Secretadmire

Okay so I'm a little late to the punch but I just registered so if anyway else is interested here is my take on Shanghai. (source* I've been living here for the last three years) There are a number of cheap discount hotels all over China that are decent. Hao Du ($15US/night) and Pretty House($20US/night) are the two that come to mind, though hao du is the only one I have stayed in and have never had problems taking girls up to my room. I don't know about Pretty house but seeing as they are near East Nanjing road (the tourist traps where prostitutes try to grab clients) I'm guessing they have no problem. As for travel between Shanghai and Beijing, i prefer high speed rail. Though Spring Airlines (China's shit tier discount airlines) does offer cheaper flights, sometimes, they are are a Chinese version of a cheap discount airline. Have you ever bought any cheap piece of junk product from the dollar store then turned it around to find it was made China and lol'ed to yourself? Imagine this experience in Airline form. They will get you from point A to point B but with absolutely no comfort or style and surrounded by Chinese peasants who have apparently never seen a stick of deodorant or a bar a soap! Also, Beijing Airport is way outside the city while the train station takes you to the middle of downtown. Bottom line if you have a few extra bucks take the train good seats on a train will run you about 200RMB more ($33US) but the trip will be far more comfortable and convenient, plus you get to enjoy all the scenery. Warnings: *Chinese people are way behind when it comes to STD awareness. STDs have been skyrocketing all over the country, I don't trust Chinese prostitutes at all and have never bothered soliciting them. *Chinese girls love white guys (sorry if your not white, but if you have money it doesn't really matter anyway) if you say hi to a girl on the metro you have about a 50/50 shot of getting her number If that you almost certain to have her in bed by the end of the week. Ladyboys are even easier and faster the problem is finding them in such a conservative country. *NEVER EVER EVER FOLLOW A GIRL TO A PLACE SHE RECOMMENDS!!!! China is full of scam artists! If you follow a girl you will be cheated. If someone threatens to call the cops, call their bluff! The locals have far more to loose than you do! Prostitution holds very stiff penalties for Chinese nationals the worst thing that will happen to you is being asked to leave the country (as long as you aren't involved in any more serious criminal activities). Last year a bunch of Japanese business men were busted for holding a rock star style drug and hooker party. Someone in the hotel called the cops and they did a massive raid, Japanese guys spent a night in jail then were sent home and asked not to return. *If you still want to go look up Judy's bar and Manhattan bar, I've heard they have some good ladyboys there but for at least twice the cost of Thailand.