Originally Posted by
pdxerinsaarland
If you’re not attached to Hangzhou and/or big cities, perhaps consider Huangshan and Hongcun in Anhui before the Shanghai part of the trip.
If you could add a stay in Gansu and/or NW Sichuan, you’d see a total different type of landscape as well. For destinations with luxury accommodations: there’s an SLH property in Dunhuang and a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Jiuzhaigou, for example.
Everywhere is reachable by train internally, in combination with buses/taxi to/from train stations. It’s also cool to see how the landscape changes, so it’s worth it to do at least one cross-country train trip.
Not that guides are necessary, but it could be an efficient way to combine multiple site visits in Beijing if you’re trying to see a lot in a day or two. Although information is readily available these days to do a self-guided visit, so it depends on what you like when you travel.
Thank you very much for those suggestions. I feel like I'd be packing too many things by trying to add Gansu, although I do feel like a stay in that region would be wonderful so thank you for letting me know. That will most likely be for our second trip to China and will include Huangshan and Xi'an as well.
For tours, I'll most likely be taking a guide in Beijing and in Guilin.
Originally Posted by
RichardInSF
As this is more about travel plans than luxury hotels, I am moving it to the China geographical thread where it should get better commentary.
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels and travel
P.S. IMO, Xian is definitely worth visiting once!
Thank you, will be for our second trip. My wife hates packing / unpacking so 3 hotel changes on a 2-week trip is the max I'm allowed to plan for.
Originally Posted by
Holiday.with.Ken
The high-speed railway network is very well connected. I’d only recommend flying for longer distances where it can save a significant amount of time.
As for MO Pudong, I had no issues with the location. The service, particularly housekeeping, was excellent, as were the rooms and the views. The pricing is also very good and often includes a third-night-free offer.
I’d recommend using ride share for getting around as it’s affordable, efficient, and far more convenient than public transport like buses or the subway.
You’ll also find plenty of private guides available for half day or full day tours, or specific attractions. Viator is a great place to start your search.
Thank you. Always have been disappointed by Viator. I got a direct recommendation for a guide but will still check Viator then.
Great to hear about your experience at the MO, it sounds like great value for money, even though we might have to get to places with a car.
Originally Posted by
travelinmanS
Regent Beijing is across the street from the Peninsula and about half the price for pretty much the same thing. Service is not like Thailand in China even at these luxury type properties so I’d avoid the $500-1000 a night places and stay in upper tier chain properties.
Shangri La Shanghai in the River View wing, club floor, with river view is better for a first timer than Mandarin which isn’t in a great location. In your situation I’d stay there or newly renovated Hyatt on the Bund rather than Mandarin. The Regent on the bund in Shanghai also looks nice although I’ve never stayed there.
I’d stay at Hyatt or Shangri La in Hangzhou rather than the ultra fancy places. A unique treat would be to stay at one of the Naked resorts around the Shanghai area, those are truly unique.
Enjoy the trip, China was my home for 15+ years and it’s a great place to visit!
Thank you for the pieces of recommendation in Shanghai. I have a terrific corporate rate at the MO so I'll probably be staying there. As for Hangzhou, I've followed your piece of advice and booked at the Shangri La Midtown that looks to be very conveniently located for a 2-night stay.