04 May 2009, Monday

Yes...I am back from my holiday. I really miss the weather there....Singapore is really scorching hot.


I was in Chengdu from from 24-29April. I have exchanged my expiring Krisflyer points for this air ticket trip to Chengdu.


KT bought an air ticket from Silkair to travel with me to Chengdu. This time, we went with another couple friend of his whom I know quite well as well.....


We spent the first 2 days together in Chengdu. On the 3rd day, I and KT proceed to JiuZhaiGou while they went to Xi'An.


The current temperature in Chengdu is around 25degree...Kind of cooling weather and it always looks pretty hazy there....Its seems the place is pretty polluted as well...But for sure better than Hanoi. Sad to say Hanoi is the place which has give me the worse impression except its coffee =P.


The first day we touched down at Chengdu, we were cheated of the taxi fare from airport to Crowne Plaza Hotel. It usually cost around RMB50 but that taxi driver goes via some long way and the fare hike to RMB86. Isn't that ridiculous? Well that is our first lesson learnt at Chengdu.


We spend the rest of day walking ard the city and have a gd night rest. The next day, early morning 8am we went to Chengdu famous Panda Breeding Centre. Spent about 2 hours there and we proceed to Wu Hou Shi to see some historic figures and historic stuff....(tat's KT interest). For me I m not really a person that is into historic stuff..keke..

Panda breeding centre

We have booked a local China tour package of 3 days 2 nights to Huang long JiuZhaiGou. Suppose to include insurance and all taxes costing ard SGD450. But on the 3rd day at 6am upon arrival at the Chengdu domestic airport, they wanted us to pay another RMB80 each for the insurance. They mentioned is compulsory. I wonder why they don't make such extra charges known to us upfront. What if we did not bring enough money?? China cust service really needs some improvement.


It's a 35mins flight from Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou. Upon reaching airport, it was freezing cold as it was snowing. As me and KT did not bring very thick coat, we bought a jacket each at the JZG aiport. It was another exorbitant price we had to pay, SGD33 each. The local in our tour group mention that we can get is as low as SGD10 for it...Well I guess we got no choice. Actually I don't really think is that cold and that the current sweater I have brought should be enough.


But KT didn't want to risk falling sick coz he felt it was too cold. So he insisted on buying it. As the place is 4000metre abv sea level, the air was thin. Common symptoms people will experience are headache, nausea, dizzy or fast heartbeat. I got none of the symptoms surprisingly for this sick cat like me.....and KT was the one feeling it. He had headache, fast heartbeat and difficulty breathing. He was already feeling feverish the same day.


The first we went to was a mountain peak. It was extremely cold at around 10 degree and wind was blowing strongly with snow.


After 2 hours drive, we reach Huanglong. We were told we had to trek 3 hrs up the hill to see the most beautiful (Wu Chai Chi) in Huanglong was a utmost disappointment. Along the way, we should see a lot of nice scenery, but we went in the wrong season and all the river and waterfall were dried out. Really disappointment. I think the agency should have prewarned us about it as well when we booked the tour. Well, the Chinese there like to hide things and don't tell you the full picture of the story. I think the Chinese in China really make a bad name for themselves by this kind of behavior.


After the walk at Huanglong, we were driven back to our hotel. On our way back to Sheraton, I am glad I have chosen a 5 star international hotel. Never stay in their local 4start hotel. You will sure to regret it if you were to go China. Lunch in JZG sucks man..All the veggies dishes...Luckily our dinner at Sheraton was good..It was an international buffet. Thou it doesn't have SG standard, But it was definitely fantastic compared to the lunch we had.


We had an early night as we are supposed to gather at 710am the next morning to go JZG. It was drizzling in the morning when we started our 5 mins journey to JZG. The drizzle stop around 9am.


We took the internal tour bus at JZG uphill. The first stop was the highest peak in JZG. IT was snowing when we reached. First time I see so much snow....absolutely beautiful. There many lakes and rivers in JZG. It is really like a paradise. I shall let the pictures do the talking.

Snowing mountain in JZG

Entrance of Jiu Zhai Gou

Few nice backfround of JZG

After JZG, at night, we paid another extra RMB400 (RMB200/SGD85 went to the commission of the guide which is absurd) for their local musical show and to attend their roast beef session and visit to the local tribal house. It was an absolutely waste of time and money.

Advice is not the go for this as is an extra cost out of the SGD450 package that we paid.


As for their local tribal musical show? Noting impressive. You can give it a miss....


That the end of the day 2 at 9pm. Me and KT proceed to the hotel ourselves by taxi. We are starved as the food in the tribal house sucks ... I hardly eat anything. Back at the hotel, we had some bread and Cup noodle. We were both so tired that we slept early after eating as we need to wake up at 4am next day to go to airport for out 8am flight. It takes 2 hours to drive from our hotel to the JZG airport up the mountain.


I am glad is over...But not yet, Whilst checking in at the airport, there is a local tour guide that was check-in a Jap tour group. We were queuing for half hour before someone passes him another 8 passport. Well, he insisted that he never take passport from others...But I am seriously doubtful. KT questions him for taking passport from others and he denied ...and a quarrel started when other local hear the tour guide jumping queue...Wow..The China local really can argue with any absurd reasons......


I am glad is over. The flight was delayed for 2 hours due to low visibility. It was 12pm when we reached Crowne Plaza hotel in Chengdu. We went out for lunch and walk ard in the city before proceeding back to hotel for rest. I think I don't really fancy Chengdu food. It is either salty or hot...no other taste....I think the people there must have a lot of stones in their body...keke...


Finally a good night slp...Yuppie..I slept early and wake up late the next day.


Last day in Chengdu. Went for some local snacks (xiao chi), buy some local products at supermarket before going back for pack up at hotel.


Had out departure drink in hotel, before we proceed to the airport. As we still have some RMB to spend, we decided to have some coffee while waiting for boarding. There was only a coffeehouse in the airport. We decided to spend our last SGD50 there.....I thought we won't be able to spend all..Guess how much was 1 coffee????? Is an absurd SGD12 for an ordinary coffee, in a normal coffeehouse that has got no good ventilation. Service sucks we were ask to foot the bill while having coffee halfway. I replied them.

"Are you afraid we run away or no money to pay?"


I think except for JZG that I went to and the weather, there is really noting much worth going back to China for. I hope KT and me will not go back again.