6 places in 2 weeks, am I crazy?

Our interests are cultural/historic sites, great food.

Budget not an issue

Is this too much? If so, what would you omit?

We would fly into Beijing, out of Shanghai

We would fly between locations unless overnight train would work

Beijing- 4 nts including day at Mitianyu

Dunhunag- 2 nts

Xian- 1 nt

Chengdu- 2 nts

Yangshou- 2 nts for a break from the cities

Shanghai- 3 nts including day trip to Hangzhou

This would be from 12/6-21

Thanks

6 places in 2 weeks, am I crazy?

I%26#39;ve been looking into flights in/out of Dunhuang and I think they are too expensive and limited. I can then take the ON train from Beijing to Xian and use the extra days somewhere else.

6 places in 2 weeks, am I crazy?

I doubt there%26#39;re Beijing -- Dunhuang flights especially in that season.

Dunhuang -- Xi%26#39;an should have pretty good scenery. I hope you know that there%26#39;s a newer train station called ';Dunhuang'; nearer to Dunhuang itself? However trains might not be using that station in that season, though the trains to Liuyuan (the older station further from Dunhuang) would still be running.

Dunhuang%26#39;s sights can be seen in 1 day. I presume your extra days there were for transport?

If you%26#39;re flying, why not directly Guilin -- Hangzhou and then move on to Shanghai?

I don%26#39;t think you actually have enough time for all the places mentioned. Would suggest you drop Dunhuang (for transport reasons) or perhaps either Chengdu, or Yangshuo.

Yes, it looks like all the flights that time of year from Beijing to Dunhuang involve a layover. I like the idea of skipping that and doing the deluxe soft sleeper from Beijing to Xian.

Flying from Guilin to Hangzhou and then taking the train to Shanghai is a good suggestion. Would you recommend spending a night there or just moving on to Shanghai? If so, any hotel rec%26#39;s?, I%26#39;d prefer smaller hotels as long as they%26#39;re clean.

Thanks

There will be places to stay, don%26#39;t worry. I prefer to look for newer hotels, so check back with me around 1-2 months before your travel dates, for better digs.

Definitely not a problem to visit Hangzhou for a day, but that%26#39;s of course if you have enough time. Otherwise just fly direct to Shanghai.

Since you cannot fly directly to Yangshuo you need to allow half a day for travel time (flights + bus or taxi from Guilin). Try to get 3 nights (and thus 2 whole days if you can). Taking overnight r=trains BJ-Xi%26#39;an and then Xi%26#39;an to Chengdu will save you heaps of time.

I%26#39;ve looked at some train schedules, it dosn%26#39;t look like the Xian to Chengdu train would make sense.

The trip runs 13-17hrs. The fast train (T7) leaves at 5 am and gets in at 6pm. The overnight leaves at 1:20 in the afternoon.

I think it would be better to fly: there are flights at 10:45 am that get in at noon or 4:35 that gets in at 5:50. Of course this early the schedules could change.

it only takes 1hr 45 to get from Guilin airport to Yangshuo by taxi. You will want an extra day there.

How bout this then:

4 nts Beijing (courtyard type hotel)

overnight train to Xian

1 night Xian late afternoon flight to Chengdu- this will give me 1 1/2 days in Xian

2 nights Chengdu

3 nights Yangshou

3 nights Shanghai or fly directly to Hangzhou, spend one night and take the train to Shanghai for 2 nights.

Better?

Looks ok. Fly Guilin -- Hangzhou then train to Shanghai.

BTW it%26#39;s spelt Yangshuo, not Yangshou.

Thanks, I know I need to work on my spelling.

I think I%26#39;ll spend 3 nts in Beijing, which will give me 4 full days. I%26#39;ll add a day to Chengdu to allow for a day trip to Leshan.

Ellyse- I%26#39;ll contact you as we get closer to get some up to date hotel ideas.

Thanks for all of your help.

curly hair