First trip mainland China, need suggestions

Replies: 4 - Last Post: 04-Jun-2007 04:55 Last Post By: ZHET

jump to

hannahtul

31-May-2007 20:35
Posts: 47

First trip mainland China, need suggestions

Hi Guys,
I am trying to decide what is reasonable to do/see in my timeframe (July 26 - Aug 17) 23 days. Im travelling alone.

My first option: Beijing (3 days) - Dunhuang (2 days) - Xiahe (2-3 days) - Lijang/TLG (3 days) - Yangshou/PingAn (5 days) - exit through Shanghai. I can fly to from one province ot another once Im in China, since my schedule is tight.

My wishful thinking option: Kashgar (I would like to see Kashgar - routes from Bishnek, Kyrgystan look complicated, visa is expensive, and Bishnek's maybe not so safe for a single female?) But beijing to Kashgar is far.... Would LOVE to see Kashgar bazaar, mosques, karakul lake and some of the desert. From Kashgar via Uruqumi - Xiahe - Lijang - Yanghshou - exit Beijing.

Any things I should leave off? Or things I need to skip due to time constraints? If Kashgar is possible I could skip Dunhuang and maybe something else.

I appreciate any suggestions/advice you have...

hannahtul

31-May-2007 20:53
Posts: 47

Update:
I can fly from Beijing via Uruqumi to Kashgar for about $375USD, Seeing Kashgar might be worth the money? But I may need to take a train back to so I can have some money loeft for the rest of my trip. If "My wishful thinking option" is possible, what is the best and cheapest route to get from Kashgar to Xiahe.

My reason for Dunhuang in option 1 was for an overnight camel trek and seeing the desert, I imagine I can do these things near Kashgar in the Taklamaken desert and skip Dunhuang?

hannahtul

31-May-2007 22:10
Posts: 47

FYI: I think Ive answered my own questions after spending quite a bit of time with elong =)

Option 2 not doable, here is what I am doing:
Beijing - (fly) Dunhuang - (fly) Lanzhou - (bus) Xiahe - (bus) Langmusi - Songpan - (bus) Jiuzhaigou - (bus) Chengdu - (fly) Guilin/Yangshou/PingAn - (fly)Shanghai departure

ellyse

04-Jun-2007 04:40
Posts: 8,932

Get to Jiayuguan after Dunhuang and you can take an overnight train back to Lanzhou. No need to fly.
Cheers!

ZHET

04-Jun-2007 04:55
Posts: 1,328

I'm a big fan of Xinjiang, so I would say to fly all the way out to Kashgar, then train it back to Urumqi and Turpan and then on to Dunhuang, Lanzhou, Xiahe, Jiuzhaigou and Chengdu. Save Yangshuo and Lijiang for another trip.

!! Be warned that "students" who want to practice English with you may actually be scammers. In Shanghai they try the Tea Ceremony Scam. In Beijing it's the Art Student Scam. Be very wary if a stranger wants to speak English with you, especially if you are in a tourist area. !!

Subscribe to the latest messages in this branch.

Your Recent Threads

Announcements

Avatars!
Posted By: VenessaP -- 28-Jan-2010 15:01
How would you improve Thorn...
Posted By: VenessaP -- 09-Dec-2009 17:01

Latest Community News

	Speaking in Tongues Messages: 68,818 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 03:41
	On Your Bike Messages: 30,512 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 02:59
	Travel Tech Messages: 28,997 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 03:06
	Kids To Go Messages: 26,289 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 01:42
	Like a Sore Thumb Messages: 22,648 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 00:02
	Trekking & Mountaineering Messages: 22,263 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 02:03
	Travel on a shoestring Messages: 21,527 Last message posted at: 10-Feb-2010 05:54

Destinations

Asia: Destination information

Asia is a spectacular assault on the senses, whether you're riding the trans-Siberian railway, gazing up at the temples of Angkor, struggling with the immense tide of humanity in India, or trying to s... more »

Shop Online