China International Fair has chosen the motto ‘better city, better life’, with an emblem and mascot derived from Chinese characters symbolising harmony among nations. The emblem is green to show commitment to sustainable development, the mascot is blue like the sea which has nurtured the city’s prosperity.

Over 240 participants have registered so far for Expo Shanghai and international NGOs working in related areas are also invited to attend. Some 70 million visitors are expected in Shanghai in 2010 and it’s best to book hotels and buy show tickets in advance. Ticket details will be posted on the World Expo website in due course

Play with Sarko with your mouse to help him to go through.

It’s not so easy to find an internship, isn’t it SARKOCHI???

Even though the best part of bargaining is figuring out how low the sellers in China are going to go. Sometimes it’s helpful to have some pointers before you start shopping and bargaining. How much should everything cost, really? A large part depends on which market you are shopping at and who is your seller. Some of the sellers only want to sell to those who don’t know how to bargain and therefore are willing to pay more. While shopping, you may see two identical items; one seller may refuse to go below 100RMb, giving you one million and two reasons why it is a good quality item. But you go next door, and you will manage to bargain the item down to 50RMB. The difference is only the seller.

Shopping at markets like the Pearl Market, Yashou, the Silk Market, the Russian Market (in Beijing, China) are frequented by tourists, therefore bargaining can be difficult. They are used to people who are shopping with lots of money in their wallets. Shoppers who don’t always bother with much bargaining. As a rule the sellers at the Silk Market are tough. Really tough. You’ll have to shop and bargain for a long time before you’ll find a seller ready to give you a bargain. The Pearl Market has it’s good days, if you’re a tough shopper and you can persist in bargaining, you’ll get what you want for how much you want. Especially if you’re on the hunt for pearls.

Try shopping on the top floor of The Pearl Market, there are sellers that will go down really low. But what is the bargaining range? What range should one be expecting to pay? Here is a general bargaining range guide. The lowest price is what you can get it for with bold (but friendly) and persistent bargaining with the right seller. The highest price is what should be gotten with a little bargaining. Don’t pay more than the highest price!!!!

Pants (trousers) = 50-100RMB

Jackets = 60-180RMB

Blouses = 30-60RMB

Shirts/tops = 30-70RMB

Shoes = 30-120RMB

DVDs/VCDs = 5-10RMB

Shawls = 20-50RMB

Bags = 30-70RMB

Ties = 8-20RMB

If you get something lower than this range, good for you!!! Just remember not to buy above this range. Shopping in the markets in Beijing are fun really. It’s China trial and error shopping! You can test these prices out. But remember while shopping: once you say a price, if they match your price you must be ready to buy! If you want to test the prices then try the walking away method before you state your price. Don’t let yourself be cheated while shopping in China! Have fun!

From the roadside stall to the large-scale modern shopping mall, from the common store to a popular supermarket, China has numerous perfect places to shop that can satisfy all shoppers’ desires.

Department Stores

Shopping in China is easy and convenient, as various department stores are commonly found, especially in the high street. The level and scale of these shops vary, depending on the city and the area. Various items for daily use, which are much cheaper, are often offered in the smaller and more ordinary roadside shops or boutiques. Whenever you need something like everyday necessities, snacks or even clothes, you can immediately go there for your favorite things. Don’t forget to try bargaining: you may get a special price.

Shopping Mall

In the busy streets of the downtown area, usually in the shopping center of a city, there are large-scale and high-class emporiums, in which not only the domestic brands but also many well-known international brands are all sold. Everyday items, cosmetics, household appliances, bedding, clothes, and everything up-market that you wish for can be found easily to satisfy your every need. Bargaining is seldom acceptable, but there are often special promotions or end-of-season sales with an attractive price.

Business Street

Most large and distinctive Chinese cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Xian, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, feature special business streets, where local products are on sale. Merchandise of the same kind is usually sold in the same street, which makes shopping easy and saves you time. The Hongqiao Market in Beijing, also known as the ‘Pearl Market’, especially attracts female overseas tourists and mainly sells pearl jewellery, while Silver Street, where many boutiques are located, always tempt the youth by its modern fashion. You may also find various characteristic streets selling the four treasured tools of studying (writing brush, ink, inkstone and paper), painting and calligraphy, handicraft, silk and embroidery, jade articles, crockery, furnishings, musical instruments, boutiques, even flowers, as well as grocery streets or food streets. Some of the business streets are pedestrian malls, where tourists can relax and shop at their leisure.

Supermarket

The western-style mode of sales operation, the supermarket, is becoming more and more popular in China for its convenience, competitive price and products, close to where people live. Everything you want for daily use can be found easily here. Many world-famous supermarket chains like Wal-Mart, Carrefour and Metro entered the Chinese market by opening scores of branches in most of the larger Chinese cities. Domestic brands like the Home World, Trust-Mart and Renrenle are also popular among Chinese people. You have to pay what the price tag shows since bargaining is unacceptable. Make sure your bags are stored in the Locker Service before you start your shopping. 

Factory Shop

Factory shops also sell the products they make in their own showrooms, especially those who produce a local specialty, like jade articles, porcelain, ceramics, silk, arts and crafts. If you join a tourist group on your China trip, most probably the tour guide will take you to such factories as one of the attractions. Since the place is where the products are made, the merchandise is certainly genuine and you may get a very preferential price at a good discount.

China can be visited through out the year because of the stretch of its territories and sites and activities it can offer. Deciding when to visit China depends on which places you wish to visit, what type of weather you enjoy, and how much a bargain you want. China is a huge country with many different climates and types of landscape. Think of it in terms of the United States, which China resembles in size and shape. Traveling along the Golden Route (Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Guilin) is like visiting New York, Chicago, Santa Fe, and Jacksonville, Florida all in one trip.

April, May, September and October are the peak tourist months at China’s most popular destinations when the weather is the most comfortable. Prices drop a bit in the shoulder season, which runs from November through March and from June through August. However, the winter months are peak season for trips to China’s Hainan Island and to the Northeast Harbin for its world-famous ice-lantern festival.  This months are also packed with New Year holidays, Chinese Spring Festival and other national or local happy fairs.  Summer months are great time to explore China’s Far East-Manchuria.   

China has a continental and seasonal climate. Most parts are in the temperate zone but southern areas are in the tropical or subtropical zone while northern areas are in the frigid zone.  Climates in different areas are complicated. For instance, northern Heilongjiang Province has a winter climate the year round without summer, while Hainan Island has a summer climate the year round without winter.  The following is a reference table for tourists to prepare clothing on their trips. 

• Spring: 10-22°C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, woolen jackets, long sleeve shirts and travel shoes.

• Summer: 22°C and above, T-shirts, short sleeve shirts, skirts, sandals, caps, rain wear.

• Autumn: 10-22°C, Western suits, jackets, sports coats, light woolen sweaters, rain wear and travel shoes.

• Winter: 10°C or lower, overcoat, cotton clothes, lined coats. In very cold areas a cap, gloves and cotton-padded shoes are required.

Of course, expenses depends on your way of life, below is an idea of what could be your expenses each month as a student in Shanghai.

Necessities
Mobile phone service: 200 RMB/month
Groceries: 70 RMB/week
Dinner: 20 RMB/day average
Beverages: 4 RMB/day average
Haircut: 40 RMB/mo 

Dinner with friend after work
Metro to downtown: 5 RMB
Dinner: 80 RMB
Taxi back home: 25 RMB
Number of times per week: 2

Weekend
Metro to downtown: 5 RMB
Meal or other activity: 120 RMB
Taxi back home: 25 RMB
Number of times per weekend: 1

Bar or club
Taxi to downtown: 18 RMB
Drinks: 120 RMB
Taxi home: 25 RMB
Number of times per week: 1

Street vendor food is the cheapest way to eat, however, one should note that it is warned against by Western travel agencies. Locals and foreign expats often take this route though as it is very inexpensive and usually very delicious. Food ranges in variety from different types of steamed buns and breads to dumplings, spicy noodles, kebobs, and that’s only naming a few. These items range in price from around 1 RMB-10RMB at the most. Street food is usually at the lower end of that spectrum. For example one can generally get 5 dumplings for 1 RMB. This is a great way to eat if you are on a budget, not to mention how fast and convenient it is.

Restaurants range in price a great deal depending on where you go and what you want to eat. Of course. Anything other than Chinese food is more expensive. Shanghai has a great deal of restaurants to offer with a wide variety of international cuisine. Italian is on the lower end of the price spectrum whereas Japanese sushi or Mexican is usually higher.

Eating at one of these places will cost you anywhere from 30-100 a plate/person. A typical Chinese restaurant will cost anywhere from 8-50 a plate/person. However, one should not that typical Chinese restaurants serve family style dining and everyone shares the dishes ordered. This makes the meal very inexpensive, and allows one to try many different dishes. Depending on the location and how classy the restaurant is the price will vary. Those located at top tourist sites will run you more than quoted here, around 25-70 a plate/person, in some cases more. Be sure to check the menu before sitting down if you are on a strict budget.

Eating Chinese food is relatively cheap. Three Chinese dishes, with rice (enough for two people) at an average restaurant will cost about 40-50 RMB. Of course you can eat food off the street that will cost about half of this for a meal, but it may be a bit difficult for a western stomach to handle at first.

Getting around in Beijing is fairly convenient. There is a small subway system that can be convenient when close to a station, which is not always the case. Tickets are 2 RMB. Taking a bus is only 1 RMB but can be confusing at first, especially if you can read Chinese characters. The easiest way to get around is by taxi. Fares range from 10 RMB for any ride within a few miles or about five minutes to 70 RMB for 45 minute rides across the city. The average taxi fare for getting around the city in a convenient way is about 15 RMB per ride.

Getting from city to city in China is also relatively convenient. Flights from Beijing to Shanghai start at about 500 RMB if bought in advance to 1200 RMB if bought at the last second. A train to Shanghai would cost about 350 RMB for an overnight sleeper train. A bus could be less than 200 RMB.

An average three-star hotel in most cities in China will cost about 300-500 RMB per night. A very nice 4-5 star hotel will cost 800-1200 RMB per night. Most big Chinese cities also have a number of hostels. These will cost about 40-60 RMB per night for a dorm-style room with shared bathroom and 250-300 RMB per night for a double room with private bathroom.

Beijing is slightly cheaper than Shanghai, and Guangzhou is slightly cheaper than Beijing. Hong Kong, on the other hand, is comparable to the U.S.

Converting euro to Chinese currency is easy. Traveler’s checks in euro are accepted even in provincial areas, and they can be exchanged for Yuan at almost any Bank of China, as well as in many hotels. People planning to stay longer should consider opening an account with Bank of China. Electronic transfers from European banks take 3 – 7 days. Chinese banks often have a special counter where transactions in foreign currency are conducted. Foreign credit and debit cards are an exciting affair-will the ATM take them or not? There are tourists who spend half a day in the bank waiting for the return of their credit cards. Paying with a credit card is usually not a problem in posh hotels.

Understand that if you have trouble because the ATM requires a 6 digit PIN and you only have 4 digits, try 2 leading zeroes (although this may not be necessary – try your actual PIN first)! Also, when venturing into more remote regions it is advisable to carry sufficient cash, as ATMs with international network access may not be available.

Exchange US currency for RMB can be much simpler, but expect the bills to be heavily scrutinized before the exchange is processed. Opportunities to buy RMB before entering China, for example when coming overland from Hong Kong or Vietnam, should be taken, as the rates are better. The same is true going the other way – selling just across the border will often net a more favourable rate.

TIPS

Keep all your exchange receipts.

As you will need them to exchange RMB back into your original currency. This includes cash withdrawals from ATMs, and any other exchange medium. Exchanging currency outside of official channels (i.e. if you lose your receipts) is technically illegal.

Opening a bank account in China – especially an RMB-only account – is a very straightforward process. You only need your passport with a valid visa (tourist visas are acceptable). For long-term travel or residence, a Chinese bank account is a very good idea. Your ID and PIN are required for withdrawals at the counter although deposits can be made no questions asked if you have the bank book they issued with your account.

WARNINGS

Be sure to check for the Plus or Cirrus symbols (whichever your bank supports), as there are many ATMs which are not linked to international networks and may retain your card, a very unpleasant prospect.

For you currency exchange, you can usethe below convertiser 

http://www.xe.com/

Everyday life in China

Chinese people are very tolerant of foreigners. Even the strangest behaviors are often accepted, for they think that such things are normal in other countries. The first rule in almost all situations you can get into in China is: don’t lose your temper! Patience and politeness always go further than cursing and shouting. Here we’ll offer some hints for the traveler’s daily life.

Public transportation in China

Taxis
The simplest option for getting from point A to point B in Chinese cities is a taxi-people with lots of time and courage can also ride the bus. However, tourists coming in at the airport run the risk of getting ripped off by taxi rides into the city. We recommend taking an airport bus (no problem in Beijing and Shanghai) into downtown proper and then continuing by taxi to the final destination. One is normally met at the airport when one visits Chinese business partners, and hotels also offer pickup service at the airport.

Chinese taxis are very cheap; you can cover short distances for eight yuan (about one euro) and up. After a certain distance, the price is calculated per kilometer. When you take a taxi, be sure the driver starts the meter, and seems like he knows where he’s going-at least seems like he could follow the route on a map.

Buses
You buy bus tickets in the vehicle from a conductor. Simply name your destination and hold out the money; the bus company employee will give you the proper ticket. Depending on the route, you’ll pay 1 – 2 yuan, or more for longer distances. Buses in large cities are for the most part overfull, and crowding is enormous-keep an eye on your valuables.

The driving style of bus drivers is often astounding and reckless. My first bus ride a few years ago in Hangzhou was a formative experience: our driver didn’t like to be passed and ran races with another bus. Just when it got really exciting, the police interrupted.

Trains
To obtain tickets in person at a train station is an interesting experience that helps one to imagine why self defense is so important to the Chinese. Crowding is unbelievable. During the spring festival or holidays around the national holiday, it’s almost impossible to get a ticket yourself. It’s therefore worthwhile to pay an extra 30 – 50 yuan to get tickets from a travel agent.

There are four classes of travel on trains.

Hard seater
the cheapest seats, typically just metal with a thin plastic coating. For overnight and long trips you should avoid these; even hardened backpackers should steer clear. Don’t offer your seat to an older gentleman or beautiful woman, or you’ll bitterly regret it at midnight, as you try in vain to sleep in the aisle or continue standing for the nth hour. If you go to the lavatory, there is no guarantee that your seat will be unoccupied when you get back to it.

Soft seater
available on some routes (e.g. between Shanghai and Hangzhou) day and night.

Hard sleepers are fully sufficient for night travel. They are open compartments with six narrow beds, with great opportunities to converse with Chinese travelers. Hard sleepers are often sold out on holidays.

Soft sleeper
luxury class. Here you’ll encounter wealthy Chinese and executives (if, that is, they don’t fly instead). Comfortable compartments for two or four people, there is nonetheless not as much space for luggage as in hard sleepers. A soft sleeper costs almost as much as a plane ticket.

Here are 2 good maps of shanghai and Beijing:
http://mapofshanghai.com/
Map of Beijing