Mobile telecommunication service provider in China

Hi folks, let us talk on the mobile telecommunication providers in China. Currently, there are 2 telecom provider here. ChinaMobile (中国移动） - which is using GSM network and is the bigger player, the smaller player is ChinaUnicom （中国联通）- which has either GSM or CDMA for you to choose. According to ChinaUnicom, using CDMA network is supposing healthier as the radiation is relatively lower than GSM.

China Mobile:-

ChinaUnicom:-

For most of us, I will encourage you to take up ChinaMobile instead of ChinaUnicom because they are bigger and they have more services. For example, I know I will not be able to roam ChinaUnicom CDMA when I am back in Singapore as Singapore only uses GSM. I understand that most countries, except Japan and Korea uses GSM and not CDMA.

As for pricing, they are both somewhat similar. Under ChinaMobile, there are a few plans which they offer. Most Chinese local uses 神州行where incoming call is free (within the region, not whole China, ie, if you buy your card in Shanghai, incoming call when you are in Shanghai is free, but when you are in Guangzhou, it is chargeable). You can easier get a 神州行 sim card in newspaper stands, bookstores etc:Anybody can buy and you need not produce identity, cost you RMB100 (RMB20 for SIM card, RMB80 talk time). Whenever the value is low, just walk into any stores to buy a RMB50 or RMB100 top up card. Note this is all pre-paid, when you use up all the value in your card, your line will be automatically cut off.

Nevertheless, I will not encourage expats to take up the above plan, because the above plan does not offer international auto roaming. That is, if I use it, i cannot apply auto roaming and when I am out of China, I will not be reachable. Therefore I will encourage you to take up another plan call 全球通 - Go Tone, where you can apply auto roaming.

This plan has to be applied at the service counter at ChinaMobile, and you will need your passport to apply.

For more information, you can log on to their website at:-
http://www.chinamobile.com/en/
http://www.chinaunicom.com./

Take care!

Hong Kong Trip

Hi folks! I hope you had an excellent weekend!

One thing good in Guangzhou is that it is just next to Macau and Hong Kong. Last Friday, I went over to Hong Kong for some work and the train to Hong Kong from Guangzhou is only less than 2 hours and cost HKD190.00 (one way).

If you are working in Guangzhou, I will encourage you to go over to Hong Kong or/and Macau for shopping or sight seeing.

The normal train ticket in China is in pink but the train tickets to Hong Kong look like this:-

The train station will look like this:-

Please note that, depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to enter Hong Kong.

I am glad to be a Singaporean, which does not need one to enter.. heh..

Everyday, there are 12 trips to and fro Guangzhou and Hong Kong (Kowloon). The train starts at Guangzhou East Train station (note that there are 2 train stations in Guangzhou, one is Guangzhou East, another Guangzhou Train station) The frequency and timings of the trian are as below. You may want to click to see a bigger picture.

Depending on which train you take, some trains will stop at DongGuang and/or Shenzhen station.

If you have big items or luggage, you may want to check in, but the train station will charge you for that. The charges is as below:-

This is how the train look like:-

As you can see the train is not very crowded. Therefore, you need not buy the train tickets in advance. You will only need to be there about 45mins to 1 hour earlier to buy the tickets and go through the customs.

However, this may not be true during peak seasons like the Chinese New Year or Holiday seasons where there are many travellers, and you will need to buy your tickets a few days in advance to secure a seat.

When you arrive in Hong Kong, the train stops just beside the MTR (hong kong subway) station. From there you can take the MTR which take you to almost anywhere in Hong Kong. This is the MTR station you will see:-
Alternatively, you may take a taxi which of course will be more costly. The starting fee for the taxi in Hong Kong is HKD16.00. A 10-15mins taxi ride will cost you about HKD50-60.
Or the bus is another good option:-

Have a great week!

Real KungFu - The chinese fast food restaurant

Hi people...

There are a lot of international fast food brands in China like McDonald and KFC. But, you may be surprise to see a chinese fast food chain in China called Real Kung Fu.

Being headquartered in Guangzhou, they have the most number of chains here. I see them everywhere in Guangzhou, and there is one Real KungFu at the basement of my office building.

Their logo: Bruce Lee. Maybe you will fight as good as him if you eat more? heh..

Being Chinese fast food, they serve most of their set meals with rice and soup unlike others with coke and burger or chicken. They market their food as something healthy as they are mostly steam and boiled. Unlike Mcd or KFC where it is mostly deep fried which most people deem it as unhealthy.

I do see them in Shanghai but not as many outlets as it is in Guangzhou.

The set meal cost between RMB20-25, normally come with rice, meat, veggie and soup. For more of their company info http://www.zkungfu.com/

I had Real KungFu a few times.. and I feel that it is quite Okay.. but i still think i cant fight that well.. Mmm..maybe i should eat more.. heh

Give it a try and let me know if it taste good? Take good care!

Beggars in China

Hi all.. it was a typhoon weekend in Guangzhou..

But, this morning, it was bright and sunny again! Such eccentric weather!

Let's talk about one common sight in Guangzhou or other cities in China.

- Beggars

There are professional beggars all around China:-Being professional, they all look very pitiful and they beg in all areas, hoping that you may drop a dollar or two for them.

They are everywhere in town areas, subway, underground bridges etc.

I guess this is not unique in China, even developed places do have beggars around.

I do remember seeing some beggars in Australia, where they place a cardboard that says," please spare me some penny"

It really depend on you if you want to give. When I first came to China, I give a few coins whenever I see a beggar, because I felt that they look really pitiful.

But after spending some time here, I kind of feel numb when I see them.

I heard stories from the locals like they earn a few thousands dollars a month doing nothing but begging. This is highly possible, if 40-50 kind-hearted person in a crowded street give 2-3 dollars everyday, this work out to be a few thousands a month. 2000-3000rmb/month is the normal salary a local graduate earns.

Therefore, nowadays, I seldom give them any coins.

But, whenever Im eating outside, and I have some leftover food, I will packet them and give it to the beggars.

What do you think? What will you do?

Please leave some comments...

Have a great week!!

Shanghai Trip

Hi all! I hope you had enjoyed your 1 week of holiday in China. I spent the last 2 weeks in Shanghai for both work and leisure. How did you spend yours?

I have worked in Shanghai for a year before and traveled to Shanghai quite often for business and work and therefore know Shanghai quite well too.

The impression I have on Shanghai is People, More People and A LOT of People!

Shanghai Nanjing Road:-

Shanghai Shopping centre:-

Everywhere in Shanghai is filled with people!

But, of course, I must say Shanghai is usually the first city in China most expats consider. Reasons are very simple, Shanghai is the heart of China's economy, you got all the big brands who have their China headquarter in Shanghai, like Dell, MircoSoft etc. Therefore, naturally, you have a big pool of expats in Shanghai.

What amaze me most during this trip is:- Rollar Skating!

One local brought me to a roller skating rink in Shanghai which I took some pictures:-

The wooden rink, rollar skating make me a little nostalgia.. i thought it only appears in some HongKong movies in the 1980s, or some retro movies.. heh..

Take good care!