China Travel Forum

[Darrenn]

Hi there,

I am going to China for a week at the end of April. There are five of us and we are planning to get a return flight to Beijing so we need to get back there for the last night night:

3 days-Beijing
2 days-Xian
4 days-Guilin/Yangshuo

1. Is early may Golden week in China (like Japan)? I hear this is a hectic time for transport/accomadation booking. Should we book internal flights to the above places before we go to China? If not, how would I go about buying them once I land in Beijing?
2. Is it possible to arrive first and book train tickets for the following day/night during golden week?
3. Is this a good intenary? I hear Guilin/Yangshou is a tourist trap. We like outdoors and nature and is there anywhere less touristy we could visit?
4. Any ideas for first night arriving in Beijing. Should we book a hotel for that night or is it possible to arrive around 9:00 pm and get a train to Xi`an?
5. What vaccinations should I have?

Thanks for your help,

Darrenn

[Jhone Lee]

Hey Darrenn,

I am a Chinese but I am studying in US. A trip in China in the end of April may not be a good idea except you want to experience everywhere overcrowded. But if you can make travelling either earlier or later than the date from May 1st to 7th, you will be fine.

[Goldeny]

1. Yes. May 1-7 is golden week in China. Trains, bus and airplanes are packed with people. If the rountine is from Beijing-xian-gulin/yangshuo, I strongly recommend you to fly around since it usually take 2 or 3 days by train to transport...
2. It's impossible.
3.Guilin is really pretty so I think you won't miss it. Anybody in your group could speak Chinese? You can usually bargain with them. Don't take the price they ask you to pay. If you like the culture-experiencing, I think it would be nice to visit some tribal villages of minor people.
4. I don't think you can get a ticket to Xi'an that night. You may probably need to book a hotel. You can either book online or do you have any friends in Beijing?


Have Fun!

[Lion 32]

1.It is golden week and it will be crazy. I was in Beijing for May holiday last year. You don't realize how many people are in the world until you go to a popular Chinese tourist destination during Golden week.
2. I also would say that it will be close to impossible.
3. I went to Guilin/Yangshuo last June and it was the most amazing time I had in the year I spent in China. You could say it's a tourist trap, I guess. There are rip offs a plenty and tons of tourists, but just grab a bike and explore. I definitely recommend going.
4. I think it will be extremely difficult for you to get a train ticket to Xi'an. Either for the day you arrive or the days following. I think it would be safer to book a hotel before you come-I think a lot of them may be booked if you try to get something the night you arrive, especially if it's the weekend before May holiday.
5. Before I came to China I got Hep B (I had never had it before) and my Tetnus booster. You can get Malaria vaccinations, but I personally don't think it's necessary for your itinerary. I'm obviously not a doctor, but I do know it'smore important for people who would be in very rural areas. Some doctors recommend Japanese Encephilitis (or whatever its called). I didn't get that one either. I'm not sure that would be necessary for your trip, but you could ask.