Category: Travel

Queen Ann Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam manages to tick all the boxes a savvy traveler wants in a three-star hotel: clean rooms, decent interiors, good service, and fast and free Wi-Fi connection. We stayed in this hotel for two nights, and here’s my comprehensive review of Queen Ann Hotel.

As part of our arrangement with Transpipol Travel and Tours, the agency driver fetched us from Tan Son Nhat International Airport at midnight and we arrived safely at the hotel in about 20 minutes without traffic. At the reception area, we submitted our passports and hotel accommodation voucher. In return, we were given the room key and breakfast vouchers, and the hotel porter helped us with our luggage. Checking in was a breeze.

Review of Queen Ann Hotel Saigon (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

For a three-star hotel that’s five years old, the interior design was quite classy and well furnished. The lobby wasn’t much of a looker, but it’s simple, elegant, and spacious with a number of sofa sets enough to seat up to three groups of guests. There’s one elevator working but it’s fine. The location is convenient for most since it’s near the city’s tourist attractions, 10 minutes away from Ben Thanh market, department stores, and other commercial buildings.

The Superior Double/Twin Room’s layout was just right. We had two single beds, mini fridge, TV (showing local channels), dressing area, cabinet, slippers, and good lighting system. I just hated that the pillow was too high for my neck. Good thing I brought my doll which I used as a head pillow and hugged the hotel’s pillow to feel warm and cozy instead. AC was okay and temperature and power could be controlled via the remote control.

The bathroom featured nice amenities and modern touches. It was fitted with complete toiletries, good plumbing, and sets of towels. The shower had great water pressure and hot water was reliable during our stay. There’s also a hair blow dryer to dry hair faster, but unfortunately it didn’t work at all. Anyway, I liked that the shower area was installed with a glass enclosure to prevent water from splashing out to the toilet floor.

Service: ★★★★☆

Hotel receptionists and frontline employees could speak in English but not the rest of the staff. We did not need much assistance from them because no problems were encountered during our short stay, thank goodness. Housekeeping was good and our room was made up each day. Servers in the restaurants were also accommodating and attentive to orders.

Food: ★★★☆☆

The restaurant was at the basement of the hotel. We had buffet for breakfast and it was great the food offerings were varied in two consecutive days. The buffet table presented both local Vietnamese food such as pho as well as the “normal food” for breakfast such as eggs, sausages, rice, bread, bacon, etc. to make ourselves feel at home. Drinks available were juices, coffee, and water.

Queen Ann Hotel’s restaurant does not only cater breakfast but also serves a la carte items for lunch and dinner. But if you’re looking for really tasty food in Vietnam that can strike harmony especially in the heart of a picky eater, better go some place else for a more exciting and pleasing eating experience. 😉

Black and glossy furniture with mirrors in the restaurant provided a more luxurious impression.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Since we booked through our travel agent, we might have had a better discounted price for our room. Hotel pricing from Agoda shows USD 51.90 (about PhP 2380) per night, but this of course depends on the chosen dates and season of the year. Based on this rate, I think Queen Ann Hotel Saigon has a fair price for value. It’s not considered as a “budget hotel” and certainly not a boutique hotel either. I recommend this hotel to anyone traveling to Vietnam for a vacation, holiday or business trip.

Check out the top tourist attractions we visited in Vietnam here. 😀

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We had planned our Vietnam-Cambodia trip for a year and got a great tour package deal from Transpipol Travel and Tours. For the second time, this travel agency did not fail to arrange a packed itinerary that touched all the right bases. Our two-day visit in Vietnam provided the rich opportunity for us to expand our historical and cultural knowledge of the country.

with our English-speaking Vietnamese tour guide, Ben

We faced up to the past, tried local Vietnamese food, haggled for bargains in the markets, and traveled further afield. In this post, let me share with you the top 10 tourist attractions we visited in Ho Chi Minh, a city that’s always full of action. 🙂

Travel Guide: Top 10 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

1. Cu Chi Tunnels

Admittedly, I was clueless about the US-Vietnam war prior to our trip. Maybe I was one of those students in History class who didn’t pay close attention to the topic. Hihihi. 😛 Anyway, visiting the Cu Chi tunnels was an eye-opener for me as the actual site gave a clear picture on the strength and hardships of the Vietnamese people against their foreign enemies in the last century.

how Vietnamese soldiers hid underground (in camouflage)

The 200-km long Cu Chi Tunnels feature meeting rooms, living quarters, kitchens, clinics, and hiding grounds which were used by Viet Cong-era soldiers and their families. Glorifying the guerilla warfare, the connecting tunnels were built only with simple tools like shovel, mattock, etc. in over two decades. Nasty and lethal boot traps were also assembled and strategically placed everywhere in camouflaged “spider hole” dugouts.

nail spike traps as primitive weapons

Now a point of interest and landmark for tourists, the Cu Chi Tunnels are presented basically as a huge war museum offering visitors a sneak peak at the dark past of Vietnam. This is a living tribute to the human will and Vietnamese peasants’ wartime ingenuity.

The tunnels were dug so deep so that American tanks would pass overhead without causing any damage. Several levels were designed to have effective air filtration systems (e.g. ventilation holes disguised as termite mounds) to help people breathe underground. Oil lamps were used as light.

We were game to do the tunnel crawl but could not get beyond 40 meters when sweat kept pouring down our faces. My 6′-tall boyfriend struggled with the “duck walk.” His knees almost got bruised while I managed to crawl out without stress. It’s one of those times when I’m grateful for being petite. Haha! It was a wonderful experience nevertheless. We almost felt the real vibe of being in war, hearing simultaneous gun shots in the background. Apparently, there’s a shooting range available for tourists to try out a number of guns.

2. Vietnam Handicapped Handicrafts

One of our quick stopovers included a site called Vietnam Handicapped Handicrafts. It’s a shop featuring the creativity and the fine art of lacquer painting. What’s surprising was that those assembling the pieces were mostly victims of the war who did not have the capacity to work anymore in corporate offices but were given the chance to still earn a living the decent way.

We learned that lacquer painting is practiced as an ancient Vietnamese art whereby a resinous substance from trees is utilized as varnish or glossy coating on the painting. The artists make the paintings for days and even months, depending on the materials used (usually egg shells and mother of pearls) and the size of the canvas. Finished products such as personal and home accessories are brought and displayed in the selling area. Unfortunately, taking of pictures inside is not allowed.

Address: Xo Viet Nghe Tinh, Phuong 17, Q. Binh Thanh, Tp.HCMC, Vietnam

3. Reunification Palace

After lunch at Ngon 138 (food review on a separate post), we had a walking city tour which started from the Reunification Palace (also called the Independence Palace). Preserved almost exactly as it was in 1966, this government building is well developed with grandiose interior design and fixtures with text explanations in every room. It’s the former home of the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. We spent about half an hour viewing the rooms and lounges that are fit for royalty.

Address: 135 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia | District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Open hours: 7:30 am – 11 am and 1 pm – 4 pm daily
Entrance fee: 30,000 VND per person

4. War Remnants Museum

Just walking distance away from the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum welcomes visitors to rediscover the atrocities of the war with research materials, photos, artifacts on the evidences and consequences that the invasion force had caused Vietnam.

Many people feel emotional and disturbed upon seeing the cruelty of foreign soldiers and horrific torture techniques that show the severity of the war. I was one of them, and there were times when I felt almost about to cry. The reality was harrowing indeed. The War Remnants Museum exhibits are very insightful and I recommend them to everyone who does not mind a bit of gore and saddening experience.

Address: 28 Vo Van Tan St, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Open hours: 7:30 am–12:00 pm and 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm daily
Entrance fee: 60,000 VND per person

5. Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral

This cathedral is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Vietnam. We didn’t step inside but were pretty satisfied seeing the French exterior design from the opposite street. It was interesting to learn that this Catholic structure was built piece by piece from France as it was meant to be an exact replica of Notre Dame in Paris. The Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral serves as a good reminder of religious servitude in a communist country.

Address: Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

6. Central Post Office

A few steps from the cathedral, the Central Post Office also counts with Gothic, Renaissance, and French influences. A three-minute stay outside to take photographs was enough for us. This is the place to go if you want to send letters and parcels, change or withdraw money from international ATMs, buy souvenirs like stamps and books, and view a range of collector coins and stamp sets. Also, if yellow buildings float your boat, the Central Post Office is a must-see! 😛

7. Opera House (Nha Hat Lon)

We spent some time in Vincom Shopping Mall and by the time we came out, it was already as dark as night but time was only around 5:40PM. We wandered around the area, found fancy shops and cafes and the Hanoi Opera House, which was built with magnificent neoclassical French-style architectural design. The Opera House is a hosting place where important meetings and conferences are being held for both national and international performing art groups. Lots of people were going in wearing formal attire to catch the scheduled shows in the theater. One could not get inside unless attending an opera or show.

Address: 1 Trang Tien St, Hanoi, Vietnam

8. Cho Ben Thanh Market

We had dinner at Saigon Steak 123 and proceeded right away to the night market about 20 minutes away from our hotel. Cho Ben Thanh Market was filled of cheap finds and most of them were copy materials or fake designer goods. From clothing, bags, paintings/art works, and souvenirs to food, you can’t go wrong with this place if you love to shop, but be prepared to meet pushy vendors. When something catches your attention, don’t forget to bargain hard. Start as low as 50% of the price offered and haggle until the vendor agrees on the lowest possible price. 😉

Address: Intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao Avenues and Le Lai Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

9. The Laughing Buddha Temple (Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda)

On the second day of our Vietnam tour, we reached Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda near the fruit and vegetables market early in the morning. Now a major provincial destination for tourists and pilgrims, Vinh Trang Pagoda was built in 1849, but it did not look quite so old since it had been restored several times. The main highlight here must be the huge laughing Buddha. It was my first time to see a large seated Buddha with a happy face. 🙂 Gardens packed with flowers and shrubs, lotus pools, and tombs of the monks at the sides also looked well-arranged.

Address: 123 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Ward 6, District 3

10. Mỹ Tho (Mekong Delta)

Ben led us to travel along the Mekong River, the world’s 12th longest river through Asia, for sight-seeing. We rode a motor boat and saw locals fishing with nets and small shacks with big fishing boats. This trip to Mỹ Tho enlightened us as well on how the villagers in Vietnam lived their daily lives in the Mekong Delta. Ben said that most of these rural people were left as orphans of parents who died during the war.

The Tortoise Island (Unicorn Island) was where we tasted different kinds of seasonal fruits, listened to a live Southern traditional music, and learned how coconut candies were was made from fresh coconuts in a local coconut candy farm. Next, we went to Thoi Son Island which is a bee farm where honey is abundant. We got to taste fresh honey from the bees, honey tea, royal jelly, sweet snacks, and some nuts.

On the other side of Thoi Son, long-tail boats on Tan Thach natural canal in Bến Tre transported us through the shadows of water coconut trees. An elderly man and his wife steered the boat with paddles gliding almost silently through the chocolate-brown water. In Bung Tat Village, we spent a wonderful lunch with fellow travelers in Vietnam who came from Singapore, Yvonne and her son, Justin. We enjoyed the assortment of Vietnamese food served. 🙂

Wrap Up

Before traveling to Vietnam, I was worried about not liking the places we would be visiting because I didn’t know anything about them unlike the more familiar Asian countries to me like China, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. It was a country that shrouded an air of mystery and danger. In addition, only a small population of Vietnamese know how to speak in English. Language barrier, I assumed, would be a problem.

However, all my worries were gone as soon as we started exploring the city. Visiting Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam was like a time travel back to the old world. It surely made us more aware about its tumultuous history, colonial charm, and inspiring scenery. 🙂

We departed to Phnom Penh via a bus at 6AM on the third day. Watch out for my next blog entries for hotel reviews, restaurant reviews, and more travel experiences in Vietnam and Cambodia. 🙂

Where to stay in Cebu? Express Inn Cebu is an ideal choice for travelers on a budget. Located on the main highway of the capital of Cebu, this three-star hotel is only walking distance from SM City Cebu and just minutes away from Mactan Cebu International Airport and many of Cebu City’s tourist and business attractions as well as a range of shops and restaurants. Everything is convenient and hotel guests can take complimentary breakfast at Sammy’s Restaurant situated just beside it.

Related: Click here to read about the top 6 tourist attractions we visited in Cebu, Philippines.

Review of Express Inn, Your Friendly Budget Hotel (Cebu, Philippines)

Ambiance: ★★★☆☆

As a budget hotel, Express Inn Cebu’s ambiance was fair. Room designs were simple but neat and functional. Each of the 84 rooms came equipped with comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep, a flat-screen cable TV, mirror, air conditioning, soothing hot and cold shower in the bathroom, and toiletries kit. Wi-Fi was available but could only be accessed in the hotel’s lobby. A mini refrigerator was present only in the family room and it’s useful to store leftover food and those for pasalubong.

In general, things looked well except for the broken/missing vertical blinds in the window that were not fixed or replaced either by a new set of blinds, draperies, curtain, or some form of shades to control the light entering the room and provide guests with a level of privacy they require. Also, since we stayed in a room facing the street, we could hear the noise outside. People who are sensitive to noise and have troubles sleeping might not find this positive.

Moreover, there was no partitioned flooring between the shower area and the toilet, so water easily could spill into the entire bathroom.

Service: ★★★★☆

Express Inn Cebu is open 24 hours, with reception and room service manned daily. Staffs were kind and polite in their work, however it was frustrating how each request we made (e.g. heating of food in their microwave oven, asking for warm water to drink) entailed extra cost we thought should not be charged. I’m not sure if this is really how budget inns usual operate.

Food: ★★★☆☆

At Sammy’s Restaurant, options for complimentary breakfast include corned beef, luncheon meat, pork ham, chicken hotdog, and fish fillet. Each meal comes with egg scramble, toasted bread, and fruits. For those who prefer eating rice meals can have silog meals served with juice or coffee by just adding PhP 40 to upgrade to “continental breakfast.” With adequate portions and decent tastes, options for silog meals were: ham, tapa, longganisa, tocino, bacon, daing, danggit, and corned beef.

The food was nothing beyond we have anticipated. Presented nicely, the meal made us full and satisfied at the start of the day before we hit the road and went on our guided trip. Apart from breakfast items, Sammy’s Restaurant also serves international and local cuisines. Food delivery service to the hotel room is possible.

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

Express Inn Cebu may not be at the forefront of Cebu city’s eating and drinking scene, but its excellent location is among its most appealing qualities, when you’re set out to explore Cebu’s famous tourist attractions. A fine choice for budget-conscious families, this hotel tends to offer a good value for pricing, with well-appointed basic rooms and an on-site restaurant on the ground floor.

Room rates per night are as follows: (Prices are subject to change so it’s advisable to contact the hotel directly to inquire for best deals.)

• Superior double room (one queen-size bed): PhP 1180
• Superior twin room (two single beds): PhP 1680
• Family room (two queen-size beds): PhP 1880

Note: Check-in time is 2:00PM and check-out time is until 12:00NN.

[schema type=”review” url=”http://www.expressinnph.com/” name=”Express Inn, Your Friendly Budget Hotel” description=”M. J. Cuenco Avenue, Mabolo, Cebu City 6000 Cebu, Philippines” rev_name=”For inquiries and reservations, call (+6332) 266 7551, (+632) 266 7552, (+632) 231 7997, (+632) 318 8558, +63932 875 7264 or +63917 314 8280 or e-mail reservation@expressinnph.com” author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-06-29″ user_review=”14″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

Located to the east of Negros and to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands, Cebu consists of tropical islands and cities in the Visayas region where most tourists enjoy basking under the sun, building sandcastles by the wonderful beaches, learning about the history of the Philippines, and eating local delicacies such as lechon, dried mangoes, danggit, otap, chorizo, and chicharon among others.

In this post, let me share with you the highlights of our travel experience in Cebu last month. With only two days of travel, our Cebu trip itinerary was very intense! 🙂 What to do in Cebu? Listed below are the top recommended 6 tourist attractions for a good vacation trip.

Top 6 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Cebu, Philippines

1. Cebu White Sands Resort and Spa

Via Cebu Pacific Air, we landed at the Mactan Cebu International Airport and were formally welcomed by our hired local tour guide. We rode the transfer van service to our first stop: Cebu White Sands Resort and Spa at Maribago Beach, a  resort development on the east coast of Mactan Island. We went in just for a day tour to have a feel of its tropical beach coziness and outdoor swimming pools and view of its mini forest and designed ponds which are home to authentic Japanese koi. Since we came on a legal holiday (Labor Day), regular lunch buffet was served.

I mostly appreciated the cleanliness and quietness of the beach area plus the water activities available (island hopping tour, scuba diving, jet skiing, para-sailing, paddle boating, snorkeling, and fishing). It was just disappointing that Cebu White Sands, known as one of Cebu’s most reputable resorts, only has communal showers that provide absolutely no privacy.

The showers don’t have doors or curtains either, so there’s no other choice than shower in public while clothed or all eyes would be on you. As expected, we heard several complaints from other people as well, especially women. It didn’t help that the changing rooms and toilet were messy, wet, and dirty.

For day tour escapade, cost per head (entrance fee) during weekends and legal holidays is PhP 950/adult and PhP 500/child. This already includes lunch buffet. For regular weekdays, rate is PhP 750/adult with PhP 200 consumable for food and PhP 400/child between 6 and 12 years old. Children who are 5 years old and below are free of charge.

For inquiries or reservation, call (63 32) 268 9000, 495 2226 or email cebu@whitesands.com.ph

2. Mactan Shrine

Before driving to our hotel, we dropped by quickly at Mactan Shrine while we were still in Mactan Island. Tourists who are not equipped with historical knowledge will find this site boring, as it looked like an ordinary plaza where Lapu-Lapu’s statue stood. Shops nearby sell souvenirs which you can buy and bring home. For the most part, a good 5-10 minutes of picture-taking and strolling around the whole place would be enough.

In other case, Mactan Shrine is still a worthy spot to visit since it was where Christianity started in the Philippines. It was built in honor of Lapu-Lapu, Ferdinand Magellan, and the Battle of Mactan.

To share a bit of history, Lapu-Lapu was the native chieftain of Mactan Island who resisted the efforts of Magellan to subdue his people to be converted to Christians and to be subjected to the throne of Spain. The subsequent battle between the Spaniards and Lapu-Lapu was held on April 27, 1521. Lapu-Lapu and his men defeated Magellan, and the heroic sculptures in the shrine were erected where the battle took place to celebrate the readiness of the brave warriors in combating invaders.

3. Taoist Temple

With quaint Chinese architecture and beautiful gardens, Taoist Temple in Beverly Hills, Cebu is a great place where culture and religion meet. Atmosphere was serene, making it a nice and solemn place where devotees meditate, reflect, perform incense-lighting rituals, and say prayers for good luck, longevity, and prosperity.

Believers of Taoism and Lao Tze come here to have their questions answered by Jiaobei blocks 筊杯 (wooden moon blocks stating yes, no, or maybe). Reaching the top allowed us to view the splendid city and appreciate all of nature. We also saw how intricate the dragon designs were excellently made.

4. Magellan’s Cross

Magellan’s Cross is another historical landmark that’s a must-visit when in Cebu. This is where Ferdinand Magellan planted a cross in the soil in 1521 and claimed the Philippines for Spain. While we’re not sure if that cross was placed exactly where it is now, it was worth to see the huge cross and the painted ceiling in the small temple (artwork we used to only see in history books) depicting the arrival of Magellan to the area. Ladies outside sell candles for PhP 100 in exchange of blessings and prayers for you and your loved ones.

5. Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño (Minor Basilica of the Holy Child/Santo Niño Church)

We also paid homage to the Holy Child Jesus. Just footsteps away from the Magellan’s Cross and Cebu’s City Hall, Basilica Minore Del Sto. Niño is a religious site that truly features the rich history of Christianity. Home of the blessed Sto. Niño, it’s a 16th century church that’s considered as one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Philippines and the main reason why Cebuanos have their annual Sinulog Festival every third Sunday of January, the biggest and longest parade in the city. With impressive structure and plenty of murals, this old church gave us the feeling of being back in the past.

6. Fort San Pedro

In Manila, we live very close to Fort Santiago, Intramuros, and we easily distinguished how Fort San Pedro looked similar. For an entrance fee of PhP 30/person, we had a guided tour that made us walk down memory lane. Fort San Pedro in Cebu houses small museums of relics, pictures, artifacts, and historical memorabilia reminiscent of Spanish influence and colonization in Cebu.

We saw bastions, canons, and water well and entered “rooms” where soldiers were hospitalized and also areas where dead bodies were piled up in the bastion fort. The Fort San Pedro heritage tour lasted about 30 minutes, and we found it quite interesting and educational.

Wrap Up

Cebu is becoming quite popular as a holiday getaway in the country where you can find the Philippines’ rich cultural and religious heritage. Our trip has been fun and meaningful, as we have visited these sites and got a better grasp of Philippine history. There’s still more to discover though. Detouring from the beaten path and knowing more local secrets can be twice the fun! 🙂 So if you want to take a quick break from work and unplug from the digital world, consider exploring Cebu’s most famous tourist destinations over the weekend. Reviews of food and restaurants we tried in Cebu will be up soon!

May 16, 2015—It was a lovely day for some self-imposed suffering. We tackled about 14 kilometers hiking and touring into one of the country’s most beautiful travel destinations: the Mount Pinatubo. This volcano is known as an active stratovolcano in the Cabusilan Mountains on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It erupted on June 15, 1991 and produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century. Whoa!

With barely three hours of sleep, I heaved a sigh at the thought of the completing the adventure. What have we signed ourselves up for? Why do we put ourselves in situations that call for discomfort? Prior arrival to the site, these were the questions that circled in my mind. I could already imagine blistered feet, aching calf muscles, and the scorching heat of the sun prickling on my skin and dwindling my precious energy. Ultimately, my answer had everything to do with personal growth and the thrill of exploring out of my comfort zone.

Before our Mount Pinatubo day tour, I’ve read countless of blogs and reviews about it. Everyone seemed to have shared his/her unique set of stories, travel guides, and tips every time. Here’s mine. 🙂

Top 5 Things to Know When Planning Your Mount Pinatubo Day Tour

1. If you’re not sure how to organize a DIY Mt. Pinatubo day tour, get a tour package with an accredited Pinatubo organizer.

In our case, we signed up with Majestic Mount Pinatubo Tour and Homestay (owned by Sonia Bognot) and availed of Package A (Saturday) that costs PhP 2050/person. (We were 15 in the group.) The package was inclusive of everything we would need in the Mt. Pinatubo day tour:

• round trip shared van transfer service: from our meeting place to Sta. Juliana Capas, Tarlac and back
• food: breakfast, lunch, and water
• rental of 4×4 off-road vehicle which took us to the start of the hiking jump-off point and back
• tour guide who accompanied us from the start to the end of our tour
• mandatory aeta fee – PhP 150 per person
• all tourism fees including registration fee, entrance fee, conservation fee, and permit to trek

Only the first 400 guests with tour reservation with any accredited Pinatubo organizer are allowed to trek per day. This is taken seriously especially during peak season (third week of October to June). Those who have no reservation and did not book for a tour arrangement with accredited organizers can still come BUT will be put on a wait list. Chance passengers can continue their journey only if there will be any 4×4 jeep left for them to use.

2. Take note of the time and follow the itinerary as planned.

According to the locals, there used to be a “short trek” (via the Skyway) where the 4×4 jeep reaches a certain area that’s near the base of the Pinatubo so hikers would just have to walk 1km to continue the hike and get to the crater.

However, ever since the trails were ruined by Typhoon Ondoy, they are no longer passable by the jeep. Hence, everyone would have no other choice but go through the “long trek” whose distance is seven kilometers one-way to the crater (equivalent to about 2-2.5 hours) and another seven kilometers down (another 2-2.5 hours) by foot.

The reason why it’s important to stick with the itinerary (see below) is that we won’t know when it will rain. Trekking in Mt. Pinatubo is said to be dangerous when it rains.

For Your Reference: Our Mt. Pinatubo Day Tour Itinerary

• 2:00AM Meetup with Majestic Mount Pinatubo Tour and Homestay’s Van Driver

We met with the driver at Eton Centris in Quezon Avenue. Traveling to the meeting place in Tarlac took over two hours.

• 5:30AM – 6:00AM Registration and Orientation
  

All Mount Pinatubo trekkers are required to register at the registration site located at the Local Tourism Office in Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac. We filled out waiver forms, had breakfast provided by the organizer, attended the group orientation, and formed into groups.

These should be done before the cut-off time, which is unpredictable when Military Exercises are present in the area. During such an event, the cut-off time for registration is STRICTLY at 6:00AM-6:30 AM or even earlier. If you arrived late, you will have to wait for the next day to trek. It is therefore risky to take chances and become a latecomer, as your effort and excitement to see Mt. Pinatubo will all go to waste.

• 6:00AM – 7:00AM Departure to Drop Point

After registration and securing the necessary trek permits, we rode a 4×4-wheeler jeep which can seat five people.

The 1.5-hour bumpy ride took us across a vast expanse of barren lands, formation of rocks and mountains, and different sand formations created by Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption. It was like “the land before time.” Asking the driver to stop or slow down for picture-taking is allowed. Yay!

The local tour guide was helpful in taking our group pictures and telling us some history about the world’s most violent and destructive volcanic event in the 20th century that led to the evacuation of thousands of people from the surrounding areas, damaging properties, infrastructures, and changing the river systems months to years after the eruption.

• 8:30AM – 11:30AM Hiking

We arrived at the drop-off point in Lipit/GMA area at 8:15AM and started hiking immediately while other people had snacks and rested for a moment. If you’ve never tried hiking, it’s just like walking but only further on trails instead of streets.

Hiking in Mt. Pinatubo was like walking through endless Instagram posts in real life, with the soles of our shoes crunching rhythmically in lahar, ginormous rocks, and shallow streams.

True as told, the trail may be quite long but it was easy and recommended even for beginners. It’s basically flat land and not much the uphill type except that it’s filled with so many rocks of different sizes and stream beds which are a bit slippery. Using a walking stick is optional and not necessary.

• 11:30AM-12:30PM Lunch by the Crater

We had a picnic lunch at the summit in one of the rest stations near the crater, then descended to the breathtaking Lake Pinatubo. The landscape was calm without any animals in sight. The crater looked like paradise as the fresh water was so clean and clear.

The water looked blue-green and it’s cold. Swimming and boating are no longer allowed since 2003 when there were people who drowned in the lake (max depth of 600 meters or 2,000 feet). Lake Pinatubo is the deepest lake in the Philippines.

For the most part, it was at the lake when I understood the magic of this place. The paths on the way to the crater were a natural fantasy, and traveling and seeing the views with Louie and friends of course made it even more special.

• 1:00PM-3:30PM Hiking

By 1PM, we had to go back. We continued hiking and then rode the 4×4-wheel jeep to where we started.

3. Pack light.

Heavy backpacks do not just put burden on your shoulders but also sap your energy; therefore, packing light is a must. Things you need to bring are:

• large towel to cover your face from dust while in the 4×4-wheel jeep
• extra clothes you can change into when you’re perspired
• cap to protect your head and hair
• sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, dust and sands
• sunblock to protect your skin
• 500mL to 1L water or sports/energy drink (Beverages are sold at the crater but are tagged with hefty prices, e.g. PhP 100 for 250mL of Coke).

4. For the ideal choice of footwear, hiking shoes or any comfortable rubber shoes with thick socks is way better than a pair of Crocs or sandals with no socks.

Afraid your socks will get wet? Some people advise to bring both sandals and shoes so you can change and alternate between the two: wear sandals when walking on rivers and wear closed rubber shoes or trainers when walking on the rocky territory. This strategy may sound fine but it’s actually quite a hassle to execute.

The truth is, water level is shallow and you can step on sacks and rocks to avoid wetting your socks and shoes. I have managed to stay dry the entire time wearing my comfy Skechers exclusive memory sole shoes and Darlington thick socks (for sands not to get into my feet). 🙂

5. Bring a handy camera.

I don’t have a great pictographic memory. But even if I do, I would still bring a handy camera to Mt. Pinatubo since mental images truly would not suffice to constitute recollection or create narratives after a long time.

Since I don’t trust my phone camera or a compact point and shoot camera, I still carried a DSLR, haha. 🙂 A GoPro camera is also great as it can give your photography a whole new dimension, and you can try different angles across lahar plains and the beautiful surroundings. A handy tripod or monopod is advisable for more shooting options and for ensuring that your pictures will not come out blurry.

Wrap Up

If you have doubts about hiking at Mt. Pinatubo, these tips may help you decide. Mt. Pinatubo is a busy place in the weekends, with hundreds of people visiting, and the day we visited was no exception.

I did not intend to find epiphany at Mt. Pinatubo’s crater, or even swim the depth of its water. Rather, I just hoped to have a broadened perspective of “what’s there”—something that could never happen behind a desk or a computer screen. And yes, I was able to meet my personal objective. Visiting what is arguably the greatest disaster turned to a true wonder was worth our time. 🙂 No regrets, indeed!

Travel is always great when there are interesting places to explore and a few fun surprises along the way. China may not exactly be counted as “new” to me since I’m Chinese, my ancestors are from there, and I have studied in Xiamen x years ago, but Guangzhou is a different city altogether. Busy Guangzhou now is waking up, with more visitors flooding the city, this old colonial trading post has started to mix business with pleasure.

Listed below are iconic tourist attractions we visited in Guangzhou, China which should be in everyone’s must-see list. Filled with plenty of charm, these treasured places consist of historic values, traditional and cultural Chinese influences, and remarkable views that I can say were worth my hard-earned vacation hours. 🙂

Top 10 Tourist Attractions We Visited in Guangzhou, China

1. Guangzhou Library (广州图书馆)
Address: No.42 Zhongshansi Road / 4 Zhujiang East Road, Tianhe (中山四路42号)

As book lovers, my boyfriend and I felt excited to visit the Guangzhou Library. Upon seeing its exterior architectural design, we were amazed by the execution of the structure. It was glass surface all over!

Suddenly I remembered the National Library of Singapore when we entered, since the GZ Library also is multi-storeyed with floors catering to different interests.

This is exactly the kind of place where I can linger all day and enjoy the quiet and relaxing vibe. 🙂 The library is filled with user-friendly amenities, Chinese and non-Chinese books and references for reading and research.

2. Chen Family Temple – Guangdong Folk Art Museum (陈家祠)
Address: 恩龙里34 Guangdong Folk Art Museum China, Liwan, Longyuanxin 1st Alley (510150中山七路恩龙里34号)

This ancestral temple turned to folk arts museum is definitely a place to visit if you would like to know more about Guangzhou’s history and arts. The Chen Family Temple, Chen Clan Academy, or Chen’s Lineage Hall is a tourist attraction showing an ancient facade with intricate carvings on the roof. Halls are well-maintained in the compound. Lovely items and various superb details extolling nature in the form of wood, brick, pottery, stone, and lime are displayed, demonstrating the artistic side of Guangzhou.

Notes:

• Regular day admission fee is RMB 10 pax. Ticket is free on Jan. 13, Feb. 24, Mar. 17, Apr. 14, May 18, Jun. (National Cultural Heritage Day), Jul. 14, Aug. 18, Sep 15, Oct. 13, Nov. 17, and Dec. 15.
• Operating hours: 8:30AM-5:30PM
• How to get there: Take Guangzhou Subway Line 1 to Chenjiaci Station. Leave from Exit C to Chenjiaci Square or Exit D to the main entrance. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Routes as follows:  17, 85, 88, 104, 107, 109, 114, 128, 133, 181, 193, 204, 233, 250, 251, 260, 268, 286.

3. Onelink International Plaza (万菱广场)
39 Jiefang South Rd, Yuexiu (解放南路39号)

Onelink International Plaza is to me Guangzhou’s version of the 168 Mall and 999 Mall in the Philippines. Products being sold are straight from manufacturers and buyers can bargain for lower prices when buying wholesale. Most products in the lower floors can be categorized as gifts and premiums, toys, arts and crafts, technical gadgets and accessories, and souvenir items, while those in the upper floors comprise of home decors, furniture, and fixtures.

4. China Import and Export Fair Complex (Canton Fair) (琶洲国际会展中心)
Address: 广东省广州市海珠区新港东路380号琶洲展馆  / 海珠区琶洲国际会展中心

Attending the Canton Fair was our primary objective of traveling to Guangzhou. The China Import and Export Fair Complex can be regarded as a buyer’s paradise where you can find actual manufacturers of items that you might be interested in selling. We learned a lot in our three-day visit—things that we could not have learned in school.

It’s incredible how the Canton Fair was so organized, with four floors and multiple halls holding countless opportunities for importers. The breadth of products and service is very wide! Read more of our experience and tips when attending the Canton Fair in this blog post.

Notes:

• Admission is free but there are necessary registration forms to fill out and process to follow to get in as a buyer.
• How to get there: Take metro from Exit A of Metro Xingangdong Station to Section A of the fair complex, or from Exit A or Exit B of Metro Pazhou Station to Section B of Fair Complex, or westward approximately 300 meters from Exit C of Pazhou Station to Section C of Fair Complex.

5. Guangzhou Opera House (广州大剧院)
Address: Zhujiang Boulevard/ Tianhe

From the Guangzhou Library, we just walked straight to the Guangzhou Opera House, which is the biggest performing center in southern China and is one of the three biggest theaters in the nation. With an audacious exposed granite and glass-clad steel frame, the building is visually appealing from the outside, as its shape varies accordingly to the angle you look at it. We did not get inside since we were not planning to watch any shows, but our short visit was enough to see how mesmerizing its unique twin boulder design and urban function is.

6. Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江夜游)
泰康街 Tianzi Wharf China, Guangdong, Guangzhou, Yuexiu, Yanjiang Middle Road / Tianzi Pier (天子码头)

The Pearl River Night Cruise from the Tianzi Wharf is highly recommended if you want to take photos with wonderful scenes of surrounding tall buildings, towers, and bridges which are brightly decorated with lights at night. The Pearl River has a length of more than 2,000 kilometers (about 1243 miles) and is the third longest river in China. In the 70-minute cruise, the water was calm so moving around wasn’t difficult.

We purchased the tickets right at the Tianzi Pier and ran to board the cruise. The ticketing process was fast and easy. Just note that the ticketing staffs do not speak English. Since we only wanted to take pictures and see the various points of interest in the short route of the Pearl River, we did not opt to pay a higher price and opt for the dinner buffet. Instead, we had tea on the lower deck and listened to the commentary in Chinese then went up to the top floor to appreciate the views.

Notes:

• Admission fee depends on the ship you choose, the deck, and the time. We rode the Bright Pearl of the Pearl River, first floor, at 8:05PM and paid RMB 58 pax. The ship was well furnished to satisfy visitors (280 people capacity) with a range of requirements.
• How to get there: Take Subway Line 2 and get off at Haizhu Square Station or take Bus 1, 128, 131B, 194, 219, or 238 and off at Haizhu Square (Qiaoguang East) Station.

7. Taikoo Hui (太古汇)
天河区天河路383号

Tai Koo Hui is the most expensive mall in Guangzhou hosting high-end boutiques and luxurious Chinese and Western restaurants. It’s more like Greenbelt in the Philippines but only in one building. This stylish shopping center is a great place for those who want retail therapy. To catch some fresh air, go up to the top floor where you can find a garden and relax a bit.

Notes:

• Operating hours: 10AM-10PM
• How to get there: Take the subway Line 1 and get off at Shipaiqiao.

8. Canton Tower (广州塔)
510000天河路208号天河城内

The Canton Tower (Guangzhou Tower) is the famous landmark of Guangzhou inspired by the design of the female hip joint. Standing at 600 meters (1968 feet), it is the highest TV tower in China and the third highest in the world. From the top, visitors must have a birds-eye view of the whole city.

Unfortunately, when we got there at the Star Observation Deck (108th floor), all we saw was smog and no clear panoramic view of Guangzhou City. 🙁 It was a huge disappointment since we paid RMB 228 pax for the 450 Lookout. To make the most of it, we just stayed longer to feel the cool breeze and appreciate our bonding time together. We even witnessed a surprise wedding proposal with props and video cameras waiting. Aww…how cute! 😛

Notes:

• Admission fee: Cloud & Star Observation Decks is RMB 150 pax. With 450 Lookout is RMB 228 pax. We got 10% discount by showing our Canton Fair Buyer’s ID. 🙂
• Operating hours of the tower: 9AM-11PM
• How to get there: Take the subway line 3 and get off at Canton Tower Station. Alternatively, you can take bus 262, 468 and tour line 1, and get off at Canton Tower West Station, or take bus 121a, 121, 204, 262 and tour line 2, and get off at Zhujiang Dijingyuan Station.

9. Chimelong Xiangjiang Safari Park (长隆野生动物世界)
Address: Dashi street, Panyu District (511430番禺区大石街)

The Chimelong Xiangjiang Safari Park is located inside the Chimelong Holiday Resort. It bagged the title “2014 Travellers’ Choice” in TripAdvisor.com, so we supposed that this “national-grade wildlife world” is truly a must-visit. After all, it’s the biggest wild animal theme park in Asia!

We explored the entire park from 12NN to 6PM (closing time) and there was never a dull moment. We were much awed by the animal shows and rare animal exhibits including giant pandas, koalas, Honduras anteaters, pygmy hippopotamus, black rhinoceros, white tigers, and white lions.

One drawback for non-Chinese speakers, however, is that language spoken in all shows is either Cantonese or Mandarin. Anyway, watching the animals perform may be educational and entertaining enough.

Lots of restaurants are found inside, so you can be rest assured that great treats can’t be missed midway through your adventure.

As the layout is spacious and set in tropical rainforest-like gardens, this park is also great for photoshoots. The pathways were modern and the map provided a big help in navigating the numerous sections by foot. All in all, I can say that this is by far the best zoo I have visited in the world. The kids will absolutely love it! 🙂

Notes:

• Admission fee is RMB 250 pax.
• Operating hours: 9:30AM-6:00PM
• How to get there: Take bus 304 to Xiangjiang Safari Park or bus 288, 288A, 301, 301A, 305, 309 to Xiangjiang Zoo Station and walk 300 meters then to the main entrance of Xiangjiang Safari Park.

10. Beijing Road Walking Street / Shopping District (北京路步行街)
Address: Beijing Road, Yuexiu District 510055越秀区北京路

The best description of this district can be put as “Ancient China meets Modern China.” Bustling with upmarket stores, Beijing Road Walking Street (part of Old Guangzhou) is one of the best shopping spots for tourists and shoppers. The place gets really crowded during weekends and holidays. We just had dinner here one night and have stumbled upon many stores selling both international branded stuff (expensive) and also fake stuff (cheaper) in parallel roads. Bargaining is welcome in some shops.

Notes:

• Most stores are open from 9AM to 10PM.
• How to get there: ou can take subway line 1 or 2, get off at Gongyuanqian (公元前站), and then walk to Beijing Road.

Wrap Up

Our DIY tour itinerary in Guangzhou went smoothly and we returned home happy after careful planning. The five-day trip has been wonderful and also a little bit stressful since we had to make sure that we’re not wasting time going nowhere while trying to locate the proper bus or train heading to our destination.

We have to thank people in Guangzhou who are really nice and friendly in helping us. No one hesitated to give advice and directions when asked. 🙂 I guess it was also a big advantage that I know how to speak their native language (Mandarin/Cantonese) so it’s easier for us to survive day to day.

Have you visited Guangzhou or are planning to travel to China soon? What are your recommended sites? Feel free to share your thoughts and experience below. 🙂

One of the most frequently asked questions when attending the Canton Fair is “Which hotel to stay?” Appointed four to five-star hotels of the China Import and Export Fair will be most ideal as there’s like a certified guarantee that guests will be well taken care of. However, when you mix tight budget, tight schedule, and high expectations together, the chance of getting a great place accommodation becomes slimmer.

While deciding for the best hotel to stay during the Canton Fair period, the most we could do was to trust Agoda.com, Booking.com, and TripAdvisor.com for reviews, location, photos, and main amenities. Based on the rate, room availability, and location, we selected Guangzhou Haiyue Hotel (Guangzhou Hai Yue Jiu Dian) and were not disappointed. 🙂

Read our Canton Fair experience and tips here.

Review of Haiyue Hotel 广州海月酒店 (Xinhe Street, Guangzhou, China)

Ambiance: ★★★★☆

Haiyue Hotel in Xinhe Street in the Haizhu District of Guangzhou was opened in 2010. This hotel features a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage on the first floor, 60 guest rooms and suites on the second floor, and a spa and massage  center on the third floor. The design of the hotel’s entrance and reception area is very simple and straightforward.

With no frills or unapologetic hues, the simplicity of the design extends to the room which managed not to look too cheap or budget-y. We stayed in the Deluxe Room with King Bed (No Window). The bed was comfortable with clean white sheets. What I love most was the comforter that felt like a warm cloud hovering over the body as I sleep. 🙂

Everything else seemed to be in place: mini refrigerator, toiletries, television, safe, hotel room slippers, bathroom slippers, lamp, telephone, drinking glasses, bottles of water, packets of tea, water heater, air conditioner, bath towels, hand towels, and pillows.

The bathroom had a great shower with heater. The space for me was more than adequate.

Overall, the ambiance was calm and low key. The only thing I thought was missing was a cabinet or storage for our clothes. Since there’s none, we had to keep our stuff inside our luggage or hang them up by the door using the four hangers provided.

It’s also worth mentioning that free WiFi was available throughout the hotel, but of course in China, access to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, and YouTube (practically all the apps I normally use) is banned, so we used Baidu and WeChat instead.

Spa center (third floor):

Service: ★★★★★

We arrived at past midnight from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and still the hotel receptionists welcomed us with a smile. Check in and check out were done easily. The employees here keep their service standards efficient and significant. They’re really nice and approachable, the type that I feel I could just sit down with for a chat. I appreciated all their help whenever I ask for directions and recommendations on where to go or where to eat.

From our first day, I had been talking to them in Mandarin and it was only in our last day when I asked if they can also speak in English. They said yes, so I guess Haiyue Hotel is friendly and also recommended to foreigners who don’t speak Chinese. 🙂

As a three-star business hotel striving for first-class service, Guangzhou Haiyue Hotel offers free shuttle service to the Canton Fair for guests’ convenience. We noted the specified departure times in the morning and waiting times from the Canton Fair in the evening to be sent back to the hotel.

Food: ★★★☆☆

We booked the hotel room via Agoda.com and did not expect to have free breakfast coupons to be included as part of the deal. Every morning, the staff gave us the complimentary breakfast coupons to 汤上工夫, the designated dining restaurant located a few steps away adjacent to the hotel.

The restaurant looked like a regular fast food chain with bright and modern appeal. Four meal sets for selection were printed on the food coupon so we had the chance to try all of them in five days. 感觉味道一般般，没什么特色。Tastes were fair, nothing extraordinary.

Set A: Ginger Steamed Vermicelli and Black Bean Porridge

Set B: Mantou and Soy Bean Drink

Set C: Eggs Steamed Vermicelli and Porridge

Set D: Mustard and Meat Noodles

Price for Value: ★★★★☆

The price point of PhP 15,948.06 for five days of stay (PhP 3,189.61/day) is reasonable, considering that Guangzhou Haiyue Hotel is located very near the Canton Fair area (three train stations away: Line 8 赤岗—琶洲). This hotel is a good option for travelers visiting Guangzhou for both business and pleasure alike. It’s a smart choice for Canton Fair buyers and exhibitors and those who seek comfortable accommodation with value for money.

服务态度很好我很喜欢，环境也还好如果大点的话就更好了。

[schema type=”review” url=”http://www.haiyuehotelguangzhou.com/” name=”Guangzhou Haiyue Hotel (Xinhe Street)” description=”No.16 Xinhe Street Hengxin Road, Haizu, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510315, China” rev_name=”For inquiries/reservations, call 020-84168839″ author=”Rochkirstin Santos” pubdate=”2015-05-04″ user_review=”16″ min_review=”0″ max_review=”20″ ]

My boyfriend and I went to the 117th Canton Fair Phase 2 this year (April 23-27, 2015) to discover what’s out there beyond Alibaba.com, to meet suppliers as a congregation, and know what goods to source from China. By going to the fair, I guess the main advantage is bypassing the long process of Alibaba.com and similar sites that starts from contacting and building connection with suppliers, collecting quotations, requesting for samples to be shipped from across the world, evaluating and testing samples, and so on.

In this post, let me share with you the things you should know when attending the Canton Fair. I hope that this will be helpful especially for first-time visitors.

15 Things You Need to Know When Attending the Canton Fair (Guangzhou, China)

1. What it is

The Canton Fair, also called the China Import and Export Fair, is one of the oldest trade shows in history. It is a comprehensive international trading event, an excellent place for sourcing and finding suppliers to make your products.

Visiting the fair is like learning about thousands of factories in the quickest time span and meeting suppliers face-to-face in a matter of days. Expect to find inside the most complete exhibit variety. This is the reason why many entrepreneurs see it as an annual pilgrimage.

Canton fair has three phases:

• Phase 1: Electronics & Household Electrical Appliances, Lighting Equipment, Vehicles & Spare Parts, Machinery, Hardware & Tools, Energy Resources, Chemical Products, Building Materials, International Pavilion,
• Phase 2: Consumer Goods, Home Decorations, Gifts
• Phase 3: Office Supplies, Cases & Bags, and Recreation Products, Food, Medicines, Medical Devices and Health Products, Textiles & Garments, Shoes, International Pavilion

2. When it is being held

The Canton Fair takes place two times a year: in Spring (April-May) and in Autumn (October-November). Established in 1956, this gigantic fair has been at the forefront of China’s industrial development and its rise to global manufacturing prominence. It was inaugurated in the Spring of 1957.

3. Where Canton Fair is located

Exact address of China Import and Export Fair Complex is No. 380, Yuejiang Zhong Road, Guangzhou. It is walking distance from Pazhou (琶洲) Metro Station (Exit A or Exit C).

Taking the subway is very easy, however, commuting (e.g. taking the subway or bus) requires patience, because both local and foreign buyers and exhibitors will be heading to the same direction. The first day of the fair is the busiest, so it’s not pretty advisable to “go to war” on the first day.

The Canton Fair is open until 6PM but note that on the last day, most suppliers pack up their booths as early as 12NN. Some of them sell their product samples at prices lower than retail so being present in the morning is best to grab your wanted merchandise.

4. How to get in

Admission to Canton Fair is free as a buyer. However, getting in is not as easy as getting in to a mall. Registration at the Canton Fair website is required. Here is the link.

In our case, we got our tourist visa to China via the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and filled out an online form for us to receive the electronic invitation (Canton Fair e-invitation) and the pre-registration form to claim the buyer’s badge. As noted from their website, processing of registration takes three to seven working days. In my experience, receipt confirmation sent to my e-mail only took less than an hour.

The Buyer’s Badge can be claimed either at the appointed hotel/s or at the Canton Fair Office. We got ours from Ramada Pearl Hotel to avoid long lines of people expected to queue up at the Canton Fair Office.

5. How many times you can enter

You can attend the Canton Fair multiple times or every day while you’re there. It being the largest trade is enough reason why you cannot possibly cover every portion in one day alone if you are searching for many product categories. Just be sure that you map out the areas you want to hit to save more time and energy in walking the fairgrounds.

6. Where to stay / which hotel to choose

Book in a hotel months in advance, to make traveling arrangements easier, since most hotels will be fully booked. Also, it is wise to stay in a hotel that’s near or a few stations away from Canton Fair or Pazhou area. Look for hotels which offer shuttle service directly to the Canton Fair location for much convenience. In addition, booking months in advance will help save money since hotel rates go higher during the Canton Fair season. If you are really in tight budget, you can opt to stay at a hostel, but the standard is not as good in comparison with the hotels.

We stayed at Haiyue Hotel at No 16, Xinhe Street, Hengxin Road, Haizhu District (Jianghai Avenue). What I like about this hotel is that it’s relatively near the Canton Fair (4.2 km which is like 10 minutes away via taxicab) and the hotel offers free shuttle service back and forth. Here’s a review of this hotel for everyone’s reference.

7. How to communicate

If you don’t know how to speak in Mandarin or Cantonese, don’t worry. Most of the suppliers in the fair can speak in basic English. If you feel you need to communicate deeper in business terms, there are professional translators available that can be hired for a day for a reasonable price.

8. What to wear

Since you will be talking and dealing with potential business partners and suppliers, projecting a good impression of yourself is best. However, you don’t have to put your best foot forward and don in a business attire paired with black leather shoes or high heeled shoes. Since you will be walking around a very BIG area, wearing the most comfortable pair of flats or sneakers you own is completely fine.

9. What to bring

You will receive hundreds of brochures, business cards, and some product samples, so be prepared to bring a suitcase with wheels to carry them without burden on your shoulders. Note though that those samples from the booth may not be real samples of the final products but are more likely surpluses from the factory.

I recommend bringing a pen, notepad or notebook, and a stapler (to staple the business cards on the notebook’s pages) with you so you can easily make notes and markings and remember the suppliers that you want to meet again. In addition, writing the items and their indicative pricing information and corresponding vendor names on a paper-based or electronic notepad will help keep track of those you are really interested in.

You should be ready to exchange business cards, as this is one of things that represent your genuine interest in the business. Suppliers feel quite reluctant to deal with those who don’t give out their business cards and tend to not give out a copy of their catalogs in return.

To document your trip and the experience, bringing a handy camera is advisable for posterity and practical business purposes. You can also use your smartphone camera to take snapshots of the booth and product samples that catch your attention. However, some suppliers do not allow taking of photos. In this case, you may ask for a brochure or their website information to view the photos instead.

10. How to focus

With so many choices upfront, you feel be lost if you are not sure which product group you are interested to invest in. You should know the product standards to look for and determine the most viable price range to sell. On the other hand, it will help if you can also stay open-minded with other opportunities and seed relationships that may be useful in the future.

For us, the map provided in the information counter helped a lot in navigating the entire Canton Fair area. We had no problems moving from one building and one hall to another. Also, there are shuttles provided so people can transfer to the other side of the street via the footbridge without a hassle.

11. What questions to ask

Do not be afraid to ask questions. You’re already in the Canton Fair so it’s not the time to save your thought for some other day. Be direct and straightforward. It will be good if you can write down the list of questions you wish to ask suppliers ahead of time. 🙂

Examples of good questions to ask are related to the supplier’s main products lines, factory address and website, number of years in the business, main export markets, product price, minimum order quantity, lead time, biggest clients, product safety testing experience, product certifications, etc.

12. What terms to remember

发货	dispatch goods for delivery	fāhuò
合作	to cooperate	hézuò
商量	to discuss	shāngliang
報價	quote	bàojià
定货量	order quantity	dìnghuò liàng
成本	cost	chéngběn
报价单	quotation form	bàojià dān
标签	label	biāoqiān
样品	sample	yàngpǐn
联系	to get in touch with	liánxì
货款	payment for goods	huòkuǎn
费用	cost	fèiyòng
运输	shipping	yùnshū
销售	sales	xiāoshòu
预付款	advance payment	yùfùkuǎn

13. Where to eat

There are several fast food joints in the exhibition center, so you don’t need to travel far. You can walk around the halls and eat. Even exhibitors eat and drink while engaging with the visitors in their booth.

14. Why you should consider going

The Canton Fair is a great trade event of comprehensiveness and specialization. It exhibits over 150,000 kinds of quality Chinese products and overseas commodities with distinctive features. Exhibitors of the Canton Fair come from various industries in China and the world.

Chinese exhibitors of the Canton Fair boast good credibility and strength. Over 24,000 Chinese enterprises attend each session of the Canton Fair. Among them, manufacturers account for 51%; foreign trade enterprises account for 38%; industrial trade enterprises account for 10%; scientific research institutions and enterprises of other types account for 1%.

15. What to do after visiting Canton Fair

Canton Fair can be quite an experience. If your only interest is have business with the Chinese suppliers, the best thing to do after visiting the Fair is to talk further in detail with the exhibitors afterwards. Maybe you can sit down in a lunch or dinner meting and start building rapport or ask if they have time to tour you in their factories.

If you also came for pleasure, the rest of your time can be spent visiting the famous attractions in Guangzhou, China just like we did. 😉 Read this post to know about the places we have visited as tourists in Guangzhou.

Wrap Up

This was our first time to attend the Canton Fair. We spent three days in Phase 2 looking for items and talking to suppliers, and within this period, our perspective on importing products from China has definitely widened.

After long hours of walking and with tired back and feet (ouch), we are truly happy to have experienced a purposeful trip where learned the process and some insider tips that we could have never learned by just reading articles online about trading (importing and exporting). Will we visit the Canton Fair in Guangzhou again? Well, yeah, maybe after two years. Its seduction calls us back. 😛

Feel free to share your own guide and experience in Canton Fair or drop questions below. For more information, check out the Canton Fair website, call +86-20-2888 8999, or e-mail info@cantonfair.org.cn.