Mainland China Visa Application

Applying for a Chinese Visa is easy.

As long as the  requirements are complete, it would almost be positive that the embassy will grant you a visa. There is no need to seek for the services of a travel agency unless otherwise the applicant has no time to line up early at the embassy, TWICE. First is during the application and the other is when picking up the passport.

Below are the requirements needed for first time filipino tourist applicants:

1. Passport with blank pages and at least 6 months validity prior expiration.
2. Filled-up application form.
3. Passport size photo on white background (Glued on the application form).
4. NBI Clearance valid for Travel Abroad.
5. Original bank certificate with receipt.
6. Certificate of Employment.
7. Photocopy of Company ID
8. Photocopy of SSS ID and Contributions
9. Photocopy of TIN ID
10. Latest Income Tax Return
11. Photocopy of the Passport's Emergency Contact Information Page.
12. Airline ticket.
13. Hotel booking.

For applicants with previously issued sticker type Chinese Visa:

1. Passport with blank pages and at least 6 months validity prior expiration.
2. Filled-up application form.
3. Passport size photo on white background (Glued on the application form).
4. Photocopy of previously used Chinese visa.
5. Airline ticket.
6. Hotel Accommodation.

If you plan on filing you own application, it is suggested to come to the embassy as early as 7 in the morning to get ahead of the line and finish before at least 11AM. The embassy door opens by 8AM and the applicants are allowed to enter to get a number stub. Number stub depends whether you are applying for a visa, passport concerns, or visa pick-up. Processing and calling of numbers will then start by 9AM.

Visa fee costs PhP1,400.00 for single entry application.

Chinese Embassy is located at the 2nd Floor of the World Centre in Gil Puyat Makati fronting the Mapua Institute of Technology Makati Campus.

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Bangkok City Hotel

I travelled to Thailand for a 4D4N stay to go sightseeing and shopping. I considered this trip a budget trip so I decided to book a room which is comfortably located near my areas of interests but also friendly on the pocket.

Bangkok City Hotel came in the list and it is just what I am looking for. It is near the shopping center, a few minutes walk to the Ratchathewi skytrain station and is also just a taxi away from the tourist areas.

I arrived past midnight and the reception immediately entertained me. Payment needs to be settled during check-in and a 100 Baht deposit is required which will be returned upon check-out.



The amenities of the hotel are currently in top notch condition since it is quite new. The corridors are clean though not air-conditioned but are well lit. Three elevators are servicing the entire building, one of which is for staff use and the rest are for the guests.

Buffet breakfast is already included in the room rate and is pretty decent, good for those guests staying for about 3 nights. For those staying much longer might get uninterested since the food being served are limited and almost the same everyday with some little changes in the menu.

The room is quite big. Only the essential things are present such as the bed, safety deposit box, dresser, personal refrigerator, electric kettle, television and two complimentary bottled water  provided daily. The room airconditioner is working well and it must work well as the temperature outside is quite hot. There is a WiFi connection available but it is a bit slow.

 

The bathroom is modern and remarkably clean. It has a bathtub which also acts as the shower basin. Fresh towels are provided as well as shampoo, conditioner, and soap but no toothbrush, toothpaste and shaver. Blow dryer is present.

I had a pleasant stay in this hotel, though, I have some gripes about the service of the staffs due to language miscommunication, the value for money beats it up and I would consider staying again when I get back to Bangkok. 

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Crowne Plaza Manila Hotel

Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila overall is a great hotel. The service was good from check in until check out. It is located near the Ortigas Center Business District and is just beside the Robinons Galleria Mall which is pretty convenient.

One thing I liked very much about this hotel is its Seven Corners Restaurant which caters a wide variety of food that will definitely not bore you during meals even if your stay is for more than a week.

  

The room I stayed in for 3 nights was clean and spacious with a big comfortable king size bed with 4 fluffy pillows and 2 throw pillows. It has two corner chairs, one for reading and the other for watching television or just for relaxation.

Parallel to the bed is a working table with a telephone, electric socket and a LAN port which is good for those guests on business purpose. The hotel also has a WiFi access but the charge is not minimal. 

I was a bit disappointed about the television since it is still a CRT type model. For a hotel such as this, I was expecting an LCD TV.

There are 2 complimentary bottled drinking water provided in the mini-bar together with tea bags, coffee, sugar and creamer. You can also bring your favorite grinded coffee beans since a coffee maker is readily available as well as a water kettle for making tea. For cold drinks, enclosed below the cabinet is a personal refrigerator.

Connected to the mini-bar is the dresser which houses the electronic safety box, an iron and its board, bath robes, hanger, an emergency flashlight, and a basket for shoes if you want the hotel to polish it.

The bathroom is roomy enough with separate sides for the shower enclosure, bathtub, lavatory and water closet. The towels are neat and clean while the bath accessories such as soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste are also available.

Below are the day and night views from the room, both shots are facing EDSA and Greenhills.

The hotel is good for its location and amenities but if budget is a concern, there are still other hotels around Ortigas area which could fit the bill.

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