China Travel Forum

[Carl]

What is the best way to spend 10 days in China? I am thinking Shanghai,
Beijing, xian and/or guilin. I have the following questions:
1. What would be the best itinerary? Initially, I was thinking
Shanghai-Xian-Beijing
2. Is Guilin worth visiting? Is it too touristy?
3. If I am going to China from HK, do I go to Guilin first or Shanghai?
4. Is Suzhou the best "water town" to visit from Shanghai
5. How is the train service from Shanghai to Xian and Xian to Beijing?
Am I better off flying?
6. Do you recommend the great wall at Badaling or Mutiyanu?

I know that there are many 10-11 day China tours that pretty much cover
these cities but I'd rather travel on my own budget way. Any ideas/suggestions are
much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

[Daniel]

Don't spend more than one day in Xi'an
Go to Yangshuo instead
best "water town" is IMHO Yangshuo, but Suzhou is also very nice and
certainly if you want to make a one day trip from Shanghai, Yangshuo is
excluded.
Yangshou is close to Guilin
Airplane: more comfort
Train, more social contacts
Depend from what you want
If you like a nicely renovated part of the great wall (but rather crowdy
place
go to Badaling
Go with train from Beijing down to Xi'an and stop halfway in PingYao.
Spend a day or two in PingYao before to go to Xi'an.