help: 9 nights-Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, suzhou

Dear friends,

we%26#39;re planning our first trip to Shanghai and surrounding with a few days in Macau and Hong Kong. the itinenary as follows:

17th April 2009 Shanghai

18th April 2009 Hangzhou

19th April 2009 Hangzhou

20th April 2009 Shanghai

21st April 2009 Shanghai (day trip Suzhou)

22nd April 2009 Nanjing

23th April 2009 Nanjing

24th April 2009 Shanghai

25th April 2009 Shanghai or

15th April 2009 Wed Nanjing

16th April 2009 Thu Nanjing

17th April 2009 Fri Shanghai

18th April 2009 Sat Shanghai (day trip Suzhou)

19th April 2009 Sun Hangzhou

20th April 2009 Mon Hangzhou

21st April 2009 Tue Shanghai

the difference being flying direct to Shanghai or Nanjing from Singapore.

1. is a day trip to Suzhou sufficient or should we spend 1 night or more days there?

2. is there a lot to see in Shanghai; will 2 days be sufficient to cover must see Shanghai?

3. are there frequent daily trains connecting Shanghai with the three cities mentioned above? do we need to make advance booking for train travel? is there an online website for making reservations?

we%26#39;re into good food, museum and architecture, should we add on other places or delete any of the cities mentioned above from the itinenary? thanks in advance for the help.

help: 9 nights-Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, suzhou

Well, train trips between all the cities you have picked are ( I have chosen the fastest trains possible):

Trains between Nanjing - Hangzhou: 4 hours

Trains between Nanjing - Shanghai: 2 hours

Trains between Shanghai - Hangzhou: 1 hour %26amp; 18 min

Trains between Shanghai - Suzhou: 1/2 hour

1) A day trip to Suzhou is fine. Unless you are really into gardens %26amp; want to see all of them.

2) 2 days on Shanghai is okay - 3 would be better

3) Yes there are lots of trains between the cities you mention. There is a time table on www.travelchinaguide.com No don%26#39;t book on line - too expensive. Get your hotel to do it for you in whichever city you arrive in. They will only charge a small commission.

4) you have done well with the cities you have picked:)

help: 9 nights-Shanghai, Nanjing, Hangzhou, suzhou

Yes you can buy them at the station but it means shlepping all the way down there, finding the ticket office, finding the English speaking ticket counter if you need to or using the self automated machine or joining the general cue.

If you are on Holidays it is much easier just to ask your hotel. As for buying on the day - depends which tain, which city, which time , which date - Save the hassle %26amp; buy them via your hotel a day or two before if you can:)

thanks annieandhamish for the info. after a quick look at the website given by you on train travel, the advice given is to book tickets in advance as train travel is popular in China. based on my itinenary, do you think tickets will run out especially the soft seats for our travel (prefer to take the morning hour train around 9 - 10 am)? also we%26#39;re thinking of taking the overnight train from Shanghai to Hong Kong; according to online info, the train will leave on an odd day for the month of April, how can we verified the info and do you think there will be seats available if we booked them one week in advance in Shanghai? thanks againg for the help.

Hi, Because your are traveling in April %26amp; plan traveling soft seat booking 1 or 2 days in advance will be fine. Just get your hotel to arrange the tickets when you arrive.

Sorry I%26#39;m not sure on Shanghai to Hong Kong and Hamish has only gone to Hong Kong via Shenhzen or Guangzhuo so we are no help there. I am sure someone else will answer this question for you:)

Cheers,

Annie

Also look on www.seat61.com as this has heaps of info on train travel in China and will have details on the Shanghai to Honk Kong train.

1) With your timeframe, 1 day is enough.

2) I would give perhaps 2.5 days.

3) Yes, relatively frequent. I would advise buying in advance for the weekend at least. Do NOT use the online agencies as they charge an arm and a leg for it.

So are you starting on 15/4 or 17/4? What time would you arrive and leave?

Shanghai -- Hong Kong train departs on even days of the month in April 2009. Let me know (PM/email) if you need help with pre-buying tickets.

From SIngapore as well .. book my tour thru an agent here in Shanghai .. 3d2n.. HangZhou , Suzhou , Wuxi.. damn tired after just 3 days ,information overload.. my advice, take a break ... FYI i%26#39;m just 30 and am used to travelled around ..

Most Singaporeans will complain that they don%26#39;t get their money%26#39;s worth if their tours aren%26#39;t packed fuller than what%26#39;s practical.