D train from Shanghai-South to Hangzhou:

7:25, 7:45, 9:30, 11:45, 13:07, 13:12, 15:05 (from Shanghai main), 15:50, 16;40, 17:03, 19:59.

Takes between 1:16 to 1:23.

The 7:25 and 15:50 goes to Hangzhou-East, not the main Hangzhou station.

Return, Hangzhou - Shanghai South:

7:40, 8:25 (to Shanghai main), 9:55, 10:58 (from Hangzhou-East), 11:32, 13:21, 14:55, 17:25, 18:18, 20:41.

If you take the 7:45 down and the 20:41 back, you will have about 11 hours there.

Thanks Shanghainese and rkkwan! Could you please provide the link where you got those times?

Now I just need to decide whether to spend 2 nights there or do this as a day trip. :)

Monica ((F))

Monica, I use a Chinese language site:

http://oklx.com/cn/train/search_station.aspx

but you can also use this one:

www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/

rkkwan, thank you very much!

Monica ((F))

Monica - spending more time in Hangzhou would let you visit Lingyin Si, the Temple of Inspired Seclusion, as well as West Lake. The temple was packed with people when I was there (National Day!) but would be worth a visit any time, especially for the grounds and the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats. You would also have time to just stroll along the shore of the lake, or across a bridge, or through one of the parks.

rkkwan -- I knew you'd come thru, thanks!

Thanks Rkkwan, Shanghainese and Thursdaysd for getting the info :)

Marksfour - thanks for a great report. Six of us (three adults, three kids) are going to Beijing and most likely Shanghai in August. I have been assuming we will be taking two taxis a lot. You mentioned a "van" line at Shanghai airport. Did you see many vans that could accept six people, the odd time with one small suitcase each?

Thank you.

Marksfour - thanks for a great report. Six of us (three adults, three kids) are going to Beijing and most likely Shanghai in August. I have been assuming we will be taking two taxis a lot. You mentioned a "van" line at Shanghai airport. Did you see many van taxis?

Thank you.

thursdaysd, thanks for the comments. I think we'll go ahead and spend 2 nights there. I'll just make sure we pack as light as possible for ease of movement between hotels.

Monica ((F))

Colduphere- There is one long serpentine line and when we got to the front of the line with all of our luggage, the taxi "police" directed us to the far lane that had all vans lined up. (It really is so orderly and the line moves very quickly.) The van can easily fit 6 people but I am not sure about 6 bags too.
A family in front of us were traveling with 4 children and they were sent into 2 separate taxis.
Have a wonderful trip!

Hi Marksfour,

With regard to Shanghainese's comments,

1) I'm sure the gold golf card would not be in my budget. Of course we are worth it, but maybe we'll take the regular golf cart, and if the weather is nice, we'll either walk or cycle.

2) As for the Huagang, I am checking on the distance from the lake since it appears on the maps to be located adjacent to the area by the causeway. Maps can, of course, be deceptive, although the grounds and the small lake on the property look lovely in the photographs. If it's a hike just to get to the West Lake I think we'll switch to another hotel.

3) Ellyse regularly answers questions on these message boards and is the Shanghai and environs "expert" for Trip Advisor. This was one of four hotels she recommended for us.

Thanks for your help. I have written to you in more detail and will report back here on how this all works out.

Marksfour, thanks, too, for all your help!

Colduphere- I think I didn't really answer your question....In terms of being able to hail van taxis around town, we didn't see any. If there are any they are not as abundant as the small green taxis.

Linda- Got your email and will reply via email.

marksfour - It would be nice to find them everywhere in addition to airports but that doesn't seem to be the case (it isn't even where we live). Thanks for your answers.