Looking for suggestions for side trip from China
 

Planning a 12 day trip to China in May. I've been a number of times on business and plan to be tour guide for my wife and another couple.

However, we were also hoping to head somewhere for another 6 days to chill out at a beach resort. I was thinking Vietnam. However, it seems to be alot of trouble just getting to Hanoi and then I need to go to the beaches.

Any suggestions for either vietnam or other locations to chill on a beach?

Thanks
Paul

We just visited Busan, South Korea before flying direct to Beijing (two hour flight). Hyundae Beach is gorgeous with a few high end hotels. But the average temperature in May is 22C or about 72F - perhaps not warm enough.

" it seems to be a lot of trouble just getting to Hanoi and then I need to go to the beaches." You could always fly, I suppose. Other options are the twice-weekly train to Hanoi via Nanning, or a bus from Kunming, depending on where you're visiting in China. From Hanoi you can take a train south. However, if you're simply interested in a beach experience you might do better flying to Bangkok and visiting southern Thailand.

Well it will depend on where you are in China -- i.e. where will you finish your trip / in which city. If you end your trip in Hong Kong, you can fly very easily to Phuket, however May may not be the optimal time for visiting Southeast Asia anyway -- the beginning of rainy season. I have some info on our trip to Phuket at
http://travel.chinafinds.com (search for Phuket in the search window)

Another option is Malaysia, Bali / Indonesia, all these accessible via Hong Kong or Singapore. If you finish your tour of China in Beijing, there is a direct flight from Beijing to Bangkok, and then one hour flight to Phuket.....

Other options -- you can visit Hainan Island / Sanya -- beautiful beaches, good hotels and an easy flight on China Southern Airlines from Beijing or from Shanghai to Sanya directly.

How about Sanya,Hainan province in China.

Thanks, for all the suggestions.