recommendations for china in august

Replies: 6 - Last Post: 02-Jun-2007 13:28 Last Post By: Confucius

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ephraim

28-May-2007 09:20
Posts: 110

recommendations for china in august

A friend and I are thinking about spending two weeks in China. We'll fly into Hong Kong at the end of July, and out in mid-August. The goal is to spend a few days in Hong Kong / Macau / Guangzhou at the beginning and end of the trip, and fly somewhere else within China for a week in the middle.

(Yes, I know this is the hot/humid/typhoon season, but unfortunately this is the only chance we have to take a holiday.)

I would like to see Chengdu and Sichuan. My travel partner is more interested in Beijing and/or Shanghai.

Can somebody recommend for or against Sichuan, Beijing, and Shanghai for a week in August? I'm personally interested in seeing some city life within China, including the arts, but I would also like to see the outdoors (i.e. giant pandas, mountains, etc.). As clicheed as this must sound, which of these three places stands a better chance of (1) a wide variety of cultural and natural activities, (2) a chance to see the "real" China (however you choose to define it)?

ellyse

28-May-2007 10:49
Posts: 8,932

Shanghai would be VERY hot and humid. Not advisable unless you're used to this kind of weather.
I think Beijing + Sichuan might be the better choice. However you would have to pick either, not both, if you only have a week in total to spend in mainland China.
Cheers!

CalamityJane46

28-May-2007 15:16
Posts: 159

Beijing is nicer than Shangahi, in my opinion, Shangahi is very cosmopolitan (for China).
The whole of CHina is very hot and humid in August and there is a permanent heat haze, so you can't see very far - like fog.
Walk slowly, drink a lot and let it drip!
I also recommend Chengdu, Xi'an and Guilin / River Li area for weird mountain formations.

guenovnd

28-May-2007 17:33
Posts: 212

Go to Beijing and Chengdu. In Beijing you can check out the DaShanZi area (in Chaoyang district) near the Lidu Holiday Inn hotel (off the Airport expressway) -- this is an area with many arts galeries, etc. Haidian district (Northwest part of the city) for some modern architecture....plus you can go into some of the most famous universities in China -- Beida (Beijing University) and Tsinghua.
You can check out my blog Travel and Living in China for info also on Chengdu (as well as Beijing)....

ChinaTravel

wenjie

29-May-2007 12:57
Posts: 15

A week is too short for Chengdu and Beijing, but would be just about right for either. Chengdu definitely has more nearby outdoorsy places to visit than Beijing and still has some city life and various cultural activities within the city. Weather in Chengdu will probably be cooler and more comfortable than Beijing. I think Chengdu is also a slightly more tourist-friendly city. On the Beijing side is that it is THE cultural capital of china by far. Also much more in terms of nightlife.

Of the 3 Shanghai is definitely my favorite, but it doesn't have as much to offer for a week's visit.

ephraim

29-May-2007 13:21
Posts: 110

Just curious -- is Guilin/Yangshuo worth going to in August (as a 2-day trip from Hong Kong), or will the haze/humidity make it impossible to see anything? I have been to Vang Vieng, Laos, and from what I've heard Guilin sounds very similar. Still worth going?

Confucius

02-Jun-2007 13:28
Posts: 279

Shanghai may be humid, but the hot adult sex toy trade show/exhibition is from August 10-12! Plan your trip accordingly!

More Confucian commentary can be found at VirtualTourist.com Confucius Homepage

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