Planning a 13-day trip to China in late November. Have a couple of questions:
Is this a poor time for weather?
Beijing is a must do, but can't decide between Shanghai and Hong Kong for a second stop. Leaning towards HKG but it will cost us 40K more in miles.) Thoughts?
Can anyone recommend a good high end tour company? (Prefer independent traveling, but considering being part of a SMALL tour). Thoughts?
Any experiences and/or advice would be MUCH appreciated. Thanks!

Just wondering which FF miles are you using that will cost you 40K more to fly out of HKG?

Beijing will be getting cold in late November, but otherwise weather should be okay.

American clasifies HKG as "Asia Group 2" which has a different and higher miles allotment to fly in or out. Do anyone know a good travel agent for China? And what about Hong Kong vs Shanghai? HELP.

Oh, I see about the miles. Well, it'll also cost you more flying PEK-HKG than PEK-Shanghai.

But the two are different cities. Hong Kong is more "developed", more Western. Shanghai, however, has more developments in the last 5-10 years. You may feel more a "gold rush" mentality in Shanghai than Hong Kong.

Anyways, Hong Kong is still quite different from the rest of China because of its British history. You can also visit Macau, which is just 40 miles away, but had been a Portugese enclave for 400 years.

Between Shanghai and HK, there is no question in my mind that you should pick HK. HK is much more scenic; combination of east and west; finance center of the Far East; consisting mainly of southern Chinese people with the distinctive Cantonese cuisine. Weather in HK in late Nov should be pleasant. In PEK you'll see the traffic choas; by contrast it is completely orderly in HK. By the way English is spoken much more in HK than PEK.

If you have 13 days, why not consider all three cities? You could spend 3-4 nights in each city plus travel time. Many tour operators (Pacific Delight, Ritz, United Vacations, CITS) offer independent land-only packages that include hotel, transfers, breakfast and 1/2 day city tour (other tours optional) and they will book intra-China flights for you (or you can do this yourself on Expedia and other booking services).

All three cities have well-developed, inexpensive public transportation systems (taxis, subways) so you can easily get around on your own.

You should contact Kervin Yu at Explorient. (www.explorient.com).
They do personalized tours or small groups--whichever you prefer. And they cater to the more independent traveler.

I hated Hong Kong - Shanghai has WAY more to do. Spend at least 3 nights in Beijing and Shanghai (if not 4). 2 nights in Xian is plenty.

I would go from Beijing to Xian to Shanghai then...HK for 2 nights at a max.

Hope that helps.
Molly

Thanks all! Right now my flights have my wife and I arriving in Shanghai 11/13 and leaving from Beijing 11/27. So here's what I'm thinking: 2 nights/1 day in Shanghai, 3 nights/4 days in Hong Kong/Macua, 2 nights/2 days in Kunming, 3 nights/3 days in Lijiang, 4 nights/3 1/2 days in Beijing. Any thoughts on my choices, # of days/nights? I might also be able squeeze in either Xian or Guilin. Not too excited about terra cotta warriors but also heard cruise in Guilin is over-rated? Preferences? Am I missing anything major? We want to combine old with new, scenery with city but we don't want to travel every day. Is this all too much? Thanks again!

There are plenty of see anywhere in China, and you can not see everything in 13 days. So, don't worry about what others say. You itinerary is fine, in my opinion.

Just make sure you get a dual-entry visa, unless your initial stay in Shanghai is under 48 hours, which you are allowed visa-free. Check the Chinese embassy's US website for detail information. May want to print it out, and make sure they don't "use" your visa during your initial entry into Shanghai.

rkkwan, what about Guilin or Xian? Should I include one of them? Thanks for the response.

Guilin/Yangshuo does have exceptional natural beauty, and Xi'an has more than just the terracotta warriors.

For people who've never been to China before, the top spots are generally Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Guilin. Those 4 places will fill your trip already.

But Yunnan Province (Kunming, Dali, Lijiang) is interesting too. And many people these days will not include Hong Kong as part of a China trip - flights to/from HKG are more expensive than domestic ones, and you may need an extra visa.

I don't think you need to include Xian or Guilin, particularly since you mentioned that you aren't too keen to see the terra cotta warriors anyway. I think you have enough destinations for a 2 week trip.

I'd opt for the dual entry visa even if you're staying in Shanghai for less than 48 hours. The cost difference is only $25 more than the single entry. I just wonder how well it would work trying to explain to the immigration official on arrival that you don't want to use your single entry visa. Also for whatever reason, you may decide to stay longer than 48 hours.

I cast my vote for Guilin. The river cruise is beautiful and gives a great overview of riverbank life in CHina. I would fly to Guilin, take cruise to Yangshou and then stay in Yangshou a day or so. Rent bicycles and peddle thru the countryside. West Street is fun, there is a big expat community here.

Lijiang/Dali are FABULOUS. Spend as much time as you can here. Very little western influence in these towns. Try to stay in old town Lijiang if possible.

I have been to all of the places you mention. I agree with rkkwan that Hong Kong is maybe not your best combo with the other spots. There is not nearly enough time to do it justice. Go for a week another time.
Also, although Hong Kong and Shanghai are very different, they are also both big cities, as is Beijing. Since you are flying into Shanghai, Hong Kong could be left to look forward to on a later trip in order to see more of China proper.

My dream trip would be:
(in no particular order)

Lijiang/Dali 4 days
Guilin/Yangshou 3 days
Shanghai 2 days
Beijing 5 days

This gives you a real idea of the diversity in China.

I didn't mean to sound like I was dissuading you from visiting either Xian or Guilin. I just felt that you already had enough places on your itinerary. You can certainly substitute either of the above two cities for Hong Kong (which I agree seems to be the most logical one to drop), but it also seemed to me that you were initially very interested in seeing Hong Kong? It's one of those things without knowing your likes and dislikes, it's hard to advise what you would enjoy more.

Thanks for all the helpful feedback. Double entry Visa is only a matter of a little more $ not more hassles with China Immigration right? I agree the HK would be the most logical to drop, but we really want to see it, so if I'm hearing folks right (LynnieD?) we should consider droping Kunming (stone forest) and pick up Guilin? And Lijiang is the best of the three? It's not too touristy/Disney in it's rebuilt quaintness? I'm getting discouraged because all the research I do indicates that EVERY place is "a tourist trap" and/or "fake" made for tourists type of place. I just want to get a good mix of things in as as it's probably a once in a lifetime type of trip. Thanks again all!

I would drop Kunming in favor of Guilin/Yangshou. Although the Stone Forest is fabulous I cannot see any other reason to go to Kunming.

Yes, Lijiang is rebuilt after the earthquake, but it was rebuilt in its original style. The only western influence at all we saw was an Oshkosh store that was getting ready to open when we were there in April 05. Lijiang/Dali is very authentic. Hiking in the lower Himilayas is fantastic. The scenery is exquisite.

Our hotel was located directly accross the street from the local market. We had breakfast there each morning, buying from street vendors cooking food in makeshift grills and woks. Bought some neat tea pots for about 75 cents each. The butcher tent was outdoors with people buying meats that were freshly butchered before our very eyes. Roosters, chickens and ducks were available live or freshly killed. Fish swimming in plastic kiddie pools. Nothing tourity about this at all, and not really for the faint of heart.

The minority villiagers converging in the town square for socializing/dancing/ etc. was a sight to behold in all of their bright costumes.

Additionally, the weather in Lijiang/Dali is moderate year round.

If you can fit in another town try Xishuanbana. There, we participated in a traditional water splashing festival that was an absolute hoot, floated down the Mei Kong river on a bamboo raft (the absolute highlight of our 3 week trip) and visited a wonderful botanical garden. THis is located in the sub-tropics, so it may give you a welcome warm up from the weather.

If you decide to include Hong Kong and get a double entry visa, you should have no problems entering and re-entering mainland China.