Myer

As the title states I'm in the earliest of stages looking into China for spring/summer/autumn of 2011. I normally like to try for the longest days and driest weather.

My guess is the trip would be somewhere in the range of 10 - 15 days. We've never been to this part of the world as our travelling has been mostly within the USA and Europe.

Several years ago our daughter and her husband went on an independent trip that included Beijing and Hong Kong. Her advice was to skip Hong Kong. She also mentioned that not having been to Shanghai she knows nothing about it.

Being in our mid 60s (and active so far), will we ever be back in this part of the world? Who knows.

We are not really museum goers though we've been to and enjoyed some of the well-known museums. We enjoy visiting sights and wandering around. Of course, my wife enjoys going into the stores and/or markets.

My wife could take a slow, leisurely approach. I on the otherhand could be non-stop (though very unrushed). I am accused of wanting to see everything. I really like to see the sights but don't have to go into minute detail.

I'm trying to get a feel for whether Beijing and it's surroundings would fill the time sufficiently or whether we should add another destination such as Shanghai (how does this compare to Beijing in sights and variety - see one have seen both?, etc).

Any guidance at this level of research would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Gpanda

We took a 14 day trip to Shanghai and Beijing, the last two weeks of september in 2009. The weather was perfect, this is a good time to go. The trip was great. Plenty to do. Flying between Shanghai and Beijing is simple (of course, our trip was complicated because we were unaware that Shanghai ahs two airports). Both cities have very nice hotels and restaurants. The sights are wonderful. I wrote a trip report that I will top for you.

Myer

Thanks. I have created a link to the report and will read it over the next few days.

Thanks again.

Amy

Hello, Myer!

With fifteen days, I'd say two destinations are a good choice: of course, you have an embarrassment of riches for that second choice! Beijing is a great city for wandering, and there's quite a lot to see... and photograph. I haven't been to Shanghai, so can't comment on that, but here's my trip report to give you some idea of what I liked in Beijing and around; I really enjoyed the Milu Deer Park, for instance:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...s-in-china.cfm

PeterN_H

It's perfectly possible to fill ten to fifteen days in Beijing, but it would be a shame not to see another aspect of China in this period, and in particular not a big city but the countryside, or, at least, a town on a smaller scale. Shanghai is another big city, and while of a quite different character, has far less to offer than Beijing. Each of these cities is unique, but neither represents typical China.

With ten days in Beijing you could consider countryside day trips such as to Cuandixia (sometimes Chuandixia), and a couple of nights in Chengde, easily reached by daytime train.

It's easy also to get into less manicured rural situations from Beijing, if you care to make the effort, and a day trip to either the Eastern or Western Qing Tombs from Beijing will give you a sight of that (the Eastern Tombs can be reached by one-day bus tours at weekends).

Especially with longer than ten days inevitably Xi'an will become a consideration for the terracotta warriors, but again you could also look at something smaller scale and not so far, such as Qufu in Shandong, also reachable by train.

If willing to fly, then for a completely different experience from Beijing but without any challenge or expeditionary aspect, you could consider seaside Xiamen, or parts of Yunnan Province (Kunming and a side trip) or other rural southern destinations (avoiding Yangshuo). You'll find any half-decent guide book will tell you more.

Peter N-H

Myer

Thanks.

We'll see what other comments come up but I'm starting to get the idea that I have two choices from which to choose.

If we go with two cities then Shanghai might be a choice for 1/3 of the trip and Beijing and surroundings for the other 2/3.

Otherwise we could stay in Beijing, see the surrounding areas and add a few day trips.

Does this sound about right?

Myer

Amy,

Thanks for the report link. I saved it and will read in great detail.

What makes you think I'm interested in photography?

someotherguy

If you are interested in photography, then I heartily endorse Peter N-H's suggestion of a few days in Chengde. The temples are really wonderful.

Myer

Wow!!! I Googled Chengde and those photos are amazing.

Too bad it's about 4 hours from Beijing. That is definitely not a daytrip but would require a sleepover of at least one night.

Well, we'll have a test of sleepovers this June when we go to Tuscany, keep our base hotel and take a couple of overnight trips.

We've never done that before. But if it works out relatively painlessly, I'm sure we'd be open to trying it again.

Thanks. These posts are starting to give me some great ideas.

Amy

Hmmm...Myer and photography...what made me think that?
(For those who don't know, he's got a terrific site with lovely pictures of his travels.)

paru25

I personally would do a couple of cities. I loved Beijing. The contrast of the old and the new is fascinating. Shanghai and/or Xian are very easy to fly into from Beijing about 1.5 hour flights if I am remembering correctly. O'h and don't book plane tickets too far ahead. They become cheaper the closer the travelling time. So you could arrive in Beijing and make decisions about flying elsewhere when there.

Myer

Due to an airline quirk it may (depends on the situation at the time I book airline tickets) be advantageous to fly into Shanghai and back home (South Florida) from Beijing.

Factored into this may be the cost of flying one-way from Shanghai to Beijing.

So at this early stage of investigation I will look at the following:

a) Three days (approximately) in Shanghai
b) Between four and six days in Beijing or outskirt sights.
c) Between four and six days for daytrips and possibly a couple of overnight trips.

a) could disappear based on airline booking

So at this point the research is probably focused on daytrips and overnight trips from Beijing.

Thanks for your continued insights and ideas.

Myer

While I'm not opposed to one or two overnights I'd like to see if there are a few interesting daytrips within two hours of Beijing.

thursdaysd

You don't have to fly Shanghai-Beijing. I'd highly recommend taking the train - soft sleeper is very comfortable, and you may get to meet some locals. See http://seat61.com/China.htm for info. and photos.