A young woman in her twenties explores China with a budget of 10 million dong.

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A young woman in her twenties explores China with a budget of 10 million dong.

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With 10 million dong per person, Lily Nguyen and Hiệp Lê enjoyed a wonderful 10-day experience at Truong Gia Gioi, Nam Ninh, Phoenix Ancient Town, and Hongjiang Ancient Market.

A young woman in her twenties explores China with a budget of 10 million dong.

My companions and I have just successfully completed a journey to Truong Gia Gioi, Nam Ninh, Phoenix Ancient Town, and Hongjiang Ancient Market (China) in 10 days, returning home safely. The total cost for this trip was approximately 10 million dong per person.

I obtained my visa through a service, the cost of a 3-month single-entry visa for stays under 15 days is $90. It is advisable to apply 20-30 days in advance for assurance. For train tickets, I purchased the Gia Lam (Hanoi, Vietnam) – Nam Ninh (China) ticket for the 9:20 PM departure (one-way only) at Gia Lam station. It is recommended to buy tickets for groups of 6 people to receive a 25% discount.

My group purchased tickets at a discounted price of 568,000 dong each. The fare from Nam Ninh to Truong Gia Gioi ranges from 201-207 yuan depending on the berth, it is advisable to book at least 15 days in advance. The fare from Nam Ninh to Gia Lam is 200 yuan, which I bought at Nam Ninh station. The fare from Hoai Hoa to Nam Ninh was also purchased directly at the station for 164 yuan.

Make sure to pack warm clothes and a scarf if you're visiting during this season. When I arrived, Truong Gia Gioi was only about 10 degrees Celsius and even colder up in the high mountains. Additionally, make sure to bring a power bank, extra batteries, and a fully loaded memory card for your camera if you don't want to miss out on capturing the breathtaking scenery due to dead devices.

Truong Gia Gioi Glass Bridge: This is the tallest and longest glass-bottomed bridge in the world located in Truong Gia Gioi National Park, Hubei, opening to visitors in August. The bridge spans approximately 430 meters, situated at a height of 300 meters, spanning across two peaks of Truong Gia Gioi, with a deep gorge below. The ticket price for access to the glass bridge alone is about 200 Chinese yuan (equivalent to 650,000 Vietnamese dong).

During our days of travel, we struggled with food, whether it was finding a delicious meal, dealing with overly salty or spicy dishes that were hard to swallow. Therefore, before ordering, make sure to advise them against overly spicy or salty dishes to reduce the seasoning.

At Truong Gia Gioi, I opted for the Zhongtian International Youth Hotel, only 10 minutes away by bus from the station, and 20 minutes away by bus from Truong Gia Gioi Park. The dorm room price is 50 yuan per person, and it's clean.

At Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town, our group found XinMin Hotel at the end of the road. It's convenient here because the end of the road leads to the entrance of the ancient town area, just a 10-minute walk away. The hotel is beautiful and 'luxurious,' with a room price of only 100 yuan.

When it comes to shopping, in Phoenix Ancient Town, you can purchase souvenirs or treats such as dried meat, dried sausages priced at about 45-50 yuan per pack, or embroidered clam shells that enchant many women. Dried kiwi costs 25 yuan, and ginger-flavored taffy costs 10 yuan per pack.

In Nanning, the shopping district is livelier. The main street leading straight from the station is the city's main shopping hub. You can turn into wholesale markets to buy socks, scarves, and gifts.

Lily shared that this trip is not suitable for those prone to motion sickness, with weak health... It's not overly demanding, but it's not exactly a leisure trip either. There are 4 train journeys, each lasting about 12 hours, and 3 round-trip bus rides, each about 5 hours.

Every day, they walk continuously for about 8-10 hours, across various terrains like plains, high mountains... So, without proper health preparation, the likelihood of getting sick or too tired to enjoy the trip is quite high.

For those on a tight budget: China is known for its expensive tourist attractions. Train and bus fares also eat up a considerable amount of your money. You never know what you'll face when you run out of money in a foreign country where the majority of the population doesn't speak English.

On this trip, each person in the group spent approximately 3,000 yuan (10 million dong), not including shopping expenses, visa fees... Lily believes this is a relatively large amount, enough for several domestic trips, even two Southeast Asian countries comfortably. Therefore, you should think twice before embarking on this journey.

Expenses per person:

- Train ticket from Gia Lam (Hanoi) to Nanning (China, purchased as a group of 6 for a discount): 560,000 Vietnamese dong (about 170 yuan)

- Purchase a phone SIM card: 80 yuan

- Rent accommodation in Nanning (round trip): 40 yuan

- Train ticket from Nanning to Truong Gia Gioi: 201 yuan

- Thiên Môn Sơn cable car ticket: 258 yuan

- Hotel in Truong Gia Gioi (2 nights): 50×2=100 yuan

- Bus ticket within Truong Gia Gioi Park: 30 yuan

- Admission ticket for Truong Gia Gioi Glass Bridge: 200 yuan

- Bus ticket from Truong Gia Gioi to Phoenix Ancient Town: 100 yuan

- Hotel in Phoenix Ancient Town (2 nights): 50×2 =100 yuan

- Renting a car to Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town (6-person car priced at 600 yuan): 100 yuan per person

- Hotel in Hongjiang Ancient Commercial Town: 50 yuan

- Renting a car from Hongjiang to Hoai Hoa station (6-person car 180 yuan): 30 yuan per person

- Train ticket from Hoai Hoa to Nanning: 164 yuan

- Train ticket from Nanning to Gia Lam: 240 yuan

- Breakfast: 8 days x 20 yuan = 160 yuan

- Main meals: 16 meals x 30 yuan = 480 yuan

- Miscellaneous expenses, buying food for the train, luggage storage...: 200 yuan

Total: 2,703 yuan (Approximately 8.8 million dong)

Visa fee: 90 USD (2 million dong), calculated separately.

According to Lily Nguyen/Zing

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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour

MytourJune 8, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total budget required for a 10-day trip to China?

The total budget for a 10-day trip to China, as experienced by Lily Nguyen and Hiệp Lê, is approximately 10 million dong per person, which includes travel, accommodation, and meals.

How can travelers effectively secure their train tickets for the trip?

Travelers can secure their train tickets effectively by purchasing them in groups of six to receive a 25% discount, ensuring they buy tickets at least 15 days in advance for better availability.

What precautions should be taken when ordering food in China?

When ordering food in China, it's important to communicate with the staff about your preference for less spicy or salty dishes to avoid unpleasant meals and enhance the overall dining experience.

What are some recommended accommodations in Truong Gia Gioi and Hongjiang?

In Truong Gia Gioi, the Zhongtian International Youth Hotel offers clean dorm rooms at 50 yuan per person, while the XinMin Hotel in Hongjiang is conveniently located near the ancient town with rooms priced at 100 yuan.

Is it advisable to travel to China without proper health preparation?

No, it is not advisable to travel to China without proper health preparation, as the trip involves extensive walking and long journeys that can be physically demanding, potentially leading to fatigue or sickness.

What type of travel experience can one expect on this trip to China?

One can expect a travel experience that is adventurous and physically engaging, involving various terrains and significant walking, making it suitable for those in good health and with a sense of adventure.

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