Shanghainese, Our schedule is still in the making, no tickets yet so we can add and subtract days as we need still. What is the best way to get between Shanghai Hangzhou and Suzhou, trains, taxi, private drivers? Waiting for my Shanghai guidebook to arrive from amazon :)

Aloha!

Hey there Hawaiiantraveler! You will enjoy yourself for sure. Here is a link to our travelogue and some Facebook galleries from our adventures here in Shanghai. We've been living and working here since the end of July last year. Through these you can see what a family from the northwest, who basically loathes big cities, does for fun in and around Shanghai!

http://www.cokesmithphototravel.com/...Adventure.html

Haha, in my opinion, Hangzhou-Suzhou-Shanghai just a triangle so visit can start from any city among this three.

Private car may be a good way to travel in these three cities because the distance between these cities are not far and about hald-day driving will be from one to another. And it is freer to visit the attractions.

Another reccommanded vehicle is the CRH (china railway hihg-speed train).It is fast and convinient but you should have some local transport information.

cokesmith, fantastic pics, what a new life for you,lol thanks for the info! Thanks peggy!

Aloha!

Just noticed this post. Not sure if you've already planned everything but here's a link to my trip report from a few years ago. http://www.fodors.com/community/asia/shanghai-14.cfm

Hi Paul, how are you guys doing? Has Jay been back home lately? Thanks for bringing back this wonderful report.

I do remember this report and we actually had reservations at the Le Meridian the first three nights and the Grand Hyatt for the last 4 nights in Shanghai but have had to curtail that part of our trip this year due to Linda's heavy work schedule in November. We have put this part of China on the back burner and will do it sometime in the near future.

Where are you traveling to next?

Aloha!

Looks like Basngkok over Thanksgiving next. We may actually be flying in and out of Shanghai but would just stay there a day on each end. Still a bit up in the air. Are you still going to be able to go on some trip or does Linda's work preclude an escape?
Have not been to HNL in a while since we've been trying to visit Jay's parents in Maui more to help out.
Have a good one.

ht, no Japan for Koyo viewing.... :(

We had to cut 2 weeks and change out of our trip but will still be gone for three weeks of koyo viewing on Kyushu, Shikoku, Kansai and the Kanto ;)

Looks like our Thanksgiving has been moved to Hakone but I'm not one to complain.

Next time any of you are in HNL drop us a line....

Aloha!

Would love to hear about your insights on how if any Japan has changed since the tsunami. We were there last year for Thanksgiving but that seems so long ago now. Also love to just hear about Kyushu and Shikoku since we have not been to either yet.

Me too, ht - I canceled my spring trip to Kyushu - plan to do it next spring but I am taking a quick trip in November as well, but only to Kyoto, Nikko and Tokyo.....

Mara, love those quick trips ;)
we will be in Kyoto and Tokyo in Nov also. Right now we are in Kyoto 11/21-11/24 and Tokyo 11/25-11/29. Any chances for a gtg?

Aloha!

HT:

Aloha! Just following up, did you make it to Shanghai or was it cut out?

Aloha Shanghainese!!!

Hope you are doing well. We had to cut Shanghai out last year, Linda couldn't get enough time off work for it. We have Shanghai in our plans for this October though,so all the planning hasn't gone to waste. We will be fortunate to be traveling with rhkkmk for a bit in Shanghai so we can blunder through the city together,lol. Any other bits of information or insight into your home town for us? Your favorite Shanghai restaurant(s) maybe?

Aloha!

Do you still have the notes you printed out from my TR? If not, I'll top it for you. Btw, I'm going next month.

@hawaiiantraveler - make sure to avoid week of October 1st which is the national holidays.
For restaurants check here: http://www.smartshanghai.com/dining/

Here is a nice list of attractions
http://www.touristlink.com/china/shanghai-ch.html

I visited a few years ago and most liked just walking around the
different areas of the city and seeing the sky scrappers. Dont
miss the local dumplings that are sold on the street.