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China & Hong Kong/Questions Answered by Expert Tom Carter ~ Travel China Expert
| Subject | Date Asked |
| HK and China Travel in the Fall | 8/25/2011 |
| Q: Tom. I'm planning to send my parents over to China for about a month (possibly the last week of Sep ... A: I am glad to help. Beijing-Xian-Shanghai-Hong Kong is what is known in China as the tourist trail, ... | |
| Speaking Chinese in Hong Kong | 8/14/2011 |
| Q: Can you tell me if it is difficult to get around Hong Kong without being fluent in Chinese? Is it ... A: Yes, that is correct: Most Hong Kong hotels, restaurants, transportation, tourism, etc. are all ... | |
| Travel to China During National Day Holiday | 6/5/2011 |
| Q: I am planning a trip to China for sometime in September/October. I read about China's national 3-day ... A: It is my experience that most if not all tourist attractions and museums are open during China's ... | |
| China postcards | 5/31/2011 |
| Q: Is it possible you could send me a postcard from China? I will give you my address. Or can you tell ... A: Kristine, I do not normally accept such requests at my personal expense, however I will this one ... | |
| advice to potential photojournalist | 4/27/2011 |
| Q: I'm a senior in high school and I plan to major in journalism specializing in photojournalism in ... A: I often receive emails similar to yours from aspiring photographers. As I am not a professional, ... | |
| Travel agent vs. online website | 3/14/2011 |
| Q: My 17 year old son and three of his friends are planning on studying and traveling in China for 4-5 ... A: I don't think you need to involve a travel agent unless you want a package deal that includes hotels ... | |
| A few culture questions | 2/21/2011 |
| Q: This is not a homework question. I read about online that some ancient asians had red hair, ... A: My knowledge of this sort of anthropological study of Asian genetics is extremely limited. I can ... | |
| Great Wall of China tour | 12/8/2010 |
| Q: we want to see the great wall of china in the cheapest way possible. we are visiting relatives in ... A: Suhanri, I do not have specific price information for you, but if you want to visit the Great Wall ... | |
| Visa Extension While in China | 10/20/2010 |
| Q: I am traveling to China from the US next month for the first time. I applied for a tourist visa ... A: China's visa laws have been dramatically revamped following the '08 Beijing Olympics and '10 ... | |
| preguntar | 10/19/2010 |
| Q: ¿Cuà l es la diferencia cultural entre Hong kong y China? A: I don't write Spanish very well, so I will explain in simple English: Hong Kong was originally part ... | |
| budget accommodation in Shaghai for 4 nights | 9/5/2010 |
| Q: Would you please let me know about cheap accommodation in Shanghai? A: Jo, there are an infinite number of youth hostels all around Shanghai. You have only to do a google ... | |
| budget travel to shanghai. | 7/8/2010 |
| Q: Some questions about Shanghai 1. How is the weather and clothing in November? 2. What and where is ... A: I will try to answer your questions as best as I can: 1) Weather in Shanghai in the autumn is ... | |
| Broadening my horizons in China | 4/29/2010 |
| Q: I am wondering, how would traveling to China broaden my cultural horizons, I am really interested in ... A: The short answer to your question is China's 5,000 year history and vast geography is rich enough to ... | |
| traveling to China | 2/9/2009 |
| Q: I was watching a program on the Travel Channel and the host went to Chengdu, which I believe is in ... A: Sorry for the delayed reply. I don't have the train/flight schedule on hand, but I imagine that by ... | |
| traveling to China | 2/7/2009 |
| Q: I was watching a program on the Travel Channel and the host went to Chengdu, which I believe is in ... A: I won't be much help on this one because I never went to the panda reserve. However I know for a ... | |
| trying to get a client from hong kong to guilin | 1/15/2009 |
| Q: Tom, i have a client who i am trying to get from Hong Kong to Guilin China, on next Thursday, ... A: Tucker, I can not offer you flight advice because I never flew in China; my travels were strictly ... | |
| exit and reentry into mainland China | 12/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a multiple entry visa that is good for one year and they usually stamp in a 90 day stay. Can ... A: Hey Ray! It's quite common for expats in Mainland China to make a visa run to Hong Kong and then ... | |
| Alcoholism and travel in Asia | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: Tom, I have traveled in China and Southeast Asia. As a recovered alcoholic of ten years, I found it ... A: Having lived in both China and Japan for extensive periods of time, I can attest that, yes, drinking ... | |
| 7 days in Western China Silk Road | 10/11/2008 |
| Q: I've been to China 20 times. Also Tibet. Have 7-10 days in November and want to see the west. ... A: I myself also picked up some carpets in Kashgar and Hotan. You'll find lots of carpet shops all ... | |
| 7 days in Western China Silk Road | 10/11/2008 |
| Q: I've been to China 20 times. Also Tibet. Have 7-10 days in November and want to see the west. ... A: Younts. 20 times to China! It seems you would be more of the China travel expert than I. That is ... | |
| China Travel | 10/8/2008 |
| Q: My wife and I will be coming to Beijing-- XINGANG -- by ship and need someone to assist us in a day ... A: Richard, yes, I am very familiar with the antiques and flea markets around Beijing and Tianjin. I ... | |
| How safe is China? | 10/7/2008 |
| Q: My dad wont let me go to china because they think its not safe enough to go half a world away. Do ... A: I think your dad is confused with some other country. Show him this new photobook CHINA: Portrait of ... | |
| Rail Tours in China | 10/7/2008 |
| Q: I am interested in rail tours in china, 5-9 day tours, first class and luxury. A: There are a number of agencies that offer rail tours of China. You can arrange these tours online, ... | |
| Chinese Pop Music Trivia | 9/24/2008 |
| Q: The son of two teachers, what famous Chinese pop star allegedly evade Taiwanese military service by ... A: The media once accused Jay Chou (Zhōu Jiélún) of evading compulsory Taiwanese military service ... | |
| Beijing's Bird's Nest Stadium | 9/19/2008 |
| Q: I live in Arizona and I watched the Olympics this summer. One thing I was confused about was how ... A: Beijing National Stadium was a joint international venture among Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de ... | |
| Ace Ventura filming location in Tibet? | 9/11/2008 |
| Q: I have been trying everywhere to find the filming location from a movie: specifically, the name and ... A: Sorry Travis, The scene in When Nature Calls where Ace Ventura visits a remote Buddhist monastery ... | |
| American authors in China | 9/9/2008 |
| Q: Purely by accident (but not really) I have discussed with a native of Shanghai the possibility of ... A: Hey Bill, My intent truly was not to scare you, but rather only to hint that you put your guard up a ... | |
| American authors in China | 9/9/2008 |
| Q: Purely by accident (but not really) I have discussed with a native of Shanghai the possibility of ... A: Bill. No problem; as I said, I enjoy this sort of dialogue. First, read this: ... | |
| American authors in China | 9/7/2008 |
| Q: Purely by accident (but not really) I have discussed with a native of Shanghai the possibility of ... A: Um...this isn't the typical travel-related question I get here on AllExperts. But never one to turn ... | |
| YANGTSE CRUISE | 8/13/2008 |
| Q: What is the best way forward to start planning for Yangtse River cruise (Travel I should say) like ... A: This is one of those extremely rare occasions where I am going to have to suggest that you sign up ... | |
| China-Tibet Visa Problems | 8/7/2008 |
| Q: I am looking into a tour group travel from Lhasa, Tibet to Kathmandu, Nepal for March 2009. I am ... A: The laws regarding traveling to Tibet from China are purposely inconsistent and erratic because the ... | |
| Is travel to Tibet still possible? | 7/30/2008 |
| Q: In October- November , I am going to China for 1 month. First I would like to ask you if there are ... A: Jose, Que Onda? I am a humble backpacker myself, so it's the only way I know how to travel. ... | |
| Inner Mongolia | 7/13/2008 |
| Q: Me and a friend are currently in Hohhot (only for a week) and were looking for recommendations as to ... A: Had you postponed your trip one more week you would have arrived in Inner Mongolia just in time for ... | |
| Clothing in China in June | 5/10/2008 |
| Q: My wife and I will be taking a Grand Circle trip to China June 3-23. The itinerary includes ... A: you must like it hot. You'll be passing through or near some of China's infamous "furnaces," which ... | |
| treking in inner mongolia | 5/8/2008 |
| Q: I am teaching English in China at the moment but will have a few weeks off in a couple of months. ... A: This is one of the questions with infinite answers. It also really depends on how you define ... | |
| Health and Safety in China | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: I am a 16 year old student looking into an EF Tour with my high school. Do you think that a group of ... A: We already established in our prior correspondence that China is one of the safest countries in the ... | |
| EF Tour safety | 5/1/2008 |
| Q: I am a 16 year old student looking into an EF Tour with my high school. Do you think that a group of ... A: First of all, you should jump at the chance to come to China. This country is developing at a rapid ... | |
| Traditional Chinese Headwear | 4/29/2008 |
| Q: I am only familiar with the Coolie hat, and would like to know if this particular style of headgear ... A: I have seen more conical straw hats in greater China than any other type of hat. From my ... | |
| electricity in China | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: i am visiting china soon, what plug sockets do they use and will i need an adapter. A: China uses the same sockets and plugs as American electronics. The voltage is different, but it ... | |
| enquiry about publishers in Gunangzhou | 4/18/2008 |
| Q: kimura-books.com I really would like to visit some publishing houses in Guangzhou or major literary ... A: Konichiwa Rei Kimura, Where do you live in Japan? I am presently living here myself. As for ... | |
| communist? | 4/12/2008 |
| Q: I AM CONFUSED. if china is communist, how can we visit? and why are so many products coming out of ... A: Gabriel, Though I studied and worked in politics before turning to photojournalism, I generally ... | |
| Photography in China | 4/9/2008 |
| Q: I am an amateur photographer and will be spending two years in China to escape American culture. I ... A: Ben, with the exception of seeking a mentor, I'd say that you were following in my exact footsteps: ... | |
| Travel in China - Beijing-Xian-Shanghai-Beijing | 4/7/2008 |
| Q: Hey Tom 2 of us are flying to Beijing in June, and are planning to take overnight trains from ... A: Sounds like a tight schedule. I always suggest at least 2 weeks to see China properly. It's one of ... | |
| Visa | 4/5/2008 |
| Q: I don't know if your expertise also includes knowledge of Visas. If so, here is my question. Say I ... A: Evan, Before you leave for China, visit your local Chinese consulate and request a 3-month tourist ... | |
| Jobs | 3/22/2008 |
| Q: hey. I was wanting to know of any particular websites out there people should look at if they want ... A: Yes of course in these days of China's booming economy there are no end to ads for jobs and ... | |
| Central Asia and China | 3/16/2008 |
| Q: I intend to do Uzbekistan, China's Silk Road and Tibet this Summer and Fall. If my trip must end in ... A: I probably don't have to remind you of the present situation in Tibet, which I fear will ... | |
| chinese national parks | 2/8/2008 |
| Q: saw your great piece on the Jiuzhaigou National Park. Do you have a list of 3-4 National Parks that ... A: I am by no means an expert in ecology, and perhaps you can also pose this question to experts in ... | |
| chinese national parks | 2/7/2008 |
| Q: saw your great piece on the Jiuzhaigou National Park. Do you have a list of 3-4 National Parks that ... A: Alexis, I have been to northern Yunnan but not to Potatso National Park. The entire Yunnan-Tibetan ... | |
| Villages of China | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: So are they still villages without phones or electricity? Or do they have some of modern day ... A: Like most undeveloped nations, China has yet to progress at the pace of the West. More specifically, ... | |
| Education | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: Hey! I would like to know if school continues in the end of May, June, and July. A: To the best of my knowledge, most schools in China from primary through university end around July, ... | |
| Living in Beijing | 1/22/2008 |
| Q: I am just about to move to Beijing in the spring. What can you tell me about the first few weeks vis ... A: Making the great leap forward to China, huh? I suppose I could carry on endlessly with sundry advice ... | |
| Jobs in China | 1/15/2008 |
| Q: Are there any positions for an english speaker in any other jobs besides teaching? Such as tour ... A: Evan, China probably has more career opportunities and ventures for foreigners than any other Asian ... | |
| Accomodation | 1/14/2008 |
| Q: Where would you recommend I stay in Beijing if I'm on a budget, need a safe place, and a place ... A: Toks, Accommodations in Beijing, and greater China, are abundant. This is due to a large migratory ... | |
| What's the most beautiful village in China? | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: I live in China and am familar with your work. I'm going backpacking in the spring and wanted to ask ... A: Hannah, this is a topic I have written about many times, and one that I very much enjoy expounding ... | |
| Teaching English in China | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering if you could recommend a good place to look for a job teaching English in China. ... A: Chris, teaching English in China is presently one of the most popular jobs for foreigners living in ... | |
China & Hong Kong
Answers by Expert:
Tom Carter ~ Travel China Expert
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am an American photojournalist and travel correspondent based in Beijing and have traveled extensively to all 33 provinces in China. I specialize in budget travel and have a personal affection for remote villages, ethnic minority culture and uncharted locales.
Experience
I am also the author of CHINA: Portrait of a People, the most comprehensive collection of imagery of contemporary China ever published by a single author.
Education/Credentials
American University, Washington, D.C., BA Political Science, Communications, 1997
Note:
Help support Tom by purchasing a copy of CHINA: Portrait of a People today. Also available: Tom's super-cool postcards of China.
Tom Carter
Thomas Carter
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