Thinking of China.............. ... - Thorn Tree travel forum

Thinking of China..............

Replies: 12 - Last Post: 26-Nov-2007 21:10 Last Post By: FireArm

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Posted
23-Nov-2007 08:20
by: steviej

Posts: 91
Registered: 21/10/03

Thinking of China..............

Hi all,

Contemplating a visit to China around spring 2009. (is spring a good idea?) I'll have around 31 days :(

Thinking of either Beijing or Shanghai for the start then train to Xian, down to Guilin, fly to Hainan for some beach therapy then onto HK for the return flight home.

I know it's a BIG place but is this 'do-able' and how long would you say for each place considering the length of stay.

Cheers peeps.................................

All the way....
....with steviej

Who wants FAT HAIR.................!!!

Posted
23-Nov-2007 08:53
by: ApolloChina

Posts: 10
Registered: 19/11/07

1

if i were u, i'd like to use one week in beijing, half week in xian, one week in guilin, one in hainan, left time for shanghai and hk.

if u need more info, contact me.

:)

Posted
23-Nov-2007 08:56
by: ellyse

Posts: 8,932
Registered: 27/04/02

2

China's beaches aren't much to sing about when compared to the ones in South-East Asia and the Caribbean. No personal experience, speaking from forum experience.
I would rather come in autumn rather than spring, but that's personal preference.
Yes, definitely doable in 31 days.
Go to Yangshuo instead of Guilin.
Generally 4-7 days for Beijing, 2 days for Xi'an, 4-7 days for Yangshuo, 2-10 days for Shanghai (depends on how many sidetrips you're going to do from here).
Cheers!

Posted
23-Nov-2007 10:49
by: vegasgambler

Posts: 720
Registered: 14/09/06

3

I did it in Sept. and had nothing but good wheather except for two rainy days in B.

I would do about a week in B., two or maybe three days in S., 3 days in Xi'an, 1 or two days in G. and definetely 4-5 days in Yangshuo.

Otherwise El. is spot on.

Posted
23-Nov-2007 18:49
by: logie

Posts: 166
Registered: 31/10/00

4

Just a thought about your visa. I guess you would be on an 'L' tourist visa usually good for 30 days. You can get a 60 day one but it seems a shame for the sake of one day.

Keep banging those rocks together, guys.

Posted
24-Nov-2007 09:28
by: guenovnd

Posts: 211
Registered: 25/02/07

5

Hainan Island beaches are OK - not crowded and pleasand especially if you stay in one of the more upmarket Yalong Bay hotels in Sanya. However you may want to consider a flight from Hong Kong to Phuket -- there are direct flights and the beaches of Phuket are MUCH nicer, you can do snorkeling, etc.
So you can spend 3 weeks in China (Beijing, etc.) and then head over to Phuket from Hong Kong and return back to Hong Kong and fly back home. This way you can also avoid the issue of 30 day visa.....

ChinaTravel

Posted
25-Nov-2007 02:15
by: steviej

Posts: 91
Registered: 21/10/03

6

Cheers all.....................

I've already done the Caribbean and South East Asian highlights so I'll most probably stick with China as a whole. It's looking like Beijing-Xian-YANGSHUO (Cheers for the link ellyse) -Hainan-HongKong.

Anybody got any more good links to sites for China?????

All the way....
....with steviej

Who wants FAT HAIR.................!!!

Posted
25-Nov-2007 02:52
by: ellyse

Posts: 8,932
Registered: 27/04/02

7

Well #6 if you've already been to the Caribbean and South-East Asian beaches then skip Hainan.
Here're more destination guides for China.
Frommers
Rough Guide
Travel China Guide
China Trekking
China Backpacker
Cheers!

Posted
25-Nov-2007 06:12
by: steviej

Posts: 91
Registered: 21/10/03

8

Hi ellyse,

Hainan? Is it really that bad???

All the way....
....with steviej

Who wants FAT HAIR.................!!!

Posted
25-Nov-2007 06:23
by: ellyse

Posts: 8,932
Registered: 27/04/02

9

I haven't been there since I'm not much of a beach person. My opinion has been formed from what I've been reading on travel forums for at least a couple of years.
Cheers!

Posted
25-Nov-2007 11:28
by: FireArm

Posts: 30,306
Registered: 23/09/07

10

Go to Pingyao between Xi'an and Beijing.

"Hang your chemistry and electricity! If you want to make a pile of money, invent something that will enable those Europeans to cut each other's throats with greater facility."

Posted
26-Nov-2007 19:00
by: Ruth_in_Canada

Posts: 6,620
Registered: 08/09/01

11

Factor in Yunnan instead of Hainan.

cheers from Ruth

Posted
26-Nov-2007 21:10
by: FireArm

Posts: 30,306
Registered: 23/09/07

12

I have heard some nice things and negative things about Hainan. There is also a beach at Beihai in Guangxi province. (same province as Yangshuo and Guilin)

"Hang your chemistry and electricity! If you want to make a pile of money, invent something that will enable those Europeans to cut each other's throats with greater facility."

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