Guangdong, Shenzhen (2009, Apr 22-23)

Another long long ride in a China sleeper bus from Yangshuo to Shenzhen... a gruesome ride found nowhere else but in China. Mr. Wang booked us bus ticket for CNY 150/person. We reached Shenzhen Bus Station early in the morning. Now I wonder which station it was cos there are 3 major bus stations in Shenzhen, i.e. Yinhu Bus Station 銀湖汽車站 (86 755 8243 6053), Futian Bus Station 福田汽車站 (86 755 8358 7526) and Luohu Bus Station 羅湖汽車站 (86 755 8232 1670). Chances were we entered from Yinhu Station or Futian Station since both stations have long-distance bus lines to/from Guangdong and Guangxi Province.

However we managed to hop into 2 taxis which carried us 8 girls to Shenzhen Loft Youth Hostel which had been pre-booked for our trip. It is a cozy youth hostel, the front-desk teenage girls speak excellent English with no dialect at all. So far it's the best hostel we booked for our China trip. 2 family suites, each with 2 bedrooms, shared dining room and bathroom. After freshened up a bit, I took a little nap to re-charge my energy. Lack of sleeps for the past few days finally took its toll on me. I was down with influenza, yet it wouldn't stop me from doing my shopping spree in Shenzhen. Having grabbed my lunch at a nearby department store, i.e. Chengxing Dept Store 誠興百貨, now I was ready for my next adventure. Wallet... check! Drinking Water... check! Rain coat... check! Map... check! Strolling along the Overseas Chinese Town in a beautifully landscaped neighborhood, took pictures now and then, we finally found ourselves at the Huaqiao Cheng Subway Station. Luohu Plaza, I'm coming!

It's shopping time! Yeah, here we go! Shenzhen is well-known for cheap stuffs... and Luohu Plaza was definitely on top of our lists. In the end it turned out to be our sole to-do list in Shenzhen. We were so occupied in shopping spree that we skipped the initial plan to explore Window of The World 世界之. Art Museum 窗何香凝美術館, Folk Village 民俗村, and Splendid China 錦銹中華. Well, there's always tomorrow for exploring Shenzhen.

Located on the Pearl River Delta and close to Hong Kong, Shenzhen is a city with the most highly developed and also the busiest transportation system in China. The city has air, sea and land ports. Rapid economical development following the creation of the first Special Economic Zone of China, Shenzhen has paid specific attention to the perfection of all aspects of its public transport. And we chose to go around Shenzhen by subway 深圳地铁. The fare varies from CNY2 to CNY5. The operating hours range from 06:30 to 23:00. During some important festivals, the service time will be prolonged to 24:00.

http://www.chinatouristmaps.com/city/shenzhen/map-line1-line4.html
http://www.szcpost.com/2009/03/shenzhen-transportation-get-there-by-air-train-bus-ship.html
http://www.thefullwiki.org/Shenzhen

Youth Hostel

The hostel turns a somewhat unattractive workers' home into a simple but high quality budget accommodation and meeting place. The idea is to keep element of the original architecture and history and to incorporate them with contemporary style extension. Some of the original balconies have been incorporated into extension of bedrooms with floor to ceiling glass wall on 3 sides, giving a spectacular view of the skyline.

Shenzhen Loft Youth Hostel
3 En Ping Street, Huaqiao Cheng (Overseas Chinese Town), Shenzhen
Postal Code: 518053
Phone: 86 755 8609 5773 / 8623 2403
Fax: 86 755 8623 2403
Email: loftyha@yahoo.com.cn
http://www.yhachina.com/ls.php?id=63&hostID=2 .

深圳華僑城旅友國際青年旅舍
深圳南山區華僑城恩平街 3 棟
電話 86 755 8609 5773 / 8623 2403
傳真 86 755 8623 2403
電郵 loftyha@yahoo.com.cn
網址 www.yhachina.com

Youth Hostel Front Desk

Youth Hostel Entrance Door

Youth Hostel

Shenzhen Loft Youth Hostel

We are International Youth Hostel, not budget hotel. We promote:
Cultural exchange
Conservation of the environment
Love and care of the nature
Simple but quality living
Do-it-yourself and help those who help themselves.

國際青年旅舍不是經紀型酒店, 我們提倡:
文化交流
實踐環保
愛護大自然
簡朴而素質生活自助及助人

You can help conserve the environment by:
Saying no to disposable items
Bring your own washing kit
Turning all the lights and electrical appliances off before leaving your room
Keeping the air-conditioned temperature at 25 degree Celsius or above
Refraining from smoking in bedroom and public area
Putting all the recyclable items in the appropriate receptacles.

你可以用實際行動成為環保先鋒:
不用一次性 ( 即用即棄 ) 物品
自備梳洗用品
離開房間前先把燈及電氣關掉
保持空調溫度在攝氏 25 度之間
不要在房間或公共區抽煙
把可再造廢料分類放在回收箱

World Hostelling Profile:
100 years in history
Non political, non religious, no race or gender discrimination
Over 4,500 hostels in 80 countries
35,000,000 overnights oer annum

全球旅舍剪影:
百年歷史
提倡無宗教, 種族, 政治及性別歧視
超過 4,500 家青年旅舍分佈 80 國家   

每年入住數 35,000,000

Hostel provides small dormitory, double bed room, twin room and family room, self-service kitchen, Internet access, Wi-Fi, laundry, common room, cafe and tourism information.

Corridor 長廊

Common Room

Back Garden 後園

Two Rooms Family Suite

Two rooms family suite for 4 people with one queen bed and two single beds in separate rooms, shared dining room and bathroom for CNY 338/night.

i just can't get enough of the back garden. a little oasis in the city.

However we are lucky enough to find this hotel, which is in a very lushy environment and within walking distance to Overseas Chinese Town.

Overseas Chinese Town

Huaqiao Cheng (which means Overseas Chinese Town or “OCT”, was originally established to accommodate home-coming Chinese from overseas), is a well-developed and managed community which presents a live record showing how this fascinating city evolves. Many access roads in this particular area are so beautifully landscaped which create sort of feeling that you are living in a garden or jungle rather than a city.

Overseas Chinese Town

Overseas Chinese Town

On our way from YHA to Huaqiao Cheng Subway Station.

Taxi Charges

Shenzhen cab fare starts at RMB 7.5 to RMB 12.5 at flag fall for the first 2 or 3 kilometers. Red taxis can operate in or out of the special economic zone; yellow taxis can only operate within the special economic zone, and the green ones can only operate outside the zone. For those coming for the first time to Shenzhen, this can be quite complicated; hence, it is recommended to select a red taxi. Red or yellow taxi fare (registered in the special economic zone) is RMB 12.5 for the first three kilometers, then 2.4 RMB per kilometer.

Green taxi (registered outside the special economic zone) fare is RMB 7 at flag fall for the first 2 kilometers then RMB 1.6 per kilometer.

After 11.00pm, taxi fare includes an additional service surcharge: An additional 30 percent for yellow and red taxis, and 20 percent for green taxis. The final meter reading is the total price of the ride. Always ask for a receipt or "fapiao."

From April 2007, taxi fares will fluctuate accordingly to the current gas prices.

Taxi calling number: 86 755 96511
Taxi complaint number: 86 755 83228000
Shenzhen Tourism Taxi Co.
Add: 190 Luofang Lu, Luohu District, Shenzhen
Tel 86 755 25121006
http://www.echinacities.com/shenzhen/city-guide/transport/shenzhen-transport-taxis.html

Shenzhen Metro 深圳地鐵

The Shenzhen metro opened in 2004. Currently there are 2 lines (Line 1 and Line 4) that provide services from 6.30am to 11.00pm. Both existing lines are undergoing expansion and three new lines are under construction (to be completed by 2010).
http://www.chinatouristmaps.com/city/shenzhen/subway-map.html
http://www.echinacities.com/shenzhen/city-guide/transport/shenzhen-transport-subway.html

Metro Line 1 runs from Luohu Border Checkpoint to Windows of the World (Shijie Zhi Chuang). Operating hours begin 06.30am and end at 11.00pm, operating at 6-minute and 11-minute intervals. Ticket prices aew RMB 2 for 3 stations and RMB 5 for the entire line.

Metro Line 4 runs from Fumin Road to the Children's Palace (Shaonian Gong) from 6.30am to 11.00pm, operating at 17-minute intervals. Tickets are RMB 3 per ride.

Shenzhen Metro Co., Ltd.
Add: Metro Operation Integrated Building, Hongshulin Lu, Futian District, Shenzhen
Customer Service Tel: 86 755 88960600

Luohu Land Port 羅湖口崗

Luohu Land Port and Train Station area is a border control and multi-transportation urban center in Shenzhen along the Hong Kong border.

 

We were on our way to Luohu Plaza 羅湖商業城. Bargain well and bargain hard, girls! Luggage-deposit counter is available within Luohu Plaza... in case you need it.

Luohu Square

第 26 屆世界大學生夏季運動會官方網站, 2011年 8 月 12-23 號
Universiade Shenzhen 2011
www.sz2011.org

The Universiade is an International multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). The name is a combination of the words “University” and “Olympiad”. The Universiade is often referred to in English as the World University Games or World Student Games.

Shenzhen will host the Universiade in 2011 from August 8-18. The city beat out four other candidates – Kaohsiung of Chinese Taipei, Poznan of Poland, Kazan of Russia and Murcia of Spain. The Universiade has 10 compulsory sports, namely track and field, water sports (swimming, diving and water polo), basketball, soccer, fencing, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, tennis and volleyball.

Luohu Land Port

Opened in 1992 and refurbished in 2007, the Luohu Shangrila Hotel Shenzhen is a international luxury hotel, 1km away from the train station.

Or you can opt for Railway Station Hotel 深圳火車站大酒店 which is located on the train station and near the Luohu Land Port (Luohu Customs Building).

Luohu Railway Station Hotel
Jianshe Road, New Railway Station Building, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China 518001
Tel: 86 755 82321168
Fax: 86 755 82339992

深圳火車站大酒店
中華人民共和國深圳市羅湖區建設路火車客運大廈 A 區 518001
電話: 86 755 82321168
傳真: 86 755 82339992

The published room rates are:
Standard Twin (Single) 標準雙人房 / 單人房 RMB 530
Deluxe Twin (Double) 豪華雙人房 / 單人房 RMB 620
Deluxe (Triple) 豪華三人房 RMB 780
Special Price Room 特價客房 RMB 178

By the time I was there, they offered special rates:
Standard Twin (Single) 標準雙人房 / 單人房 RMB 210
Deluxe Twin (Double) 豪華雙人房 / 單人房 RMB 230
Deluxe (Triple) 豪華三人房 RMB 300
Special Price Room 特價客房 RMB 178

Luohu Land Port

Luohu Land Port and Train Station area is China’s busiest land port (approximately 400,000 people passing a day) and gateway to Mainland China for people from Hong Kong and overseas. The project transformed this urban 37.5-hectare public space into an inter-modal transportation hub and ceremonial gateway for southern China. The project includes a 400-meter long plaza and glass atrium, sunken gardens, transit stations, pedestrian plazas, entry shelters, light wells, indoor and outdoor transition spaces, extensive softscape, people mover corridor and four city streets.

Luohu Land Port

City Night View

Shenzhen is located in the southern portion of the Guangdong Province, on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Delta. Neighboring the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong (located just south of Shenzhen), Shenzhen's location gives it a geographical advantage for economic development. In 1980, the first Special Economic Zone of China was built in Shenzhen. From then on, Shenzhen become a highlighted city of China, one known for its rapid economic growth.

More than twenty years ago, Shenzhen just was a small fishing village called Baoan County. In 1979, it was renamed Shenzhen City. When the Special Economic Zone was built, the city was divided into six zones, four of which are located in the Special Economic Zone.

Shenzhen Skyline

Bordering Hong Kong and Macau, Shenzhen is located in southern Guangdong province on the eastern shore of the Pearl River Delta where the rivers Zhujiang and Sanjiaozhou converge to drain into the South China Sea. In the 1980s Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping declared Shenzhen, meaning 'Deep Drain', a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and developed the fishing village into a metropolitan center for foreign commercial investment. It is China's second large economic zone and also one of China's most important trade and port cities, hence, it is often referred to as the ''Bright Pearl of South China.''

The name Shenzhen first appeared in historical texts during the Ming Dynasty but only grew into a township at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty and was not officially a city until 1979. The city gained Special Economic Status in 1980, which allowed it economic liberties such as tax incentives, relaxed policies regulating international trade, and opportunities for international joint venture enterprises. The city is divided into three administrative zones: SEZ, the business and financial center, Shenzhen City, and Shenzhen County.

City Night View

Yangshuo, Impression Liu Sanjie (2009, Apr 20)

The Liu Sanjie 劉三姐 Show or Yangshuo water impression show is a relatively new developed show. The performance was premiered on March 20th, 2004. A huge outdoor performance with 2.500 seats available now. The participants in the show are all local, mostly from Zhuang and Yao ethnicity.

Liu Sanjie is a story that originates from the Zhuang minority people. The Zhuang are the largest minority group in China. The story is about a legend of a woman called Liu Sanjie, which means "third sister". The legend tells the tale of Liu Sanjie who had a beautiful voice at very early age. Her voice was so beautiful it even could raise the dead. The story in the movie as in the legend and the movie is about a local gangster: Mo Huairen. The gangster falls in love with Liu Sanjie and wished to make her his concubine. The boyfriend and his friends in the village free her and the couple escape turning themselves in a pair of larks.

Zhang Yimou 張藝謀 is the director of the show. The Liu Sanjie Impression was his first creation of the so called "Impression" 印象. There are also 2 similar lightshows in China, i.e. Lijiang Yunnan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain) and in Hangzhou's West Lake. Zhang Yimou who was also the chief director and creative brain of the 2008 Olympic Games uses the natural resources (therefore the name "Water show") of Yangshuo to give his show a maximum effect. The usage of lights and water emphasizes the beauty of the Li River and the limestone mountains in a way no one had seen ever. The performance is staged in a natural setting, where the stage is the Li River, and the backdrop is the mountains.

Too bad I only carried a pocket camera with me and couldn't capture the thorough impressions that Zhang meant when he created the show. Anyway, it's highly recommended and a must-see lightshow... especially on a perfect full moon night.
 

http://www.yangshuo-travel-guide.com/

Impression Show

Admission Fee:
Ordinary CNY 188
VIP CNY 320
President CNY 680

For children:
Height below 1.1m and under: Free (not occupying a seat).
Height between 1.1m and 1.4m: Child Fare.
Height 1.4m or above: Adult Fare.

Opening Hours: 20:00 - 21:30
桂林廣維文華旅游文化產業有限公司
訂票電話: 86-773-8811982
www.yxlsj.com

During the show, you are not allowed to smoke cigarettes, snap pictures or leave before the show ends.

Preface

 

 A natural theater which utilizes the waters of Li River as its stage with twelve misty hills as its backdrop. The valleys, the hills, the cool breeze and the gurgling streams are all elements contributing to the three-dimensional sound effect. A spectacular show with a cast of 600 people using nature as an integral part of its performers.

The performance is divided into seven chapters including the preface and epilogue. At the beginning, the lights are all turned off and the image of Sanjie appears indistinctly in the sky with beautiful songs. As the lights come up, the twelve hills appear in front of the audience; and a small fishing boat is rowed from the hills. This is the Preface - the Legend of Hills and Rivers.

First Chapter

 The first chapter is the Red Impression: Folk Songs. On the water, many fishermen are rowing their bamboo rafts in a column. Either standing or squatting, they hang the large red silk in the sky and or upon the water.

This red picture symbolizes the enthusiasm and praises the labors of the local people.

Red Impression

 

Second Chapter

 The second chapter is the Green Impression: Garden. The color green symbolizes nature as well as the vitality. Among the green hills and rivers, the smoke from cooking fires curls upward; herders are heading home with their cattle under the gleam of the sunset. The women, washing clothes beside the water are waiting for their husbands who are rowing the fishing rafts back home.

This chapter reveals the peaceful and happy life of the local people.

Green Impression

Third Chapter

Golden Impression

 The third chapter is the Golden Impression: Fishing Lights. Hundreds of bamboo rafts with golden fishing lights are spreading all over the river. The rafts, gently rocking make the golden fishing lights dance upon the waters, the straw rain capes, the frolic cormorants and the hills construct a perfect picture describing the simple existence of the people around the Li River.

Fourth Chapter

Blue Impression

 The fourth chapter is the Blue Impression: Love Songs.

Under the deep blue sky, and on the dark blue water, the performer of Sanjie is singing classical love songs. Then, a crescent-shaped boat with a charming fairy dancing in is flying onto the surface of the water. A group of pretty and young girls, dressed in red or white are bathing around the boat. In this blue world, these beautiful girls seem to become the notes of Sanjie's love songs.

Blue Impression

Blue Impression

 

Blue Impression

 

 The last chapter is the Silvery Impression: Performance Grand Ceremony.

As the 'Wonder of Lijiang Culture', this scenery reflects the traditional ceremony in Sanjie's hometown according to the legend. Over 200 Zhuang girls form a long column across the bridge over the Li River. Their silver dresses make the river shimmer in a mysterious manner.

Last Chapter

 The last chapter is the Silvery Impression: Performance Grand Ceremony.

As the 'Wonder of Lijiang Culture', this scenery reflects the traditional ceremony in Sanjie's hometown according to the legend. Over 200 Zhuang girls form a long column across the bridge over the Li River. Their silver dresses make the river shimmer in a mysterious manner.

Silvery Impression

 

Silvery Impression

 

Epilogue

 In the Epilogue, the fishing rafts are rowed farther and farther from the audience while the beautiful songs of Sanjie are still echoing among the hills. The girls on the bridge present their thanks for the audience with their affectionate folk songs.

Epilogue

 

Audience Seats

 

 

 A huge outdoor performance with 2500 seats available. Its auditorium is housed on the natural islands of the river with the audience sitting on the designed terraces, surrounded by green plants.