I've noticed in quite a few threads that you've mentioned spending a fair amount of time in China. I'm going to be spending 4-5 weeks there at the end of summer w/ an international law program. I'll be spending the bulk of my time in Tianjin, but will also be making trips to Beijing and am hoping to spend a week in Shanghai. Any recommendations for booking flights, where to stay in Shanghai (needs to be cheap - maybe even hostel cheap - b/c I'm on a student's budget), what sights I need to see, or where to eat? Also, and this may be a stupid question, but are ISOM's to be found? I would assume no, but there is the communist connection... Thanks for any advice you can give me.

Sepia, I may be wrong, but I believe the US is only one of 4 countries that ban Cuban cigars. I know firsthand that you can legally buy them up in Mexico, Canada, England, Poland, Germany, Greece...

technically

it is not legal for an american to buy or smoke a cuban cigar wherever they are in the world thanks to this Pres.

Yea - I think you are right, but I'm not sure the Chinese have ever really incorporated cigar smoking into their culture - really have no idea. I'm positive Cuban cigars are legal in China, especially given the historical political connections between Castro and rhe Chinese government (it appears that Che Guevara often pushed for a closer alliance w/ the Chinese than with the Soviets, but b/c the Cubans were reliant on Soviet oil, money, and trade, the Soviets remained Cuba's closest ally). However, I'm not sure how readily available ISOM's would be there given demand or the lack there of. Although, w/ increased global trade, perhaps there is a demand after all. Who knows.

Sounds like Adroomi gets them fairly regularly, but its just as illegal for him to get them as us.... assuming he is a US citizen

Hong Kong has them at various hotels, but look to pay a premium price for them

Come and get me, Copper! I've burned the evidence.

I doubt I will make it to Hong Kong. I wanted to take a week long trip either there or to Shanghai, and in the end I talked to various people who recommended Shanghai. China was actually my second choice for this program. I was going to go to Buenos Aires, but I caught a scholarship for the China program last minute and couldn't turn down the difference in cost. That being said, price is still an issue, and I've been told Shanghai can be seen with less burden on the wallet than Hong Kong.

(in my best Austin Powers voice)

Don't see much of adroomi any more, Love. Tuckersdad stole his mo-jo! He's got a kink in his shagadelic persona, Bayyyy-bee.

Sepia,

I'm still here, ignore the attempts above to create strife between me and another member....

I'm quite pressed for time right now as I'm due to board a plane. I'll come back to this thread a bit later.

I was in Shanghai all this past week. You are going to absolutely love it. Probably the most cosmopolitan city in NorthEast Asia besides Tokyo. A real blast.

Yes, you can buy cubans in China. At the Duty Free shop at Capital Airport (Beijing) there is a Habanos shop. I picked up a box of 25 Montecristo #2's for $310 USD just yesterday. There are a couple more shops in Beijing, and they are EVERYWHERE in Shanghai. Keep in mind that Shanghai is the business center of China, and you'll see more foreigners there than Chinese it seems. With rich expats, come cubans...it's logic.

I'll introduce you a bit later on some flight details, hotel deals, travel advice, etc a bit later.

You're going to LOVE it over there.

Not trying to start strife, adroomi. Merely an observation of your recent, mellower persona. It's nice to see more of the acoustic side of your personality.

Great - I'm really looking forward to the trip. I'm trying to convince some classmates to go a week early w/ me so we can spend more than a weekend or two traveling. They've got no sense of adventure!

Adroomi

If you are ever back in the MO/KS/IA area I'd smoke one any day with you. I've said before I appreciate your perspective. I love an open mind and love a stimulating conversation with a few drinks and a gar. I think you would meet that minimum threshold.

Adroomi

If you are ever back in the MO/KS/IA area I'd smoke one any day with you. I've said before I appreciate your perspective. I love an open mind and love a stimulating conversation with a few drinks and a gar. I think you would meet that minimum threshold.

Sepia,

By all means, go early. You can eat on $10 a day (and I mean EAT as in stuff yourself!), and it's even cheaper in the country....more like $1.

Do you hike? If so, check here:

www.beijinghikers.com

Every Sunday you can count on a great hike. You'll definately learn the land a bit, meet a lot of interesting locals, and have a lot of fun.

Tianjin is HOT in the summer so bring your summer digs. I'm talking hot, dry, dusty, and miserable. Fun though. Like Beijing, it's a big government HQ, so the attitude is not as laid back as Shanghai, and the inner cities. Too many politicians. The food there is quite unique. A lot of seafood, and a creamed cabbage that is REALLY good. As you are probably reading up on, Chinese food is different depending on the province it's from, and such. From seafood, to spicy.

Do you scuba dive? I have a good friend who is PADI's only IDC guy in China, and he's in charge of bringing PADI into China. There's a sunken city up near where you will be that is a great dive. They built this dam and flooded the city, and it's now under 30 meters of water. Cars, books on the library shelves, and all. Fascinating dive.

Anyway, tell me more about when and where you'll be going, and I can put you in touch with some good people. I'm certain we'll meet up too. I'm looking forward to it.

TW,

I'd love to meet you! I hope we can.

Thanks for all the advice and info so far! I just spoke to the two guys that were supposed to go early w/ me, and they've both wussed out (booked their flights tonight for about $1650 - does that sound a bit high?). However, I do know one guy a year ahead of me is planning on going 2 weeks early and staying in Beijing the whole time, so I may still try to talk to him and find out whether he'd like company (he apparently lived in Taiwan for a few years and has a working knowledge of the language). At any rate, at the very latest I'll be flying into Beijing on the 6th or 7th of July, and will be in Tianjin at the Nankui University College of Law. I will typically have class Mon - Thur. The third weekend we have a trip planned to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Ming tombs, and the final weekend they are having some sort of reception for us. However, the previous two weekends I will have free from Thursday afternoon until Monday morning, so even if I don't get the opportunity to go early, I plan on traveling those weekends. What is the best way to book domestic flights? I was hoping a flight from Tianjin to Shanghai wouldn't be too expensive? Looking forward to the cuisine no matter where I go!

The hiking recommendation sounds great. I'm not a scuba diver, although my girlfriend, who is an instructor at Florida State, is trying to turn me into one. I'm sure I'll someday relinquish, but not before the trip.

As far as it being hot and humid there, I'm an Ohio boy currently living in central Florida, so I suppose it can't be too much worse? I think I can probably live with it one way or the other.

Thanks again for all the info. By all means if it is somehow possible to meet up in country, that would be really cool. Either use the board or drop me an email at: [email protected] with any other info/recommendations you may think of. Thanks for your time!

Left one thing out: I'll be in country until sometime around August 6-8.

It's not humid in Tianjin...it's dry. You're in a desert.

A domestic ticket roundtrip to Shanghai will run you about $160 USD. Not bad for a 2.5 hour flight, eh? You can even get cheaper if you watch the deals. "C-trip" dot com is your best source and your friends in China will help you with them.

If you decide to stick around a couple days on your way in, I'd recommend Shanghai over Beijing. Sort of like the difference between Seattle and Detroit if you catch my drift. No offense to anyone from Detroit of course.

I'll definately be running around during that time. I plan to be in the US at the end of July for a couple weeks, but that's about it.

Here's a good site for some really good tours of the mainland off the beaten path.

http://english.dreams-travel.com/ 

Probably some of the most beautiful places in the world are in the country you are headed to. I won't get into the food. You'll eat like a pig. Friendly people too.

You'll have a lot of fun.

http://english.dreams-travel.com , the website you recommended, but it appears they specialize in the area around Tibet. Any recommendations for the eastern areas I'll be around most the time? Thanks for all the advice so far - you've been very helpful!