Help please, I am hoping to fly into HK on our about 1st March spend approx 7 days and then onto Beijing and Xian for 7 days inc. How should I split my time between B & X, best way to move between the cities, assuming air, which airline gives the best fares, what will the weather be like in all 3 cities. I will be flying in from Delhi.
I am a single mum with a 11yr old to take care of, so all suggestions gratefully rec'd.

5 in Beijing, 2 in Xian. Domestic airlines inside China are all about the same, just go with best fare and schedule. Or you can take the non-stop overnight train between Beijing and Xian.

Search the web for various weather websites for average temperature.

X�ian airport is faaar out in the woods. I would take the train anytime.

I was tending towards train. Over night for $100 am I right?

Here's a link to Beijing-Xian train schedule and pricing.

http://www.seat61.com/China.htm#Beijing%20-%20Xian

It may be far, but the ride into town can be fast (i.e. less than 30 minutes if your driver has a heavy foot) and buses are cheap/convenient.

I only have 6 days for my upcoming trip this February, but I'm spending 2 night in Xian.

I'm flying out to Xian on my forth day and staying at Shangri-la Hotel Xian (not the Shangri-la Golden Flower). They have a 2 night package that comes with a tour of the terracotta museaum. Worth looking into. Apart form the city walls and the drum tower, there isn't much left to see in Xi'an, so a day or 2 would be fine. On my 6th day, I'm flying back to Beijing to catch my flight back home.

Do go for the 'deluxe soft sleeper' at US$100 (or there about) and use the Z19/Z20 'direct express'. IMHO timing is better too. Train travel in China can be an 'interesting' adventure what with other passenger's eating habits, opera signing and these feet! So in 'deluxe soft' you have just be the two of you, that will ensure an enjoyable trip. A small bottle of cologne / perfume will always come in handy.

If you are in Xian for only two days, then travel light if you can (if its possible to leave your heavy baggage in the hotel in PEK)

The food on the train (in restaurant car) is not bad, if you are not too picky, but get your seats for dinner early.

Do take your 11-year old to the Xian night market to see all the 'food stuff' on offer (you don't have to eat them, just look)!

Enjoy your trip!

Well, there is the Tang dynasty era based musical show which I found quite interesting. The Tang dynasty theme park where the musical theatre is located is a bit uninspiring but seems popular with Chinese visitors.

thanks for the help, one other question, I understand it will still be cold, how cold?

Low to mid 40s (WAG).

Depending on your preferences you may also want to consider taking the train for the HK-Beijing section as well. While the journey is significantly longer it is less stressful than flying (many carry-on restrictions present in air travel do not apply when taking the train), and more convenient in terms of access, particularly from the HK side (your journey starts from Hung Hom station in Kowloon instead of "out there" at the airport).

I am already booked on the plane HK/B
Many thanks for the help, I will pack a woolly and warm shoes but not the ski weather stuff.