Our Asia trip is fast approaching-Beijing being one of the last stops. We'll be there early April....how cold, generally? We get the feeling it's sprawling and difficult to navigate. Any itinerary suggestions that worked you you? (we're staying at the Penn for 6 days) Also, we have 1 1/2 days in HK at the end. We were there once briefly and were too jet lagged to get a great feel. Did The Bird Market, Victoria Peak, and figured out the subway. Any suggestions for places worth doing- or restaurants...we think we'll just stay at the airport hotel since we're coming in on a Sunday afternoon and leaving Monday evening. Any other thoughts/ideas on that? Thanks everyone.

Have you checked the prices of the Regal Airport Hotel in HK? It's often ~US$300. Way overpriced, as there's no competition whatsoever. You can stay at the InterContinental for that price!

But if you can get a decent rate, and really don't want to go out to the city, then that's fine. On the Monday, you can go tour Lantau Island, including Po Lin Monastery and the big buddha, as well as the fishing village of Tai O. Not a bad day trip.

As for Beijing, I'll let other experts help you with that. Yes, it's a really sprawling place, with very wide boulevards. It's generally easier to hire a car for the day, or take taxis, around town.

Thanks, Rkkwan.
When we stayed there 4 years ago, we made arrangements through a travel agent (one of the few times we've used one in the states---it was part of a pacakage---had no idea of the price.
Any reasonable alternatives (how far from the airport is the city, I've forgotten.)
Thanks
J

jodo - The airport is about 30 miles from the city. IF you take a taxi, about 30 minutes. The Airport Express train, 23 minutes to Central. Bus is about 40. But it all depends on which hotel you're going to - how far it's from the highway or train station. If you take the AE train, you'll need to transfer to a bus or taxi to most hotels.

We were in Beijing last year for ten days during the second half of April. It was very, very warm. I believe the afternoon temperatures were in the high 80's, low 90's. We found the city very easy to navigate, and we used the subway system extensively. One day we took at public bus to the Great Wall at Badaling - I believe it cost each of us maybe $2.00 each way for a one hour ride! We did not take any formal tours - we did it all on our own and I think we saw almost everything! We had an absolutely wonderful time! Enjoy yourself!

Hi

My wife and I went to Beijing and Hong Kong a couple of years back. We went there in March and Beijing was pretty cold in the mornings and evening. I have posted a trip report with pictures on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com. Maybe you can find some useful information there. Have a great trip

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

I stayed in Beijing in April for a week ....25 years ago!I guess it doesn't make any difference as far as the weather is concerned !It was VERY cold (icy)in the morning and at nights , but sunny during the day , when we only had sweaters on and our coats in our bags.So I guess you'd better check on the internet a few days before leaving.