Just landed in Beijing. I have no idea what to do.

[fuzzybabybunny]

No argument on the car, it offers almost unrivaled freedom. Unfortunately, the reality of this is that you don't have that luxury. Instead of bitching and moaning about how stressful planning things is, why not try just going for it and seeing what happens? No matter how you look at it, you'll see and experience more from a train or bus than you will from sitting at your hostel complaining.

As you can see from my previous posts, I *do* know how to get around. Doesn't mean that I have to like it. It's just a lot more work. Basically I'm just going to have to bulldoze headfirst through this planning and scheduling every day and every time I hit a bus station or hostel.

The bicycle option might work. That's a lot of riding with all my gear and riding up in national park terrain with my camera gear and it eliminates the possibility of me ever taking a taxi should I really want to just simplify things. Still better than a tour bus though.

 

[Born2bwire]

Yeah. I stopped planning when it just got too complicated. Too many hard or impossible to find train schedules, bus schedules, and other logistics to plan. I had about 8 destinations in mind but stopped after the second one because it just got retarded.

Many people don't realize this, but having your own car and personal, affordable mode of transportation is a GODSEND. Imagine having to negotiate an entire country the size of the US just on public transport and still retain some freedom to go where you want, when you want, and have fun. And to do it cheaply. The thought of traveling on rails and missing EVERYTHING the train passes through sucks big time. The thought of being left alone in a park when I want to stay to shoot the stars sucks. The thought of hiring a taxi for an entire day or going on a restricted tour bus to see things sucks.

Parents didn't just cancel their trip. Their Visa application got held up indefinitely (they're members of a religious group called Falun Gong which the government considers to be a state enemy - Falun Gong is basically a Buddhist sect).

Sure, sure. Christ, do yourself a favor and get yourself adopted so you can have an adult look after you. I've travelled Europe and south-east Asia without owning a car; relying on the public transit. If you can't take the time to figure out a schedule then perhaps you should focus on mastering more basic tasks before you think about carting off for the wilds of South America. Do you think you could actually feed and dress yourself?

 

[RossMAN]

The answer is clear. Covertly sneak into the Chinese factory making the iPad mini then sneak the prototype back to the USA. Next list it on eBay, then get it de-listed, then score a few TV interviews, then post a new thread on ATOT asking "what next?"

 

[WelshBloke]

Sure, sure. Christ, do yourself a favor and get yourself adopted so you can have an adult look after you. I've travelled Europe and south-east Asia without owning a car; relying on the public transit. If you can't take the time to figure out a schedule then perhaps you should focus on mastering more basic tasks before you think about carting off for the wilds of South America. Do you think you could actually feed and dress yourself?

I'm crap at languages and have used public transport all over Europe, but I'd definitely struggle in China.
At least in Europe I can still understand the place names and times.

 

[Born2bwire]

The answer is clear. Covertly sneak into the Chinese factory making the iPad mini then sneak the prototype back to the USA. Next list it on eBay, then get it de-listed, then score a few TV interviews, then post a new thread on ATOT asking "what next?"

He would have to actually go outside, manage the bizarre task of going to the airport and take a flight to Shenzhen. While he's at it, he should cross the border to Hong Kong, shack up at the Chunking Mansions and then proceed to hit up the ponies at Happy Valley. He could cap off the trip by taking the ferry to Macau and blowing it all on the Cotai Strip and spending some time with ladies below the Lisboa.

 

[RossMAN]

He would have to actually go outside, manage the bizarre task of going to the airport and take a flight to Shenzhen. While he's at it, he should cross the border to Hong Kong, shack up at the Chunking Mansions and then proceed to hit up the ponies at Happy Valley. He could cap off the trip by taking the ferry to Macau and blowing it all on the Cotai Strip and spending some time with ladies below the Lisboa.

Would this involve human interaction and making decisions on his own without consulting ATOT?

 

[Red Squirrel]

I find it hilarious that someone can end up half way around the world without a solid plan as to the reason for the destination. Did your parents just bail out on you very last minute while you were already sitting in the plane or something?

 

[Born2bwire]

I'm crap at languages and have used public transport all over Europe, but I'd definitely struggle in China.
At least in Europe I can still understand the place names and times.

Well that would increase the costs, but the main thing would be to book between the more Western friendly cities. Booking tickets online removes the language barrier. Use the train or commuter flights for intercity travel. Google maps can provide directions and schedules for buses. I used Google maps to find the bus routes in China. Book at Western hotels for an English speaking concierge. Get the concierge to direct you to local travel agents, interpreters for hire, or to simply write out notes for the taxis and such. Places like Shanghai, Tianjin and Beijing should have hotels that have some staff competent enough in English to provide basic help. But the obvious solution is to get someone to accompany him.

EDIT: Just tried Google and it told me how to go from the Forbidden City to a random Hilton via public transit. The Internet provides so much info that he really doesn't have an excuse. He can go on Tripadvisor to find places to stay, eat and what to do. He can use Google to find out how to get there. He can book train and air tickets online. That's what I do, I plan out and book my trips in advance, down to the train tickets. Or he could do what people did before the Internet, go to a travel agent. What we did in Thailand.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'm crap at languages and have used public transport all over Europe, but I'd definitely struggle in China.
At least in Europe I can still understand the place names and times.

I would have no problem in Europe.

Can't read anything in Chinese. Can't even begin to read it or sound it out. Just going to have to go up to people ask where to go or if there's an English translation of everything.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Looks like Google Maps is coming to the rescue. It can do route planning via bus.

 

[Born2bwire]

Would this involve human interaction and making decisions on his own without consulting ATOT?

Sadly yes. He could do the video machines at the casino but he still would have to interact with a human being to place a bet at the racecourse. Of course really all he needs to do is fill out the card and hand it over with the money.

 

[WelshBloke]

Go to a area with lots of students and employ one as a guide for a few days till you settle.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

No go on the bicycle idea.

Trains and buses do not support carrying bicycles. They do not have special places to put them. You have to take them into the passenger cabin with you. Not enough room. Only option is to rent them everywhere you go.

 

[ElFenix]

you have two months, you can get from beijing to london, overland, in two months. in london they speak english.

careful of getting visas in central asia though.

 

[Rumpltzer]

I absolutely cannot fucking believe that you flew to China just to nef on ATOT. You could have done that from your parents' basement in the US.

It's Thursday, and it's lunch time. Wander the goddam streets and find something to eat; something from a roadside cart/stand. Take pics, post them here, and tell us how cheap and delicious it was.

If you have absolutely nothing to do, then Google "beijing english corner" (you're in Beijing, right?) and go there. Talk only to the wimminz. Try to pick up some tail. Take pics, post them here, and tell us how cheap and delicious it was.

 

[Andrew111]

No go on the bicycle idea.

Trains and buses do not support carrying bicycles. They do not have special places to put them. You have to take them into the passenger cabin with you. Not enough room. Only option is to rent them everywhere you go.

Probably for the best that you didn't go with the bicycle...had a feeling you would make it onto one of Youtube's gruesome traffic accident videos, lol. You do realize that many drivers in Beijing treat traffic laws as suggestions? You're asking for trouble herp derping around on a bike in Beijing without at least getting used to the place first.

 

[Michael]

I live in China and, after a year, barely speak basic Chinese. I can't read a word of it. Somehow I manage fine.

The train system is fine and the major stations have English speaking staff. Most major bank branches have English speaking staff as well.

I am not that fond of Beijing, I much prefer Shanghai.

If you cannot speak Chinese or read it, driving is too much of a pain in the ass. Metro or taxi should be fine. There are taxi apps that you can use to show taxi drivers where you want to go. If you have a western 3G phone, get a prepaid China Unicom SIm as their network is compatible.

Michael

 

[ponyo]

With Google Maps and Google Translate, you have no excuse. Use your Galaxy Nexus. Plus you're Chinese. Even if you can't really read or write it, you can still converse which gives you advantage over 99% of the foreign tourists. Instead of bragging and whining, why not make us jealous with updates on your travel adventure? You're lucky enough to do what most of us can only daydream about stuck in our daily grind. Let us live vicariously through you. Take some pictures of the locals. Tell us a story. Make us jealous. Educate us so we can daydream about taking similar trip.

More of China and less of "let me annoy everyone with look at me" posts please.

 

[Sephire]

Look for Foxconn and take a lot of pictures of the facility.

 

[Doppel]

fuzzy's life is one endless drama

 

[rasczak]

I think it's better being a good reactionary. Many 'planners' can't handle disruption. Something doesn't go per plan, and everything goes to hell. Being reactionary makes you flexible, and prepared for anything that can come up. I don't like plans because almost nothing goes per plan. If I were in China, I'd just hit the road and see stuff. There's no doubt in my mind I'd do pretty well, and have a good time.

I'm not saying he needs to have a strict itinerary, but clearly he did not think beyond getting his airline ticket. He was "planning" on using his parents to get him around instead of being a big boy and doing things on his own.

 

[Zeze]

I'm not saying he needs to have a strict itinerary, but clearly he did not think beyond getting his airline ticket. He was "planning" on using his parents to get him around instead of being a big boy and doing things on his own.

It's no problem with zero planning because his veteran Chinese parents were gonna show him around. I don't think that has to do with maturity/being a big boy.

I do think it's shocking how he utterly & completely collapses, not knowing what to do. I'd kill for a 2-month trip in Beijing alone. And just like OP, I don't speak a lick of Chinese.

 

[clamum]

fuzzy's life is one endless drama

If he's not trolling, then this 9001%. Reading these threads is like rubber necking at an accident, you just can't help it.

 

[lxskllr]

I'm not saying he needs to have a strict itinerary, but clearly he did not think beyond getting his airline ticket. He was "planning" on using his parents to get him around instead of being a big boy and doing things on his own.

Here's my thought process...

Shit! The parents aren't coming.

Either I waste a ticket, or go to China...

As I exit the plane in China, I'd be getting some internet(phone, laptop, cafe?)

Find shit to do. Google's awesome at finding shit to do. It might not be what you "planned", but you're in China. It's all new.

Transportation? I really like the bike idea. I'd probably just buy a bike, and use that exclusively. That constrains distance, but fuck it, you're in China. It's all new. I could easily spend two months exploring a few square miles.

That bike will get you to a hotel. I don't know any Chinese, and the culture is unfamiliar, but I'm pretty certain I could identify a hotel by sight. That gives you a base camp for a day or two, and if you want to make some loose plans, that's the time to do it.

Hit the road. Make sure you end your day at a largish town so you can score a place to sleep. Barring that, find an out of the way place in the brush to sleep. You're homeless by definition. Sleeping on the ground is a cheap way to stay. If you think you're too good for that, you're too privileged. You're in China. I'd sleep on a bed of nails to see a foreign country.

 

[Ns1]

Re^^

While FBB bitched a lot he did accomplish this. Somehow he got himself online and to a hostel.