China Trip for ChinaMan
Aug 2, 2015, 2:24 pm
#16
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I prefer Yangzhou over Suzhou--for both food and scenery.
Qingdao is my favorite Mainland Chinese city, based simply on my impression that the (Han) people there were the friendliest I've ever encountered. Chengdu comes a close second. It's just so laid back and atmospheric. ^ Leshan is an easy daytrip from Chengdu, which I presume you've done already? Emeishan is almost equidistant, but should definitely require an overnight--IMO preferably in a monastery. BTW, if visiting Buddhist sacred mountains is the point of going to Emeishan, another possible candidate should be Wutaishan in Shanxi province. The closest gateway city is Datong, but it can be reached from capital Taiyuan as well.
Safe travels.
Qingdao is my favorite Mainland Chinese city, based simply on my impression that the (Han) people there were the friendliest I've ever encountered. Chengdu comes a close second. It's just so laid back and atmospheric. ^ Leshan is an easy daytrip from Chengdu, which I presume you've done already? Emeishan is almost equidistant, but should definitely require an overnight--IMO preferably in a monastery. BTW, if visiting Buddhist sacred mountains is the point of going to Emeishan, another possible candidate should be Wutaishan in Shanxi province. The closest gateway city is Datong, but it can be reached from capital Taiyuan as well.
Safe travels.
Actually I've never been to Sichuan province at all, but my wife and her family have, so I'm pushing in favor of it
. Our main motivation is the food though...
Aug 2, 2015, 6:04 pm
#17
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If you've never been to Sichuan, then I would definitely recommend devoting most if not the entire trip to it. I love Chengdu-style Sichuan cooking--not very hot compared to Chongqing's. I myself am looking forward to my next visit to Sichuan, when I will go to Zigong to visit the salt museum, and possibly also Luzhou for the liquor distilleries.
Aug 2, 2015, 7:43 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2009
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Sichuan might be a bit hard to get by train though, isnt it?
I mean, Chinese high speed network is great in general, but its a lengthy ride - the only nonstop G drive service I can see takes 14 hours (G307) and wont sell that cheap (definitely would fly this one) - so if you are starting in Beijing and prefer train, thats one MAJOR argument against it.
I mean, Chinese high speed network is great in general, but its a lengthy ride - the only nonstop G drive service I can see takes 14 hours (G307) and wont sell that cheap (definitely would fly this one) - so if you are starting in Beijing and prefer train, thats one MAJOR argument against it.
Aug 2, 2015, 7:57 pm
#19
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I didn't notice the op scratching Qingdao from his list (yet). I shall also note that the beer thing doesn't seriously impact those who have no interest in it. You just pay a bit more for hotels than normal, but what's that matter if you have no concept of what "normal" is? Laoshan (plus the beach at its base) is awesome, BTW.
BTW, you have got me interested in Laoshan, I have never been there...
Aug 3, 2015, 8:50 am
#21
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This tip alone pretty much crossed off Qingdao for me then... Do you know if app-taxis are convenient (not too much waiting) at least?
Aug 3, 2015, 10:17 am
#22
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(edit: I forgot to put an "a" before ChinaMan in the title, and as such it seems like I'm calling myself the superhero of China or something... not my intention)
Hello everyone,
My dilemma is an awkward one, I am Chinese (speak, read, write no problems) but grew up abroad. I lived for 5 years in Beijing but haven't been there full time since 2011.
I am planning a trip with my wife and in-laws, and due to time constraints only have 5 days 4 nights. Tokyo was our first choice but the tight schedule turned everyone off.
Therefore we have decided to go somewhere within mainland China for this duration. We are starting off from Beijing, and only want to go to one destination so as to minimize travel. We're all born and bred Chinese, and this trip will take place 21 Aug, to 25 Aug.
So I realize asking a predominately foreign forum for tips about my own country is awkward... But here I am doing it anyways. We've probably been to every major city in China, and most second tier ones as well, so we don't have any "dream" destinations in mind, just an excuse to go somewhere. Anyways I'd love some tips, input, and ideas on where to go or just opinions on what I am about to list below.
Places I had in mind were:
- Emeishan via Chengdu
- Suzhou
- Xi'an (I've been many times, but it's been 5 years since my last visit, is it worth going again? Any changes?)
Provinces we're ruling out are all three Northeastern provinces, both Guangs, Qinghai, Tibet, Hebei, and Xinjiang.
Thanks for any tips!
P.S. Some other considerations are that I'd prefer to either go via train or Avios.
Hello everyone,
My dilemma is an awkward one, I am Chinese (speak, read, write no problems) but grew up abroad. I lived for 5 years in Beijing but haven't been there full time since 2011.
I am planning a trip with my wife and in-laws, and due to time constraints only have 5 days 4 nights. Tokyo was our first choice but the tight schedule turned everyone off.
Therefore we have decided to go somewhere within mainland China for this duration. We are starting off from Beijing, and only want to go to one destination so as to minimize travel. We're all born and bred Chinese, and this trip will take place 21 Aug, to 25 Aug.
So I realize asking a predominately foreign forum for tips about my own country is awkward... But here I am doing it anyways. We've probably been to every major city in China, and most second tier ones as well, so we don't have any "dream" destinations in mind, just an excuse to go somewhere. Anyways I'd love some tips, input, and ideas on where to go or just opinions on what I am about to list below.
Places I had in mind were:
- Emeishan via Chengdu
- Suzhou
- Xi'an (I've been many times, but it's been 5 years since my last visit, is it worth going again? Any changes?)
Provinces we're ruling out are all three Northeastern provinces, both Guangs, Qinghai, Tibet, Hebei, and Xinjiang.
Thanks for any tips!
P.S. Some other considerations are that I'd prefer to either go via train or Avios.
Aug 3, 2015, 10:37 am
#23
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I don't plan on going to any 'sensitive' areas anyways though, so that shouldn't be an issue.
Aug 3, 2015, 8:06 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
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Aug 4, 2015, 4:38 am
#26
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Also:
https://www.uber.com/zh/cities/qingdao
While we're on the subject of Qingdao, I feel compelled to point out that Laoshan (and the beach at its base) is really nice.
https://www.uber.com/zh/cities/qingdao
While we're on the subject of Qingdao, I feel compelled to point out that Laoshan (and the beach at its base) is really nice.
Aug 4, 2015, 12:06 pm
#27
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Join Date: Jun 2014
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Also:
https://www.uber.com/zh/cities/qingdao
While we're on the subject of Qingdao, I feel compelled to point out that Laoshan (and the beach at its base) is really nice.
https://www.uber.com/zh/cities/qingdao
While we're on the subject of Qingdao, I feel compelled to point out that Laoshan (and the beach at its base) is really nice.