China Travel Forum

[Dale]

I am heading to China in mid-May, in order to present a paper at a conference in Xian. I am going to take two weeks to do a little travelling, since it doesn't make sense to go all that way for a three day conference. Here are my questions:

1. If I want to fly to Xian from Beijing, where do I make reservations and get the ticket--I ask because I tried to do this at the travel agency and the price was astronomical, so I assume it's possible to do it once I'm already in China. (Someone else is paying my ticket, otherwise I would take the train)

2. Other than Xian and Beijing (including the Great Wall), where else is worth visiting on such a brief trip? I will be in Xian for 4-5 days (the conference and tours), I plan to be in Beijing for 3-4 days, so I will have 4-6 days free to see other places. I don't want to try to run all over the country, since I will be back in China for an extended trip later this year anyway. Basically I am looking for something not too far away from either Xian or Beijing.

Thanks in advance!

[Ian]

Taking the overnight hard sleeper, which is a soft cot, will get you into meeting people and having a good time on the trip. It is worth it just as a way to see and experience China. Then fly back to Beijing on your company. Flights are sold as one way tickets in China and so price is the same for one way and double that on round trip. Also can buy the train ticket at your hotel for a slight fee. Take at least three days in Xi'an for exploring since you have the time. Rent a bike and get around to most of the places. You can look at the soldiers and also the provincial museum, the Stelle Library, the Goose towers, the city walls and Ban Po. I think there is also a mountain to climb nearby called Hua Shan. Also experience the street markets at night and the muslim street restaurants. Be sure to order the specialty for the area in muslim places - Yang Rou Po Mo. It is an excellent large bowl of lamb soup. It is especially good with a pickled garlic which some of the smaller mom and pop places make on their own. Also get out into the small alleys in the morning to find a nice bowl of beef soup for breakfast.

You can also rent a bike in Beijing and especially ride around the alleys (hutongs) to see what it might have been like in old China.