Hello Everybody,

I have a trip (educational) coming up. We would be travelling to PEK/PVG for some seminar coursework. Once done I would stay back extra 4 days and have decided to venture out Nanjing for 3 days.

Here are my thoughts. I would like to take the train to Nanjing from PVG. I have already booked the Sheraton in Nanjing for the three days. I would like to get inputs from you on
1. How to get the train ticket from PVG-Nanjing-PVG.
2. What are the sights to see in the Nanjing area.
3. I would be on my own and DO NOT speak chinese. What are the challenges that lie ahead and how to tackle them
4. I am not a adventurous eater, I would like to eat things that I have eaten in US before. I like Chinese food in US (but not dimsum) and understand Chinese food in China would be a whole lot different. Any advice regarding this would be appreciated.

Regards,

GRR_Flier

First, PVG is the IATA code for Shanghai Pudong airport, one of two major airports for the region. We don't use that to describe the city of Shanghai itself.

1. Have your hotel concierge get the train tickets for you. May cost you a little, but worth it.

2. Try this website: www.travelchinaguide.com for main attractions at the major cities.

3. Find someone who knows Chinese to get you notecards with both Chinese and English on it. Just the basics, and the name and address of your hotel.

4. Food in China is very similar to food served in real Chinese restaurants here - those that are frequented by Chinese, that is.

For your train trip try to get a seat in one of the new CRH fast trains (train numbers D4xx). In Nanjing, sights tend to be spread out so for a first-timer lacking mandarin skills a guided sightseeing tour might be a good choice.

Nanjing food is a personal favourite in China (together with Sichuan) and the local dipping sauces are a must try.

I spent 10 weeks at the Sheraton in Nanjing at the end of last year, so here is my advise:

1. I agree about having the hotel buy your train ticket for you. Even with their service charge, it will be under $30 for "soft-class". You need to know that seats are assigned on the train. You will find a set of numbers on the ticket - the first number is the train car number, the second is your seat in that car. The Shanghai train station makes all their departure announcements in English as well as Mandarin so you will not have problem there. In Nanjing the announcements are only in Mandarin, but you can go up to the service desk, show them your ticket, and they will let you know when to go up on the platform. Unlike train stations in Europe, passengers are only allowed onto the train platforms right before the train arrives. They only sell train tickets a few days in advance, so you may have to buy a one-way in Shanghai, then have the Sheraton in Nanjing buy you the return ticket. There is a travel agency in the hotel and all the employees speak English. Have somebody in Shanghai write out the name and address of the Nanjing Sheraton in Mandarin so that you can hand that to the cab driver at the train station. You will not find a cab driver who speaks English. Also, don't ask to go to the "Sheraton" - there is another hotel in a building called the "Sheradon" about a half-hour away from where you want to be, and that is where the cab will take you. If you can to tell the cab driver where you want to go, ask for "Jing-so-lee" - the Sheraton is in the Kingsley building.

2. For site-seeing, I would recommend the following:
a. The Ming Tomb on Purple Mountain - the tomb of the first Ming Emperor
b. The Nanjing Museum - They have a very nice collection of antiquities, all with English descriptions.
c. Mochu Lake. - this is within walking distance, about 10 minutes west on the road that runs in front of the hotel. Very nice park area with several very historic buildings.
d. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Mausoleum - this is also on Purple Mountain. Sun Yat-Sen was the founder of the Republic of China. You must climb 392 steps to reach the mausoleum. Quite a site!

I would say skip the Confucius temple - the big thing there is shopping for traditional Chinese items (clothes, tea sets, swords, calligraphy, chops, silk purses, etc), and you will find a much better selection in Shanghai around the Yuyuan Garden.

3. Outside the hotel you will encounter few people who speak any English. Make sure you always have a card with you with the hotel address written in Mandarin so that if you get lost, you can just hop in a taxi, give him the card, and he will take you back to the hotel. Still you shouldn't let that deter you from exploring. Research what you are going to see so you know what you are looking at, and you also shouldn't have any problems shopping with just pointing, and the sales people will show you the prices on calculators.
I have been told that out of a population of 5 million, Nanjing has only about 4500 expats, and 2500 of those are from Japan or Korea. You will definitely be in the minority, and will be stared at openly on the street.

4. For food, the hotel has a decent buffet with many Western food items, although it is a bit expensive. There are several restaurants behind the hotel that specifically cater to the expat community, my favorite of which is an Italian restaurant half a block east on the road that runs behind the hotel. There is also a KFC about a block east on the road that runs in front of the hotel, and if you walk about 4 or 5 blocks west on the road behind the hotel, you will reach Xinjiekou (Shin-jay-ko) area, which is the main shopping area in Nanjing. If you go in the basement of the Great Ocean department store you will find a food court with many food options for the western palate. Also ask the bellman for a copy of the monthly Nanjing tourist magazine (I can't remember the name off the top of my head). It is mostly in English and lists many restaurants and clubs with corresponding Mandarin names and addresses, so you can hand them to a taxi driver. It also lists all the happenings for the month, so you might catch some special exhibit or ceremony.

If you are interested in more details, I blogged about my entire experience in Nanjing. It is posted at http://tania-in-china.blogspot.com.

Thank You guys for all the insights. I would print the comments out and stow them away in my travel folder.

Regards,

GRR_Flier