december-2011

GUANGZHOU CHINA GUILIN CHINA
Philip Choong
General manager,
Oakwood Gold Arch
Residence Guangzhou
BEST BREAKFAST: Dim sum
at Nan Yuan Restaurant — a
beautiful setting in the traditional
Chinese courtyard house with huge
Chinese garden, koi pond and
waterfall. The food is excellent and
the price is reasonable.
MUST-BUY (MONEY NO
OBJECT!): A Chinese painting,
an excellent artwork to invest in.
FAVOURITE LOCAL
FESTIVAL: Spring Festival —
everyone is in a festive mood, there’s
lots of fi reworks, fl ea market, fl ower
market, visiting families and friends.
BEST IDEA FOR A
FAMILY OUTING: Biking,
skateboarding, fi shing, strolling,
jogging, group singing and dancing,
group tai chi, and taking photos by
the river bank of Pearl River on Er
Sha Island.
MOST ROMANTIC SPOT:
Shamian Island with its
rustic look from the preserved
colonial buildings, rose gardens and
cobblestoned streets.
GUANGZHOU
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD 28km from
Guangzhou Baiyun
International Airport
Travel time 30-60
mins by car
Taxi About CNY70
(S$14)
Shuttle Bus Airport
bus services to the
city every 30 mins;
CNY17 (S$3.50)
ON THE GO
1. Bus Public buses
cost between CNY1-2
(S$0.20-0.40); tour
buses to get around
the downtown of
Guangzhou cost
CNY2 (S$0.40).
2. Water bus Board
from four piers:
Zhongda, Tianzi, Xidi
and Fangcun; costs
CNY1-2, (S$0.20-0.40)
every 20-30 mins.
INTERNATIONAL ADVENTURES
Shangxiajiu pedestrian street Beautiful karst
mountain landscape
of Yangshuo
Stephane Masse
General manager,
Sheraton Guilin
Hotel
LOCAL RECREATIONAL
ACTIVITY TO WATCH: Catch
people doing tai chi in the morning
and classical dance in the evening
on the river bank, right in front of
the Sheraton Hotel.
BEST PLACES TO HANG OUT
WITH THE LOCALS: Any bars
or karaoke lounges. Lots of locals
frequent these places.
BEST IDEA FOR A FAMILY
OUTING: Take the kids to
the Merryland Theme Park.
FOR HISTORY: Visit the
Solitary Beauty Peak and
Prince City Scenic Area to learn
about the culture and history of
Guilin. There is an old university
where elite students used to sit for
the imperial examinations to be
part of the royal court.
MOST ROMANTIC SPOT: Sit
along the river in one of the
many gazebos.
I LOVE GUILIN BECAUSE:
Of the beauty of the hills,
parks, scenic spots and food.
GUILIN
FROM THE AIRPORT
CBD About
28km from
Guilin Liangjiang
International Airport
Travel time Around
35mins by car to
the CBD
Taxi About CNY80
(S$16.30)
Airport Bus services
to the city run from
6.30am to 9pm;
6.30am-8pm return.
About CNY20 (S$4)
ON THE GO
1. City-bus There are 8
tourism buses serving
110 routes and they’re
free and very popular.
2. Bicycle The city is
compact enough to
explore on two wheels.
3. Taxi Metered within
the city.
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