Goodbye Shanghai
Trip Start
Feb 25, 2012
1
24
42
Trip End
Aug 14, 2012
Where I stayed
Old Street Youth Hostel
Huangshan, Anhui, China
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Our train ride to Huangshan was quite the adventure because of a little mistake made on my part. After arriving about an hour and a half early to make our train scheduled to leave at 12:22 we finally board the train only to find people sitting in our seats! After accusing them of being in the wrong place they look at our tickets and see what we apparently did not, we were on the train a day early! Yikes! Feeling quite stupid we quickly jumped off the train and ran to the ticket office to find another train. Luckily there was a train available scheduled to leave at 5:49. Although the wait of nearly 5 hours in the train station would be miserable we didn’t really have a choice. Once on board we found our seating to be quite comfortable and actually were lucky enough to have sleepers! We slept most of the way but the long ride of 16 hours took its toll and we were eager to get off the train once arrived to huangshan.
Walking out of train stations is always an event because 30+ Chinese people run for the foreigners trying to sell any and everything they have including their newborn children. I’m trying to explain to Carlo to not even say a word because if you give them any kind of attention or answer they will chase you for miles!
Our hostel here is very nice and clean. The rooms are $6 per night, big with nice beds, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. Finding the hostel wasn’t difficult but we did have to call and ask where the door was located. Old Street doesn’t allow traffic and so our taxi took us as close as possible and then our receptionist met us at the gate. This hostel has a really nice bar and restaurant and is located in the center of town which is really convenient.
We were happy to get cleaned up and take hot showers but were starved and in search of food as soon as unpacking was complete. We walked through the center of town and out to the river. The river running through town was pretty with the mountains on the horizon so I stopped to take a pic. I leaned over the wall to see a man taking a shit on the sidewalk in broad daylight next to his buddies who were fishing on the river. GROSS!!!!! I immediately turned to Carlo only to say "We’re back in China!" Shanghai is not the real China at all, in fact it is a mere illusion that China is civilized! Shanghai is wonderful but once you leave….well, you can see what happens!
After eating we began asking around about Huangshan and the best course of action to take to be able to conquer the mountain. Apparently there isn’t a way to avoid staying on the mountain because of the entrance fee at the gate of the park. If we leave the park to stay in Tongkou we will have to pay entrance fee again the next day! So we inqired at our hostels front desk and they were able to book our hostel roomon the mountain as well as arrange for our bus ride out there. The bus from the hostel to the mountain is 18 yuan per person and it is about an hour and 30 mins ride. we booked a hostel room at Tianhai Hostel for 90 yuan per bed and from what Ive read it is a good deal most hotels run about 350 yuan per night . The map of the park shows endless sights so I think we will keep quite busy and need the time. I am so excited and will have great pics to share soon! Huangshan here we come!!!!
Comments
Love the pictures and hope to get more soon!!LOVE Ya'll
I am so excited for you guys. This is going to be a very special part of the trip I think. I can't wait to see the pictures!!!
Glad to know you are enjoying your stay!
hope ur having fun, be safe xoxoxo