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, I think you have posted this in a number of different China forums. If you have a general question it%26#39;s best just to post on the China forum %26amp; everyone will see it:)

Hong Kong - put on the start or end of your itinerary. Hong Kong is classed as international so if you leave it the way it is you will need a double entry visa instead of a single. Also as it%26#39;s classed as international the flights to %26amp; from mainland China are expensive.

You have 2-3 nights Guilin %26amp; 2 nights Yangshuo. Lots of people consider there is more to see %26amp; do in Yangshuo. You can take in the sights of Guilin on the way there or back. So you are not changing hotels so much then: arrive Guilin %26amp; head for Yangshuo. See sights in Guilin as you head to Longsheng %26amp; spend one night in Longsheng.

As you also have 3.5 weeks you also have time for another destination such as Chengdu in Sichuan or places in Yunnan like Dali or Lijiang. To do this, spend just the one night in Xian and have just the 3 or 4 nights in Shanghai. Suzhou %26amp; Tongli can be done as day trips.

Good luck with everything %26amp; have a great time

Annie

3 - 3 1/2 weeks in China

Hi Annieandhamish,

Thanks for your response. I know I posted on all the sights. Because of the different cities, I thought to post on each individual sight and was afraid I wouldn%26#39;t get answers from the China forum.

I%26#39;ve figured out that we will fly in or out of HK as you and a few other members have suggested. It certainly makes more sense. Now I have to decide which place to start....HK or Beijing. We will go in September so I guess it depends on the weather, which should be good everywhere???

I like your idea of staying in Shanghai and doing day trip to Suzhou %26amp; Tongli. Is is worth staying in Long Sheng overnight? So do you suggest we still stay 4 nights in Shaghai, including day trips to Suzhou %26amp; Tongli?

Have also thought about adding on Lijiang %26amp; Dali, but how far is that and do we have to take a flight?

What kind of itinerary would you suggest now?

Appreciate your help.

Hi, Just thought i would mention the different forums as that may save you time in writing:) Hopefully you will get lots of answers tho.

The weather in September is nice, you will still strike some hot days tho, specially early on, but generally okay.

3 - 4 nights in Shanghai is enough to see everything %26amp; do some day trips.

Hmmm - visiting Yunnan: Wonderful things to see, the only problem being you will have to go thru Kunming to get a connecting flight to Lijiang. It is an option for you to look at though. Look up Lijiang %26amp; you will go wow:)

That%26#39;s why I put in Chengdu as well. You can see the Pandas there %26amp; it is close to Tibet so you get the temples %26amp; Tibetan neighborhoods. Chengdu also has tea houses %26amp; lots to see such as a day trip to Leshan to see DaFo - a giant Buddha carved into the side of a hill on the river.

That%26#39;s the problem with China - so many great things to see:)

Hi Annie,

Yes, there is sooo much to see and so little time!!!

I%26#39;ve thought about Tibet and is looks so inviting. I guess I%26#39;m waiting to see how the situation plays out there and will make a decision at a later date. It is so tempting though. I%26#39;ve also thought about the Pandas, but I know we won%26#39;t be able to do everything, so for now they%26#39;re a low priority.

Keep the suggestions and info coming. It is so helpful.

Thanks again,

Zingal