Seriously! Your going solo? Are you out of your mind?
Four years ago, I purchased a 1-way flight to Beijing, but the plan was totally dismissed. I don't know what went wrong, I regret it but maybe I'm not that ready by then. Come July 2015 I got the chance to purchase a seat sale. Hooray! I finally booked a trip arriving Beijing and departing Hong Kong for 6 days.
Why China? Well, why not China. All I wish was just to push through with my birthday goal and that is to experience the Great Wall.
CHINA VISA
One of the reasons why I didn't push through with the trip few years back is the Visa. Most of the people I talked to said one should show their bank certificate containing Php 300,000 on their bank account for past six months. Then I said to my self 'is this real'.
Fast forward, after number of approved visas and different stamps from outside the country travel. I now have guts processing my Chinese Visa even if I only have less than Php 100,000 in my bank account. Processing is easy breezy.
I applied for L1 visa, I completed the following requirements:
After 4 days I went back to the embassy, paid Php 1400 and got my Chinese visa.
Without any hesitations and defined itinerary, the answer would be definitely was YES! It's true. I dreamed of this, placed it on my bucket list and gotcha! I can proudly say I did it! But I wanted to let you know, it's not that easy and I must admit that it's hard as well. It took lots of pain, courage, preparation, and self determination. It's a birthday wish, a bucket list, a dream of going solo to an international destination for the first time. It's a challenge that turned into the best experience.
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| Great Wall of China - Mutianyu Section |
Four years ago, I purchased a 1-way flight to Beijing, but the plan was totally dismissed. I don't know what went wrong, I regret it but maybe I'm not that ready by then. Come July 2015 I got the chance to purchase a seat sale. Hooray! I finally booked a trip arriving Beijing and departing Hong Kong for 6 days.
Why China? Well, why not China. All I wish was just to push through with my birthday goal and that is to experience the Great Wall.
' Who never climbed the Great Wall cannot be deemed a Man.'- 毛澤東Mao Zedong
I only realized during the planning stage that its winter and was so profound I'm hitting more than two birds with one stone -- my first snow experience. The trip was not complete without hopping from one place to another.
- 2 days in Beijing
- 2 days in Harbin
- 1 day in Shanghai
- 1 day in Hong Kong.
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| Solo Backpacking China in 6 days Route Map |
Because my head was always packed and pre-occupied, there has never been concrete itinerary. Everything was only readings from blogs Pinoyexchange, Chinahighlights, Youtube etc. Just read and kept the tips in my head without putting into writing. Yes, I'm so lazy in taking down notes. Good thing everything was easy searching by the web. But at the end of the day, I realized that it's still better to be prepared in everything from clothes to expenses. Even the itineraries should always have Plan B, because you never know what is there along the way.
On the side note: Struggles never ended, two weeks before the trip, couple of hindrances comes along the way -- issues at work, someone close to me passed away and many too mention pain that discouraged me not to go. But Thank God, everything was settled few days before the trip.
A TIP: Never ever broadcast your plan specially if its your personal goal except of course to your family and close friends. Before I go on this trip, I already treated the people at the office so that when I come back with annoying Happy Birthday greetings, asking for a treat will no longer be heard. I never tell the dates or the place where I go, I just told them wait for my post. Only at the last minute I bid my good byes and trigger to my close friends that I'll be going to the wall. And yes! It worked!
CHINA VISA
One of the reasons why I didn't push through with the trip few years back is the Visa. Most of the people I talked to said one should show their bank certificate containing Php 300,000 on their bank account for past six months. Then I said to my self 'is this real'.
Fast forward, after number of approved visas and different stamps from outside the country travel. I now have guts processing my Chinese Visa even if I only have less than Php 100,000 in my bank account. Processing is easy breezy.
I applied for L1 visa, I completed the following requirements:
- Passport - Original signed passport with at least six months of remaining validity and blank visa pages, and a copy of the passport's data page and the photo page if it is separate.
- Complete Visa Application Form
- Recent passport-size color photo with white background
- Employment Certificate with details of my years of service and monthly income OR original copy of recent 6-month bank statement of the applicant - I provided both even if it says OR :)
- Itinerary including air ticket booking record (round trip) and proof of a hotel reservation - Information on the planned visit (arrival and departure dates, place(s) to be visited, etc.)
After 4 days I went back to the embassy, paid Php 1400 and got my Chinese visa.
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| My Chinese Visa |
Funny thing On the day when I processed my visa, it's raining. I arrived at the Chinese Embassy 10:30 AM, its 30 minutes before the processing time is closed. When I was at the reception downstairs, the receptionist told me to move faster because I only have few minutes left. When I arrived on the second floor, there is no line. Upon entering and getting my number, the consul called my number. When I was about to give my documents, he is finding something... 'Where is the xerox copy of your passport?' then the only word that came out is 'huh?' thinking that I didn't read and know about the requirements. The consul gave back my documents and said 'xerox you passport first then come back before 11'. In as fast as I can, I walked faster and luckily found a xerox service about half kilometer from the Embassy, thanks to guards for giving directions. When I came back, same consul processed my papers. Thank God! I realized that it was the first requirement on my list that I forgot to check.
Day 0
5:30 PM took a shuttle bus from Pasay to Naia3 - P20
Bought chicken fillet for dinner - P55
7:20 PM departure at Naia T3
Travel time from Manila to Beijing is 4hrs and 30 mins. The plane was full packed with different nationalities, a bit noisy unlike my normal travels and it never been silent. Though there's one kilig moment, got to see a solo man waiting for the same flight. Little did I know when I seated that he was my seat mate. The the though, oh! Is this Tadhana? haha! Bad thing, there's a girl seating beside him started talking. So, my moves ended there :(
The whole day was allotted to the Great wall. I bought China Octopus card to travel in train. When I get off to the station, I travelled via car/minivan service going to Mutianyu section. Funny thing, since they are speaking Chinese, I don't know who between me or the other tourist pays much.
MONEY EXCHANGE
Czarina has a good deal in terms of changing Philippine Peso to Chinese Yuan.
Czarina has a good deal in terms of changing Philippine Peso to Chinese Yuan.
Day 0
5:30 PM took a shuttle bus from Pasay to Naia3 - P20
Bought chicken fillet for dinner - P55
7:20 PM departure at Naia T3
Travel time from Manila to Beijing is 4hrs and 30 mins. The plane was full packed with different nationalities, a bit noisy unlike my normal travels and it never been silent. Though there's one kilig moment, got to see a solo man waiting for the same flight. Little did I know when I seated that he was my seat mate. The the though, oh! Is this Tadhana? haha! Bad thing, there's a girl seating beside him started talking. So, my moves ended there :(
Then time passed by, read my notes, then sleep. I had no issue in immigration. And oh! its cold. I took a cab, a bit scared but I gave the address in Chinese and I safely arrived.
1:30 AM I arrived at my Airbnb (Jimmy's place). I slept at the sofa bet, still its comfy and warm. Glad I have an English speaking host.
Day 1 - Great Wall of China Mutianyu Day
I woke up at 640 AM
Left the house 730 AM. My host is so sweet, he packed me with a sandwich and milk before I leave. He was also so kind to create directions in Chinese.
Left the house 730 AM. My host is so sweet, he packed me with a sandwich and milk before I leave. He was also so kind to create directions in Chinese.
The whole day was allotted to the Great wall. I bought China Octopus card to travel in train. When I get off to the station, I travelled via car/minivan service going to Mutianyu section. Funny thing, since they are speaking Chinese, I don't know who between me or the other tourist pays much.
I took the Chairlift going to the wall. Walk till the peak, then when I get back I took the toboggan ride going down. Oh the coffer here is so! expensive - Around 40 RM for an ordinary coffee at the wall.
It was an amazing ride. the chairlift was so refreshing and the toboggan was so exciting.
Below are my expenses
50 rm yikatong - china octupus card
40 minibus/service to great wall
155 entrance shuttle chairlift toboggan
20 gloves
10 20 ref magnet
10 mutiyanyu to bus916
15 brunch/dinner
5 12 tart and cookies
12 olympic photos
349 = php 2617
40 minibus/service to great wall
155 entrance shuttle chairlift toboggan
20 gloves
10 20 ref magnet
10 mutiyanyu to bus916
15 brunch/dinner
5 12 tart and cookies
12 olympic photos
349 = php 2617
I enjoyed much and forgot that I have to go back, good thing saw two travelers going back, to the same station, I just go with the flow.
On the side trip, got to see Olympics place before I head home.
Indeed! Birthday wish granted in advance. An awesome way to remember the great wall.
