april-2012

trip journal
CHINA
XIAMEN
COUNTRY CODE +86
CURRENCY RMB1 = PHP6.76/US$0.16
TOUCHDOWN Arrive at the Xiamen Gaoqi
International Airport. Taxis are located outside the
arrival terminal. Flat rate for cabs is about RMB8
(PHP54) for the fi rst 3km, and an additional RMB2
(PHP14) per extra km. There are also public buses.
BY DAY Visit scenic Gulangyu Island, a 10-minute
ferry ride from downtown Xiamen. The famous
1.77km 2 island (Gulangyu means “Drum Waves
Islet” as the breakers pound the rocks like drums) is
car-free and known for its beaches and architecture.
BY NIGHT For a casual dinner, head over to Me
and You 2 (Gulf Park, Hou Hai Ting No. 1) for good
pizza and ice-cold beer. Afterwards, you can hit
Soul Bar (1st Floor, 189 East Hubin Rd., Siming
District) for after-dinner drinks and dancing.
SLEEP For bigger budgets, try Marco Polo Xiamen
(8 Jianye Rd., Hubin Bei; www.marcopolohotels.
com). For smaller budgets, check out 7 Days Inn
(www.7daysinn.cn).
Bong H.
Antivola
creative services
manager, Regency
Bone China Ltd.
BEST BUYS Beef jerky from
Gulangyu Island and clothes at
Everyday On-line.
INSIDER TIP Get connected with
the Filipino Association in Xiamen to
see kababayans. www.faxiamen.com
MUST-TRY Tusundong (“shoots
frozen soil”) is a sea worm jelly made
by a kind of sea worm. It tastes sweet
and fresh.
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CHINA
SHANGHAI
COUNTRY CODE +86
CURRENCY RMB1 = PHP6.76/US$0.16
TOUCHDOWN If you’re taking a cab from the
airport (or anywhere in Shanghai), do ask for
the fapiao (receipt). This way, in case you forget
something, you have a way of tracking it down.
www.shanghaiairport.com
BY DAY Visit the new Rockbund area and the
Rock Bund Art Museum. Shop for cool souvenirs
at Tianzifang. Take your pick of affordable day trips
from the Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center (Gate
25 of the Shanghai Stadium/Shanghai Tiyuguan).
BY NIGHT For an evening out on the town, enjoy
drinks and supper at Mr. and Mrs. Bund at Bund
18 (www.mmbund.com), a cosmopolitan French
dinner place in Shanghai. Xinjishi on Tian Ping Rd.
is also a great place to enjoy local cuisine.
SLEEP Treat yourself to a fi rst-class hotel
experience at the Pudong Shangri-La. www.
shangri-la.com/en/property/shanghai/
pudongshangrila
Sean Yeo
promo producer
BEST BREAKFAST Order some
pan-fried buns from Xiao Yang Sheng
Jian Bao shop.
BEST BUYS Ceramics from Spin
on Julu Rd., and fashions from Qipu Lu
Clothing Market.
MUST-TRY Don’t leave the city
without a visit to Shanghai’s famous
snack street, Wujiang Rd. Taste and see
many local treats here!