at night only to find the hotel won't take you, and who knows how you'll find a room somewhere. Intolerable that travellers should be put through that sort of travail in 2017 China.
Jun 14, 2017, 12:48 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YYZ, PVG
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Posts: 430
I downloaded the Ctrip English app simply to know where I would be allowed to stay sometimes. The general rates are actually largely the same - the main different being the Chinese app will show an all-in price while the English app uses the pre-tax price.
Jun 14, 2017, 4:41 pm
#24
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Good idea. I'll do that for our next trip.