China Travel Forum

[jgg]

hello everybody
I may have 2 weeks to spend in China.

Discounted flights are to Beijing and Shanghai, so I will have to choose between these two.

I would be going with my mom, so what we would like to see is (1) monumental, socialist architecture;), (2) secluded villages, tea plantations - with no or few tourists around, (3) beautiful green hills/mountains and rice terraces, (4) ancient architecture, (5) maybe some wildlife/game watching?

Maybe someone could suggest an itinerary for this please? I know some provinces are flooded/troubled otherwise these days so I guess I would have to remember that when planning my trip..

How much would I spend, with no luxury (we're on rather tight budget)? Is China much more expensive than India?

As I said, we're on rather tight budget so no air travel is possible. On the other hand, am I right in assuming it would take too long (e.g. 2 days) on train to reach the rice terraces/green hills etc.. down in the south from Beijing?

How do Chinese trains look like in terms of safety and cleanness? Would that be OK for my mom (I am 24 y.o. so for me no Asian trains are a problem;). How much do trains cost?

Thanks!!!

[kamal]

Chinese trains are smooth, fast, and fun - sleepers are hte best, no problems. Hard sleeper is not actually 'hard'

Well, Beijign is better to visit, but try both, as it is only an overrnight trip down to Shanghai on the train,and there are stops, say Nanjing, on the way that would be wirthwhile.

Jiangdu (Nanjing/Shanghai) might have more of what you are looking for.