SusuanW03843

My best friend and I have 7 days to travel to China and we're looking to explore the following cities:

Beijing
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Macau

and we plan to visit the following attractions:

Great Wall
Street Market
Forbidden City


I feel like I am missing a lot of attractions and possible additional cities. With the list of cities do I have the major ones covered? Would you suggest any other cities in China?

Where would one start? I have never flown to China before, it's my first time traveling to Asia.

kja

Personally, with only 7 days I would stay in Beijing. There is more than enough to keep you busy there. I would certainly not try to visit more than two of the places you list. Know that if you do, you will miss a LOT!

Kathie

I agree - way too much for 7 days. Like kja, I'd choose to spend it all in Beijing. But if you must add ONE other place to it. What you propose would mean you'd spend almost all of your time in transit and never see anything.

thursdaysd

There's more than enough to do in Beijing for seven days, but you could add one more place if you really wanted. I might head for Xi'an (and not just for the warriors) but if you're a shopper Shanghai or HK would work.

The reason you're getting this advice is that you're not allowing any tme for travel, nor for seeing the sight, never mind actually experiencing where you are.

BTW, you say this is your first time in Asia. Why did you pick China? That might help with deciding which city. Note that you must expect serious air pollution in Beijing and Shanghai. There are loads of guidebooks on China, you should take a look at a couple.

SusuanW03843

I picked China because I really want to visit HK and try the street markets. Since I am there I wanted to visit the major cities. I guess if I had to choose it would be Beijing.

With that said should I fly into HK first then head over to Beijing? The inter flights seems to be the best bet correct? It's a few hrs.

Kathie

Why not spend your whole week in Hong Kong? Nov is a good month weather-wise, and you can take a day trip to Macau - or even an overnight. Also, no visa required.

Is there something in particular you wanted to buy in the street markets?

JPDeM

More cities? You have too many already.
Remember that you need a visa for China.
If you fly to Beijing and later back you are losing a couple of days traveling. You 7 days will soon be 4 when you take into account the short days on arrival and departure.

SusuanW03843

The street market is just to try food (that would 4 hrs).

Based on the wonderful feedback from the forums I have decided to only go to HK and Beijing. The 7 days is pure sight seeing/traveling. I have two other days baked in traveling from the US to China and then back which would mean I really have 9 days.

What is the best way to get from HK to Beijing? I was thinking about flying. It's about 3 hrs from my research.


NYC -> HK -> Beijing -> NYC in 9 days.

How does having a Visa affect my travel? How long does it take from the time I apply for one for me to actually receive my visa and how long does it last?

thursdaysd

If you're interested in street food you could consider Singapore rather than Beijing. Less visa hassle.

Visa answer depends on your nationality. Look for the embassy website for your capital city.

Kathie

You have to have a visa to enter China, but not to enter Hong Kong. It's an expensive visa, and the processing takes time. What is your citizenship? If you are a US citizen, the current visa price for a single entry visa is about US$140. You will need to look up the consulate page for info on how to apply, time limits, etc. If you live in a city with a Chinese Consulate, you can hand deliver your application and pick it up when it is ready. Otherwise, you also have the expense of Fed Ex or other delivery.

With your very limited time, it makes the most sense to fly from one city to the other.

SusuanW03843

I have about 1 month before my trip. On the visa site it says it takes 3 months. Is this true? Or can I get it rushed?

thursdaysd

Which visa site?

the embassy in Washingtpn DC says:

"5) Processing Time

Regular service: Visas can be obtained on the fourth business day.

Express service: No express service provided unless emergency. Express service needs approval of consular officials, and extra fees may apply."

Are you sure you aren't talking about the validity of the visa?

With the short time you're thinking of spending there you might look at the 72 hour transit visa.

Esme_Travels

Seven days is a little much for Hong Kong but probably not enough time to see it and one other city.

rkkwan

Seriously, street food isn't that exciting in HK. Hong Kongers go to Taipei JUST for "sweeping" the night food markets there. HK can hardly compare.

eliztravels2

Since you have little time to plan and from the sounds of it not a lot of experience travelling, keep it simple. You could benefit from a travel agent who can put together a package for you. If you want to experience Chinese culture I would recommend Beijing over Hong Kong, which is fascinating but quite westernized. I find the food tin HKG quite international, much like you would find in a large North American city. On the plus side, however, almost everyone speaks English and there is a good public transit system.

Be sure if you are booking hotels that you have your dates correct. You will 'lose' a day on your trip there when you cross the international date line. Take the time difference (12 hrs?) and jet lag into consideration too and don't spoil your trip with exhaustion.

SusuanW03843

Here is what I thinking based on my research:

Day 1: Arrive in HK, check in, have dinner. If we check in at 4pm and have dinner, does anyone have suggestions or attractions to see at night? Would Hong Kong Skyline be okay?

Day 2: Nan Lian Garden, Chi Lin Nunnery, Dragon's Back

Day 3: Ocean Park, Street market, Victoria Peak at night

Day 4: Macau

Day 5: Fly to Beijing in the morning check in at noon.

Day 6: Great Wall, Lama Temple

Day 7: Back Lakes, Tiananmen Square

Day 8: Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace

Day 9: Check out. Fly back home to NYC.

Can I condense any of the these places into one day? If so, please let me know. In addition, what is the typical way of transportation from one attraction to other? Is it's typically by bus or subway?

HappyTrvlr

You haven't included The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) in Beijing. I can't imagine traveling to Beijing and skipping it. I went there both times I was in Beijing.

kja

Sorry if posting a second time -- original response disappeared!

I agree that the Forbidden City is a must. See it on the day you viisit Tianenmen Square. Skip the Back Lakes unless you go after everything else closes.

I wouldn't have been able to see the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace in the same day as I spent too much time at each for that. Decide which is most important to you.

Beijing's subway system is inexpensive, efficient, and easy to use, but does not go to all of your planned locations. How to get to the Great Wall depends on which stretch you decide to visit. For more info, consult a guide book or two or search this board where you can find all the info you need and more.

SusuanW03843

When the subway does not reach certain locations is the best way of travel through bus or taxi? The problem is that I do not speak the language.

thursdaysd

"I do not speak the language"

You need two things.

1. A phrase book with characters, not just pinyin.

2. At least one guidebook with place names in characters.

You should not leave your hotel without the hotel card to give to a taxi driver.