Flights was ok. Kids cooperated, the boys watch show almost throughout the whole flight. Little girl slept just before take off and woke up when I am almost done with my food. Being happy and playful. The tough part was to entertain her when she is awake but I am sleepy... towards the end of the flight she was a little grumpy already, the bored kind of grumpy.
The food was ok on flight but still hungry after arriving... had mcd before heading to the apartment. When all settled and showered, slept at about 3am.
Day 2 International garment centre
The kids and husband got some clothes. Most of them are winter clothing hence not much to see actually. It feels very much like our bugis streets. The clothing are almost the same pattern.
Had dinner at 金桃园 near the apartment. The seafood porridge was quite good. We dine in a bubble capsule, getting cold with the wind.
Day 3 大侠谷
This looks like an abandoned themed park. Tickets were cheap at RMB 100/pax and below 120cm is free. Many rides/shops were closed because of winter. We missed both shows before of lunch. We had to walk and climb many stairs a long way up the mountain to catch the cable car. Caylene enjoyed the cable car ride. It was cold at the sky tower and the scenery is very beautiful. I was very surprised and happy that Ceyan took the initiative to put on the shoe cover for me before we enter the skywalk as I was baby wearing Caylene.
Half way down to catch the main attraction, 森林小火车. All tired and leg wobbly already. But the train ride was splendid. After chatting with the staff there then we realised we can actually take the train from the other place. Don't have to go into 大侠谷 and climb all the way. The train ride is about 50mins, going in a loop. But we alighted at the half way at the rail way station because it is getting dark. If we finish the loop, we will be back at the original point and we had to take the same route back (alot of walk/stairs and cable car again in darkness). That's why we decided to take half way and cab back to apartment.
Day 4 大鹏所城
Went to an old town used to be for the soldiers.. there is a museum showing the history. And also some old structure. And the infantry. it was really cold there, we wasn't prepared for the temperature and strong wind... had desserts at a cafe, the service was bad and food average. Dinner at the popular spot 鹏城饭馆, recommended by the ice cream auntie at the entrance. The food was not bad but quite oily. But the ambience was good. The lamb ribs are good.
Day 5 Safari Park Shenzhen
Weather is pretty good today. Not too cold. We went out pretty late. Wished we had reach earlier. Reaching at 3pm is definitely too laye. There are so much to see and play there. But at least we managed to catch the tiger feeding. It closes at 4pm. Queued for 40mins for the 20mins feeding experience. We are the last few batches. It was really exciting to get so close to the tigers. A very rare experience though it was quite inhumane to lure them but not to give them the meat immediately. We tried to make it quick while we saw some people really make the tiger lick n lick the meat for quite some time and still not giving.
The kids had their first experience riding a camel. It was rmb 100 for 2 pax. They were afraid at first. But enjoyed it after a short while.
We didn't manage to see many animals because the zoo closes at 6pm and the sun set even before 6. It was quite dark when we are exiting. While exiting, there is a animal nursery. We saw a baby leopard playing with the zoo keeper and another nursery with 1 tiger cub and 1 leopard cub playing. Disturbing each other. So cute...
We head to mixc mall for dinner. We have missed the Taiwanese food since the last trip in 2023. And it still didn't disappoint us. The Yam duck was really good. And other dishes are good too. There is a ice rink right beside the restaurant. We finished dinner too late for ice skating and the kids understand.
Day 6 宝能环球汇 ＆ 东门街
Went 2 places to shop today. Lunch at 79 seafood. Many seafood selections but I am not a seafood lover. Price should be considered reasonable if compared with SG. Kids had fun at the go kart within the mall. Rmb 150 for 2 boys. We also chance upon a children Judo competition in the mall. Quite interesting to watch. There is a dessert cafe at basement selling taro ball, the mango taro balls is yummy. I had milk tea with taro balls and matcha mochi - rmb 19. very nice.
Head to Dong Men and bought jackets for parents. The others bought luggages. By the time we go back home is already 9pm. Only dinner options is mcd.
Day 7 广州
Took an early train to Guang Zhou. Ride in first class cabin for slightly more than an hour. Stayed in One & One Apartment, split into 4 rooms. The boys slept with GuPo. We had dim sum at a nearby mall. The food was good but service soso...
Stroll along Beijing street while heading to the 大佛寺. The temple is stunning and huge. Very nice and definitely worth the visit. Dinner at Mr Steak. Mainly sell beef and chicken. The food was good except that the beef texture taste weird, like mock beef. And the dessert is quite tasteless, not sweet.
Day 8 Canton Tower and River cruise
The canton tower is definitely a gimmick and definitely not worth the price. We bought the rmb 298 package and most of the things are the same. The only interesting thing is the bubble tram. Felt cheated.
Had lunch at 赏点 level 1 of the canton tower. I would say the food is much better than the dim sum we had the day before. And the dessert looks gorgeous and taste yummy.
Wait till night fall to take the river cruise. Bought the ticket rmb 138 for the first level indoor. But stayed at level 2 open deck most of the time.. the view wasn't the best but the breeze is nice.. to see the canton tower from far is nice too.
Day 9 长隆
Stayed 1 night at 长隆熊猫酒店. The hotel is really beautiful. Very nicely decorated and clean. SGD 300 for 1 night include entrance tickets to 3 parks (Zoo, bird park and theme park). Bought a child ticket for Caylen for RMB 400 separately.
We decided to go to the theme park first since we only have half a day left. It was a 15mins walk from the hotel to theme park. Only managed to play a handful of rides.. some of the thrilling rides are under maintenance. The kids had so much fun. Ceyan tried the roller coaster for the first time and glad that he enjoyed it. Big boy already, he used to be timid and don't dare to try anything. Caylen is glad that he is not tall enough. Haha. Need to be above 140cm to take that rocket roller coaster. Hence, I brought him to play some kiddy rides and he took them all by himself.
Had dinner at the hotel food court. Spacious and not crowded. I tried the 脏脏包 that cost rmb 28 but is really nice...
Day 10 Safari at 长隆
Woke up early today. Bf at the hotel had a wide spread but taste isn't fantastic. Very big eating area. Rushed off to pack and check out of the hotel so that we can spend the day at the zoo...
The zoo is nice with cable car and train. There are many pandas as compared to SG. Cute tiger cubs were fighting right in front of our eyes. The kids don't want to leave. A few rides for kids within the park too but we didn't have much time for that.
The cable car ride was cool. Seeing white tigers and pandas on top of the trees and some animals below us.
The train was very nice, drove around the free range animals like giraffes, zebras, elephants, emu, birds, deers, goats etc... the overall experience was great. We love it..
Day 11 Shopping at One Mall
We were supposed to go window of the world but because we were late so we decided to just do some gift and snacks shopping. The kids enjoyed the car rides and Caylene simply loves it. She had fun too. Bought alot of snacks for the family. Had simple dinner and dessert at Chiu Gee, the food is average. The 芒果双皮奶 is good though.
Day 12 Window of the world
We were not early enough. Huge place to explore but we don't have enough time. The rides mostly close at 6pm. And the sky is dark to have a proper view of the place too. The kids still manage to play a few things there. We ate sth near the India Tribe section, The food was terrible. Along the way when we were walking towards the exit, there are much more restaurants and the food looks much more interesting too.
Day 13 Home Sweet Home
Booked a coach to send us to the airport with 20 luggages. Is a mad rush as the traffic is slower than expected, long queue to check in 17 luggages. Accidentally packed power bank in the luggage caused some delay. End up we got no time to eat at the airport, had to run to the boarding gate before gate close.
Overall, it has been a long trip but enjoyable too. The kids had the most fun. All the itinerary is planned for them. The weather is good and it is off peak in China hence avoided the long queues at attractions.
