Please count me in on the thread too if it goes offline as I will also
need a translator next year...

Mike


On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 13:17:21 GMT, Michael Plant >
cast caution to the wind and posted:

>Thanks, Alex. We'll talk more for sure. How many days do I get out of my
>guide-translater for my 50 smackaroos?
>
>Michael
>
>
>
>Alex digy.com9/10/04

>
>> You are not going to believe it, but taxi is no problem at all. At the end
>> ask for recept (Fa Piao).
>> They do not expect to be tipped (Beijing) and will give you full change.
>> Certainly they can take you by the long road, but its so cheap anyway.. I
>> spent last time a month in Beijing, going everywhere by taxi and when I got
>> back and put all the receipts together - it was $120.
>>
>>
>> Tea - in Beijing my favourite place was a teashop on the last floor of the
>>
>> Sanlitun Yashow Clothes Market
>> 58, North Worker's Stadium,
>> Chaoyang District, Beijing
>>
>> The best way I assume you have NO knowledge of Chinese whatsoever) is to
>> hire a guide-translator (aout 400 Y or $50). But not just anyone - ooyou
>> will be taken for two rides insted of one. I can reccommend you one if you
>> want, closer to the time of your trip.
>> My knowledge of Chinese was enough to manage on my own.
>> The rule of thumb (Americans seem to love these) - if you left the tea shop
>> and yuou spent around 1,000 yuan, you need help carriying your packets. If
>> you can carry them yourself - you 've been had. But with the dollar/yuan
>> exchage rate (very unfair for Chinese) your are better than OK anyway.
>> Expect a very good tea like very good Te Guan In be around $10 for a large
>> can. Good white fur green tea - $3 a large can.
>> Some tiny shops in hutongs also have very good tea and very low prices. Your
>> Chinese friends can buy it for you.
>> Ask Mike about Kunmin tea markets - they suppose to be the paradise of ytea,
>> I have never been there.
>>
>> Alex.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Michael Plant" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Alex igy.com9/10/04
>>>
>>>
>>>> If you know what you are doing - China is the best place to buy tea.
>>>> But in China you can also be taken for a ride like you wouldn't believe.
>>>>
>>>> Alex.
>>>
>>>
>>> Alex,
>>>
>>> On that note, would you make some suggestions about where to go in China.
>>> I'm planning a trip next year. What are the top tea spots from your point
>>> of
>>> view? And how best to approach so as not be taken for a ride, except of
>>> course in a taxi.
>>>
>>> Michael
>>>
>>
>>


Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net
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