9 Days in China-how best to use the time?
Oct 23rd, 2006, 01:33 PM
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9 Days in China-how best to use the time?
I'm in the early stages of planning a trip to China for myself (age 38) and my mother (age 60). I've been before (to HK and Beijing in 1998) and she's never been. She's always wanted to go and specifically wants to see the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xian.
We have tickets held with the tentative dates of May 5-15 which will give us 9 days on the ground, excluding international travel days. Right now we fly into Beijing and out of Shanghai, but I'm going to try and change the departure to Hong Kong.
So, I'm thinking 3 days in Beijing, 1 day in Xian, and 2 or 3 days in Hong Kong. That will give us 2 or 3 other days some place else. Any recommendations?
Some places I'm considering have been Chengdu for the Pandas, Shanghai (but honestly, not that interested) or some place with beautiful scenery (Guilin?). The other places (Beijing, HK) are big cities, so something more rural or scenic might be nice.
I know distances are far, and travel times can be long, so if this whole itinerary sounds crazy, let me know.
Thanks!
We have tickets held with the tentative dates of May 5-15 which will give us 9 days on the ground, excluding international travel days. Right now we fly into Beijing and out of Shanghai, but I'm going to try and change the departure to Hong Kong.
So, I'm thinking 3 days in Beijing, 1 day in Xian, and 2 or 3 days in Hong Kong. That will give us 2 or 3 other days some place else. Any recommendations?
Some places I'm considering have been Chengdu for the Pandas, Shanghai (but honestly, not that interested) or some place with beautiful scenery (Guilin?). The other places (Beijing, HK) are big cities, so something more rural or scenic might be nice.
I know distances are far, and travel times can be long, so if this whole itinerary sounds crazy, let me know.
Thanks!
Oct 23rd, 2006, 08:56 PM
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Kristina,
Try not to be in China traveling between May 1-7 or Oct 1-7. These are the "Golden Weeks" in China where ALL working people gets 7 days off. All the sites you want to visit will be swarmed with hordes and hordes of people. Plus, hotel & domestic tickets will be charged at a higher price. If possible, try to push back your arrival date into China to May 10th.. where everything will go back to normal .
3 days in Beijing is OK. 1 day in XiAn is way too short. You need to spend at least 2 day in XiAn (1 day for Terracota & 1 day to explore the ancient city).
Given the extra 2-3 days, you can "potentially" visit Guilin in the South. Guilin is known for its scenic beauty (karst limestone hills). Relaxing and scenic spot to be after the past 6 days doing historic sight seeing. You should be arrange direct flights from XiAn to Guilin.
Try not to be in China traveling between May 1-7 or Oct 1-7. These are the "Golden Weeks" in China where ALL working people gets 7 days off. All the sites you want to visit will be swarmed with hordes and hordes of people. Plus, hotel & domestic tickets will be charged at a higher price. If possible, try to push back your arrival date into China to May 10th.. where everything will go back to normal .
3 days in Beijing is OK. 1 day in XiAn is way too short. You need to spend at least 2 day in XiAn (1 day for Terracota & 1 day to explore the ancient city).
Given the extra 2-3 days, you can "potentially" visit Guilin in the South. Guilin is known for its scenic beauty (karst limestone hills). Relaxing and scenic spot to be after the past 6 days doing historic sight seeing. You should be arrange direct flights from XiAn to Guilin.
Oct 24th, 2006, 05:20 AM
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There are a second group of Terracotta warriors in China which most people miss out on. They are only about 18" high. I can't remember the location as it has been many years but they are mentioned in the Lonely Planet guide.
Despite wanting to go to Shanghai, I was not greatly impressed with it. Good museum there though.
I stayed at the Bell Tower hotel in central Xian. It was cheap. Daytime there was a market across the roundabout. 07:30 the guard changes at the tower in the middle of the road. There is a post office across the road too.
Despite wanting to go to Shanghai, I was not greatly impressed with it. Good museum there though.
I stayed at the Bell Tower hotel in central Xian. It was cheap. Daytime there was a market across the roundabout. 07:30 the guard changes at the tower in the middle of the road. There is a post office across the road too.
Oct 24th, 2006, 08:55 AM
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Global-Thanks. I don't know if we can change our dates but I'll consider that. We wouldn't arrive until the 6th anyway. Would things be crazy in Beijing on the 7th and 8th?
Iccchina-Fodor's prohibits adverstising on the message boards. Please don't do it.
Kaneda-Thanks for the info.
Anyone else?
Iccchina-Fodor's prohibits adverstising on the message boards. Please don't do it.
Kaneda-Thanks for the info.
Anyone else?
Oct 24th, 2006, 04:33 PM
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If you do go to Chengdu, you MUST take a short flight and visit the Jiuzhaigou area. The latter is one of the most pretty spots in China. I have also been to Guilin which is beautiful too. My favourite town in China is Lijiang.
Jiuzhaigou pictures: http://www.china.org.cn/english/kuaixun/74869.htm
Jiuzhaigou pictures: http://www.china.org.cn/english/kuaixun/74869.htm
Oct 25th, 2006, 06:22 AM
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Guilin is reputed as the most beautiful scenery city of China. Its peaks rise as suddenly from the Earth as trees in the forest, in various shapes resemble buns, camels, fish, saw-teeth, horses, etc. it is the city you must visit it or you will miss the most beautiful landscape out. the river is like green silk ribbon while the hills seem hairpins of jade.The landscape in Guilin is characterized by its “green hills, clear waters, pretty rocks and fantastic caves’’
Oct 25th, 2006, 11:42 PM
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Kristina,
you can see this website to know more about china ,then you will decide where to visit.
http://www.asiasuntours.com
you can see this website to know more about china ,then you will decide where to visit.
http://www.asiasuntours.com
Oct 26th, 2006, 12:06 AM
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Ahhh! So many "false posters" on this thread. Just wanted to add - GlobalFootsteps is correct about the first week of May being a "golden week," but the dates for the holiday haven't been set, and won't be set until 2007. May 1st is on a Tuesday next year, meaning the golden week could start the weekend before (April 28-29), or emcompass the weekend after (May 5-6) - it's hard to know. In any case, things should have calmed down by May 7-8.
Kaneda- based on this thread, and the other one on China - it's certainly difficult to impress you! LOL
Kaneda- based on this thread, and the other one on China - it's certainly difficult to impress you! LOL
