3 - 3 1/2 weeks in China

My husband and I are planning a trip to China and would like to spend around 3 l/2 weeks there. I%26#39;ve played around with an itinerary and would really appreciate any input, suggestions or deletions. We are independent travelers in our early 60%26#39;s and are in good health. From everything I%26#39;ve read, I don%26#39;t think we%26#39;ll need guides for most places. We don%26#39;t mind hiring drivers or guides when needed, but really do enjoy discovering places and things ourselves. We love the adventure, but are always cautious. Also, we hate to keep moving from one place to another every day or two, so the ideal time at each place for us is around 3-4 days. But, we do understand that if there%26#39;s not much to see, then less days is an option.

I%26#39;ve listed the places and amount of time that we would like to spend at each location:

Arrive Beijing and spend 4 nights

2 nights Xian

4 nights Hong Kong

2-3 nights Guilin/Long Sheng

2 nights Yangshuo

1-2 nights Suzhou %26amp; Tongli

3-4 nights Shanghai %26amp; then home

We are open to all ideas and opinions and really do appreciate any advice. We%26#39;ve had wonderful experiences with Trip Advisor forums in the past and have done some wonderful trips because of all of you.

Thank you.

3 - 3 1/2 weeks in China

Hi Zingal

You don%26#39;t say how you are getting from Beijing to Xian. If by train, think it arrives early am, this would give you two full days if you leave the following afternoon/evening. This is enough time to cover the usual in Xian. Would put the extra day somewhere else. How are you getting from Xian to Hong Kong? It is personal and some people may prefer to have the extra time.

3 - 3 1/2 weeks in China

Hi PoppetAustralia,

Thanks for your response. We would like to fly from Beijing to Xian. From what I%26#39;ve read, the train takes too long (overnight). Are two nights too long to stay in Xian? Also, I%26#39;ve decided to change itinerary and either arrive or depart Hong Kong. Trying to decide which way is best.

zingal

Travelled to China last July and did the trains. Was told it would be tiring but my brother and myself found the opposite. Our days were busy, busy so get on the evening train, relax and sleep was a blessing in disguise. You do sleep well, meet the real people, and have time to write up diaries, postcards etc.and arrive rested, ready for the next adventure. I would recommend them. We are returning this July and will definitely be travelling by trains. Covers accomodation for the night and travel. An experience you would enjoy, I hope. You could try coming in from Shanghai, Suzhou etc and then Beijing, Xian and down to Guilin. That is pretty much what I intend doing this trip. Hard not to get greedy and do everything though. Good luck.

Hello Poppet,

Yes the trains in China are wonderful aren%26#39;t they:) - especially the ones between Beijing %26amp; Shanghai %26amp; Beijing %26amp; Xian are very modern.

The K style trains are still interesting to travel on tho. I think people who take a train trip bring home lots of memories with them:) It%26#39;s a great experience.

Zingal, I agree with Poppet, try %26amp; fit in a train journey if you can. If you are unsure look on www.seat61.com This is a great site about train travel in China.

Good luck with everything.

Annie, thanks for your comments. Have found this website and it is easy to follow.

bestofguangzhou.com/travel/….

Sure the destinations are different, but all I did was google, from where I was to where I wanted to go. Zingal, you will have a lot of different opinions, some prefer, flight, some train. It is an individual thing. Can only say again, give the trains a go, thumbs up.

Hi Poppet %26amp; Annie,

Thanks so much for the info on the train. I will definitely check them out. One thing though, I don%26#39;t want to share a berth with someone other than my husband. How comfortable are the berths? I guess what I%26#39;m trying to say is that when we travel, we want comfort and always try to find a really nice hotel room. It%26#39;s the one splurge we like to do on our trips. We love to be out and about all day, but love to come back to a really comfortable room with a comfy bed and linens. I%26#39;m just a little concerned about the overnight trains in this regard.

Thanks again and any information is really appreciated.

Zingal

If you look at the seat61 site it gives descriptions %26amp; photos of the trains Beijing, Shanghai %26amp; Xian. The D, Z %26amp; T trains on these routes are all modern %26amp; comfy %26amp; fast. Most have ports for computers %26amp; some have TV%26#39;s. If you end up taking a 4 berth instead of a 2 berth then some people book the whole compartment.

Hi Annie,

I will look into it and see what the price difference is between the train and flying. Also will look at the map of the train to check out the berths and see what the price difference is between a 2 %26amp; 4 berth room. So many little decisions that mean so little in the big picture of the trip.

Thanks again for all of your input.

Zingal