I went to China because I want to gain more knowledge about Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture mostly, but there's also Herbal Medicine).
I booked my flight via Xiamen Airlines at roughly 16k PhP (it seems to be so expensive for me relative to my recent US trip, and in comparison to my Osaka and Tokyo trips, and even my Korea trip... I don't really remember my 2nd Europe trip haha)
My flight consisted of connecting flights, with stop-over in Xiamen. (I know, why would I go to Beijing via connecting flights when there's a direct one via Cebu Pacific or Air China? Well, I don't like their schedules, and they are actually more expensive when I booked about 4 months before my trip.)
Anyway, the service was okay. We were prompt in leaving Manila. And they served meals on all their trips. If you are delayed, they give out refreshments (nuts and water) while waiting before you take off.
Also, they offer free accommodations and lounge service for lay-over between 6 to 24 hours. How specifically to go about it? The officer in the Philippines told me to take a picture of the following and just show it when I get to China.
Well, in Xiamen, everyone has to go to Immigrations apparently, claim your bags, and then check in again upstairs. Of course, when you qualify for the hotel lay-over, instead of going upstairs to the Departure Area, go to the Transit Counter, present your ticket and passport, and they will give you the address of the hotel where you can stay.
I got the taxi, gave him my address and we're on our way. Unfortunately, Google Maps isn't very accurate in China, so we took a U-Turn because initially the driver followed me and Google Maps, but after a while, he started to shake his hand and head, because the address from his experience is different. So... don't trust Google Maps in China (after all, Google is blocked). I paid 35 RMB (originally 31 RMB, but I had no change yet and I was lost, so might as well tip on the time and distance that I did NOT get lost).
Supposedly, it was a business hotel with good ratings, but I had a standard room (shared with another transit visitor) which was okay... I guess that's what we get for a free room hehe it looks a bit run-down, with water markings on the bathroom. But the air-con was fine, bed was comfy, and there was a hot shower, with complimentary water and toiletries.
I checked out the next morning, had my free breakfast (which was not really something I would have paid good money for... or maybe it's just their usual Chinese food?), and went back to the airport.
They really don't speak English here, even the receptionist, so make sure to download a translator. I asked the receptionist to write down "Xiamen Airport Terminal 3" so I can show it to the taxi driver, so there was no problem there. Taxi fare was 23 RMB. I got there in less than 30 minutes.
I proceeded to the Transit Check-In and waited for my boarding pass, and waited for my (delayed) flight to Beijing.
Here are some tips for China:
1. If you need Google, Viber, or Facebook (among the other website that the Great Firewall of China will block), consider buying ExpressVPN. It's worth the hassle especially if you're staying for a long time (it was just two weeks for me, but I think it's worth it.)
2. I bought a pre-paid sim card 2 weeks before I left the Philippines via simeasy.com with 2GB internet, and possible to top up in case that you need text or call anyone in China. (I only need the Mobile Data for traveling and staying connected with people from the Philippines.) It was free shipping. But you have to pick it up at the post office, it will not be delivered door-to-door (I thought it will be because it was DHL.)
3. I exchanged my Philippine Peso to Chinese Yuan via Czarina's Foreign Exchange in Makati (only their main branch exchange foreign money) by 7.27 (Forex price was 7.22, which I felt was not that bad, right?) But call in advance to reserve, because they might not have the money on that day. I was lucky, because they had CNY but will be picked up tomorrow, so they gave it to me.
I arrived in Xiamen Airport at midnight, where shops were closed including Foreign Exchange. Imagine the hassle of looking for a Forex on the way to the hotel!
4. It's cheaper to book accommodations via Airbnb, but be sure to know the room number, and how to get there explicitly. It's hard to ask directions because very few know how to speak English.
I tried to contact my Airbnb, but the chat was delayed so I was waiting for about 20 minutes, before I received his message. Anyway, by that time, I already figured out that one of their common chat application is WeChat, and decided to guess and see if his number will appear there, so I can call (I only have data, I didn't have enough load to call any local number in China). And true enough, I was talking to him and replying! Yey!
5. Install a translator. My Airbnb host advised me to download Baidu where I can translate via asking, speaking, or I can take a picture of the menu or whatever I'm reading, and have it translated.
Hmmm... that's all for now, because I basically just arrived yesterday haha I have 11 more days to go! Haha
I booked my flight via Xiamen Airlines at roughly 16k PhP (it seems to be so expensive for me relative to my recent US trip, and in comparison to my Osaka and Tokyo trips, and even my Korea trip... I don't really remember my 2nd Europe trip haha)
My flight consisted of connecting flights, with stop-over in Xiamen. (I know, why would I go to Beijing via connecting flights when there's a direct one via Cebu Pacific or Air China? Well, I don't like their schedules, and they are actually more expensive when I booked about 4 months before my trip.)
Anyway, the service was okay. We were prompt in leaving Manila. And they served meals on all their trips. If you are delayed, they give out refreshments (nuts and water) while waiting before you take off.
Also, they offer free accommodations and lounge service for lay-over between 6 to 24 hours. How specifically to go about it? The officer in the Philippines told me to take a picture of the following and just show it when I get to China.
Well, in Xiamen, everyone has to go to Immigrations apparently, claim your bags, and then check in again upstairs. Of course, when you qualify for the hotel lay-over, instead of going upstairs to the Departure Area, go to the Transit Counter, present your ticket and passport, and they will give you the address of the hotel where you can stay.
I got the taxi, gave him my address and we're on our way. Unfortunately, Google Maps isn't very accurate in China, so we took a U-Turn because initially the driver followed me and Google Maps, but after a while, he started to shake his hand and head, because the address from his experience is different. So... don't trust Google Maps in China (after all, Google is blocked). I paid 35 RMB (originally 31 RMB, but I had no change yet and I was lost, so might as well tip on the time and distance that I did NOT get lost).
Supposedly, it was a business hotel with good ratings, but I had a standard room (shared with another transit visitor) which was okay... I guess that's what we get for a free room hehe it looks a bit run-down, with water markings on the bathroom. But the air-con was fine, bed was comfy, and there was a hot shower, with complimentary water and toiletries.
I checked out the next morning, had my free breakfast (which was not really something I would have paid good money for... or maybe it's just their usual Chinese food?), and went back to the airport.
They really don't speak English here, even the receptionist, so make sure to download a translator. I asked the receptionist to write down "Xiamen Airport Terminal 3" so I can show it to the taxi driver, so there was no problem there. Taxi fare was 23 RMB. I got there in less than 30 minutes.
I proceeded to the Transit Check-In and waited for my boarding pass, and waited for my (delayed) flight to Beijing.
Here are some tips for China:
1. If you need Google, Viber, or Facebook (among the other website that the Great Firewall of China will block), consider buying ExpressVPN. It's worth the hassle especially if you're staying for a long time (it was just two weeks for me, but I think it's worth it.)
2. I bought a pre-paid sim card 2 weeks before I left the Philippines via simeasy.com with 2GB internet, and possible to top up in case that you need text or call anyone in China. (I only need the Mobile Data for traveling and staying connected with people from the Philippines.) It was free shipping. But you have to pick it up at the post office, it will not be delivered door-to-door (I thought it will be because it was DHL.)
3. I exchanged my Philippine Peso to Chinese Yuan via Czarina's Foreign Exchange in Makati (only their main branch exchange foreign money) by 7.27 (Forex price was 7.22, which I felt was not that bad, right?) But call in advance to reserve, because they might not have the money on that day. I was lucky, because they had CNY but will be picked up tomorrow, so they gave it to me.
I arrived in Xiamen Airport at midnight, where shops were closed including Foreign Exchange. Imagine the hassle of looking for a Forex on the way to the hotel!
4. It's cheaper to book accommodations via Airbnb, but be sure to know the room number, and how to get there explicitly. It's hard to ask directions because very few know how to speak English.
I tried to contact my Airbnb, but the chat was delayed so I was waiting for about 20 minutes, before I received his message. Anyway, by that time, I already figured out that one of their common chat application is WeChat, and decided to guess and see if his number will appear there, so I can call (I only have data, I didn't have enough load to call any local number in China). And true enough, I was talking to him and replying! Yey!
5. Install a translator. My Airbnb host advised me to download Baidu where I can translate via asking, speaking, or I can take a picture of the menu or whatever I'm reading, and have it translated.
Hmmm... that's all for now, because I basically just arrived yesterday haha I have 11 more days to go! Haha
