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Sunday, October 6, 2013

Hong Kong #6: Guangzhou-Panyu Trip. Chimelong Water Park. Beijing Road. Birthday.

Location: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
It's all about the water and the good time you spend here with friends


As I write Hong Kong #6, I'm still inside the bus on my way back to Hong Kong from mainland China.

Guangzhou-Panyu Trip.

This weekend we've decided to take a trip to Panyu, Guangzhou, where one of the biggest water parks in Asia is located. Everything started during Friday evening when our group got together and went to the bus station that is behind one of the malls in the Kwai Fong MTR station. Buses from here normally depart every 10-15 minutes after 6:00 p.m and you need to make sure to buy tickets beforehand inside one of the malls' travel agencies. For us, we decided to buy tickets some days before Friday and as we were buying them, we got a group discount ( tickets are HKD 110 each one ).


Tips.

  • Get bus tickets beforehand.
  • Get group tickets as you will more likely have some discounts.


Kwai Fong Station - MTR Hong Kong


Mall where we got the bus tickets


Travel Agency - Get Bus Tickets Here

While the ride from Kwai Fong to Shenzhen's border was quick ( ~45mins ), the China Immigration Inspection wasn't. At this point, in the border, if you aren't a Hong Kong resident, you will be stuck in the long lines for over 30mins. In other words, either you have a Hong Kong ID or you will queue up for a long time, but don't worry because the bus that you will transfer to will be waiting for every passenger before it takes off to the final destination.

Tips.

  • Get your Hong Kong ID if you're staying for more than 180 days in Hong Kong.
  • Queue up in the Hong Kong residents line if you have a HK ID card.
  • Fill out the departure-arrival form while queuing up at the second check up.

Immigration Check pt.1


China Immigration Inspection pt.2


Need to declare something? China Customs


Arrival Hall - Post China Immigration Inspection


Bus Terminal


Passengers


Bus to Panyu


Bus' Sticker



The next bus ride, from the border to Panyu takes over two hours and drops passengers off at several locations, The Clifford Hotel being its last destination. In fact, we were some of the last passengers to get off, and as soon as we did it, we stopped several taxis and asked whether they would go to The Guangzhou Royal Garden Hotel, where we would be staying over the weekend.

The Royal Garden

The Royal Garden Hotel - Double Room
Hotel's Toy


Welcome!


Breakfast Coupon


Do Not Disturb


Canton Tower

While taking a taxi in a random place and during night time in China is an adventure, getting to the destination point is a mysterious journey because you get into the cab hoping that the driver isn't giving you a city tour, and therefore charging you more and also hoping you will get to your final destination safely.

Tips.

  • Always go with friends that you can trust and will not leave you behind in any situation.
  • Don't get into taxis that approach you.
  • Tell drivers to use the meter.
  • Get the taxi's receipt.
  • Take photos of the car and its plate if your friends get into a different cab.
  • Bargain if possible.

Guangzhou Taxi
Make sure the plate has complete letters and numbers and the grey bar
Fake Cab - Check the plate ;)



Check the driver info, take photos, ask for receipt!
  
Street lights


City Garbage and Lights



Chimelong Water Park.

The Chimelong amusement park has one of the biggest water parks in the Asian continent. The morning we decided to go, we took a cab and it was a ~10 kilometers ( ~6.20 miles ) ride and costed about RMB 40. Once we got to the park, it was difficult to find other members of the group because as it was not only a big place, but also because we didn't have Chinese phone services; however, we finally found each other at the ticket booth. At this point it's meaningless to say anything other than get your tickets and enjoy the rides :).

Tips.

  • Make the ticket booth your meeting point.
  • Tickets are normally RMB 200 ( RMB 165 showing student ID ).
  • There are rental lockers inside the water park.
  • Get a e-wallet ( wristband that has money added on it ).
  • Pay food and most things inside the park with the e-wallet.
  • No need to rent tubes ( most rides provide tubes ).
  • Prepare yourself for queuing up time.
  • Patience.
  • Don't separate from your group.
The Team!

Chimelong Paradise


Chinese Selfie


Instructions... Keep straight


Special Tickets for RMB 150


Water Park Guide Map


Entrance


Opening Hours


Ticket


Get your e-wallet here

Get wet :)


Tubes rental


Local taking a photo with Richard and Miranda


Artificial Beach


Leave flip-flops here


Rides


Fun


Adrenaline


Artificial Beach


Tornado pt.1


Tornado pt.2


Crazy fun!


Miranda



Beijing Road.

After hitting the water park the group decided to explore Guangzhou and went to Beijing Road during night time. Again, we took a taxis and got there in less than 20 minutes as it was 10km away from our hotel. Beijing Road is quite interesting because it has many attractions including shopping, tourism, street food and restaurants during the evening until 10 p.m. After this time, it transforms itself into a sorta black or street market.

Tips.

  • Bring your cameras and be ready to take quick shots.
  • Try some street food.
  • Bargain if you're going to buy stuff.
  • Don't separate from your group.

Street Market pt.1


Street Market pt.2


Beijing Road pt.1


Beijing Road pt.2


Like Father Like Son


Caña


Beijing Road pt.3


Fur selling... 


Historial Pieces


The Fam


Beijing Road pt.4


Patriotism


Street Food pt.1


Drinks - Oatmeal + Cocoa milk tea


Street Food pt.2 - Eggetes


Street Food pt.3


Street Food pt.4


Street Market post 10 p.m


Buy - Bargain


NO MORE WAR!


Street Food pt.5 - Sausages


Street Food pt.6 - Durian


Beijing Lu


Street Market pt.3

Guangzhou photos.











































Richard and Mikko



General Tips:
  • Bring your passport.
  • Have your Chinese visa ready [ check tips here ].
  • Print out trip itinerary and to do list.
  • Create a page of addresses, directions, and places' names in Chinese.
  • Write down phone numbers of the places and confirm numbers beforehand.
  • Bargain if possible - always.
  • Bring one friend that speaks the language.
  • Carry-on and luggages are not necessary for this kinda trips ( weekend ).
  • Exchange money before you travel to a different country.
  • Don't be surprise by the amount of racism in China ( still a world problem sadly ).


The Team

This was my first birthday in Asia - China / Hong Kong and it was awesome. I had a great time with everyone. One awesome year has gone by and another exciting year is waiting ahead. Thanks all of you who have been involved in one or another way in my life. Thanks to you who have helped me grow up. Thanks to you for being part of my life. Love you all!

Until next time!

Adeu :)

rc~

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