China: Hong Kong to Beijing 2 weeks itinerary help needed
Jul 26th, 2013, 04:22 PM
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China: Hong Kong to Beijing 2 weeks itinerary help needed
Hello,
I will be travelling to China in mid October for 2 weeks. I am arriving in Hong Kong and will be leaving from Beijing. Quite a few itinerary suggestions seem to include Guilin/Yangshuo, and then going to Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing. However, I feel like this would be a bit rushed in such short time. For now, what I am thinking is to skip Guilin and Yangshuo, and instead fly from Hong Kong to Shanghai. I'm mostly interested in architecture (modern and ancient), history and culture, although I'd love to throw in a bit of nature (maybe hiking?).
I was wondering if you would have any suggestions on great places to visit based on my interests, ideally along some kind of Shanghai to Beijing route. I'm thinking that Xi'an might not be worth it for me as I have little interest in the Terracotta Warriors (although I very well might be wrong about that). I'd love to hike a mountain, I've been looking more particularly at Mt. Huangshan or Mt. Hua.
Considering I'll probably need 2 full days in Hong Kong and 4 full days in Beijing, that'd leave 7 days free. I'm thinking maybe 3 days in Shanghai, a day trip to a water town, one on Mt. Huangshan, a few days in Pingyao? Or would skipping either Xi'an or Yangshuo be a huge mistake?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
I will be travelling to China in mid October for 2 weeks. I am arriving in Hong Kong and will be leaving from Beijing. Quite a few itinerary suggestions seem to include Guilin/Yangshuo, and then going to Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing. However, I feel like this would be a bit rushed in such short time. For now, what I am thinking is to skip Guilin and Yangshuo, and instead fly from Hong Kong to Shanghai. I'm mostly interested in architecture (modern and ancient), history and culture, although I'd love to throw in a bit of nature (maybe hiking?).
I was wondering if you would have any suggestions on great places to visit based on my interests, ideally along some kind of Shanghai to Beijing route. I'm thinking that Xi'an might not be worth it for me as I have little interest in the Terracotta Warriors (although I very well might be wrong about that). I'd love to hike a mountain, I've been looking more particularly at Mt. Huangshan or Mt. Hua.
Considering I'll probably need 2 full days in Hong Kong and 4 full days in Beijing, that'd leave 7 days free. I'm thinking maybe 3 days in Shanghai, a day trip to a water town, one on Mt. Huangshan, a few days in Pingyao? Or would skipping either Xi'an or Yangshuo be a huge mistake?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Jul 26th, 2013, 08:39 PM
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It depends on what you want to see and do, but I personally would have found 4 days much too little in Beijing. And Xi'an has MUCH more than just the warriors.
You might find some helpful information in my trip report; just click on my name to find it. And check out some of the other trip reports on this board, too!
You might find some helpful information in my trip report; just click on my name to find it. And check out some of the other trip reports on this board, too!
Jul 27th, 2013, 08:50 AM
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Thanks for your replies. I do agree that 4 days in Beijing isn't that much, but I see it as a good balance of seeing the highlights without spending a too great percentage of my whole trip there. It's also very likely that this won't be my only visit there.
It seems like I should reconsider Xi'an as I might have overlooked it. I'm thinking about doing Shanghai - Mt. Huangshan - Xian before moving on to Beijing. Wutaishan does seem interesting though, wish I had more time.
Thanks for the advice regarding trip reports, I will definitely give it a try.
It seems like I should reconsider Xi'an as I might have overlooked it. I'm thinking about doing Shanghai - Mt. Huangshan - Xian before moving on to Beijing. Wutaishan does seem interesting though, wish I had more time.
Thanks for the advice regarding trip reports, I will definitely give it a try.
Jul 28th, 2013, 04:13 PM
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I think Shanghai--Huangshan--Xian--Beijing is an excellent itinerary altho from Shanghai to Huangshan is not a one day trip.
The bus from SHA takes 5 hours to get to Tangkou at the foot of the mountain, even with the cable cars, you won't get to a hotel on the mountain by dark. The only Shanghai Airlines flight from Hongqiao Airport lands you in Huangshan City aka Tunxi in 1.2 hours at 3:30 pm, Tunxi to Tangkou is another hour by bus. Or you could take the night train from SHA and arrive early morning at Tunxi, head right to Tangkou. From Tangkou you need to take another shuttle bus to the Gate to hike or catch the cable cars which have several routes. It is not a walk in the park but serious hiking/climbing. While you are there, I suggest you not miss the lovely Hongcun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in "Crunching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and the Old Street in Tunxi which has preserved/restored Ming and Qing dynasties' architecture buildings. And think about where to leave your luggage, you only want to take a small backpack when you climb.
The bus from SHA takes 5 hours to get to Tangkou at the foot of the mountain, even with the cable cars, you won't get to a hotel on the mountain by dark. The only Shanghai Airlines flight from Hongqiao Airport lands you in Huangshan City aka Tunxi in 1.2 hours at 3:30 pm, Tunxi to Tangkou is another hour by bus. Or you could take the night train from SHA and arrive early morning at Tunxi, head right to Tangkou. From Tangkou you need to take another shuttle bus to the Gate to hike or catch the cable cars which have several routes. It is not a walk in the park but serious hiking/climbing. While you are there, I suggest you not miss the lovely Hongcun, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featured in "Crunching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and the Old Street in Tunxi which has preserved/restored Ming and Qing dynasties' architecture buildings. And think about where to leave your luggage, you only want to take a small backpack when you climb.
Jul 29th, 2013, 11:44 PM
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I have not done much hiking in the PRC itself, but hike virtually every weekend here in Hong Kong, and would highly recommend it. In addition to great sceneary, what I like is that you can get to and from the trails using public transport, signange is in English and you don’t need a guide. It’s usually quite easy to find a good casual restaurant nearby at the end of a walk as well. You may not find all of the above to be true in the PRC.
Most hikes are 2-5 hours, but if you want something all day or more strenuous you can combine several sections/stages of a trail in a day, or do something like 17 km Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail hike (http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/trail_l...troduction.htm. Some hikes are all dirt, some are of combination of wood/concrete steps (as it is mosly hills here). If you want to go to the Big Buddha on Lantau, there are several great walks in that area, including walks up or down from the Buddha. Weather in mid October is usually quite good, temps and humidty have dropped.
See the websites below for some inforamton on hikes in Hong Kong
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtra...ail/ltrail.htm
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtra...ail/mtrail.htm
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtra...il/hktrail.htm
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtra...ail/wtrail.htm
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/trail_list/type.htm
I agree Xian is far more than just the clay soliders.
Most hikes are 2-5 hours, but if you want something all day or more strenuous you can combine several sections/stages of a trail in a day, or do something like 17 km Plover Cove Reservoir Country Trail hike (http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/trail_l...troduction.htm. Some hikes are all dirt, some are of combination of wood/concrete steps (as it is mosly hills here). If you want to go to the Big Buddha on Lantau, there are several great walks in that area, including walks up or down from the Buddha. Weather in mid October is usually quite good, temps and humidty have dropped.
See the websites below for some inforamton on hikes in Hong Kong
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtra...ail/ltrail.htm
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtra...ail/mtrail.htm
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtra...il/hktrail.htm
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/longtra...ail/wtrail.htm
http://www.hkwalkers.net/eng/trail_list/type.htm
I agree Xian is far more than just the clay soliders.
Jul 30th, 2013, 07:44 AM
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This looks great, thanks! I'll give it a look, although I fear I might not be long enough in Hong Kong. I've been convinced that Xian is worth visiting though, I will certainly go 
Still on the fence regarding Huangshan vs Huashan near Xian, it seems like Huashan might be the easiest options while still offering great views and exercise.
Still on the fence regarding Huangshan vs Huashan near Xian, it seems like Huashan might be the easiest options while still offering great views and exercise.
