China Travel Forum

[Jeffrey]

My wife and I will be vacationing in China from 2nd April (arrive in evening) to 10th April (depart in evening). We were originally considering doing some Beijing highlights for three days and then going to Yangshuo for the remaining time. Now we are seriously considering staying in the Beijing area and checking out some things that are an overnight train ride away. The two alternatives are below. Can you please comment on which will be better and any suggestions to improve the chosen selection? Also, does anyone know flight timings between Beijing and Guilin? Do these flights get delayed often?

Plan 1: Tiananmen, Forbidden city, Hutongs, Antique market on saturday, Lama Temple, Temple of Heaven, Simatai to Jinshanling hike, Wuqiao acrobatics, Chengde temples + palace, Datong grottoes + hanging monastery, Shanhaiguan wall

Plan 2: Beijing: Tiananmen, Forbidden city, Hutongs and shopping, Lama Temple, Temple of Heaven, Simatai to Jinshanling hike. Yangshuo: Li river boat trip, cycling around Yangshuo area villages, visit Dragon back terraces.

Specific interests include photography and interacting with the locals to learn more about their culture and day to day life. Thanks a lot for any help.

[Curt]

Flights are sometimes delayed (just like anywhere else in the world) and sometimes cancelled.
I've been on a few flights, they all were sort of on time (once a one hour delay).

I think plan two is more relaxed.
With plan one you'll be travelling a lot in those few days.

If you want to stay 'close' to Beijing, you can also choose:
4 days Beijing (incl. Great Wall).
Overnight train to Xi'an and stay 2/3 days.
Overnight train back to Beijing for remaining day(s).