2 simple questions.
Heya everyone,Not so long from now, I plan to go to China, (Working my way up from Yunnán to end in Beijing), I have most of my itinerary planned out for me. But I've looked my lonely planet book through, and can't really find definitive answers for some of my questions. so if anyone can help me, it'd be much appreciated.
1. What is the easiest (and preferably also cheapest) alternative to get to Yuanyang from Hanoi in Vietnam? (Prices would be very much appreciated, or a website where I could check it out)
2. I plan to spend 5 days in Tiger Leaping Gorge, but as far as i know, it is a far way from any nearby air routes taking me to the next destination (Xi'an), so how do I get there and how much would it cost me? (Again type of transport isn't a problem, but considering the length, I probably would prefer flying, so any recommended flights or airpots would be the best help I could get on this matter.) Money isn't a big factor, but I'd prefer paying less than 1500 RMB for it.
Thanks for listening and thank you even more if you took the time to answer my questions, I'll check into this thread a bit later on today.
-Freddy W
Edited by: FreddyW
1
Freddy: Can help you with the Gorge. My wife just hiked there in June. The closest airport is LiJiang or alternate is Dali. Can catch a bus out of LiJiang to the Gorge. There are hostels along the Gorge to stay in that are reasonable and clean. Not a walk in the park for sure but really beautiful. Enjoy. Dave2
Quite a few old threads for question one.Vietnam Lao Cai to China Yuan Yang
Wanna Go To Vietnam from Yuanyang? Read This
Buses From Hekou to Yuanyang.
5 days in the gorge is quite a lot. Most people spend one or two nights. Maybe also send a night or two in Lijiang (it has an airport,but i doubt any direct flights to Xian.)
3
Hey again, I dunno if 5 days are too much, I am just not into spending all my time in China on traveling. My current planned out itinerary would be:5 days Yuanyang
4 days Lijiang
5 days at Tiger Leaping Gorge
4 days at Xi'an
4 days at Zhengzhou
6 days Beijing
Any place where you think I could spend some less time in and maybe spend it on another place altogether? Keep in mind I like to trek/hike a lot, so I intend walking a lot in Tiger Leaping Gorge and Yuanyang.
Thanks on question 1 though, that should be all fixed by now. So you recommend taking several flights from Lijiang airport to finally end in Xi'an, however I can't find anything about it on Momondo, got any tips for that matter as well? (Also sounds kinda pricy for a cheapskate backpacker like myself and my GF! :-[)
Thanks in advance.
-Freddy W
4
We passed through TLG in earlyish October a couple of years ago and it was a washout. We didnt even get off the bus. It was raining constantly and had been for days plus the cloud cover was really low. Oh, and it rained every day from when we crossed from Laos till 10 days later and we crossed back. We went as far as Zhongdian trying to get away from it but no luck.5
If the days you have scheduled include travel days it is about right. As an example, from Yuanyang to Lijiang would be a day on the bus to Kunming, then either an overnight train or another half day on the bus to Lijiang. Maybe stop at Jianshui on the way to Kunming.Yuanyang - as whole days can be lost there to fog, scheduling more days there is a good idea.
Flying from Lijiang is not really budget. I see one direct flight a day to Xian- see http://flight.elong.net There will be more choices if you fly via Kunming.
Zhengzhou - seeing Shaolin and Kaifeng? Not sure if I'd go.
Perhaps from Tiger Leaping Gorge head north via Lugu Lake to Emei Shan then Chengdu and then Xian. Do by bu and train. You have some hiking opportunities around Lugu and Emei as well.
6
It's not me who really wants to go there, but my partner, considering Zhengzhou that is.What goes for the rest, this should help me with all my problems, thank you a lot. (And the days I have scheduled is including travel days.) I am sure Yuanyang, would be a nice place to stay. I guess we will stay there for a bit longer if needed.
Again thank you mate.
-Freddy W
7
I did the hike in June 2010. Very pretty and certainly worth the effort. The length of the adventure is pretty much pre-determined. A bus from Lijiang took me to the starting point. Almost everyone one sleeps at the same hostel which is cool the first night (sharing drinks and food with people who've met at the starting point or along the way). The second day is much easier and again everyone ends up at the same stop. From there you will have time to get on the shuttle that will take you back to Lijiang. You will also have the option of spending the afternoon going down to the water and back which will mean spending the night there.All this to say that it is either a one or two night very pleasant trek and spending a bit of time in Lijiang before or after can be enjoyable.
