1st trip to China
 

We are 4 people in our 50's going to China for the 1st time - probably for 2 weeks give or take. It seems like the main stops should be Beijing, Xian and Shanghai. Would you add a 3-4 night cruise on Yangtze River, or rather Guilin and Hong Kong? Also, should we add in Lhasa? Any help will be great.

Two weeks is enough to see Shanghai,Beijing and Xian.

To fit in Guilin and Hong Kong would be pushing things too much. You would spend all your time in airplanes.

You may wish to do some study here, should you wish to go to Lhasa. http://www.chinatibettrain.com/fares.htm

english.ctrip.com

good prices options for me

the usual suspects plus a short cruise for me.

Tibet only if lots more time.

www.affordabeltours.com another good comp site.

Have fun,

Here is what I would do...
(and you can do this on your own with research and advance planning)

4-5 days Beijing
3 days Xian
3 days Guilin/Yangshuo
3 days (includes Watertowns) Shanghai (end your trip here or go on to Hong Kong)


No time to do justice to Lhasa -- save for another trip! Hong Kong would be great (and you can add it on if you had more time available) but with mostly cities on your itinerary, it would be nice to see more of the countryside of China (esp. around Yangshuo)

Good luck!
PS- click on my name to see my 4 week trip report if you are interested.

4 days in Beijing,2 days in Xi`an,3days in Guilin,5 days for Shanghai,Suzhou and Hangzhou.

Thanks guys. I feel like I'm getting to understand the layout a bit. I have a new problem. The only time to travel we can agree on with our friends, are the first 2 weeks in June. I know it's not the best time. Should we maybe postpone the trip for next year or go for it?

Generally, beijing-xian-shanghai tour is a 10-day tour for your to see all the highlights of these three cities.

If you plan to travel in June, you can choose Yangtze River bacause it is the most significant period for visitors to cruise. You can go like this:
beijing-xian-chongqing-yangtze river-yichang-shanghai

If you want to have the Yangtze River cruise, a checking work to the cruise schedule is neccessary.While June is the high season for yangtze cruise, so you can book the ship in any day of June.