After 3 years of saving, scrounging, discounting. We (husband, wife and 9 years daughter) were able to save about USD4K. Now we want to travel to China.
We are in Botswana presently. We have 3 weeks holidays starting from 17 August 2007. We have interest in History, Culture and kids stuff (park, Disney etc.).
Tentatively we have planned following itinerary: Fly from Jo’burg to HK. HK 3days. Beijing 5-6 Days. Xi’an (4days). Chengdu (3 days)(back to HK and fly back to Jo’burg and Gaborone. This we understand, is a beaten path, we don’t mind it.
We would like to include 2 more destination each for 2 days with minimum travel time) in this route.
Till now we have a flexible plan. It will be highly appreciated if advice can be offered on following issues.
Itinerary (constraints: money and time)
Travel within the country: We will prefer to travel by train (Z Trains). (Economical and able to see countryside).
Lodging (Safe, economical, near the centre of city/ places of interest, convenient for family)
Is there a site from where we can download Chinese English phrase book or any podcast ( to know the pronunciations).
Is August an ideal time? ( although we don't have an option. What type of clothes we should carry)
Thanks a ton
Hong Kong (3 days) -- flight (via Shenzhen) -- Beijing (5 days) -- overnight Z train -- Xi'an (2 days) -- flight -- Jiuzhaigou (3 days) -- Chengdu (2 days) -- flight (via Guilin) -- Yangshuo (4 days) -- overnight bus (via Shenzhen) -- Hong Kong
Z trains are only available on very limited routes, and the only one I think you'll be able to take is the Beijing -- Xi'an one.
Suitable lodging should be relatively easy for me to help you find.
August is hot and muggy for most of China, but as you said, you don't really have a choice.
Pronouncing Chinese isn't a good idea as it's a very tonal language, and most locals won't expect you to be speaking Chinese to them anyway. And how would you be able to understand the replies, if you're asking questions?! Much better to buy a phrasebook with pronunciations as well as the Chinese characters so that you can point at them.
Cheers!
Have a couple of days (one night) in Macau (history, culture and food) at the end of your trip. Can get there from Yangshou and direct ferries to HKIA from Macau as well.
August is hot so you will want hot weather clothes. Comfortable and quick drying (so you can rinse them when they become all sweaty) is best. If you aren't planning to dine in really fancy restuarants then casual will be fine.
There is a train from HK to Beijing. Takes a bit over 24 hours and tickets are around 500rmb (I think). Given your interests I wouldn't add in Juizhaigou. I would say stop off in Pingyao between Beijing and Xi'an. It is a historic walled city and interesting to visit. Yangshuo is worth a visit though if you want to be somewhere where you can enjoy being outside, cycling etc.
You may not be able to take Z trains on all the routes you are mentioning but you can certainly take trains.
I've also sent you a pm.
Dumela, rra!
I lived in Gumare with my husband from 84-86 and lived in China for 6 years with my two daughters and husband.
Have a look at our photos.
Lots of photos
Definitely add Yangshuo.
Yangshuo info
When you are in Xi'an there is a great water park south of the city gates. My girls thought it was great and so did I!
Have an excellent time and you're welcome to ask me any more questions.
The humidity will be a real shock to you. I remember how DRY Botswana was!!
PULA!
Given your initial description OP I still disagree with Jiuzhaigou. It is a long bus trip from Chengdu and the entrance is expensive. A couple of hundred rmb when I went a few years ago. You can fly there but that also is expensive. It is beautiful, in a swiss alp kind of way but since you've listed your particular interests as history, culture and kids stuff I just don't think it is worth the trip. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it and thought it was very beautiful but when you've saved for so long for a 3 week trip I just think you could do better.
OK, if your US$4,000 excludes airfares, this is OK. If you have to pay 2.5 airfares you could have a bit of a problem. August (as other posters have noted) is obviously in the middle of summer, so it will be quite hot. In Beijing in summer it can push 40 deg C. Unless you particularly want to see Hong Kong (given you are on a budget), you may want to make this a transit stop only as it is significantly more expensive than mainland China. I've not been to Chengdu, but Beijing and Xi'an are very nice, you could easily occupy the time you state in each of these places.
Been in Hong Kong last week. For affordable place to stay, try to check Wonderful Inn www.wonderfulinn.com, tel # (852)2302-4812. Its in Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Cost of room with 3beds is HKD480/night. The place is very accessible, clean & safe.
Tips:
1. USD1 = HKD7.8. Dont believe them if they give you only HKD7.00 to a dollar.
2. Try to get an Octopus card. Very useful.
Enjoy!
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