chicco

What do you think about this itinerary for our China vacations in August?
5 days in Beijing
2 Xian
2 Shangai
2 Suzhou
5 Hong Kong

We are planing to travel from Beiginj to Xian, Xian to Shangai and Shangai to Suzhow by train.
The rest by plane.

Any suggestions?
Thank you very much.
Gerardo from Argentina

rkkwan

If you're taking the train between Beijing and Xian, as well as between Xian and Shanghai/Suzhou, you probably will be taking overnight trains. So, think about how many nights at each location.

Also, Suzhou is about an hour by train BEFORE getting to Shanghai from Xian. So, you probably should do Suzhou first, then Shanghai. You will also be flying from Shanghai to Hong Kong, as there's no direct flight from Suzhou to HKG.

And you don't really need 5 days in Hong Kong. Consider spending one or more days elsewhere. Remember the length of the train trips.

chicco

Thanks rkkwan
When i said 5 days in HK i ment 1 in Guangzhou and 4 in HK. But where would you stay for one more night instead of HK?
Is a confortable ride the overnight train? Can you sleep if you take the best class available?
I am planing not to have a hotel reservation neither in Xian nor in Suzhou, what you think about this?
Thanks again

rkkwan

5 days in Hong Kong isn't too many, per se, but it's too much if it takes up 1/3 of your China itinerary. Compared to say Beijing, there are much fewer "must see" sights in Hong Kong. You can give Beijing another day, or give Suzhou another day to visit perhpas two of the surrounding watertowns or Wuxi.

The "soft sleepers" on long distance Chinese trains are pretty comfortable. 4 berths in a cabin (two upper, two lower), ~9 cabins in a car. Most of those trains are air-conditioned (but sure to ask). Real dining cars.

chicco

I apreciate your comments. Thank you very muchhhhhhh.

gard

Hi

My wife and I went to China on vacation last year. We stayed in Beijing, took the train to Xi'an and flew to Hong Kong. I have posted a trip report with lots of pictures on my personal homepage gardkarlsen.com I'm sure that you will be able to find some useful information there. Get in touch if you have any questions or comments.

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

chicco

Thanks people. You are a great help.

By the way Gard how do you type?? those funny faces in the text?