I’m currently living in northeastern China, and before I return to the United States I’ll have just under three weeks to travel around the country at the end of July. My tentative plan right now is to spend four to five days in Beijing, followed by a few days in Xi’an, and a few days in Sichuan, visiting Chengdu, Leshan, and Emei Shan. After that I’ll go to Shanghai for four days or so and fly out from there. I’m meeting people in Beijing and Shanghai, but I’ll be on my own for the rest of the time. I speak Chinese passably, but not fluently. Is my itinerary reasonable for the time available (13 July to 29 July)? Any specific suggestions regarding the places I’m planning on going? Will I have enough time to visit more places?
I did a vacation once where our average time in each location was 3-4 days. Frankly, it sort of sucked. Really you only get two days out of a four day trip (the other two are half-spent somewhere else and in transit/packing/being pooped/etc.), and there’s not a lot you can do in two days that really gives you any feel for the place. Plus, you spend nearly half of your entire trip sitting in lobbies, sitting in buses/trains/planes/taxis, and lugging luggage around and are always tired and cranky from it after a few iterations.
Certainly, I encourage you to try and see as much as you can, but I’d recommend no less than 6 days in any one place.
That’s a tough one. Seems like you’re anchored around Beijing and Shanghai. Also sounds like you really want to go see the terra cotta army around Xi’an. What sort of budget are you on?
Do you have a big reason to see the stuff around Chengdu? I can’t help as I’ve been over a lot of sichuan but not those specific sites.
Keep in mind that it is hotter than blazes in China in the summer. And usually humid. And China is tiring to get around in, even if you’re flying everywhere.
You might want to think about some areas sort of around Xi’an? Do you want to have a Tibetan or Mongolian experience - both are not too far from Xi’an?
any place is the NE you should check out on the way to Beijing? Where are you now? I’ve only been to Dalian, Changchun and Shenyang on business (usually in winter :eek:) and never saw anything really. There are some cool places up there.