Phone Cord

[Jollyjunklass]

Hi Guys,

Need some help on information regarding the phone cord. I am worried about my laptop. Are phone plugins universal? If not can, someone who knows what the Canadian phone cord looks like, (not the cord itself, but the dohicky that inserts into the wall), tell me what I need to purchase to adapt my computer to China's phone outlets. Can't think of a name for it.

Thanks

Also, does anyone know if the weight allowance will change from international flights to inter China flights. Will I be allowed less weight if I have to take a plane from Shenzen to get my final destination.

[Jollyjunklass]

Slim Pickens,

it's too late I have already purchased the laptop. The University provides me with a PC and a printer, so I am wondering, if maybe, I could connect the laptop to the PC with a USB cable and get my power from there. If anyone knows, can you let me know.

Hey Slim, what if I were to take a train from Shenzen, would I be allowed more weight on the train? The school expects me to be late, so timing is not really an issue.

Thanks, appreciate the help.

[Stil]

I brought my laptop from Canada. No probs with the phone cables, they are the same and Canadian plugs fit into the wall sockets too. As long as your laptop is universal power (they all are now) you won't have any problem setting it up.

[Jollyjunklass]

Thanks Stil,

That's great to know!!

[Ruth]

What Stil said about the computer. No problems for us either.

I don't think there is a weight limit for luggage on a train, but you need to have a realistic picture of train travel in China before you choose that option. We paid a taxi from Beijing to Xingcheng (4 hours) to avoid taking our luggage on the train. The extra cost and less hassle was worth it to us.

You will be completely on your own. There will be many stairs down, and then up again, to get to the platform. Sometimes there are narrow ramps to accommodate suitcases on wheels, but not every station has this convenience. Your car will be the furthest away from wherever the stairs bring you up to the platform. It will be a LONG walk. The train will be crowded. You will be lucky to find space in the overhead racks. There is barely room for you in the seat, let alone many bags. When you get to your destination there will be another long walk along the platform, many stairs down (or up) and then up (or down) again, perhaps another long walk into the station.

Can you get a travel agent to check into the inter-China flight questions for you?

[Jollyjunklass]

Slim,

I am trying to get to Changsa in Hunan. The American teacher there suggested I go to Hong Kong then take a ferry to Shenzen, then take an airporter (which he says is paid for) to the airport, stay overnight in a Hotel, and leave from there. If you know a better way, I am all ears. The stuff that wieghs a lot are teaching materials, index cards, mostly paper poo. I would like to get to Changsa as directly as possible, little worried about the language barrier, and communicating directions with anyone.

Thanks Ruth and Slim, I will stay off the trains for now , knowing me I'd end up in Harbin or something.

[Jollyjunklass]

Thanks for the links Slim, they look great.

[Lotus Eater]

If you are intending to travel by train go hard sleeper. BUT - bull your way into the soft seat waiting area in the train station- may cost you 10 -20 kuai.

Advantage - you get onto the train about 5-10 minutes before the rest of the crowd, so YOU can use the overhead spaces for your luggage as well as the spaces under the bottom bunks. Book a bottom bunk. During the day you may have to let others sit there (buy a pack of UNO cards and teach everyone in your compartment to play - you'll have a ball! Don't need language for this!). But it means on older trains you control the window, and also have rights over the space under the bunk :>))

By plane - Chinese luggage allowance is technically 22 kgs. But weight is a fluid concept. Carry on luggage seems to be unlimited!!!!

Friends have been charged huge amounts of overweight on Chinese airlines. Qantas and JAL both gave me overweight for no extra cost. China Southern charged me for the extra, even though I was coming from firstly Oz, and secondly Japan. International flights, and I couldn't convince them as a Qantas Club member I was entitled to extra baggage allowance.

[Jollyjunklass]

Thanks for all the great info. guys, and the links Slim. Man, I didn't think this luggage thing would be an issue. They should give leeway for people who intend to stay longer. Sure sucks!

I will try to get some info, from this end, with respect to weight in China, if I can that is. Maybe I can choose my flight in China from here. 45 pounds isn't much. I can put all my paper products in a carry on, if they allow weight with the carry ons.

I'm not willing to pay a pooload of cash for the weight so, if worse comes to worse, there it will stay. I wonder how much they accumulate through these means, enough to open a duty free shop, do ya think?

I'm off to the bathroom scale with my luggage, lol

Thanks again guys. Hey Slim, awesome sites. LOL, why didn't I think of them

[Jollyjunklass]

That's it no board games for the kiddies!!!

[Hamish]

Do you have tickets all the way to your destination in China?

If so, and your trip is continuous, check your bags to the final destination and they will not be weighed again.

However, if you linger for the connection, 22KG is the number within China.

Two 70 pound bags can be checked internationally by each traveler.

Good luck

[Jollyjunklass]

Oh okay,

That sounds excellent. I will just try to work it out so there is no lingering, if at all possible. What if I linger, but my luggage doesn't. Is it possible to send it straight on through and meet up with it. I can handle two 70 lb. bags, much more reasonable. Thanks Hamish!

[Hamish]

millana said:

I will just try to work it out so there is no lingering, if at all possible. What if I linger, but my luggage doesn't.

Under US rules, you must be on the plane with your bags.

In China, I dunno.

[Stil]

Jollyjunklass, I live near Changsha.

Another way is to take a bus straight from the HK airport to Guangzhou, Then take a hard sleeper into Changsha.

You won't have to worry about the weight of your luggage. Bus takes about 4 hours and the train is about 8.

If the timing is right, you take an over-night train and arrive in CS early in the morning. The CS train station is reasonably well located.

This is quite easy if you are nervous about your first time travelling here. Actually it's quite easy even if your not nervous.

[Jollyjunklass]

Well that's cool Stil, I have a neighbour, and I even like foreigners, lol. I am about an hour and a half from Changsa. How far are you? I wouldn't mind taking the train, I think. If it comes down to a luggage issue maybe I will take my chances. If anything it may prove to be an interesting introduction!

How do you like Hunan, are you new to China or have you been there for a while?

[Jollyjunklass]

Just noticed, your a fellow Canuck, at that! Have to get together for a few brews

[Stil]

millana said:

Just noticed, your a fellow Canuck, at that! Have to get together for a few brews

Sure, I'm all for hoisting a few. I've been in Hunan for year and a half. I'm about 1 hour an half east of Changsha.

I like it here. I hope you like hot food because most everything here has hot peppers in it. I love it, so no probs for me. People are friendly (outside Changsha) and helpful.

It's very easy to get the bus from HK airport to Guangzhou and once there, easy to get to Changsha. There are different buses and they take you to one of the major hotels. For example; The Garden Hotel. These bigger hotels have ticket buying services and the staff usually speak some English.

If you don't speak any Chinese it's a good idea to get help from them because you can have difficulties at the train station. You could try and say Changsha and end up somewhere else.

Remember there are 2 train stations in GZ. Guangzhou Station and Guangzhou East. Both have trains to Changsha, just make sure you go to the right one if you buy from the hotel.

If you buy a ticket from the hotel then you can just show your ticket to a cab driver and he'll know. These hotels have luggage storage (without check-in) so you can look around if you have time to kill.

Take a taxi that is lined up at the hotel (only major hotels) they will use the meter and are less likely to take you for a ride.

Changsha is one of those train hub cities, so there are many trains going there. Try to get a 'T' train as these are the fastest, but make sure you get a sleeper train. Better to take a 12 hour sleeper train than take a 8 hour trip in a hard seat after a long flight. Especially since they will wake you in the sleepers before your stop (They keep your ticket in exchange for a token then give it back - good system) so you can sleep well.

If you can choose, go to the east station as it's nicer and in a better area.

Once in Changsha I assume you'll be picked up by your school. If they are late don't worry too much as it is completely normal.

When do you arrive?

[Jollyjunklass]

Hi Stil,

I go down to the visa office on Tuesday, I am going to put a rush on it. I will book my flight right after I get the visa.

I read back some posts, are you in the town famous for fireworks, if so I was offered a job at the Uni there. So I kind of know where you are. Looks like they have more fireworks then I have seen in a lifetime. Do they let them go constantly in that town. Who the hell buys all those fireworks, I guess they do a lot of exporting. Maybe after I get settled we could meet up in Changsa, you could show me a thing or two, like shampoo labels and explain some of the food to me. You can help me explore.

I like hot food, but how hot is hot, Jamaican hot or hotter? I have read it's hotter than Sichaun food, lots of red pepper usage. Can you compare it to any type of international food we have here in Canada. Where are you from in Canada?

[Stil]

I'm from Burlington, Ontario and yes I'm in fireworks central. There are thousands (yes) of fireworks companies here distributing fireworks all over China and abroad. The fireworks are tested at anytime day or night and it's common to see fireworks like you have never seen in Canada on a nightly basis. It's also common to see people that have severe burns, scars and missing a couple of fingers or hands.

As far as the pepper is concerned it is a little like Jamaican hot. Same style peppers anyway, but no single pepper as hot as a scot bonnet. They use a lot though.

Some people say Sichuan is hotter some say Hunan, but it's about the type of pepper used. They're different. Sichuan pepper is the kind that numbs your lips and tongue. Hunan's doesn't. if you like pepper you will be ok, just watch out for seeds. You'll get used to it. My parents were from Trinidad. I grew up on hot food, so it's a little difficult for me to make a comparison for you. It was very rare for me to find suicide wings hot, but there are many foreigners here from all over that don't have any trouble.

I don't know how much Chinese you know but if you are worried at a restaurant say "bu yao la jiao" (boo yow la jeeow) - no want pepper.

Where in Ontario are you from and what is the name of the city you are going to?

[Jollyjunklass]

Cool,

I am from Kitchener, not far from you, my brother and mother are in Hamilton. My brother just moved from Burlington. I love suicide wings, but like you say hots are different. I like hot, glad it's not the numbing type though.

I will be in Yueyang, north of Changsa, I think about an hour and a half.

I don't know any Chinese yet, but will get on it soon.

Hope to see you around, that is if you like foreigners, especially ones from your own backyard

[Jollyjunklass]

For anyone who is curious, the international luggage weight allowed has been changed to 50 pounds per bag. it was 70, but in Canada anyway, they have decided to drop it to 50 lbs.

[Ruth]

Wow, I just got back in time. My two bags together didn't weigh 100 pounds, nor did Lei Shan's, but our big ones weighed over 60 each. I could have redistributed, I guess.

[PP]

millana said:

Cool,

I will be in Yueyang, north of Changsa, I think about an hour and a half.

---Oh, welcome Millana, you are going right to my hometown, Hunan. It is definitely a right place for you guys go first, the best people, best food......
The American teacher called Allen, right? who stayed in that school for 4years, maybe more. i studied in Yueyang for 4 years, you will find the street called Qi Jia ling(it was a mountain there) in front of the Hope Gate( Xiwang Men) very interesting, you can buy any small things, including any kinds of foods you like, mostly Chinese food. There is a place which sells Gui lin lu fen(Guilin Noodles) make good noodles, i am still missing them. Well, if you live in East campus...
And there is a lake called South Lake give a good view to the university, you can just walk around the lake watching bunches of fishes swimming in the lake, the water is much better than water in Suzhou...
You should also try to find Nanhu Guangchang(Nanhu Square) to have a walk after supper, it is in the other side of the lake. Well, if you were arranged to live in West Campus, it would be very close to the square...

Another thing is you may be interested in riding bicycle, don't miss Dong ting da qiao(Dongting Bridge) right above one of the biggest lake, Dongting lake in China, it is just wonderful to look at... the breeze from the lake is just unforgetable....
Another thing you might want to visit Yueyang Tower, it is also amaizing, right in the city center, very close to west capus... then you may have a chance to go to Jun shan( a mountain)...

Then would be the shopping place, if you know how to bargain and buy cheap Chinese stuff, go to Xiao long cheng, Bus 31 will bring you there, bus 31 was charged 1yuan, Bus 5 was 0.5yuan(i am not sure it is changed now), taxi there only takes less than 15yuan from east campus...
Another street for shopping is Tuqiao, a little more expensive shops, better quality, once again, you need to bargain, 70% off the price they ask for would be conservative..... Along Tu qiao street, you will see a bigger department for only clothes called Ya mei da sha, you can walk into it and choose whatever you want, but remember to bargain unless you want to give up some money....
At the end of Tuqiao is the walk street, a new shopping center, i love shopping....
One of the biggest supermarket is in front of the train station, Bus 5 will bringyou there, just get off at the last stop, train station.
I miss food in Yueyang, they are so far so good and cheap too, mi xian(noodles) only 1yuan, guilin lufen is 2yuan, there were at that price anyway. all the dish with no meat(vegitables cost only 2.5yuan-4yuan, the one with meat is 3-6yuan, but hot food, if you guys can't accept spicy food don't take the adventure...
Joel, an Australian guy was working in that school just hate lajiao(chilli). No matter you ask the cooker not put lajiao in, the food just la in the end.... i love lajiao though.... rice in Hunan is free, one of the big advantage for a rice eater, not like Zhejiang, Jiangsu,Shanghai, beijing, most of other cities i went, except Xi'an, they charge no money for rice as well.
Hunan is a good and cheap place to work, but if you want money, come to Shanghai, Suzhou...
Good luck to all you guys.
Have a good time in Yueyang, Minalla.

[George61]

Have a good time in Yueyang, Minalla.

I didn't raelise dexliksia was CONtagious!!
Good write, Phyllis. Now if I can only convince Babe to stop being so bloody nervous about her writing!

[Jollyjunklass]

Hey Phyllis,

Thanks a lot, that is exactly where I am going! Allen may be picking me up at the airport. That's pretty neat that you went to school there, it's a small world. Isn't it? Thanks for all the shopping tidbits, it should be fun.

Well if you ever get lonesome for the city, feel free to visit whenever you like.

I like hot food, I have a feeling our hots may be different, but what the heck, I'll get used to it.

I eat a lot of Vietnamese red peppers and they are pretty hot, so we shall see.

Anyway thanks for taking the time to write the info, it helps a lot.

Cheers, Millana