20 Days in China

Kaifeng lodging--Others will have to jump in and help you here, as it's been some time since I've been there and I didn't stay in commercial accommodation.

Beijing polllution--nothing you can really do to prepare, and you may see some blue skies as well. Generally, the windier it is if coming from the north or northwest, the better the air quality.

Beijing weather--getting cool but usually nice, one of my favorite periods of the year. You'll need a jacket but not a heavy coat. You can definitely leave the shorts and sandals at home though. Night temperatures will be chilly though not usually freezing. As for GW tours to remote parts, I should think somebody will still be running them all the way through October. Who have you contacted so far?

Kaifeng has a youth hostel, Kaifeng International Youth Hostel on Yingbin Lu near Baogong Lake

There is also a Jinjiang Inn at the corner of Zhongshan Lu and Mujiaqiao Jie

Kaifeng has a youth hostel, Kaifeng International Youth Hostel on Yingbin Lu near Baogong Lake

There is also a Jinjiang Inn at the corner of Zhongshan Lu and Mujiaqiao Jie

Not sure the Youth Hostel is still there (Don't think it has been for quite some time). But, there are, at least, 4 7Days Inns as well as Hanting Expresses and Home Inns (One of which is opposite Baogong Lake and just around the corner from the night-eating-street).

I stayed there last year. It was run by a local family, not the Australian who used to run it, who speak very little English but got one of their english speaking relatives to come over to translate. He was very helpful, giving me lots of information about the local area and how to get around. I liked the hostel (though moved from the most basic room to something more comfortable) and found it convenient. It's within walking distance of the night market and there was a little shop around the corner to buy tissues, milk, water and other travel basics. Bus 9 goes there from the station.

Thank you Jiejie for the advice! I've contacted a few (Great Wall Adventure, Great Wall Sensation, etc) but chinahiking.cn was the most helpful and she made a date for us to sign up but should the weather be bad, she said I can arrange for a private tour since I have 6 days in Beijing. I was thinking of totally rescheduling everything to catch the early trips but in the end, the cost and time wasted would be too much. Actually, the cost would be enough for a private tour so in the end I decided to stick to the same schedule :)

I was wondering if you know the best place/city to try and find a place that makes chinese chop/ name stamp? I've tried googling but there isn't a definite answer as it's pretty widespread throughout China but I'm sure the tourist traps would have them but will be really expensive.

Thank you jie jie!

Thank you for the recommendations! I will look them up!

Thank you for the hotel recommendations! I think I might just book a hotel as break from hostels and have a comfortable time there. I can't wait to see the night eating street. Do you have a recommendations on a local speciality?

Thank you Violet for the very detailed information! I will think about it some more on where to stay in Kaifeng, did you stay in a private room in the hostel? And what food did you enjoy most in the city? I read Xiao Long Bao and Yang Rou Kang Mo is a very popular snack there along with some Islamic dishes.

I was in Kaifeng only 2 or 3 months ago, with a friend, and at the night-eating-street. But I really can't remember what we ate (A number of things; one of which was a kind of shell-fish).

As for the chop-making question: they can be got anywhere, are carved on the spot and are as cheap as chips (Unless you mean that you want to get the whole thing carved from scratch).

As for the chop-making question: they can be got anywhere, are carved on the spot and are as cheap as chips (Unless you mean that you want to get the whole thing carved from scratch).

They are slightly more expensive if you want them in relief. IE the name in red surrounded by white blank space and then a red border.

The cheaper ones are a while name surrounded by red space.