Guangzhou Chimelong Theme Park review + tips

Okay, since I've dragged this post for so long I decided that I will make it more about tips that would be useful instead.

On the whole, I would say both the Guangzhou Chimelong Theme Park and the Safari Zoo was really worth the visit. I had so much fun that I didn't mind going back the next day.

The rides were a lot more exciting and there were a lot more rides than SIngapore's USS. To make it more quantifiable, the Chimelong Theme Park was about 4 times or more the size of USS? There were so many rides that we didn't manage to finish everything even though we were there from the moment the park opened till its closing.

So here are the tips.

Tip #1: Getting there

You can easily make your way there by MRT because the MRT is very near to the Chimelong, especially if you're going to the theme park. The MRT station is called Hanxi Changlong and it's located on Line 3. You'll be getting out from Exit E.

I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you to go by MRT because...

Tip #2: Tickets

At the exit of the Chimelong (Changlong) MRT, there will be tons of agents selling tickets to the different attractions. As of December 2014, if you are coming on normal days, the prices offered by the agents are around RMB205-230.

Taobao offers the same prices BUT it is more troublesome because you still have to redeem the tickets via the ticketing machine, and you need to have a valid China number and all.

Plus, if you purchase the tickets from these agents shoving the tickets in your face, they actually offer transport (by car or motorbike) to the entrance of the attraction. This really helps if you are going to the zoo because the zoo is much further in.

Tip #3: Timing

I went to the park at around 9.15a.m because the park opens at 9.30a.m. Once the park opens, there will be performances and all greeting you and you can take the time to slowly take pictures and all. Most of the rides open at 10am so this is the only time you can leisurely take pictures because the rest of the time you're just rushing to try out every ride.

While queueing, please pay close attention and observe which cars don't work. There was one car that just refused to turn when I was there so if you got that, be prepared to face the wall the whole time.

Tip #4: Don't pray for too little people

Unlike USS, the Chimelong theme park doesn't actually operate its rides until there is a certain number of people on it. Meaning, if the park is really empty and there's only 2 or 3 of you, be prepared to wait till the ride is about half filled up. I would suggest going on weekdays because there would be students on school tours to fill up the required number, yet you don't have to wait too long for your turn. But the students leave around 4pm so after that, the time spent waiting for the rides will actually stretch out.

This ride almost stopped my heart. Notice the 90 degrees drop on the right of the picture? Yeah, I couldn't stop thinking about a Final-Destination-like death the whole time. Sit in the first row at your own risk.

Tip #5: Wet rides

The agents at the MRT exit will try to sell you ponchos at RMB10 each.

Do not buy from them.

The theme park sells them at the same price, except you get bigger ponchos, as well as ponchos meant for your shoes. This is especially important if you are going in winter. I mean, what is the point of protecting your clothes if your shoes are going to be drenched.

The shoe ponchos don't last that long (with the walking and all), so try to play all the wet rides in one shot.

This ride has no other purpose except to drench you from head to toe. But I can see why it will be super popular in summer.

Tip #6: The Rides

Omg the rides. They are so exciting that they were almost too much for my heart. There are A LOT, and I really mean A LOT of rides that will make your heart skip a beat. The rides had so many drops, and turns, and twists. So much so that by around 5pm, my head was pounding and I had a splitting headache. So please, maybe try to space out the wild rides so that the fluids in your head gets a chance to recover and re-balance out.

One of my favourite rides, you bend forward as if you're riding a motorbike. I've never tried similar rides before so this was really cool.

Miscellaneous Tips:

- The food at the theme park can be quite pricey, about RMB 60 to 100 so it's about SGD14-20+. BUT, you don't have a choice because the park doesn't allow you to bring food in (there are bag checks at the entrance), and you can't enter again after you exit so you can't go out for food.

-The toilets are REALLY clean, they are the cleanest toilets I have ever came across while in Guangzhou so make good use of them.

- Most of the shows were pretty good but non-Chinese speakers may not really enjoy them. There are no subtitles even for the 3D/4D shows (which are in Chinese). I especially liked the Magic show and the Waterworld show. But you can skip the Lumberjack show if you are short on time. They really do nothing but cut wood.

Thailan Krabi Shuttle Car Hire Review

Went to Krabi on a 4d3n trip right in the middle of the semester in April. New travel buddies but had a really wonderful time.

From the airport to our hotel at Aonang Beach, we used the services by krabishuttle.com/ instead of the hotel pick up service.

Since there were 5 of us, we booked the standard minibus that could actually sit 8 people. It wasn't too expensive at 750 baht, which is about SGD6 per person. I was initially quite worried because there were some bad reviews on their FB page complaining that the driver never turned up. But it went smoothly. They picked us up at the airport with a name card printed, guided us to the minibus, and we reached the hotel in less than 30 mins, no mid-stops whatsoever.

The bus was very spacious for 5 people, and had free wifi, which was a bonus seeing that we didn't have local SIM cards.

No issues going to the hotel at all so thumbs up for that.

However, we booked and confirmed verbally with the driver for our return pick up to the airport on our departure date and they never turned up. The phones could not be reached so we were like, panicking and scared that we'll miss our flight. Lucky the hotel managed to get us a car in time.

Bottom line: krabishuttle is good but you have to book through their website and double confirm with them before anything else.

Bangkok Day 4 & 5 (Chatuchak)!! :D

Finally, my most awaited day for the trip. I've been to Bangkok before, but not on weekends so I didn't have a chance to check out the famous JJ market. And now I've finally managed to.

Went down to Chatuchak early in the morning for breakfast. The taxi drivers were really out to scam people since everybody is making their way there, quoting us skyhigh prices.

We finally managed to find a taxi driver who was willing to get us there for 100 baht, but he only told us that we have to visit some tourist centre to get that price, since by fetching us there he can get a coupon for petrol.

I was so paranoid the whole way through because of all the horror stories that I've read online, but it turned out fine. The place was really nice in fact, and we actually got to see how gold rings were made and all. Didn't buy anything and nobody made a fuss.

 The coconut ice cream is mad good, it's a must try at Chatuchak really. So refreshing, and it came with a cup of ice cold coconut juice. You totally need that after walking around and getting yourself dehydrated.

Okay, not much pictures of clothes because we were too busy shopping.

 I love these tanks! They come in so many designs and colours, and are so damn comfy. And guess what! They're only 80 baht each, which is like SGD3? Damn worth it, and it has made dressing for school so much easier because they go well with jeans, shorts, skirts, cardigans, jackets, like basically everything. I bought like 5 of these, and now I'm wishing that I actually grabbed more.

And after we got tired of walking around endless shops, we went to the pets section. I don't know how they do it, but somehow the animals they breed are all damn cute. I just feel like bringing down home and smothering them with love. But that said, I still don't approve of what they're doing.

If you noticed, all the pets there are damn young, and it makes you wonder what they actually do with the older ones that they didn't manage to sell.

There was even a dead puppy in one of the cages, and another puppy was like nudging it non-stop with its head, trying to wake it up.

My heart is breaking just thinking about it. :(

This has got to be one of the sharpest dog pictures that I took because they didn't allow photography.

 One of my best buys at Chatuchak were two white shirts. The whole shop was having this promotion 2 pieces for 150baht and you can see people going crazy trying to snatch things and all. But the stuff were quite nice and they're really worth more than what you're paying I must say.

Word of caution. Please please please wash all your clothes (colours, whites, denims) separately because the colours ran like hell and some of my purchases were damaged before I even had a chance to wear them out. :(

Two places that I really wanted to visit but didn't get a chance to were the flower market and the Rod Fai Train market.

The flower market is part of the bicycle trail that we wanted to take part in initially, but it was like 40USD per person, and we didn't think it was worth it. Wanted to go there on our own, but seems like it isn't a very common tourist area, and the taxi drivers couldn't understand us.

The Rod Fai market is supposed to be a very famous night market among the locals because it's full of good food and vintage items. It's walking distance from Chatuchak, and I actually wanted to go there at night after we're done with our shopping at Chatuchak. But unfortunately our bag was soooooo full and heavy, and we were just so tired and sticky and dehydrated and burnt out, that we decided to head back to the hotel instead.

The next time though, I'd really like to visit these two places.

Bangkok 2013 Day 3!! :D

Woke up early again from a fresh new day.

This is how it'll look like walking out from KC Place Hotel to Platinum Mall.

We had our breakfast at Platinum Mall. I really like their Phad Thai (with lots of peanuts of course :D).

And then we made our way to Siam Paragon for the 4D show. Siam Paragon is about 15-20 minutes walking distance from Platinum Mall.

 Super sweet and nice pineapples at only 10baht for a bag.

 The 4D show is priced at 500baht for the centre seats and 400baht for the ones at the side. Pretty pricey but where else can you watch 4D movies right.

 The show was really worth it, with the jerky chairs and the smell and all the visual effects. My only complaint was that the chair wasn't really comfortable. Hahaha.

We took the BTS down to Terminal 21 after the movie. The BTS is just like our MRT, super convenient. Just take to Asok station and Terminal 21 is right outside.

But honestly, Terminal 21 is not worth going to unless you've got too much time to spare. The place is just another shopping centre without identity, and there wasn't anything actually impressive about the place other than the unique concept of a different country on each floor.

And the things here are not cheap either, you can probably find similar stuff at a cheaper price elsewhere, or just find the shop itself in other places.

We were so bored we left the place after like 20 minutes, so basically we just went there to use their toilet. -.-

And yes! Because we're ahead of schedule, we managed to visit Asiatique. The easiest way to get to Asiatique would be to take the BTS to Saphan Thaksin station and then take the free ferry ride from there. Just follow the sign boards to get to the pier.

Asiatique is smaller than what I expected and it's quite touristy as well. But that said, the prices are still quite wallet friendly.

And they have Madame H Handmade shoes there! *screams and squeals in delight*. Totally don't have to head down to the main branch just to check out their shoes. Omg their shoes are mad nice and comfy how I wish I'm a heels person so I can just live happily ever after with their shoes.

Headed back to the hotel area for dinner.