Dr. Mark Nan Tu

I recently wrote an email to my Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) friends about my experience of traveling in China.

Hello All:

Did Jim Rogers actually say that now is not a good time to travel in China? Wow, I can not believe that he said that. Jim Rogers is wrong about the traveling in China. He is definitely right about the investing in China. The Shanghai composite index raised nearly 100% last year. The real estate price raised about 80% in Beijing (in other words, the return on out of pocket investment in real estate in Beijing with 30% downpayment should be like 150% or more).

I personally traveled to all corners in China, North to HelongJiang, East to Shanghai, West to XingJiang and Tibet, South the Yunnan and Hainan. I also traveled extensively in Europe and North America. In my point of view, I say that China is one of the best (if not the best) tourist place in the world.

Compared with North America, China offers similar landscape but richer history. Compared with Europe, China offers similar history but richer landscapes. What’s more important, traveling in China is so cheap that I even at the local Chinese pay, I do not look at the price tag. Nothing is expensive. How about a soft sleeper from Beijing to GuangZhou for less than $100USD. How about a lavish dinner in LiJiang, Yunnan for less than $20 USD. I recently went to XiaChuan Island (a small island 35 min by speed boat from TaiShan Guangzhou). I had the whole hotel (5 floors) for myself. The beach front room cost me less than $12USD. A seafood dinner cooked on the spot cost me $12USD. The Karaoke girls were asking for $24USD overnight. The island is a smaller version of Hawaii (where I visited twice in the 90s, so I know). I walked on the 2km beach that has only about 10 people and most of them are local fishermen. I call it: the most romantic beach in China.

Cost of living in big cities such as Beijing is rising. But not nearly as high as in the Valleys. The trick is NOT to live like LaoWai (foreigner), but to live like Chinese. If the rooms are paid off, the cost of living can be as low as $250USD/month and the quality of live is as good as a white collared person in the Valleys

I took a guided tour to Northern China last summer. The scene reminded me of my days in Minnesota with the Pine trees and dark soil. My 7 day guided trip including the guide, transportation, lodging, entrance tickets, etc cost around $250USD. It is cheaper than most of the people staying in Beijing for a week. In other words, traveling around China in such tours would be better option for retired folks than ask them to stay in Beijing, cost wise.

I respect Jim Rogers. In fact, he is my hero. I read two of his three books. Investment Biker and Adventure Capitalist. However, I totally disagree with him that now is not a good time traveling in China. The real difference between his traveling and mine traveling is that he traveled in China in a custom-made Mercedes Benz and staying mostly in 5 star hotels. I traveled in China with a back pack, using various transportation means and staying in all local hotels. I can say that I enjoyed just as much if not more than he did. I for sure have seen more of the real China than he did.

There is an old Chinese saying: In a local town, behave like a local. So in China, behave like a Chinese. You will enjoy more.

Best Regards
Mark Tu