1 Month Travel Around China (by myself)

Hi all

I'm a 20year old gal from the UK doing some teaching in Yantai (Shandong). Loving it but running away (legitimately) after the rush of the May holiday. Can anyone reccommend some good, reasonable and safe hostels in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xian where I'm likely to meet normal English speaking people wanting trips out? Is it better to get the train or fly to these places? I'm not a big fan of hiking and will have quite a large case (as didn't expect to do too much travelling for some reason) so want to get based for several days at a time. I enjoy cultural visits (v interested in temples, Great Wall and anything else interesting etc) and a descent restaurant/few bars to relax in the evenings
My plan so far:
Leave Yantai to Shanghai 9th-14th may
Shanghai to Xian from 14th - 18th
Xian to Beijing 18th - 28th may
Beijing to London 28th may (flights already booked)
Anyone out there going to be in those cities and have similar interests, would be good to hear from you! Thankyou :)

Leo's Guesthouse in Beijing is a famous place where you can meet a lot of English-speaking foreigners.
X'ian has Jim Beam's hostel which is another place to meet normal English speaking people as well as helpful, normal English-speaking staff.
Dunno anything about Shanghai. Sorry !
Hope that everything turns out to be normal for you.
Cheers!

To meet people in Xi'an, try the ShuYuan IYH or the Bell Tower IYH. Jim Beam's place is called the LuDao BingGuan and gets mixed reviews on here.

I stayed at Bell Tower IYH last year. Excellent location and friendly. A few notes from last year's trip:

Bell Tower YH Xian - Friendly helpful staff, clean ac dorm 45 (40 if member). Priv rooms available too. Excellent central location - great views from lounge and dining room. Free taxi from station if book ahead. Free net.
V easy to visit Terracotta Warriors yourself. Bus #606,608,611 from Bell Tower YH 1Y to station, then bus #306 every 10 mins from station to warriors 7Y (don’t get off until terminus). Bus passes Huaqing Pool also, site of famous “Xian incident” involving Chiang Kai Shek, if you’re interested.
Warriors entrance 90Y. I found them well worth seeing.

You might want to consider stopover at Pingyao and Datong on way to Beijing.

Travelling with a large suitcase makes things difficult. Any chance of a quick trip Yantai to Beijing at start of your month to store case at a hostel, then travel with a light pack on train to Shanghai to resume your circuit?

as i resident of xi'an city i think bell tower international younth hotel might be a good place,i have to pass it everyday go to work and see many travellers come out of there with big smell on their face.it's in the center of the city and convience traffic.i assume you like history relics,we have so many places like that,big/small wild goose pagoda,bell and drum tower,hua mountain,terracotta warriors,huaqing pool,and special food....

watch out your bag and wallet if you are coming in hot season,there are many thief around the center and where has many people,don't put your bag on back,make sure you can see it....

i have also stayed at the bell tower and leos and can highly recommend the both of them.both have a great backpackers vibe................

For the 2 most recommended hostels in Shanghai, take a look at this thread.
In Xi'an, head for Shuyuan or City Spring (aka Bell Tower) IYH.
In Beijing, look for Downtown Backpackers and Far East IYH.
PM/email me if you'd like to meet up in Shanghai for a chat/tea/meal, I'm studying here. :)
Cheers!

Hello fellow volunteer!I searched for Yantai and I notcied someone volunteering, age 20, name Abi... (its Eddie incase you were wondering!).Thought I would give you some advice... We have been to Beijing and stayed at the Feijing International Youth Hostel. It wasnt great, but the staff spoke good English and it was in a good location near the metro. Staying in dorms is a good way of meeting people who you can hang out with (if you like them!), and in the hostel we were at there were plently of communal areas where you can get chatting to people. We took the train to Yantai from Beijing, and stayed in soft sleeper - very comfy and nice, about 330 yuan. If you need to buy any train tickets try and get the hostel to help you - we found it hellish trying to get tickets at the station and just ended up giving up and booking them through the hotel. The metro in beijing seemed safe and clean, so I think travelling alone should be no problem. The only thing is the staring and "hellooo's" but I'm sure living in Yantai you're used to it by now.
We are also going to Xi'an and Shanghai, if you need any help with the train times just email Jack, he can help book the tickets as well. I'm sure you knew that already! If you have any more Q's email me at eilidh_and_ross@yahoo.co.uk . I'm sure we'll see you soon though! Hope you have a good week teaching! :)

If I manage to meet up with you, you'll be the 2nd TTer I'll meet who has taught English in Yantai.
Cheers!