Hello everyone, I had a couple questions:
- How long in advance can I buy a bus ticket (Kunming to Shangri la, more specifically)?
- Is there any online bus ticket booking service for foreigners, like the Chinese version of Ctrip but that would allow to book with an international ID? One can dream...
- Is it possible to buy a ticket for one of the chartered vehicles going to Jiaozi Snow Mountain on the day on a weekend (to Jiaozi on Saturday and back on Sunday) or is it possible/recommended to buy the tickets in advance and where?
Thank you very much!
Bus/coach tickets normally available one month in advance. Booking coach, bus or train you will have to use your passport unless you have one of the new Chinese style identity cards that some people are now being issued with. Passport numbers can now be used without having to prefix with zeros etc. That's your dream taken care of. I don't have answers to your other questions.
Any more info on the Chinese-style identity cards?
I have understood that those come only with permanent residence permit (Chinese "green card").
Well I don't expect many expats on here to get a green card anytime soon.
These ID cards are a standard replacement for the foreign 'expert' certificate.
That makes sense. Confirmed here www.gokunming.com/[...]
See:www.gokunming.com/[...] reference 'ID cards'.
Also do I need to go to the departure station specifically (to book a bus ticket)? Or will any bus station do?