december-2011

trip journal
CHINA
SHANGHAI
COUNTRY CODE +86
CURRENCY RMB1 = PHP6.78/US$0.16
TOUCHDOWN If you’re taking a cab from the
airport (or anywhere in Shanghai), do ask for
the fapiao (receipt). This way, in case you forget
something, you have a way of tracking it down.
www.shanghaiairport.com
BY DAY Join a one-day bike tour with Cycle China
and explore the nooks and crannies of Shanghai.
You can also pretend to go apartment-hunting to get
a free tour around the old lane houses in Shanghai’s
French Concession area.
BY NIGHT Have dinner at Kota’s Kitchen, a
Beatles-themed yakitori bar-restaurant that looks
like it’s straight out of Shinjuku. Or slip into your
sexiest qipao (Chinese dress) and heels to go
ballroom dancing at The Paramount.
SLEEP For Old Shanghai glamour, check into
the Fairmont Peace Hotel (www.fairmont.com/
PeaceHotel). Another option is Quintet (www.
quintet-shanghai.com), a fi ve-room B&B.
BJ
Macatulad
owner/manager,
Strip + Browhaus
Shanghai
LOCAL SPEAK Say “Pai ma
pi” to fl atter someone or, literally, “to
spank the horse’s *ss.”
INSIDER TIP Looking for love?
Check out the match-making corner
in People’s Square Park.
BEST DINNER Come for
Restaurant Week in September,
where you can enjoy fi ve-star dinners
for less than PHP1,676.
DID D YOU
KKNOW?
{ 182 }
CHINA
BEIJING
COUNTRY CODE +86
CURRENCY RMB1 = PHP6.78/US$ 0.16
TOUCHDOWN Arrive at the Beijing Capital
International Airport (BCIA). After clearing customs
and claiming baggage, catch the downtown
airport shuttles or taxis from outside the arrival
lobby. en.bcia.com.cn
BY DAY Spend the day exploring historical
highlights of the city on foot; make sure to wear
comfortable walking shoes. Trek the Mutianyu Great
Wall or Jinshanling Great Wall, and then visit the
Summer Palace. Remember to pack water.
BY NIGHT Visit the National Center for the Arts,
otherwise known as The Egg. Stroll, to admire the
architecture. Walk to Tiananmen Square and the
Forbidden City. For a selection of interesting bars and
curio shops, head to Nanlouguxiang or Houhai Lake.
SLEEP The Hilton Beijing Wangfujing offers some
of the most spacious rooms in the city, and is a
10-minute walk from Tiananmen Square and retail
shops. www.hilton.com/Beijing-Wangfujing
Owen
Tiam
freelance
photographer
BEST BREAKFAST Try the local
street breakfast, jianbing — a savory
crepe with egg and coriander.
BEST SOUVENIRS Go to
Panjiayuan Antique Market for curios
during weekends.
MUST-TRY For hole-in-the-wall
eats, Xinjiang Cuisine and their
Xinjiang lamb kebabs (yang rou
chuanr).
Shanghai is full of historic tea houses
where you can just sip and relax.