Essential Tips for the first-time visitor to China

Wikipedia says there are 23.7% ethnic Chinese in Malaysia. It used to be over 30% - many have emigrated.

Some Chinese families here still have ties or family in China so China is still a country most Chinese people here would want to visit and see the land where their ancestors come from.

There is so much going on in and around the world and in China especially after she opened her doors to the world. NY Times offers tips on easy ways to visit China for the first-time visitor.

FOR the first-time visitor to China, planning a trip to the most populous country on earth can be an exercise in trying to tame the infinite. Where to begin? Since most people will be flying into Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai, we suggest basing yourself in one of these three cities, each in its own state of frenzied transformation. As two Times correspondents, David Barboza in Shanghai and Keith Bradsher in Hong Kong, and Dan Levin, a regular contributor from Beijing point out, each city is a study in contrasts. Dazzling, ultramodern skylines conceal hidden corners of traditional China: historic neighborhoods crisscrossed by alleyways in Beijing; teahouses in Shanghai; and centuries-old temples in Hong Kong. Which isn’t to say that these metropolises, with their up-to-the-minute shops, galleries, restaurants and bars don’t possess their own magic. They do. Over to NY Times to for the essential tips on what to see and do for a week in China’s gateway cities.

Source: NY Times..Easy China, 3 Ways

Travel smart

HERE are some tips from The Star, on how to be a savvy traveller, courtesy of MAS and Malaysia Airports Bhd.

Easy check-in

Avoid the queue and check yourself in by using the:

· MAS Web Check-In (malaysiaairlines.com) in the comfort of your own home or office. Passengers can now check in online anytime from 24 hours to 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. This is available for flights departing from all MAS stations – except Paris, Kunming, Xiamen and Bandar Seri Begawan – to all MAS destinations. You can even select preferred seats online.

· Self-serve kiosks located at level 5A at KLIA (pic).

Bag hygiene

No, we’re not talking about the cleanliness of your bags! It’s aviation talk for a bag that is clear of old baggage tags with barcodes that could confuse the baggage sensor.

If you find yourself arriving in Sydney while your bag lands in Tokyo, it could be because of your old baggage tag. Another reason bags go missing could be the printing quality of the barcodes; bags are misdirected because the sensors can’t read the codes correctly.

Less is more

Most airports around the world now observe a maximum weight of 32kg per piece of baggage. This will not only help protect the airline workers’ health, it will be easier for you to lug your bags around.

Avoid packing dangerous goods or placing valuables inside your check-in luggage. Ensure that locks are properly secured as a lot of baggage locks are found caught between the conveyor belts.

Smaller and softer bags are usually placed inside a tray at check-in to protect the locks from contact with the conveyor belt.

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Shopping with Coupon Codes

Yesterday saw the last day of the Lunar New Year celebration. The Lunar New Year is celebrated by the Chinese community for a time-period of fifteen days. This year, the Lunar or Chinese New Year began on February 18. Many Chinese left the cities to go home to celebrate this most important of festivals. Kuala Lumpur was quiet during the holidays. For those not celebrating, it was a good time for a spot of leisure travelling considering the availability of cheap fares one can obtain online with coupon codes.

Travelling entails a few other associated activities such as shopping for suitcases perhaps or getting the right clothes or shoes for the much looked-forward-to vacation. Some reading material is a must, of course. For books, I like to shop at Amazon.com, and with Amazon.com coupons, there is no reason why not. And for greater savings, get some coupons when you next go shopping.