We will be in China for 13 days starting May 26th, into and out of Beijing. We are trying to judge how long to stay in Beijing and what other place to go. From what I have read, Xian would be an easy flight, and have 2-3 major "sites" and a museum, but be another large city otherwise, not really different from Beijing. Lijiang would be a longer flight, but would be a very different part of China, with a totally different atmosphere, more countryside and "charm" but less major musuems or architecture. Is this correct? We were thinking of 8 days in Beijing, and then 4-5 days in either Xian or Lijiang. Are these times about right, or too long in each place? We generally like to settle into a place and see it in more depth, rather than jump around. I suppose we could fit all three in, but that seemed like a lot of flying and less vacationing. Any suggestions?

Lijiang is certainly worth 4-5 days. The Old Town is both a living/functioning city and a museum of sorts, and its architecture is certainly noteworthy. The area surrounding Lijiang is probably as much alpine as it is countryside/agrarian.

I guess it really depends what you like to do on vacation. Are you a city person, or do you like to escape to the country? We loved Lijiang... in fact, we had only planned to stay for a few days and stayed for 5 nights! 8 days sounds like a lot of time in Beijing, but then again, I am not much of a city person. We spent 4 days in Beijing and could have reduced it to 3. We then took the overnight train to Xian, spent 1 night there, and then flew to Guilin. So it would be possible for you to do all 3 places.. you could fly from Xian to Lijiang (through Kunming probably).

If you only have time for 2 places, I vote for Lijiang. After the warriors in Xian, we didn't have much to do. However, others on this board will probably tell you not to miss Xian... it's all just personal preference. just my 2 cents

Cut some time in Beijing and you have enough time for all 3. 13 days for 3 places is not rushed at all.

Hmmm ... 6 days Beijing (Wall, Chengde, Forbidden City, Hutong walks, "minor" temples, park or slow day), 4 days Lijiang (Dali, Old City, mountain range, extra day or day trip), 3 days Xian (warriors, Museum and Mosque, Hua Shan) works nicely.

But we have heard things don't always go right in China, and if we did 7 days Beijing, and 6 Lijiang, we would have some slack time if things didn't quite work right, we got sick or something.

My friend and I just got back. Literally, last night. Xi'an wariors were neat, as I never had heard of it. If you can, read about the warriors instead of going there. Xi'an has built an 'shopping center' around Xi'an museum. It's very much about making some dough$ from the people who go there. If I go again, I would not go to Xi'an, I would pick the other city. Lijiang. Basically, in China, there is so much to see, EVERYTING IS DIFFERENT FROM THE US. You'll appreaciate what you get to see. If I were you, I'd spend half the time in Beijing and half the time in Lijiang. China Air was good, but Hainan Airlines was better. (we took H. going to Xi'an and C.A. back to Beijing.)
Be prepared for smog, noise, hustle and bustle in Beijing. Think like this. Buses first, then cars, then scooters, then bicycles, then bikes, then walkers. Literally. Don't walk in front of vehicles there. Walk safe.

Xian!! There is the terra cotta army and the muslim quarter that is so cool. I really loved Xian and the food market with the dried kiwi's and nuts. The best place in China I think.

Good Luck

Theresa
www.nomadwannabe.com

I have make several trips to Beijing spending a total of about 8 days. I'm going back for a few days this fall, before going on the Tibet for 2 weeks. I feel that I have only begin to see it. To the list of Wall, Chengde, Forbidden City, Hutong walks, "minor" temples I would add Great Wall, Ming tombs, Temple of Heaven, the New and Old Summer palaces, museums around the Forbidden City and Tinnanmin Square area ..... need I go on. I would devote a full day to the Forbidden City and Old Summer palace (the new one is a ruin after the European's destroyed it in the late 1800's). Get away from the 2 hr tourist rush tours and you will find many delights.

I agree with pippytao on Xi'an, inside the city walls it is a great walking city. Just watch out in the Muslim quarter, they use cooking grills that shoot flames out onto the sidewalks - lol.

I favorite city is Suzhou, a number of very nice gardens and temples. It is also the old center of the silk trade. Also would suggest a night time boat ride on the canal that rings the center city area. the center city part of Suzhou is also a very walkable area.

I'll quit now, someday I may write a book on my travels around China, but not here.

I loved visiting Xian and the warriors. I found it fascinating to see so many individual terra cotta statues in one place, and they are still finding more. It's overwhelming to see the scale of the burial tomb, and it's incredible to see the workmanship that went into it. It is listed by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. We had a quick trip there and just saw the warriors, and the Wild Goose Pagoda. I wouldn't miss it.

Thanks for suggestions. I just spoke with a Chinese friend of mine who said that Beijing should be not less than 7 days. I am currently leaning towards Xian as the second place, with several daytrips to the countryside from both Beijing and Xian, partly because Xian seems to be easier to get to. I am not so interested in the warriors, as the museum, the Muslim quarter, and Hua Shan. Please keep the experiences coming. I gather that I don't need to make plane reservations until a week or two before for internal flights.