Recap on Impressions of the cities we visited so far in China:

Hong Kong

1. Overly populated, especially in Kowloon
2. Great Metro system - Octopus card is wonderful
3. Dim Sum - not what we expected, still better tasting in Honolulu's China town
4. Pace is very fast - people love to rush, even the escalator seems to go faster
5. Lots of construction going on - trying to keep up with the Mainland
6. Victoria Peak was great. Have a cuppa at Pacific Coffee Company for a free internet.
7. Lightshow every night at 8 p.m. was good. (MWF is in English).
8. Ferry is very cheap to and from Hong Kong island.
9. Make sure to visit Lamma Island and try the Tofu Fa (cold taho).

Shanghai

1. Not as populated, just seems crowded because of the tourists
2. Metro system can still be improved, crowded during rush hour, closes early at night (cannot go club hopping, not unless you take a cab)
3. Lots of good places to buy local food for cheap
4. Jin Mao tower is a good place to see a bird's eye view of the city.
5. Yu Yuan Gardens is good to visit but not to eat - low quality food.
6. Isetan's Megabite and Jin Mao's basement are pretty good food courts - just crowded during lunch time.
7. Construction everywhere, all over the city. We felt some tremors one time and heard an explosion - we think it is from the construction of new Metro lines.
8. People selling shoes, watches, bags are so irritating.
9. Young people who seem to be friendly but are just trying to scam tourists make us sad, they could practice their English doing something else.

Beijing

1. Huge city - not too easy to visit tourist sights, blocks are long and wide.
2. Metro - still being improved, hopefully will be a lot easier for tourist to access tourist sights.
3. Taxi drivers will take you for a ride - you end up paying more than you bargained for, just be tough and ready with your Chinese phrases.
4. Beware of the people spitting all over the place - the government is trying to educate them to use the trash bins but there are still lots of people that do it everywhere and anywhere. At least you will be warned before they spit when you here the scratching sound (don't know how to describe it).
5. Very polluted, probably due to the coal not from the vehicles. Bring a mask to use for protection.
6. Lots of tourists at the main sights so just be ready.
7. Have lunch after the regular lunch hours, the food courts and restaurants are too crowded and noisy that time.
8. Everywhere in the city there are constructions going on. Within the next 5-10 years you will see a new Beijing.

Hostels:

Hong Kong - Traveller's Friendship Hostel

Never ever go here. They go under a number of names and list themselves in Hostelworld. You sign up for a room. When you get there they will show you "supposedly" the room you booked - the ugliest room, most likely just for show, then tell you for a few HKdollars more you get this other room, and show you the "nice" one with airconditioning. It's a bait and switch tactic we fell into. The room was tiny, the bathroom/toilet miniscule, the A/C fluctuates between warm and cool, the walls moldy. Plus, it is located in the Mirador Mansion - the oldest, rattiest building in the block!!! Not recommended at all!!!

Shanghai - Shanghai City Central Youth Hostel (belongs to the Utels group)

Very nice, hotel-like accommodations. Friendly and helpful staff. A few hundred meters from the Metro (which closes at 9:40 p.m. every night). Internet - for 10 yuan/hour. Towels and toiletries provided. Bar and restaurant - soso food but very convenient. Laundry - can wash clothes but dryer is just not too hot, need to use the clothe's line. Not near a supermarket but at the Zhongshan metro stop you can get off to buy groceries at the Carrefour - convenient. Although you can buy water and snacks at the Info. counter. Has airport/train station pick-up and drop-off service. Would return to this place again. Highly recommended!

Beijing - Leo Hostel

Located in a hutong, Da Zha Lan xi jie. Very good area, near the Tian An Men area. Metro not too far. Lots of bus stops along the Meishi jie. Bar and restaurant - good, reasonable food. Friendly and helpful staff. Internet - for 8 yuan/hour. Tours given are pretty good and reasonable. Grocery store is right next door and smaller stores across selling cheaper ice cold water and drinks. Has pick-up and drop-off services, bike rentals. Highly recommended!!!

Xi'an - Shuyuan Hostel (part of Utels)

Located within the South gate city wall. A very nice Chinese courtyard home-turned hostel. Rooms are nice and very clean and modern. Bar and restaurant - good food, reasonable price. Lots of activities for hostellers - BBQ nights, Dumpling Fridays, etc. Internet is FREE! Tours are reasonable and good. Friendly and helpful staff. The best hostel so far. Highly recommended!!!