China Travel Forum

[DorissNV]

My girlfriend and I will be travelling to China backpacking in June 2008.

We intend to travel from Beijing to Xian. Can anyone give me any good tips on a good, safe Backpackers Hostel, reasonable price in Xian, in city centre?
Also what is the best way to travel to see the 'tourist sights'?

Also would anyone recommend the hard sleeper for travelling on the train from Beijing?
Thanks guys!

[Daniel Dong]

Xi'an has several good youth hostels. Prices around 50rmb per person in a dorm .

The No.610 tourists bus can be your best choise . It starts at the railway station and travels past famous spots such as the Revolution Park,Bell Tower , Drum Tower , Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Daxingshan Temple, Shaanxi Provincial History Museum ,and Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Tang Paradise ,Qujiang Ocean World.

The price of a ticket is 1 Yuan per person, and the bus stops near the main entrances of these tourist spots.

Tour line No. 5 is another important line for tourists.

It runs between railway station and Terra Cotta Warriors, Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is a pass-by stop (5 Yuan for one way and 8 Yuan for round-trip ticket).

[Guest]

Another easy and always convenient way to get around would be by Taxi.

Costs about 10RMB every 3 kilometers.

Be sure to take the business card of your hotel in Chinese, so that your driver will know where to take you when you want to come back.

Have someone write down your destination in Chinese. That will save you a whole lot of hassles.

Oh, and one more thing, before you leave the taxi, ask for a receipt.

That way, if you accidentally leave something behind, or if you find they didn't give you back the right amount of change, you can pin your taxi down.

[TonnyII]

The central area is boxed within the ancient city walls.

Skyscrapers only appear outside the city walls as buildings inside are subject to height restraints.

The Bell Tower represents the center of the city with 4 large streets running in each direction: Bei Da Jie , Nan Da Jie , Xi Da Jie , Dong Da Jie .

Just a few of the places of interest within the city walls are the Drum Tower and the drum tower park, The Great Mosque, Defuxiang café/bar street and many great restaurants.

Within the city, tourist spots that lie outside the city walls include the Big Goose Pagoda, Small Goose Pagoda and The Shaanxi History Museum to the south of the city wall and Banpo Museum to the east.

Outside of the city is The Terra Cotta Warriors and Huaqing Pool to the east and Hua Mountain to the west.

[DorissNV]

Thanks to all of you , I think I 'd better to get a taxi since the city is not too big .