first trip to China
May 24, 2013 | 10:45 pm
#1
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first trip to China
My husband and I are going to Shanghai in mid-June. It will be our first trip to China, though we have been to other parts of Asia.
We will have 5 - 10 days free after our business in Shanghai is completed.
What are some of the not-to-be-missed places to see or things to do? What can we realistically fit into a timeframe of 10 days or less? How is it traveling independently vs hiring a tour guide?
Thank you!
We will have 5 - 10 days free after our business in Shanghai is completed.
What are some of the not-to-be-missed places to see or things to do? What can we realistically fit into a timeframe of 10 days or less? How is it traveling independently vs hiring a tour guide?
Thank you!
May 25, 2013 | 3:41 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,725
I'm not a Shanghai expert by any means, but the best thing to do if you have 10 days in Shanghai is to leave Shanghai!! Either explore the lake towns around those parts (e.g. Hangzhou, Suzhou etc) or even fly to Beijing and back.
I'll let others pipe in about what to do in Shanghai itself.
tb
I'll let others pipe in about what to do in Shanghai itself.
tb
May 25, 2013 | 9:22 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 111
Shanghai is a great modern city--with spectacular buildings---3 days is probably enough time to see and do most things---including having clothes made cheaply at the textile market. The Shanghai Museum and the nearby technical center which has a large model of the entire city---with every building.
There is a saying: "Shanghai is for shopping---Beijing is for culture"
Try the restaurant "M on the Bund".
There is a saying: "Shanghai is for shopping---Beijing is for culture"
Try the restaurant "M on the Bund".
May 25, 2013 | 12:12 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
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A couple things.
There are several "water cities" around the Shanghai. I've been to three and found this one the most interesting.
http://www.chinatourguide.com/hangzh...ater_town.html
I you go there or take day trips outside any major cities,I'd suggest hiring a private car. I've taken day trips several times on tourist busses and never will again. They are built for Chinese sized people not Western sized people. One trip was especially painful as it was a 1/2 sized bus with seats about the size of a Frisbee.
There are several "water cities" around the Shanghai. I've been to three and found this one the most interesting.
http://www.chinatourguide.com/hangzh...ater_town.html
I you go there or take day trips outside any major cities,I'd suggest hiring a private car. I've taken day trips several times on tourist busses and never will again. They are built for Chinese sized people not Western sized people. One trip was especially painful as it was a 1/2 sized bus with seats about the size of a Frisbee.
May 25, 2013 | 9:52 pm
#5
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Location: Shanghai
Posts: 46,535
May 28, 2013 | 12:08 am
#7
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Thank you. Looks gorgeous. What is best way to hire a private car?
A couple things.
There are several "water cities" around the Shanghai. I've been to three and found this one the most interesting.
http://www.chinatourguide.com/hangzh...ater_town.html
I you go there or take day trips outside any major cities,I'd suggest hiring a private car. I've taken day trips several times on tourist busses and never will again. They are built for Chinese sized people not Western sized people. One trip was especially painful as it was a 1/2 sized bus with seats about the size of a Frisbee.
There are several "water cities" around the Shanghai. I've been to three and found this one the most interesting.
http://www.chinatourguide.com/hangzh...ater_town.html
I you go there or take day trips outside any major cities,I'd suggest hiring a private car. I've taken day trips several times on tourist busses and never will again. They are built for Chinese sized people not Western sized people. One trip was especially painful as it was a 1/2 sized bus with seats about the size of a Frisbee.
May 28, 2013 | 12:40 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2007
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hopel -
I would suggest going to Bei Jing for the Great Wall and Forbidden City, then fly to Xi'an for the terracotta warriors and go to the water cities near Shang Hai. One tip - print out your hotel details in Chinese so you can give to the taxi driver upon arrival at the airport. Most can't speak or read English. I always arrange for a private car with the hotel concierge, as they know the English speaking operators/drivers. They can also arrange for a tour guide to accompany you if you want.
I would suggest going to Bei Jing for the Great Wall and Forbidden City, then fly to Xi'an for the terracotta warriors and go to the water cities near Shang Hai. One tip - print out your hotel details in Chinese so you can give to the taxi driver upon arrival at the airport. Most can't speak or read English. I always arrange for a private car with the hotel concierge, as they know the English speaking operators/drivers. They can also arrange for a tour guide to accompany you if you want.
May 28, 2013 | 12:44 am
#9
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May 28, 2013 | 8:20 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 114
I posted a trip report if you want to see what the 2 cities are like!
May 29, 2013 | 7:59 pm
#11
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Shanghai is a great modern city--with spectacular buildings---3 days is probably enough time to see and do most things---including having clothes made cheaply at the textile market. The Shanghai Museum and the nearby technical center which has a large model of the entire city---with every building.
There is a saying: "Shanghai is for shopping---Beijing is for culture"
Try the restaurant "M on the Bund".
There is a saying: "Shanghai is for shopping---Beijing is for culture"
Try the restaurant "M on the Bund".
May 29, 2013 | 8:06 pm
#12
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great trip report. Thank you. Our itinerary will be very similar. still working all the details out.
Thanks, too, for the beautiful photos!
Thanks, too, for the beautiful photos!
May 29, 2013 | 9:02 pm
#13
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Agreed. These days we never hire taxis in Shanghai, my wife is more comfortable with the buses for some reason and they always get us where we are going. We've taken the subway a few times but she's not comfortable navigating it yet. Admittedly we have the advantage that she's a native speaker.
May 29, 2013 | 9:50 pm
#14
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May 30, 2013 | 10:50 pm
#15
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Agreed. These days we never hire taxis in Shanghai, my wife is more comfortable with the buses for some reason and they always get us where we are going. We've taken the subway a few times but she's not comfortable navigating it yet. Admittedly we have the advantage that she's a native speaker.