Our latest itinerary

We don%26#39;t leave for China until 29th July and have come up with umpteen possible itineraries so far.

This is our latest so any comments would be appreciated.

Day 1: Arrive in Tianjin (Air Asia) at 7am. Get bullet train to Beijing.

Days 2-5: Beijing. Sleeper train to Xi%26#39;an.

Day 6: Arrive in Xi%26#39;an about 8am. Day spent in Xi%26#39;an.

Day 7: Late morning flight to Shanghai. Afternoon looking around Shanghai.

Day 8: Shanghai.

Day 9: Day trip to a water town.

Day 10: Early afternoon flight to Guilin and then on to Yangshuo.

Days 11-13: Yangshuo. Sleeper bus to Shenzhen.

Day 14: Arrive in Shenzhen early morning then train to Hong Kong. Afternoon in Hong Kong.

Day 15: Day in Hong Kong then late afternoon ferry to Macau.

Day 16: Macau.

Day 17: Day in Macau then evening flight home (Viva Macau).

A few questions.

This itinerary gives us 4.5 days in Beijing. Should we cut it back by a day and spend an extra day in Xi%26#39;an or Shanghai?

What would be the best (and easiest) water town to visit on a day trip from Shanghai?

Could we stay overnight at the water town and get a train back to Shanghai on the morning of day 10 to get our flight to Guilin? The flight leaves at 1.45pm.

Would a day or two in Hangzhou be better than going to Hong Kong? We could then get the bus from Yangshuo to Guangzhou and then on to Macau.

How far in advance should we book our internal travel to get the best deals?

FYI we are a mid 50%26#39;s couple - still fit and active we think.

Our latest itinerary

You don%26#39;t want to cut much from Beijing. I think you need to cut something else--I wouldn%26#39;t want to do one day each in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Macau. If your return from Macau is set, I%26#39;d probably cut Shanghai and the Water town and spend a little longer in Hong Kong and Macau.

Our latest itinerary

Thanks travellevret. As this is our first trip to China we are still happily considering all responses.

Hi,

Your itinerary is great.

Yes. It is better that you can cut one day in Beijing and spend an extra day in Xian. Because you can get to Beijing at morning of your first day from Tianjin.

In only one day trip to water town is Zhujiajiao where is not far away from Shanghai is the best and easiest for you. You have enough time for sightseeing.

It is No need to stay overnight in Zhujiajiao.

Hangzhou and Hong Kong is much different. So which one you like depend on you. If you want to go Hangzhou, at least two days in Hangzhou would be better.

Booking the internal flights one month in advance would be better.

The follow is the itinerary day by day I adjust for you. Just reference to you.

Day 1: Arrive in Tianjin (Air Asia) at 7am. Get bullet train to Beijing. There are many trains from Tianjin to Beijing (120km) daily lasting about 30 minutes. So it is easy for you to buy train ticket at Tianjin. at afternoon you can sightseeing in Beijing.

Days 2-4: sightseeing in Beijing. at the evening of the 4th day take by night train from Beijing to Xi%26#39;an (1200km) lasting about 11 hours. stay on the train

Day 5-6: at morning Arrive in Xi%26#39;an. sightseeing in Xian two days would be better. and then at the evening of Day6 take by flight from Xian to Shanghai.

There are many flights from Xian to Shanghai so it is easy. but booking cheaper price must be in advance one month.

Day 7-8: looking around and sightseeing in Shanghai.

Two days is enough.

Day 9: Day trip to a water town. Day trip to Zhujiajiao is the only one water town you can choose.

Day 10: There are only FOUR flights from Shanghai to Guilin daily. so booking in advance is a must. stay in Guiliin

Days 11-13: sightseeing Longji Rice Terrace in a day. and sightseeing Li River on the boat in a day. on Day13 you can hire a bicycle going through Yangshuo countryside. at evening you can take by T37 (21:48--10:23) from Guilin to Shenzhen. stay on the train

Day 14: Arrive in Shenzhen early morning then take by train or boat or bus to Hong Kong. Afternoon in Hong Kong.

Day 15: Day in Hong Kong then late afternoon ferry to Macau.

Day 16: Macau.

Day 17: Day in Macau then evening flight home (Viva Macau).

Thank you travelingislife2008. Your advice is much appreciated.

Is it worth looking at the overnight train from Xi%26#39;an to Shanghai?

There are 10 trains daily from Xian to Shanghai (1509km). But just T137 (19:53--11:40) lasting about 15 hours 47 minutes and Z94 (17:49--07:29) lasting about 13 hours 40 minutes start from Xian. Other trains pass by Xian.

Yes. It is worth to take by the train from Xian to Shanghai and can save your money on the hotel at night and do NOT waste your time in Shanghai.