Comments for Knocking on China's Door

Comment on Taxis in China by renlingshuiyue

renlingshuiyue — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:52:16 +0000

[quote]No matter how much he insists, don’t deter from your mission, and you can always threaten to leave the car or call the complaint hot line.[/quote]

This the only way for it to work. You have to either leave the car right away when he doesn’t use the meter or have your friend dial the hot line in front of him and take notes (audibly) of his license number, plate number, etc. Don’t be polite about it, just leave. Beijing does get more policing than other big cities, but Shenzhen has been dealing with foreigners for a long time, so that doesn’t excuse their behavior.

Comment on Taxis in China by Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:54:24 +0000

I was in Shenzhen during National Day 2009. Most of the taxis were terrible. They would never turn on their meter. I had to hide behind something while my friend would hail a taxi. If I was with her when she got a taxi they would never turn on their meter and would try to charge me 40 RMB for a 5 minute trip.

Comment on The Deal about Chinese Visas: by METHOS

METHOS — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:15:26 +0000

Now that the visa restrictions have been lifted (post Olympics), it is not uncommon or difficult to obtain a 1 year multiple entry Tourist (L) visa with 60/90 day stays, through the Chinese Consulate (here in the States). However, through my research for long-term stay in China, I have discovered that the Business visa can be easily obtained via a visa service agency in Hong Kong and/or the Mainland — without the necessary documents/invitation letter/sponsorship. On the same token, however, I have been told that these visas are not legal, and if the PSB were to pull me aside for questioning, I could be in hot water. With the new computer systems in place, I have heard that it is much easier for them to do just that. Now, whether or not the PSB is cracking down on these visas/visa holders, and whether or not I would really be putting myself at risk if I were to consider this route in lieu of the Tourist visa is beyond me. I simply do not know.

As the Business visas tend to be more practical (i.e. longer duration of stay = less ShenZhen/HK border/visa runs), they also tend to be more risky.
On the other hand, as a relatively convenient Tourist visa can be had State side, I am also left with limited options come time for my 1 year (L) to expire (unless I decide to make the trip back to the States every year to apply for another, more convenient (L) visa). -That can become costly. Besides, I may or may not want to take the trip back home each year. Although, I hear that the Tourist visa would help keep me ‘under the radar’ and out of the PSB spotlight.

So which visa should I consider for long-term stay?

On the one hand, the Business visa is more convenient, cheaper in the long run, but more risky.
On the other hand, the Tourist visa can be convenient (if you’re willing to bear the costs and make the trip overseas every year). It also seems to ‘bring less attention’ to you during your stay in China — which is always good.

Your thoughts on this subject would be greatly appreciated and openly received.

Thank you.

Comment on Warning: The dangers of China (Crime) by What about HK? Teaching and living in HK? « Knocking on China’s Door

What about HK? Teaching and living in HK? « Knocking on China’s Door — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:34:55 +0000

[...] HK is quite a bit more westernized than the Mainland, but there are still quite a few thing apply here. HK is a shopping haven though, so it’s easy to over spend when going out. It’s also similar to Vancouver that it’s a touristy town, so you might have to dig a little deeper for local stuff at local prices. And my second reply: I didn’t catch 2 things earlier, 1. you are female, 2. you are new at this, http://chinasurvivalguide.wordpress.com/20…ngers-of-china/ [...]

Comment on Beijing Part 1: by What to see in Beijing? Beijing Part 2: « Knocking on China’s Door

What to see in Beijing? Beijing Part 2: « Knocking on China’s Door — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:08:17 +0000

[...] The question is, given the limited time that a visitor has, what exactly should he/she see in Beijing? For a quick geographical and historical reference, check my old thread Beijing, Part 1! [...]