East Asia 2016, Part 3: China, Day 1-2

The last part of my last year’s Asian journey was the China’s biggest city: Shanghai. Actually, this was the place I really wanted to visit; Tokyo and Taipei were just added to my itinerary. Looking up the skyscrapers and feeling the dynamic city vibes, this is what I always dream to experience – as close enough as greater cities like New York and London.

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

November 3, Shanghai: I arrived at Pudong International Airport at around 5 in the morning. I stayed there until the bus to the city was available, which was the cheapest option I know. The fare was 20CNY. I checked in to the hostel which is near the centre. I went to the bank to exchange money and walked around my neighbourhood. I fell in love with the city immediately with the different buildings with creative designs.

Backpacking East Asia 2016

The year 2016 is running so fast, and it’s already approaching its last quarter. During this span of time I have been to various places: I spent my New Year’s Day in Ho Chi Minh City as part of my 16-day Indochina trip, spent the Catholic Holy Week holiday in Kuala Lumpur, and experienced the epic Eid al-Fitr-slash-mudik season in Jakarta and Yogyakarta. I have two more travel plans for this year. I’m not quite sure about my upcoming trip to Borneo (Kota Kinabalu and Brunei Darussalam), but I am certain of the other subsequent journey because I already have the approved visas.

Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Vietnam

KLCC, Malaysia

On the last part of October until the first week of November,

Applying for Chinese Tourist Visa for Philippine Passport Holders

Being one of the famous Asian countries in the world, and one of the largest, who doesn’t want to go to China? By just speaking of The Great Wall, Silk Road, Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai Cityscape, Tibet’s Potala Palace, Peking Duck, and Xiaolongbao, you will be enticed to go to this interesting region. China has a lot to offer, ranging from ancient architectures to modern skylines, sumptuous meals to cheap eats, and humongous malls to small shops. But how do you prepare yourself before leaving?

Some time recently I realized that I myself wanted to go to China too, so I tried to research information about visiting there, and here is what I found. As Ordinary Philippine Passport holders, by the requirement of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, we have to possess a visa before entering their territory, except for some reasons: