Originally Posted by
moondog
Even though I am solidly in the "Shanghai is a more comfortable place to live than Beijing" camp, Beijing has MUCH more to offer tourists, so that's where I would allocate your bonus days.
What would a good suggested itinerary be (at least for Beijing and Shanghai) if we did this?
3/25 Beijing arrival (we can opt to arrive at 4am or at 6pm... not sure which would be best)
3/26 Beijing
3/27 Beijing
3/28 Beijing
3/29 Beijing to Xian
3/30 Xian
3/31 Xian to Shanghai
4/1 Shanghai
4/2 Shanghai to Yantai
4/3 Yantai
4/4 Yantai
4/5 Yantai
One other question: for Beijing (or really any city, since they all have metro) is it recommended that we just take the metro to our hotel upon arrival (as well as when checking out of the hotel and going to the railway station or airport?)? Or is it better to just use taxis instead? Keep in mind: it's the 4 of us, including 2 kids (8 and 7) with our luggage. I intend to pack lightweight as much as possible (my wife and I will have big luggage backpacks on our back and maybe one wheeled luggage and our kids will have their own smaller backpacks and maybe a little wheeled luggage)