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Thank you for watching! 😄

Thank you very much! 😄

Thanks for watching. I hired a tour/driver for the whole East Java portion that covers all the destinations. Its a good option if you are traveling in a group of 2-4 person. To save cost, it is possible to rent a car to drive but the roads are narrow and lots of trucks. It will be very tiring due to long hours. I do not recommend renting a motorbike.

I would suggest leaving the luggage at the hotel first. Penang is not too crowded, so you could really start at whichever attraction you like. The places i grouped on each day are closer to each other, to minimise travel time. Weather is either very hot or raining, so do prepare umbrella and sunscreen. I only do not recommend hiking to national park at noon time as weather is way too hot.

Apologies. I am not familiar with Puyou. And i couldn't find it based on google search. From Shanghai, most convenient watertown is Zhujiajiao but very touristy and huge crowd. If you have more time and full day, Nanxun or Tongli are less crowded. You can check out the list in my Suzhou video at 7.43seconds for the full list. Alternatively Suzhou (not a watertown) is 40mins away and excellent as well.

I took Didi to Longjing village. If you see in the video at 0.44 seconds, that is where i got off. Nine creeks is about 30mins walk over flat terrain following straight the road. Longjing tea fields are actually to the right from the village pillar at 0.44 seconds. So if you go Nine creeks for a walk, you have to walk back the same way.

Thank you for watching!

Thanks you for watching! 😄

Thanks for viewing my video! E-payment is always an option of any type of purchases or service throughout my visit. As a solo traveller, i prefer to over prepare, so bringing some cash might be good in case you lose mobile signal. A small amount less than 1000 yuan for a few days trip.

I am happy to answer any written travel related or general questions as I already do in my channel. However I do not read or write in chinese. You can send me the questions to my email chinhien1977@gmail.com in english only. Do specify where my answers will be published in. Thanks.

Yu Garden is only open 9am to 4.30am and last ticket sale is 4pm. You should allocate 1 hour to 1.5 hour for Yu Garden. Some other travel videos wrongly mention Yu Garden and Yuyuan Bazaar and might confuse viewers. Yu Garden is the chinese traditional garden area. Yuyuan Bazaar is the nice looking shops/restaurants just outside Yu Garden. Yu Garden is closed by 4.30pm. Yuyuan Bazaar is open till late (9.30pm or 10pm) and is lighted beautifully at night. Hope this helps.

@@LoneTravellerX thanks

Thanks you for watching! For Switzerland, I recommend staying in Interlaken for most days as it is a major transport hub and have many hotels. Alternatively, Grindelwald is good too. Most important is to book at least 6 months ahead to secure the cheaper rooms. Anywhere within 500m of the train station is good as you are likely using train for travel. I don't usually recommend a specific hotel as I wouldn't have tried enough to recommend one in any location. So far I find booking sites reviews are pretty accurate and especially look for negative comments. And choose those that shows complete photos of the rooms. I personally stayed in Hotel Weisses Kreuz, Interlaken (Single bed, USD 139 per night), Hotel Parnass, Zermatt (Single bed, USD 153 per night), Hotel Montana Zurich (Double bed, USD 183 per night)

Best way to move between Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou is by high speed rail. You can refer to the later section of my Shanghai video to see how you can book on Trip.com. I have always left my luggage with the hotel first even before check in time before go sightseeing. However there are also paid luggage lockers at the main train stations (not the metro stops). You can ask the station staff where they are located.

@@LoneTravellerX thanks this is useful. i think its either leave luggage at the hotel first (if arriving early in the day) or luggage lockers storage at main train stations. i'll try to read out on that option, so that i can incorporate in the itinerary planning

You can catch all the Y1,2,3,4,5 tourist bus from Suzhou railway station in Gusu district. Not the north (xiangcheng) or new area (hushuguan) railway station. Payment is cash only at 1 or 2 yuan. No change is given, so you should prepare the exact amount ready. Bus announcement or signs are only in chinese, so it might be confusing if you can't understand at least some chinese. You can look at where they stops in this link www.chinadragontours.com/destination/suzhou/transportation

Thank you for the feedback. Really appreciate it. I agree with your comment! I definitely will tone down the music volume in future videos. RUclips doesn't allow to adjust the voice and music for published videos. If you can watch the video on laptop, my videos will have subtitles to help show what I said. My English pronunciation isn't as good as native speakers.

A difficult choice. Most people would pick Hangzhou instead of Suzhou. It is definitely the more famous destination. Westlake is an open outdoor space and it will feel more relaxing. Take the lake cruise and visit the key scenic spots around it. Suzhou is famous for Chinese gardens and may get crowded if you can't go early. Tongli is a quieter and beautiful Watertown. Personally I would pick Suzhou due to my past travels. As I have visited scenic spots in Japan (Lake Kawaguchiko) that gave me the same feeling as Hangzhou. But I have never been to beautiful Chinese gardens and a Watertown.

Thank you for the reply. Appreciate your shared personal experience and thoughts. I was leaning towards Suzhou/Tongli for the reasons you've mentioned. It'll be something a little different to what we've visited in the past.

Whichever you decide, rest assured both are amazing cities to visit. Especially after seeing the modern mega city of Shanghai. Wish you an enjoyable holiday!

Thank you for your support too!

Unfortunately I am not sure as I have never tried going in late evening. Might be worth a try if you cannot go very early. There are few people between 7.30am to 9am. But after that tour groups and student groups arrive. Take note last entry is 5pm (March to November) or 4.30pm (November to February) and you should allocate 2 hours here.

Thank you for watching! 😄

Glad to be of help! 😄

It is advisable to avoid 1st to 5th May as it is China golden week holiday and there will be more crowd than normal. Other than that, try to go early for Yuyuan Garden (Opens 9am) and Zhujiajiao (Reach there 9am). It start to get crowded at both places around 10.30am onwards. Shopping areas like Yuyuan Bazaar and Nanjing Road are crowded as well but it actually made the places more lively. Wish you a enjoyable trip!

Yes, Shanghai metro card can be used in both Suzhou and Hangzhou metro lines. High speed rail from Shanghai to Suzhou costs about RMB 38 for 2nd class and RMB 62 for first class. Frist class is 4 seats a row, 2nd class is 5 seats a row. Some trains have Business class too.

@@LoneTravellerX 非常谢谢你的回答！

Can I ask which station from Shanghai to Suzhou.

There are multiple train station in Shanghai. (Shanghai, Shanghai Hongqiao, Shanghai West). All can get to Suzhou and similarly could be reaching Suzhou or Suzhou North. Choose the one that has suitable timing and close to where you are staying. If you are booking through Trip.com, it will be stated which stations you are getting on and off. Do make sure you go to the one you booked.

@@LoneTravellerX Thank you

Thanks for watching! I really loved the beauty of Hangzhou and always recommend to spend 3 days there if time allows. I did not manage to visit the other temples a bit further after Lingyin temple and would recommend it for anyone who have extra time in the area.

There are several large multi storey food courts on East Nanjing Rd plus restaurants on side lanes that might open early like 8am. However I am not sure as I always prefer eat near the places I am visiting. Going to Zhujiajian takes 1 hour 10mins by metro with one station change. I ate both breakfast and lunch in Zhujiajiao. Its a busy place so I recommend reach there early before 9am. There are even McD and Pizzahut there other than local food.

An absolute must visit place for nature lovers. I took a flight to Istanbul and got a 1.5 hour connecting flight with Turkish Airlines to Kayseri airport. Then another 1 hour to Goreme town using airport van transfer to the hotel.

Thank you for your encouraging words! I am very new to making travel videos and certainly has much to learn :) There are plenty of fun and entertaining travel videos out there. Mine will always focus on giving informative guide to a travel location and hopefully helps solo or independent travelers plan their trip.

i might be able to do 9 days but i cant confirm yet. trying to plan for point options

A bit rush but still possible. I would ideally want 4 days in Shanghai, 3 days in Suzhou and 3 days in Hangzhou. If you have only 8 days, remove Zhujiajiao (Very crowded) as I would recommend going Tongli instead (near Suzhou) and combine Nanjing East Road(It is just shopping) to the other days. Use that day for Shanghai Disneyland. As of remaining 5 days, you have to make a decision on which cities are getting the 3 days and 2 days. Suzhou are for Chinese Gardens and Tongli. While Hangzhou for Westlake. Just bear in mind that you have to miss at least some key attractions for the city you choose to have only 2 days. Do book your train tickets early. The booking opens 14 days ahead of actual travel dates in Trip.com. Hope this helps.

@@LoneTravellerX Thanks for the tips. i have just literally started looking at itinerary (trying to confirm which days im going over in november).

I think it would be too rush. I would suggest 3 days Shanghai and either 2.5 days Suzhou or Hangzhou based on your preference. You will spend too much time on train if going to all 3 cities within just 5.5 days.

@@LoneTravellerXtqvm

Thanks you for watching. The advantage of using Metro is that it is very cheap. For example Didi from Pudong airport to Shanghai city center would be rmb 160. While taking Metro is around 7 rmb per person. Though it may be better to take Didi if you have 3-4 people in your group. Buy the Metro card at the station serving the airport. A machine sells the card for 20 rmb which is a deposit. And a seperate machine allows you to top up at minimum of 10 rmb. If you do not wish to buy first, you can still buy it at any Metro stop ticket desk during their operating hours. I top up 100 rmb and used around that amount for a 8 days trip. If you have remaining amount, you can return the card (in good condition) and get back the 20 rmb deposit as well as any balance. However the card can only be returned at these locations: Line 1: Hanzhong Rd, Henshan Rd, Jingjiang Park and Gongkang Rd stations. Line 2: Jiangsu Rd, Nanjing East Rd and Century Park stations. Line 3: Dongbaoxing Rd, Caoxi Rd and Zhenping Rd stations.

If you are arriving at Pudong or Hongqiao airports, you can buy at the automated vending machine located at the Metro station stops serving the airports, such as shown in my video. If you arrived at directly any Metro stations, you can buy from the ticket desk.

I would prefer Pingjiang road due to it has a more authentic canal feel. And you can see people dressed up in traditional chinese costumes for photos. It is also walking distance to Humble Administrator Garden and Lion Grove Garden. Shantang would be fine too. Both have a Metro station not too far away (Pingjiang - Lindun road station, Shantang - Shantang street station). Due to price, I stayed near Guanqian street which is another famous food street (but it does not have canal). It is served by Metro - Le Qiao station.

@@LoneTravellerX Is there more shop in the Pingjiang road area or the Shantang street? Which one is better with more shop at night?🤩

I feel Pingjiang street would have better mix of shops (Food, snacks, souvenirs, clothes). I was at Pingjiang street and Shantang street till 9pm and the crowds are getting less by then. I am guessing the shops closes by 10pm. But it is more lively between 6pm to 9pm.

Glad to be of help.

Thanks you for the kind words.

Wish you have a fun trip!

Are you sure you were in Shanghai? As for the metro, of course you have to get off at the station you were bought, the cost is different

@@lukee_812 Why? The cost is the same. 15 RMB.

@@user-gn9mx3mb7k that’s totally not Shanghai the highest cost is 8rmb

@@lukee_812 so if I've paid the 8 RMB, I should be able to get out anywhere that costs 8 RMB to get to shouldn't I?

@@user-gn9mx3mb7k it won’t charge you 8 rmb if you didn’t buy at the final stop. the metro machine will charge the right cost at the right stop when you buy the ticket. So I say it’s impossible to charge you 15rmb

The ticket for Tongli is rmb 100 and it allows one time entry to all attractions. Boat rides are paid seperately. It costs rmb 120 a boat for 30 minutes ride. However it can be shared by up to 6 persons including child.

@@LoneTravellerX thank you so much for your informations👌🏻

Thank you ☺️. Shanghai Suzhou Hangzhou are amazing. Wished I have more time there.

I stayed at a relatively cheap hotel. PACE HOTEL Suzhou Guanqian Branch. One night USD 53. It is clean and new. Only 100 meter from a Metro exit. You can see tge pictures in Agoda.

@LoneTravellerX hi would you consider booking your flight from trip and take flights with transit to save cost? I saw some reasonable flight to Shangai during year end ie 25 Dec to 1st Jan about rm1.4k

I have not used Trip.com other than high speed rail in china but I think is a reliable big company. So I think if the deal is good, it is ok.

@LoneTravellerX rm1.4k would u think is cheap for year end price? The cons is that I will be made to transit for 2 hrs with this price.

I think it is cheap. My China Southern Airlines return flights from penang to guangzhou then shanghai was Rm2800 or around usd 600. But it includes a transit as there are no direct flight from my city. And it depends which country you are from as well.

You can take below Bus Routes. If you take Didi taxi, its about 45 rmb each way from center of Suzhou. 1. Take bus No. 109, 126, 128 and get off "Chongyuansi (chongyuan temple)" station 2. Take bus No. 128, 129 and get off "Chongyuansibei (North Chongyuan Temple)" station 3. Take bus No. 169 and get off "Chongyuansixi (West Chongyuan Temple)" station.

Yes, you can. I used international roaming and maintained my own home country's phone number. They want to confirm the last 4 digit to know they picked up the correct person.

I reached Tongli around 10.30am after visiting Lingering Garden. Tongli is usually not too crowded even at later hours so you do not need to go early. For Suzhou, first destinations should either be Humble Administrator Garden or Lingering Garden as these are the most popular locations. Arrive there as soon as they open for the best experience. On the otherhand, Zhujiajiao watertown near Shanghai is very crowded. So need to reach there by 9am.

I would recommend staying at any hotels close to any metro stops. I personally stayed at Radisson Collection Hyland Shanghai right at East Nanjing Road (5 minutes walk from metro). Pace Hotel Suzhou Guanqian Branch (5 minutes walk from metro). Hangzhou Sofitel Westlake Hotel (15 minutes walk from metro). If you book through Agoda or Trip.com, it should be ok. Some smaller hotels do not accept foreigners due to China regulations. Hotels listed on those websites should be fine.

Thank you! Wish you’ll have a great time there.

Shanghai will be soon fed up with the influx of huge number of foreign travellers, similar to Barcelona of Spain calling out for no more foreign tourists.

It is essential to setup Alipay or WeChatPay prior to your trip. I only used Alipay and have not come across any vendors or services that didn't accept it. You only need to link these apps to a credit card. It is not necessary to pre-load any cash into them. As for credit cards, only larger shops, restaurants or hotels accept them. Its always good idea to keep a bit of cash in case you lose your mobile signal to use e-payment. Alipay has in built Didi taxi function which you may need for Suzhou.

thank you for the advice. Prepare like that. I'm also looking forward to your travel information.thank you.