december-2011

trip journal
CHINA
GUANGZHOU
COUNTRY CODE +86
CURRENCY RMB1 = PHP6.78/US$ 0.16
TOUCHDOWN Board the Airport Express bus
from the airport, about RMB10–30 (PHP68–203).
Taxis from the airport cost about RMB120
(PHP813) for the 28km-long ride to Haizhu
Square in the city.
BY DAY Guangzhou isn’t all about the commerce.
A short land trip away from the city center will take
you to Lianhua Mountain in the suburb of Panyu.
Here you will fi nd a Buddhist sanctuary where local
residents fl ock to say their prayers.
BY NIGHT Cirque du Soleil meets Ringling Bros
Circus at the Chime Long International Circus.
This may not really be an immersion into Chinese
culture per se, but its amazing stunts make it aweinspiring
nonetheless.
SLEEP Try the local Jianguo Hotel in Tianhe. It
provides clean and comfortable rooms of modern
design at lower prices relative to globally recognized
fi ve-star chains. www.jianguohotelgz.com
{ 184 }
Michael
Gohu Yu
manager of a
multinational
company
BEST BRUNCH Southern China
for dim sum, and Deluxe Restaurant in
Tianhe for late morning yum cha.
BEST DINNER Try Bing Sheng
Cantonese restaurant. Be ready for long
queues, though, as it’s very popular!
INSIDER TIP Avoid paying
taxi fares with RMB50 or 100 bills.
Dishonest drivers swap them with
fake ones on unwary passengers.
TAIWAN
TAIPEI
COUNTRY CODE +886
CURRENCY TW$1 = PHP1.44/US$0.03
TOUCHDOWN Taxis to the city will cost you
TW$1,100 (PHP1,582). Private bus companies run
trips from both terminals, and will cost you a more
manageable TW$110–140 (PHP158–201). To get
around, take the MRT.
BY DAY Head to the top of Taipei 101 for an
aerial view of the city. Admire the grounds of CKS
Memorial Hall or NTU Campus. Outdoorsy types
can check out the waterfalls near Wulai or soak in
the hot springs after hiking Yangmingshan.
BY NIGHT Night markets are plentiful; check out
Shilin, Raohe, Shida or Tonghua. Stop for food
and drinks at the Taiwan Beer Bar. The teahouses
in mountainous Muzha offer scenic views of Taipei
via the Maokong Gondola.
SLEEP Treat yourself to a night or two at Taipei’s
Grand Hotel. The classical Chinese architecture
and the grounds that surround the hotel are
spectacular. www.grand-hotel.org
Jennifer
Turek
blogger,
groovegrrrrrl.
blogspot.com
BEST BREAKFAST Dàn bing
or tasty egg cakes are offered in many
fl avors, and can be found everywhere.
INSIDER TIP “Ni hao!” (“hello”),
“hao chi” (“delicious”), and “xiè xiè”
(“thank you”).
BEST DINNER An assortment
of steamed dumplings and
mouthwatering beef noodle soup —
this is Taiwan at its best.