China / Taiwan Itinerary Help (1 month)

Old Feb 25th, 2005, 10:28 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
China / Taiwan Itinerary Help (1 month)

My family is planning a month-long trip to Taiwan and China in April, and I wanted to see what advice Fodorites may have about mapping out a good itinerary. Here's our plan so far:

April
11 - 12: Arrive in Taipei. Do some light sight-seeing and try to catch up on jetlag.

13: Travel to Beijing.

14 - 17: Beijing. We're not sure whether to go to the Badaling or Mutianyu section of the Great Wall because my mother has bad knees and gets dizzy spells. How strenuous is Mutianyu?

18: Travel to Shanghai.

19 - 23: Shanghai. Plan on taking a day out to go to Hangzhou and spend the night. Might also consider a trip to Suzhou as well, depending on how much there is to see/do in Shanghai. Is Suzhou worth the time?

24: Travel to Hong Kong.

25 - 26: Hong Kong. Is two days enough for HK? Our plan here right now just consists of the Peak, shopping and eating.

27: Travel to Kaohsiung.

28 - 29: Kaohsiung. Have family here hence the stop. Is there much to see or do here?

30: Travel to Sun Moon Lake during the day.

May
1: Travel to Taipei late in the day.

2 - 3: Taipei.

Thoughts on that itinerary? Any hotel recommendations for Beijing and Hong Kong? We're looking to spend $200 USD a night for 3 ppl, or $100/night for 2 separate rooms.

We'll be staying with family in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Shanghai. This'll be my first time to Asia, and the first return of my parents since they immigrated 30 years ago. Language won't be a problem, as my parents can speak all the dialects of the regions we'll be going through (I only speak Mandarin).

Thanks for any help!

-Peter
karmasalad is offline  
Old Feb 25th, 2005, 02:08 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Peter--
Let's see if I can help with some of your questions. We were in Beijing in 1990 and 2000. And--we lived in Taiwan way back during the Vietnam War, and visited again in 1987 and 1990.

I've visited both places at the Great Wall, and much preferred the Mutianyu section. It was much less crowded, and there is a cable car up to the wall, which will be easier for your mother. She should be able to walk on the wall for a little ways. We brought a picnic lunch, and walked to the end of the restored area.

In Beijing, we stayed at the old historic Beijing Hotel. It was in a great location--only a short walk to Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City. We asked for--and received--a room overlooking the rooftops of the Forbidden City. The hotel was very interesting, but the rooms very basic.

We stayed 2 days in Shanghai in 2000. I think 4 days would be too much--but if you have family to show you around, maybe it would be OK. My favorite things there were just walking the Bund (especially at night) and the Shanghai Acrobat Show. We didn't travel to Hangzhou or Suzhou, but I've heard good things about them.

Hong Kong: Lots to do there. I would add a day if possible. Take an evening cruise on the bay to see the lights, go to Stanley Market on the far side of Hong Kong Island by double-decker bus. If you ride on the top toward the front, it is very exciting! Of course, you will take the ferry back & forth a few times. And, yes, Victoria Peak at night to see the lights of Kowloon. These are just a few ideas.

We lived in Tainan--not far from Kaohsiung. While there, take a drive down to the tip of the island--O Lan Pi. My husband was stationed there with the USAF and it is beautiful. I don't think there is much to see in Kaohsiung itself.

In Taipei, don't miss the National Museum. If at all possible, take a trip through Taroko Gorge in the middle of the island. Gorgeous scenery.

Hope these help a little. You will have a great time! Karin
karinkz is offline  
Old Feb 26th, 2005, 08:32 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi Peter
Just so you know: there are NO direct flights between Taiwan and the mainland. All air travel goes via HK. (The made an exception for 2 weeks during Chinese New year this year, but that was all). My husband goes back and forth from BJ to Taipei for work and the travel time is horrendous! So, having said that, you may want to reconsider your itinerary to ahve the visit in HK to voerlap with your flights that way.

Public holidays in HK and Mainalnd May 1-7 would mean that you would NOT want to be in either on those days.

Find out when QING MING is this year (early April) and decide if visiting ancestral graves is important for this visit. It will be a pubcli holiday in HK but not on the mainland. I don't know about Taiwan.

Mu Tian Yu Wall: has a cable car up and down, but the walk to the cable car base is steep and there is a huge flight of stairs. I have seen many old people do it, but watched when a family had to pick up and carry their 12 year old daughter (and someone else carried the wheelchair up those stone steps) since there was no access for handicapped.

You won't find an 'accessible" section of the wall, so if she can bear the steps to get to the cable car, she can enjoy the view from the top on the flat base there. The wall is only partially restored, so there will be many uneven steps along it. So, you can walk as far as is possible, then turn around to head back to the cable car.

Bchen is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
copilot
Asia
21
Dec 4th, 2007 04:53 PM
LizYoung
Asia
8
Nov 8th, 2006 07:25 PM
luckyinla
Asia
15
Apr 16th, 2005 11:29 AM
SJacobs509
Asia
6
Nov 20th, 2004 02:04 PM
chicco
Asia
6
Jun 27th, 2004 05:21 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -