4 week China trip in Oct - What do I see?
Discussion
Guys,
Got a 4 week trip to China booked for October (starting 2nd week, back in UK first week Nov) - posted up our itinerary below:
Shanghai (2 nights)
Bullet train to Beijing
Beijing (3 nights inc. day at great wall)
Sleeper train to Xi'an
Xi'an (2 nights inc. visiting the warriors)
Flight to Chengdu
Chengdu (3 nights inc. Pandas and Leshan Buddha)
Flight Chengdu to Guilin
Yangshuo (3 nights)
Ping'an (2 nights)
Flight Guilin to Sanya
Mandarin Oriental at Sanya (6 nights - relax time)
Flight Sanya to HK
Hong Kong (3 nights)
Never been to Asia before so after some general advice, anything in particular should we take from the UK? And what to see/do in each place? Tips on activities we already have planned?
Probably a bit early to start planning small details but need something to enlighten my mood from the crap weather outside.
Got a 4 week trip to China booked for October (starting 2nd week, back in UK first week Nov) - posted up our itinerary below:
Shanghai (2 nights)
Bullet train to Beijing
Beijing (3 nights inc. day at great wall)
Sleeper train to Xi'an
Xi'an (2 nights inc. visiting the warriors)
Flight to Chengdu
Chengdu (3 nights inc. Pandas and Leshan Buddha)
Flight Chengdu to Guilin
Yangshuo (3 nights)
Ping'an (2 nights)
Flight Guilin to Sanya
Mandarin Oriental at Sanya (6 nights - relax time)
Flight Sanya to HK
Hong Kong (3 nights)
Never been to Asia before so after some general advice, anything in particular should we take from the UK? And what to see/do in each place? Tips on activities we already have planned?
Probably a bit early to start planning small details but need something to enlighten my mood from the crap weather outside.
Very jealous, do you have a spare ticket?
I've only been to Shanghai, and that's only for work, but make sure you get the Maglev from the airport into the city centre!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Maglev_Train
I've only been to Shanghai, and that's only for work, but make sure you get the Maglev from the airport into the city centre!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanghai_Maglev_Train
Will keep an eye on this as I am moving to Shanghai in August for 2 years, so seeing how it goes etc would be great as we plan to make the most of being out that way of the world and taking in as much as possible.
My other sent me this link, which we are using as a guide of what to do and see (you have probably seen it / similar) http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/life/40-beautiful-p... and are speaking with the OH's new colleagues as well to see what they recomend
My other sent me this link, which we are using as a guide of what to do and see (you have probably seen it / similar) http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/life/40-beautiful-p... and are speaking with the OH's new colleagues as well to see what they recomend
matt3001 said:
Guys,
Got a 4 week trip to China booked for October (starting 2nd week, back in UK first week Nov) - posted up our itinerary below:
Shanghai (2 nights)
Bullet train to Beijing
Beijing (3 nights inc. day at great wall)
Sleeper train to Xi'an
Xi'an (2 nights inc. visiting the warriors)
Flight to Chengdu
Chengdu (3 nights inc. Pandas and Leshan Buddha)
Flight Chengdu to Guilin
Yangshuo (3 nights)
Ping'an (2 nights)
Flight Guilin to Sanya
Mandarin Oriental at Sanya (6 nights - relax time)
Flight Sanya to HK
Hong Kong (3 nights)
Never been to Asia before so after some general advice, anything in particular should we take from the UK? And what to see/do in each place? Tips on activities we already have planned?
Probably a bit early to start planning small details but need something to enlighten my mood from the crap weather outside.
.Got a 4 week trip to China booked for October (starting 2nd week, back in UK first week Nov) - posted up our itinerary below:
Shanghai (2 nights)
Bullet train to Beijing
Beijing (3 nights inc. day at great wall)
Sleeper train to Xi'an
Xi'an (2 nights inc. visiting the warriors)
Flight to Chengdu
Chengdu (3 nights inc. Pandas and Leshan Buddha)
Flight Chengdu to Guilin
Yangshuo (3 nights)
Ping'an (2 nights)
Flight Guilin to Sanya
Mandarin Oriental at Sanya (6 nights - relax time)
Flight Sanya to HK
Hong Kong (3 nights)
Never been to Asia before so after some general advice, anything in particular should we take from the UK? And what to see/do in each place? Tips on activities we already have planned?
Probably a bit early to start planning small details but need something to enlighten my mood from the crap weather outside.
TRAVEL ALERT ---- THIS IS THE WORST TIME IN CHINA TO TRAVEL !!! --- NATIONAL DAY FOR 14 DAYS -- ALL TRAVEL TICKETS WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT.
.
.
Sounds great,
Quite rushed though.
Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu will all be cold and probably wet.
To do:
Shanghai, Top of the Oriental Pearl Tower and walk the bund in each evening
Your train times from Shanghai to Beijing
http://www.chinatrainguide.com/stntostn.php
518 rnb (£55.00) for 5 and half hours travel 850 miles,
You should really book about a week in advance, which may be a problem for you.
PM me if you need more.
Passport needed to book, and board train.
You may be better just flying to Beijing, it's generally teh same price.
More later
vette
Edited by uk_vette on Wednesday 10th April 14:06
uk_vette said:
matt3001 said:
Guys,
Got a 4 week trip to China booked for October (starting 2nd week, back in UK first week Nov) - posted up our itinerary below:
Shanghai (2 nights)
Bullet train to Beijing
Beijing (3 nights inc. day at great wall)
Sleeper train to Xi'an
Xi'an (2 nights inc. visiting the warriors)
Flight to Chengdu
Chengdu (3 nights inc. Pandas and Leshan Buddha)
Flight Chengdu to Guilin
Yangshuo (3 nights)
Ping'an (2 nights)
Flight Guilin to Sanya
Mandarin Oriental at Sanya (6 nights - relax time)
Flight Sanya to HK
Hong Kong (3 nights)
Never been to Asia before so after some general advice, anything in particular should we take from the UK? And what to see/do in each place? Tips on activities we already have planned?
Probably a bit early to start planning small details but need something to enlighten my mood from the crap weather outside.
.Got a 4 week trip to China booked for October (starting 2nd week, back in UK first week Nov) - posted up our itinerary below:
Shanghai (2 nights)
Bullet train to Beijing
Beijing (3 nights inc. day at great wall)
Sleeper train to Xi'an
Xi'an (2 nights inc. visiting the warriors)
Flight to Chengdu
Chengdu (3 nights inc. Pandas and Leshan Buddha)
Flight Chengdu to Guilin
Yangshuo (3 nights)
Ping'an (2 nights)
Flight Guilin to Sanya
Mandarin Oriental at Sanya (6 nights - relax time)
Flight Sanya to HK
Hong Kong (3 nights)
Never been to Asia before so after some general advice, anything in particular should we take from the UK? And what to see/do in each place? Tips on activities we already have planned?
Probably a bit early to start planning small details but need something to enlighten my mood from the crap weather outside.
TRAVEL ALERT ---- THIS IS THE WORST TIME IN CHINA TO TRAVEL !!! --- NATIONAL DAY FOR 14 DAYS -- ALL TRAVEL TICKETS WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT.
.
.
Sounds great,
Quite rushed though.
Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu will all be cold and probably wet.
To do:
Shanghai, Top of the Oriental Pearl Tower and walk the bund in each evening
Your train times from Shanghai to Beijing
http://www.chinatrainguide.com/stntostn.php
518 rnb (£55.00) for 5 and half hours travel 850 miles,
You should really book about a week in advance, which may be a problem for you.
PM me if you need more.
Passport needed to book, and board train.
You may be better just flying to Beijing, it's generally teh same price.
More later
vette
Edited by uk_vette on Wednesday 10th April 14:06
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/essential/public-h...
Edited by matt3001 on Wednesday 10th April 14:13
In Shanghai I would recommend going up the Jin Mao tower instead of the Pearl, as, relatively speaking the Pearl is more expensive (or was, may have changed now). From the observation floor look down all the flights to the reception lobby of the hotel below!
http://www.jinmao88.com/en/jinmaodasa_edifice_tour...
I would also recommend the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall in People's Square, the scale model of the city is just amazing!
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shangha...
The Bund at night is spectacular and worth going and soaking up the atmosphere.
Beijing is vast, the Forbidden Palace and Tianamen Square you can set aside a day to do (and more!). If you're going to the Great Wall I would advise you to get a trip which doesn't go to Badaling, it's just tourist-hell. On an evening walk through the Hutongs, I went to those around Shichahai Lake.
Chengdu, my brother and his family now live there so I haven't done that much touristy stuff, apart from the Pandas and the Leshan Buddha. Poet DuFu's cottage is based in a lovely park, which might be worth a visit, if just to get away from the hussle and bussle, there's a museum there too. I also went to a temple last year but I can't remember where the hell it was, it could be this place http://scenery.cultural-china.com/en/128Scenery641... and in the streets surrounding it were cultural heritage shops. I suggest you eat in one of the many noodle shops/'restaurants' and for less than 50p eat a tasty bowl of noodle broth which is laced with the sichuan pepper. I'm drooling just thinking about it!
I was last in Shanghai in October 2010 and the weather was ok, I'd been HK beforehand, which was very hot and muggy, SH was cooler and I started wearing my jeans again, but I don't remember having too many layers of jumpers/jackets. Chengdu was a bit more nippier, with more chance of rain. Beijing (at the end of Oct) was a mix. In the centre around the Forbidden Palace was lovely and quite warm, but the Great Wall was bloody freezing (and don't expect any heating in the transport up there), so I'd suggest you have some warm clothes for there.
http://www.jinmao88.com/en/jinmaodasa_edifice_tour...
I would also recommend the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall in People's Square, the scale model of the city is just amazing!
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shangha...
The Bund at night is spectacular and worth going and soaking up the atmosphere.
Beijing is vast, the Forbidden Palace and Tianamen Square you can set aside a day to do (and more!). If you're going to the Great Wall I would advise you to get a trip which doesn't go to Badaling, it's just tourist-hell. On an evening walk through the Hutongs, I went to those around Shichahai Lake.
Chengdu, my brother and his family now live there so I haven't done that much touristy stuff, apart from the Pandas and the Leshan Buddha. Poet DuFu's cottage is based in a lovely park, which might be worth a visit, if just to get away from the hussle and bussle, there's a museum there too. I also went to a temple last year but I can't remember where the hell it was, it could be this place http://scenery.cultural-china.com/en/128Scenery641... and in the streets surrounding it were cultural heritage shops. I suggest you eat in one of the many noodle shops/'restaurants' and for less than 50p eat a tasty bowl of noodle broth which is laced with the sichuan pepper. I'm drooling just thinking about it!
I was last in Shanghai in October 2010 and the weather was ok, I'd been HK beforehand, which was very hot and muggy, SH was cooler and I started wearing my jeans again, but I don't remember having too many layers of jumpers/jackets. Chengdu was a bit more nippier, with more chance of rain. Beijing (at the end of Oct) was a mix. In the centre around the Forbidden Palace was lovely and quite warm, but the Great Wall was bloody freezing (and don't expect any heating in the transport up there), so I'd suggest you have some warm clothes for there.
Forgot to add, the one thing I really liked about Hong Kong was a night out at Happy Valley (if I remember correctly I think racing is on a Wednesday evening). Only cost 10HKD (that's a quid) to get in, great fun if you like a flutter. Also take the tram up Victoria Peak just before nightfall to admire the view and watch the city light up.
I can't remember how long you said you'd be in HK but if it's for a few days it might be worth getting an Octopus card, as well as using it for travel you can use it to get into places, such as Happy Valley.
One of the great things about HK airport is that if you have a late departure you can check in at Central(?) station, your luggage then gets sent to the airport whilst you can spend the rest of the day in town.
Edit - just been going through my photos to remind me of where I went. In Beijing if you get the chance, pop along to the Dong Hua Men Road night food market, it's not far from the FP/TS (over the east gate). It sells a range of meat, fish and insects, some is really tasty, others I wouldn't dream of passing my lips!
Since I have my brother with me as a tour guide I don't need to worry about the language, however, perhaps a useful tip I got from another traveller is to take a business card of the hotel you stay in so if you need to take a taxi to get back you can just show them the address.
I can't remember how long you said you'd be in HK but if it's for a few days it might be worth getting an Octopus card, as well as using it for travel you can use it to get into places, such as Happy Valley.
One of the great things about HK airport is that if you have a late departure you can check in at Central(?) station, your luggage then gets sent to the airport whilst you can spend the rest of the day in town.
Edit - just been going through my photos to remind me of where I went. In Beijing if you get the chance, pop along to the Dong Hua Men Road night food market, it's not far from the FP/TS (over the east gate). It sells a range of meat, fish and insects, some is really tasty, others I wouldn't dream of passing my lips!
Since I have my brother with me as a tour guide I don't need to worry about the language, however, perhaps a useful tip I got from another traveller is to take a business card of the hotel you stay in so if you need to take a taxi to get back you can just show them the address.
Edited by Planet Claire on Wednesday 10th April 23:06
Yangshuo is beautiful, we went there in 2010 and they had started developing it more but hopefully they haven't done too much yet. We had 2 nights there and the best way around is by bicycle, just be aware that if a vehicle from behind toots at you it means its going to over take you.
We went to the Moon Water Caves which were really good. You get changed into your swim wear, don a hard hat and flip flops and get in a little canoe and are pulled into the caves. You are then led on a path single file into the caves going via a mud bath (complete with slide) a cool stream to have a wash and then hot springs after.
We also did a raft trip on the Yulong River which is reported to be much nicer then the Li River which runs from Guilin. We took a bus from the station to Yangdi were you meet the raft. We paid 200 RMB for the trip for 2 people.
We went to the Moon Water Caves which were really good. You get changed into your swim wear, don a hard hat and flip flops and get in a little canoe and are pulled into the caves. You are then led on a path single file into the caves going via a mud bath (complete with slide) a cool stream to have a wash and then hot springs after.
We also did a raft trip on the Yulong River which is reported to be much nicer then the Li River which runs from Guilin. We took a bus from the station to Yangdi were you meet the raft. We paid 200 RMB for the trip for 2 people.
Planet Claire said:
Beijing is vast, the Forbidden Palace and Tianamen Square you can set aside a day to do (and more!). If you're going to the Great Wall I would advise you to get a trip which doesn't go to Badaling, it's just tourist-hell. On an evening walk through the Hutongs, I went to those around Shichahai Lake.
we went to Jinshanling - much quieter and a mix of restored and 'as was' wall,
http://www.china.org.cn/english/travel/57234.htm
Further from Beijing, but worth it
Planet Claire said:
In Shanghai I would recommend going up the Jin Mao tower instead of the Pearl, as, relatively speaking the Pearl is more expensive (or was, may have changed now). From the observation floor look down all the flights to the reception lobby of the hotel below!
http://www.jinmao88.com/en/jinmaodasa_edifice_tour...
I would also recommend the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall in People's Square, the scale model of the city is just amazing!
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shangha...
The Bund at night is spectacular and worth going and soaking up the atmosphere.
Beijing is vast, the Forbidden Palace and Tianamen Square you can set aside a day to do (and more!). If you're going to the Great Wall I would advise you to get a trip which doesn't go to Badaling, it's just tourist-hell. On an evening walk through the Hutongs, I went to those around Shichahai Lake.
If you're making the effort to go up a tower, you might as well go for the highest and most spectacular - the World Financial Centre!http://www.jinmao88.com/en/jinmaodasa_edifice_tour...
I would also recommend the Urban Planning Exhibition Hall in People's Square, the scale model of the city is just amazing!
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shangha...
The Bund at night is spectacular and worth going and soaking up the atmosphere.
Beijing is vast, the Forbidden Palace and Tianamen Square you can set aside a day to do (and more!). If you're going to the Great Wall I would advise you to get a trip which doesn't go to Badaling, it's just tourist-hell. On an evening walk through the Hutongs, I went to those around Shichahai Lake.
I agree about the planning exhibition, we spent a while in there - the city model is huge!
We went to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and it was pretty quiet but also quite accessible from Beijing.
If it is some sort of national holiday at the time I'd think twice. In the summer holiday when I went the crowds everywhere were very wearing, in the Forbidden City, Summer Palace etc, and quickly got tiresome especially as there is no politeness, just pushing! I was surprised how few non-Chinese toursts there were too, given these are what you would think are global cities/destinations now.
Hub said:
If you're making the effort to go up a tower, you might as well go for the highest and most spectacular - the World Financial Centre!
I agree about the planning exhibition, we spent a while in there - the city model is huge!
We went to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and it was pretty quiet but also quite accessible from Beijing.
If it is some sort of national holiday at the time I'd think twice. In the summer holiday when I went the crowds everywhere were very wearing, in the Forbidden City, Summer Palace etc, and quickly got tiresome especially as there is no politeness, just pushing! I was surprised how few non-Chinese toursts there were too, given these are what you would think are global cities/destinations now.
Excellent post from Hub I agree with completely.I agree about the planning exhibition, we spent a while in there - the city model is huge!
We went to the Great Wall at Mutianyu and it was pretty quiet but also quite accessible from Beijing.
If it is some sort of national holiday at the time I'd think twice. In the summer holiday when I went the crowds everywhere were very wearing, in the Forbidden City, Summer Palace etc, and quickly got tiresome especially as there is no politeness, just pushing! I was surprised how few non-Chinese toursts there were too, given these are what you would think are global cities/destinations now.
Shanghai
The 100th floor of the WFC is brilliant and has a glass floor for you to jump around on. Jin Mao tower is also good to go up, but save this for the night and have a drink at their Sky Bar.
If you want the best view of the Bund then visit one of the bars on the lower side at night. Have a drink and admire all the skyscrapers lit up on the Pu Dong side. Try to grab a snap when the Aurora building shows 'I heart SH'
Overall the Bund is ok, but you don't need to spend loads of time there, it's just some street by the river.Another 'must' area to visit is Tianzifang. It's a cosy mix of sidestreets full of cool little shops, cafes, eateries with local housing above. Great for wondering around, taking snaps and relaxing away a nice afternoon.
For food, if there's one restaurant you go to in SH then it has to be 'Lost Heaven'. It really is an amazing place, great chilled atmosphere (not posh stuffy
), sensational food and cocktails, plus reasonably priced. Normally very busy even mid-week! There is one just off 'The Bund' with another newly opened one in the French Concession. Booking is a must, but it's more than worth it as you'll want to go back again and again..... I certainly have French Concession is a great place to wonder around if you know the right areas. Plenty of great cafes, bars, wine bars etc with a good expat/local mix. El Coctel is a cracking bar for a drink, but a little too popular these days and requires booking of a table.
If you have space in your luggage then consider a trip to the 3 storey fabric market. Suits tailored for £70, shirts tailored in any fabric you want for under £14 and plenty of other bits and bobs you might need.
Beijing
In Beijing we walked from Tianamen Sq through the Forbidden City, up to a hill just North with a Pagoda for nice views, then walked North through the Park to the Hutong for drinks and food. It takes a full day and involves a heck of a lot of walking. No need to spend any more time on these area, well, unless you fancy popping back to the Hu Tong for some more drinks and buying of nic-nacs.
The Great Wall at Mutianyu was brilliant and very quiet. It's the one you HAVE to go to to avoid the hell of all the tourists.We hired a private driver for about £80 for the day. He spoke good English, was a great guy, sorted out our tickets at each location and was just generally a bit of a legend.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g29...
We did the Wall first thing to avoid the rush (arrived at 0930 and it was dead), took the ski lift up there, waltzed around for a few hours then took the (AMAZING) tobogon ride down. We then went to the Ming Tombs, Changling Tomb and finished with a cheeky stop at the Birdsnest Olympic stadium.
So the wall and driver day will take up one full day and the Forbidden city, Tianamen Sq, Hutong etc will take another day. The Summer Palace can be missed off imo, it's not better than the Forbidden City, is very busy and is quite samey!
Xian
The first day we arrived around lunchtime and did the Goose Pagoda. Very nice, but eventually you get tired of Pagodas and they all start looking the same.
Terracotta warriors are excellent, make sure you get a good English speaking tour guide and driver. We did it in an afternoon, with the morning spent cycling around the Xian city wall (rent bikes on top for £4). Great fun and well worth doing over 2hrs also.
The Muslim quarter is great to walkaround at night, plenty of streetfood and things going on. We had the most amazing meal in some local large restaurant that looked like an industrial kitchen. £10 for 2 with multiple plates of dumplings and spiced beef on sesame seed buns (OMNOMNOM). Local dining at it's best and not a word of English spoken
The air quality in Xian is terrible though; you'll notice how breathless you get after walking around the city.
Overall, don't spend more than 2days here, what you need to see is covered above in 2 days.
Please excuse my spelling and grammar, just braindumped this post at work!
Andy_sx said:
Will keep an eye on this as I am moving to Shanghai in August for 2 years, so seeing how it goes etc would be great as we plan to make the most of being out that way of the world and taking in as much as possible.
My other sent me this link, which we are using as a guide of what to do and see (you have probably seen it / similar) http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/life/40-beautiful-p... and are speaking with the OH's new colleagues as well to see what they recomend
Let me know if you need any tips. My gf has been out there for the last 18months with work and I've been over a couple of times, just got back actually and saw the Grand Prix last weekend My other sent me this link, which we are using as a guide of what to do and see (you have probably seen it / similar) http://travel.cnn.com/shanghai/life/40-beautiful-p... and are speaking with the OH's new colleagues as well to see what they recomend
Edited by -Ad- on Tuesday 23 April 11:34
About 10 years ago the trip below took us 3 weeks
Hong Kong
boat to Guangzhou
Chengdu
3 Gorges 3/4day boat trip Chongqing to Wuhan
Xian
Beijing
We flew between each city as it was just as cheap as the train but took a fraction of the time.
I do remember thinking it would have been nicer to have an extra week to do it so don't try and pack too much in.
Hong Kong
boat to Guangzhou
Chengdu
3 Gorges 3/4day boat trip Chongqing to Wuhan
Xian
Beijing
We flew between each city as it was just as cheap as the train but took a fraction of the time.
I do remember thinking it would have been nicer to have an extra week to do it so don't try and pack too much in.
Edited by Lanby on Tuesday 23 April 11:32
We hired a guide for our time in Beijing and I thought it was absolutely worth it. Ours was recommended on Tripadvisor and called Lilly. She took us to local food places and we experienced the city. She was also very knowledgeable which meant that we spent time appreciating and understanding what we were seeing.
We ate in a restaurant called Made in China. It was excellent but hard to get a reservation. We were lucky because we went in the hotel bar opposite and started a conversation with the bar manager. He managed to get us the best table in the house on a night we had been told was fully booked.
If you are doing the Great Wall from here just book a taxi for the trip. They will get you there very quickly and hang around until you are done. The price was reasonable and our hotel organised it for us.
We stayed in the Peninsula Hotel. Can't recall the location but if you are near there are a couple of things to look out for. First is the restaurant I already mentioned. That is just around the corner. More significantly, there are 5 or 6 car dealerships on this road with all sorts of exotics. When I was there they had 3 Zondas including an R a couple of Veyrons and many Ferraris.
We ate in a restaurant called Made in China. It was excellent but hard to get a reservation. We were lucky because we went in the hotel bar opposite and started a conversation with the bar manager. He managed to get us the best table in the house on a night we had been told was fully booked.
If you are doing the Great Wall from here just book a taxi for the trip. They will get you there very quickly and hang around until you are done. The price was reasonable and our hotel organised it for us.
We stayed in the Peninsula Hotel. Can't recall the location but if you are near there are a couple of things to look out for. First is the restaurant I already mentioned. That is just around the corner. More significantly, there are 5 or 6 car dealerships on this road with all sorts of exotics. When I was there they had 3 Zondas including an R a couple of Veyrons and many Ferraris.
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