If You Are A Foreign Family Living In China, Please Suggest Some Clean Places For Kids To Stay And Have Fun.?
My sister and her family are coming to see us. My kids are about the same age as hers,ranging 8 to 11. We live 4 hours South of Shanghai and know that area well enough to entertain them and get around. I am not sure about Beijing, Xi’An and Chengdu. They also want to see the Three Gorges Dam. Is it too dangerous for kids to ride the riverboat tours? I have not been impressed with the safety standards here so far and would like input from foreign families who live in these areas. They will be here for 3 weeks starting mid June. I want them to have a great trip, and am planning the Great Wall, Terra Cotta Warriors and Shangahi, but I am worried about the conditions in some of the hotels. The kids expect clean pools and fun and they don’t have the money to stay in the 5 stars, neither do I. All the travel services want too much money, so any suggestions about these or other areas would be appreciated. I would be glad to reciprocate with my knowledge of the Shanghai/Ningbo area.
chengdu–will be much like ningbo for options–same as xian–chengdu–will be more fun– so plan more time there –do the warriors -maybe a day–then back—you maybe able to get a tour cheap in chengdu that includes all–the river for sure–and probably best to do it therer–some scams—-if you are on a budget–i would suggest the traffic hotel–its a backpackers–but it is a hotel–and really good value for money–plus you will get lots info on deals–and all that ticket stuff can be arranged there–no i;m not a tout–for the hotel–oh plus they give you free breakfast when i was thjer last——you can get a room with 3 beds for 120rmb–or go for a bigger room for about the same–ther is sam’s backpacks–but as a family–i think the traffic will be better—-and really–you can do the all the tour aranging from there–and check out deals
the best pool but very expensive is the the one at the hotel california–unreal–amazing–beautiful -4 pools–but its about 150 rmb for the day a person–but it’s the best indoor i’ve ever been in my life–
however–there is a public pool near a disco called ka ka du–is ok–the other suggestion–is because you are lao wai–go to an apartment complex(like orchid villas)–it is mostly for ex pats–not where i would hang out–but if there is things to help -then definatly check– who live there -and it has a POOL–all the good ones do–in china for ex pats especially-the pool will be cool–another option is the university sichuan uni–most have pools and you can get into–ask at traffic–thye will help
as for kid fun–and for yourself–maybe take in the sichuan opera–go see the pandas—there are some amusement parks with bumper cars and the like too–bowling etc–
be ware of pick pockets here–very aware–zipper bags are not the best—-if you can –go to leshan-and see the big budha– its big–but it will be busy–so maybe skip the line up–and pay the extra money before the park and take the boat –in–0–go to wusu temple– chunxi lu for shopping–go to one of the tea houses –they normally have paddle boats-so you can drink tea–and the kids can paddle– –holiday in has pools too -ut bit pricier–try the apartment root–or the unis–
the lowest star hotel you should even consider –would be 3 star– oh and at the traffic the bus stationis right beside -if that part of your travel plan-
hope that helps–
if it somehow happens and nigbo–is on my list–i will ask you-
cheers
Im sorry to sound negative but if you dont have the money for the best you wont get it.
If the kids expect clean pools they are gunna have to pay for em. Maybe this trip would be a good exercise in showing these kids that nothing is free. Lets face it in China if you dont have the money to eat – you dont eat. You dont have the money for hospital – do dont get better. You dont have the money for a holiday – u stay home.
If you pay more in China you COULD get the same service as you would get if you’d payed less. If you pay less you’ll get what you payed for.
motel 6
The best conditions you can get when traveling in China is to travel with travel services. They may cost much, but it is much better when you consider the fact that the sanitation and safety in some parts of China are not very good. Being with a travel service guarantees decent food, means of traveling and hotel lodging. It will be hard if you travel alone.
Riverboat tours are generally safe.