If you could do a side trip from Shanghi for 2 nights would you go to see the Great Wall or the Terracotta Warriors? Thank you.

Great Wall/Beijing

Great Wall is worth seeing for anybody going to China, but if you think you'll go back to China someday, then go to Xian this time. Wait until you have around 4 days to visit Beijing. It's sort of a shame to just see the Great Wall and not much else in Beijing because of time limitation.

Thank you! Another option is to fly from Shanghi to Xian for one night to see the Warriors, then fly to Beijing for 2 nights, then rejoin our cruise ship in Hong Kong. We've been to Shanghi and Hong Kong before and would like to see something new (no problem missing one sea day either).

I agree 100 % with Rkkwan

Fly to Xian, taxi, see the terracotta warriors, late that afternoon fly to Beijing, stay there overnight. Next morning early, taxi to Badaling to see the Wall for a few hours, that evening, flight back to Shanghai.


The lot can be booked on the internet before you go so no problem with flights.

As of now we were leaning towards flying from Shanghi to Xian, overnight in Xian and fly out the next morning to Beijing and stay for 2 nights, then fly from Beijing to Hong Kong. I hope this isn't too ambitious for 3 nights!

Are there good hotels near Xian airport since we would want an early morning flight?

It is easily doable. It might just be me but I didn't think there was much in Shanghai. I would leave it ASAP, to Xian. If you can get an early morning flight you can easy do Xian and leave late afternoon for Beijing and stay there overnight. There is plenty there and it would help if you could start your sightseeing first thing in the (next) morning instead of sometime after midday. You need to plan Beijing so you don't miss anything and get in as much as possible. The only hotel I saw in Xian near the airport is five star and not cheap.

Thanks Kaneda. Maybe I'll do as you're suggesting and fly from Shanghi early morning to Xian, do the Warriors that afternoon (don't care about seeing anything else there) and fly to Beijing that same day. Once we arrive in Xian, how many hours would you guess we need to travel to and from airport AND see the warriors. If we arrive in Xian by noon, would we be safe catching a 6:00pm flight to Beijing? Thanks so much for your help!

Petlover;

I think you would be ok with a 6pm departure. The only thing is traffic and when you get to the warriors make sure you take the tram both ways instead of walking, it will save you time. The warriors are in 3 different halls but are close together and is well worth the stop. If you find that you have any extra time in Beijing go to see the wall in Mutianyu instead of Badaling. Less people and parts are still not refurbished and not as commercialized.

Having just returned from this area and having visited both Beijing and Xian I would have to say that my first choice would be to make sure that you see the Great Wall. It is such a symbol of China and it is so awesome to be actually be there. If you can squeeze in a visit to Xian to see the terracotta warriors too then that would be great. While there are other nice sights in Xian that is certainly by far the most significant.

you can see this then you will decide where to go .
http://www.asiasuntours.com/

I would advise you avoid the Badaling section of the wall - it's been completely restored,has handrailings, and is very crowded. Not a very authentic experience. For something more interesting and remote, try the Simatai or Jinsaling (sp?) sections, or Mutinyau (sp?).