I need help planning my trip to China.

[WhitePanda]

I am interested in attending some festivals when I am in China this winter but I am having a hard time finding any information on them. I am especially interested in minority/regional festivals.


So far I have:

Harbin Ice Festival Jan 5th

Miao Bull fighting Festival Feb 27th

Lisu Knife Pole Festival March 2nd.


Your help is much appreciated. :hat:

[WhitePanda]

Could really use some help with this.

[Chimpcheng]

Where exactly in China are you going?

Although English is wildly spoken in most of the major cities, you may have some difficulties if you're out in the sticks, where some of these festivals might take place. Come to think of it, we stayed in Shanghai back in 2007, and between us we spoke English, Cantonese, Hakka and Bengali, next to no one spoke English beyond 'Yes', 'No', 'OK' - it made for interesting times...

Anyway, it would be handy for you to learn at least a few Mandarin phrases (or download an app that does it for you).

PM slipthejab too, he's always a good source of knowledge in the area.

[WhitePanda]

Where exactly in China are you going?

Although English is wildly spoken in most of the major cities, you may have some difficulties if you're out in the sticks, where some of these festivals might take place. Come to think of it, we stayed in Shanghai back in 2007, and between us we spoke English, Cantonese, Hakka and Bengali, next to no one spoke English beyond 'Yes', 'No', 'OK' - it made for interesting times...

Anyway, it would be handy for you to learn at least a few Mandarin phrases (or download an app that does it for you).

PM slipthejab too, he's always a good source of knowledge in the area.


I am planing on traveling mostly in the North and western provinces. Specifically, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Sichuan, Yunnan, Harbin City, Shaolin Temple. And possibly Chongqing, Jilin and make a quick stop in Macau to get my visa renewed, and do some gambling.

This will be my fourth trip into China, but last years trip was kind of a write off. This year I want to immerse myself more into the culture. I am also bringing a long a video camera this year so I can film a kind of mini documentary of my experiences in China.

While I've been to both Yunnan and Sichuan, I love both places and I want to see some of the festivals and sights that I missed from my previous trips. I'd never even heard of the Bull Fight Festival, or the Knife Pole Festival until about a week ago.

I am also considering to join in the polar bear swim in Harbin, but don't hold me to it!

About the mandarin phrases, I know a few, some good and some bad, and I know not to give someone the pinky, that's their version of flipping the bird. But I am still just a beginner.

[Mushroom]

I would also suggest Slipthejab, he has a good knack of finding the obscure. I only recently came back from China but I stuck in Guangxi , Guilin and Liuzhou.
I know Guanzhou is hosting the Asian Games and I know its probably not your thing, but Guilin is getting more and more touristy, still doesnt beat the view though. (below::taken while on a plank of wood powered by a motorcycle engine)

Also dont gamble in Macau! Its gone proper pricey. Apparently when the economy went wrong, they upped their minimum bets. I had to cheer myself up with copious amounts of pork jerky and birds nest egg tarts

[Chimpcheng]

Also dont gamble in Macau! Its gone proper pricey. Apparently when the economy went wrong, they upped their minimum bets. I had to cheer myself up with copious amounts of pork jerky and birds nest egg tarts

Ahhhhhhhhh Macau. Last time I was there, we were stuck in the middle of a roving street gang battle with taxis refusing to stop for us to take us back to the ferry terminal...

Good times...

[Mushroom]

Ah i remember that. Good times definately. Shoulda done what I did and go to one of the casinos where they have free transport back to the pier

[WhitePanda]

Was in Guilin/Yangshuo just last year

http://i963.photobucket.com/albums/ae113/WhitePanda/Yangshuo.jpg

[Mushroom]

Gorgeous place eh?

My other half has a family farm round the corner where that picture is taken from. I wanted to go for a run in that environment but didnt get a chance to. Too busy freaking out why theres a pig looking at me while I pee and accidentally kicking chickens around.

Being on the boat while on the river is right out of Street Fighter IV scene. Its developed a lot more in a couple of years. Big motorways connecting, they building a train station nearby, hotels everywhere. So to those who are reading this, get there quick before it gets too touristy.

Its only a short 9hr coach ride from Guanzhou. :)