Hello Kitty Theme Park Coming to China

Seems like a race for children theme parks in China. Following the news of the opening of a new Disneyland Park in Shanghai in 2015, Hello Kitty has announced their own grand opening of a new Hello Kitty Theme Park scheduled for 2014 to the delight of Chinese fans of this well-known character.

Construction is expected to begin in July on the 150-acre theme park in China’s Zhejiang province, about three hours west of Shanghai, according to China’s Xinhua news agency.

This would be the first Hello Kitty theme park outside Japan.

Suzhou Silk Factories

In Suzhou city where they have the silk factories, do you think we can arrange a tour for our child to understand the silk making?

Elizabeth
UAE

Silk factories in Suzhou are great, they will show you from the beginning to the end, i.e. from silk worm cocoon until the finished beautiful silks made into dresses, carpets, embroideries, etc. it was really fun to watch.

Here are some pictures from our visit and you can follow the process:

Our visit was arranged through our tour company, I'm sure you can arrange one through your hotel/hostel, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Can We Manage Without a Tour Guide in China?

Do you think we can manage without a tour guide in China?
Elizabeth,
United Arab Emirates

Yes you can! Although traveling on your own in China really boils down to your own individual preferences and circumstances.

Traveling on your own in the bigger cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Xian is relatively easy as the infrastructure is there to cater to visitors. Once you go further away from the major centers it might be a bit more challenging and the level of English spoken there also decreases. But you also find that the people are warmer and eager to lend a hand. Just go with the flow and keep your cool! Everything works out in the end.

Here's a few tips for China Travel on Your Own

Riding Trains in China with Children

Can a 9 year old child ride free of charge in the trains in China?
Elizabeth
United Arab Emirates

There have been some recent changes to China's Railway Policy. The last changes were effective December 1, 2010. Concerning traveling with children, the fares are determined according to the child's height rather than the age as follows:

Children that measure less than 1.2 meters (3.9 feet) ride for free with an accompanying adult. Only one child can ride for free per paying adult, additional children even if less than the stipulated height will pay half of one regular adult fare.

Children with heights between 1.2 - 1.5 meters (3.9 feet-4.9 feet) pay half-price of the regular adult fare.

Children taller than 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) pay full price.

Legally, a child in China is anyone under 18 years old. Children may not ride alone on the trains, must always be accompanied by an adult.

Traveling for a Month in China

I have learned a lot from your web site, I need some ideas from you on budget family accomodations. Can you recommend places in Xian, Zhangjiajie and Guilin.

Do you think staying in China for a month is a worthwhile experience?

Thanks a lot

Hoping to hear from you soon.

Elizabeth
United Arab Emirates

Elizabeth,

Thank you for contacting us and your kind words regarding our site.

Although we cannot make specific recommendations for hotels, we have provided some general guidelines here:

Where to Stay in China - Accomodations in China

A month in China is definitely a worthwhile experience, it is such a big place you need several trips to see it all! However, it will really depend on your own travel style, sometimes traveling in China can get too chaotic and stressful, some people are able to take it easy and just go for the ride, a month passes quite quickly, other people are not too open to new things and attitudes and then the trip might turn out to be a bit stressful and a month will seem like a life time.

I hope you have a great trip, please come back to our site and tell us all about it!


Miriam