Page 236 - IELTS Preparation Grammar and Vocab

Exam practice

China on a shoestring?
A
You can probably manage on less than 30 euros per If you go all the way to China, make sure you do as
day.To do this, you'll have to look for the lowest fares much as possible, instead of constantly looking for
on buses or trains and stay in hostels or budget hotels, the least expensive ways of doing things. Obviously
of which there are many in southwest China.Taking organised trips cost a little more than doing everything
the train is the best way of getting from one big city yourself, but I think you have a better experience.
to the next, but buses are more economicalThere are The travel reps are very efficient and want to make
buses you can sleep on for long journeys — but having sure you get a good impression of the places you
said that, they're pretty uncomfortable. One thing I visit. As everything's set up in advance, you avoid
can't stress enough: you'll miss out on the real China misunderstandings and difficulties which can arise if
if you fly. Getting off the beaten track is best done you're trying to make arrangements in an unknown
by other means. However, in rural areas the language language.
barrier was a challenge for me. I'm only sorry I wasn't
able to converse more effectively.
Compared with travel in Europe, the cost of public
transport in Chinese cities is incredibly cheap. In
I'd always liked the thought of being a solo traveller, the capital, Beijing, for example, it only costs the
but I think I'd probably had a better time going on equivalent of 30 cents to travel by underground
something organised. My travel and accommodation anywhere in the city If you buy what they call a "pass",
cost about a hundred pounds a week, then there was you can travel around the city, but it can also be used
food and flights to China on top of that. Once I'd to pay for public phones, for taxi fares or even to buy
paid, I didn't have to worry about money or anything things in supermarkets. In many cities, taxis are a real
else and I had people to share the experience with. I'd option for travellers on a tight budget. If you share
really recommend this option if you are in the same with other tourists, it can be cheaper than taking
position. Our guide was a native speaker but fluent in the bus. If you intend to go out at night, there may
English. He accompanied us everywhere and made be night buses, but taxis are the most likely choice of
everything so easy for the group. transport, although some private citizens offer a taxi
service in their private cars.These are often cheaper
than taxis, but if you use them, you may be in danger,
Beijing seems really expensive to start with, but you
and you should remember that taking a "black taxi" is
soon find out how to get by on a budget and still eat
actually forbidden in China.
1
well — the restaurants near the station are a good place
to start. If you're going to travel around China by
train, I'd suggest that you buy your ticket in advance,
especially if you want to travel on a public holiday.
And if you choose the cheaper seats, you'll be sure to
get acquainted with the real Chinese.! can guarantee
that they'll be interested in you. I've heard that you
can travel pretty cheaply by plane these days, but I
don't feel like I missed out. I would not have come
into contact with so many locals if I had prioritised my
own comfort whilst travelling.