From Beijing to Hong Kong overland - what to see?
Discussion
Folks,
I'm heading to China with the good lady in September.
I've been once before and visited Beijing, Xi'An, Luoyang, Shaolin monastery, Shanghai and Hong Kong. This is her first trip.
Our basic route is fly into Beijing and leave from Hong Kong, getting around by train in between.
We'll of course go to Beijing and probably Shanghai again, but I'm after some ideas for what to do in the middle of the country.
We've found some interesting things like Heaven's Gate Mountain / Zhangjiajie area in Hunan province and the Three Gorges Dam / Sanyou Cave / Yichang in Hubei province.
My questions:
I'm heading to China with the good lady in September.
I've been once before and visited Beijing, Xi'An, Luoyang, Shaolin monastery, Shanghai and Hong Kong. This is her first trip.
Our basic route is fly into Beijing and leave from Hong Kong, getting around by train in between.
We'll of course go to Beijing and probably Shanghai again, but I'm after some ideas for what to do in the middle of the country.
We've found some interesting things like Heaven's Gate Mountain / Zhangjiajie area in Hunan province and the Three Gorges Dam / Sanyou Cave / Yichang in Hubei province.
My questions:
- What else would you recommend in the 'middle' of China? (We like outdoor stuff and are keen photographers.)
- Are the pandas in Chengdu worth the trip/cost?
- Is a Three Gorges Dam cruise worth the trip/cost? I've heard very mixed reports on this, but having studied the dam with interest at uni, I'd really like to at least visit the place.
Yes, the Pandas in Chengdu are worth it. I did a similar trip in 2010, Beijing to Xi'an to Chengdu to Guilin to Yangshuo to Gunagzhou to Hong Kong.
We spent 2 nights in Chengdu. First day we got up early to be one of the first people to get to the Chengdu Panda Base. This paid off as it was pretty much just us walking around for the first hour letting us look at the pandas in relative peace and quiet. They are lovely to watch and you can spend hours doing it. Later on in the morning when more people turned up, it was harder to seen them so it is best to get there at 0745 (think the place opens at 0800)
After the Panda base we had a wonder around Chengdu, went to their bamboo park. We walked miles but a metro was being built whilst we were out there so it should be open now making moving around a bit quicker.
In the evening we went and saw a Sichuan Opera. This was fantastic and to us, a must do when visiting Chendgu. There was a variety of acts, all interesting and exciting to watch. Had the bit when they change their masks so quick you cant see them.
On day 2 we got a bus to Leshan to see the Big Buddha. This Buddha is 70m tall and is carved in the side of a cliff face on a river. You start off down the bottom and climb a lot of steps and at the top there is a monastry which you can have a look around. Up here to then walk down steps at the side of the buddha, which is huge! Got stared at a lot here, having a white face seems to be more of a novelty then in other parts of China.
We didnt go to Bifengxia, would like to have gone, but didnt have enough time. I reckon we could have spent 3-4 days in Chengdu using it as a base and visiting other towns around it.
If you like outdoors stuff Yangshuo is excellent. Do you remember the HSBC advert with the man fishing on a river with cormerants? That was the Li River which runs through from Guilin to Yangshuo. The Yulong river in Yangshuo is much more scenic though, has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world with the kurst peaks along the river.
He we stayed at a place called the Giggling Tree with is about 3 miles from town in the country near the river. Wonderful place to stay. There we hired a bike and just went for a ride around. First day we cycled to the mud caves. This was good fun. You weaar your swim stuff and they give you flip flops and a hard hat. You then sit 2 abreast in a little canoe and the pull you along into the cave. Then you get out walk/crouch along inside the cave till you reach a mud bath. This was a bit chilly but great fun. There was a slide and they let you muck about in if for 20mins. Feels weird when you lay on it as the mud makes you feel like you are floating.
Then they lead you to a cold water running stream to wash off in the cave then on to a hot spring in which you can sit in for another 20 mins. All in about 90mins.
Day 2 we cycled into Yangshuo and got a bus to Yangdi to get a bamboo raft along the Yulong River. Saw said man fishing with his cormorants but wanted money for us taking his photo. Think the boat lasted about 2 hours and then we got off and managed to get back to the bus station to go back to Yangshuo. This is a must, forget the big boats that do this trip, we paid 200RMB for both of us and the scenery was stunning.
If you want anymore info on other places I have been to in China then just let me know. Also if you want me to send you some photos then message me.
We spent 2 nights in Chengdu. First day we got up early to be one of the first people to get to the Chengdu Panda Base. This paid off as it was pretty much just us walking around for the first hour letting us look at the pandas in relative peace and quiet. They are lovely to watch and you can spend hours doing it. Later on in the morning when more people turned up, it was harder to seen them so it is best to get there at 0745 (think the place opens at 0800)
After the Panda base we had a wonder around Chengdu, went to their bamboo park. We walked miles but a metro was being built whilst we were out there so it should be open now making moving around a bit quicker.
In the evening we went and saw a Sichuan Opera. This was fantastic and to us, a must do when visiting Chendgu. There was a variety of acts, all interesting and exciting to watch. Had the bit when they change their masks so quick you cant see them.
On day 2 we got a bus to Leshan to see the Big Buddha. This Buddha is 70m tall and is carved in the side of a cliff face on a river. You start off down the bottom and climb a lot of steps and at the top there is a monastry which you can have a look around. Up here to then walk down steps at the side of the buddha, which is huge! Got stared at a lot here, having a white face seems to be more of a novelty then in other parts of China.
We didnt go to Bifengxia, would like to have gone, but didnt have enough time. I reckon we could have spent 3-4 days in Chengdu using it as a base and visiting other towns around it.
If you like outdoors stuff Yangshuo is excellent. Do you remember the HSBC advert with the man fishing on a river with cormerants? That was the Li River which runs through from Guilin to Yangshuo. The Yulong river in Yangshuo is much more scenic though, has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world with the kurst peaks along the river.
He we stayed at a place called the Giggling Tree with is about 3 miles from town in the country near the river. Wonderful place to stay. There we hired a bike and just went for a ride around. First day we cycled to the mud caves. This was good fun. You weaar your swim stuff and they give you flip flops and a hard hat. You then sit 2 abreast in a little canoe and the pull you along into the cave. Then you get out walk/crouch along inside the cave till you reach a mud bath. This was a bit chilly but great fun. There was a slide and they let you muck about in if for 20mins. Feels weird when you lay on it as the mud makes you feel like you are floating.
Then they lead you to a cold water running stream to wash off in the cave then on to a hot spring in which you can sit in for another 20 mins. All in about 90mins.
Day 2 we cycled into Yangshuo and got a bus to Yangdi to get a bamboo raft along the Yulong River. Saw said man fishing with his cormorants but wanted money for us taking his photo. Think the boat lasted about 2 hours and then we got off and managed to get back to the bus station to go back to Yangshuo. This is a must, forget the big boats that do this trip, we paid 200RMB for both of us and the scenery was stunning.
If you want anymore info on other places I have been to in China then just let me know. Also if you want me to send you some photos then message me.
Edited by MaxMX5 on Wednesday 28th March 08:54
I've recently heard good things of Xiamen, but that's a little bit out of your way.
If you're in to scenery and photography, and will be heading towards Chengdu anyway, you HAVE to take the one hour flight and head on to Ziuzhaigou. You can take a bus, but the road is notoriously dangerous.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiuzhaigou_Valley
World heritage site, and absolutely stunning. There's a few little Tibetan villages dotted around as well, which make it all the more interesting. I got some fantastic pics here last year.
If you're in Shanghai, head a couple of hours out to Zhouzhang, good for a day or two to mosey around. Again, you'll get some great pics, but the place is at it's very very best when the tourists have all gone home for the day. I stayed in a tiny little guest house (four rooms) actually within the village walls, and it was superb.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhouzhuang
I've also heard great things about Yunnan area, it's apparently completely different to the rest of China, different food, different culture, supposed to be very interesting. I was going to visit here last year, but was there at the wrong time of year (rainy season) so headed out to Hainan island instead. But Yunnan is somewhere on my radar for the future.
Hope that helps!
If you're in to scenery and photography, and will be heading towards Chengdu anyway, you HAVE to take the one hour flight and head on to Ziuzhaigou. You can take a bus, but the road is notoriously dangerous.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiuzhaigou_Valley
World heritage site, and absolutely stunning. There's a few little Tibetan villages dotted around as well, which make it all the more interesting. I got some fantastic pics here last year.
If you're in Shanghai, head a couple of hours out to Zhouzhang, good for a day or two to mosey around. Again, you'll get some great pics, but the place is at it's very very best when the tourists have all gone home for the day. I stayed in a tiny little guest house (four rooms) actually within the village walls, and it was superb.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhouzhuang
I've also heard great things about Yunnan area, it's apparently completely different to the rest of China, different food, different culture, supposed to be very interesting. I was going to visit here last year, but was there at the wrong time of year (rainy season) so headed out to Hainan island instead. But Yunnan is somewhere on my radar for the future.
Hope that helps!
Some really great information there, so thanks a million for that
It seems Chengdu is worth a visit then. We are both early risers so shouldn't have an issue being there before 8am
I'll do some research into the other places you've mentioned, but overall I have to say you've whetted my appetite for some more travels
I have the Chinese visa now and I'm off to book the flight to Beijing on Saturday (luckily it's only 60 quid from where I am!)
If you have any pictures to share, that would be amazing too
It seems Chengdu is worth a visit then. We are both early risers so shouldn't have an issue being there before 8am
I'll do some research into the other places you've mentioned, but overall I have to say you've whetted my appetite for some more travels
I have the Chinese visa now and I'm off to book the flight to Beijing on Saturday (luckily it's only 60 quid from where I am!)
If you have any pictures to share, that would be amazing too
This is the Big Buddha
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Sichuan Opera
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Panda
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
This was the view at the bottom of the road of The Giggling Tree in Yangshuo
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Yulong River cruise on a bamboo boat
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Man fishing on Yulong River
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Yulong River
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
And I forgot to say about the Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces. This was a day trip we went on from Guilin. They took us to this little village where there are these ladies that have about 6ft long hair and they did a little dance for us. Then they took us to the rice terraces and we had lunch in this little restaurant. Stunning views up here so I will put some of those photos up for you below this.
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
our not so nice chicken dinner!!!
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Sichuan Opera
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Panda
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
This was the view at the bottom of the road of The Giggling Tree in Yangshuo
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Yulong River cruise on a bamboo boat
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Man fishing on Yulong River
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
Yulong River
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
And I forgot to say about the Dragon Backbone Rice Terraces. This was a day trip we went on from Guilin. They took us to this little village where there are these ladies that have about 6ft long hair and they did a little dance for us. Then they took us to the rice terraces and we had lunch in this little restaurant. Stunning views up here so I will put some of those photos up for you below this.
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
our not so nice chicken dinner!!!
http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd489/carpedie...
5potTurbo said:
maser_spyder said:
I've recently heard good things of Xiamen, but that's a little bit out of your way.
Been there - I'd give it a miss if I were you....I might be heading that way in a couple of weeks, interesting to know what to avoid!
maser_spyder said:
5potTurbo said:
maser_spyder said:
I've recently heard good things of Xiamen, but that's a little bit out of your way.
Been there - I'd give it a miss if I were you....I might be heading that way in a couple of weeks, interesting to know what to avoid!
Hi Ben,
Are you still planning for September?
I am into 3 years now in China.
Have been to so many places.
Here is some where quite interesting.
There are hundreds of interesting places, depend what you are interested in.
We were here last year for the morning sunrise it is called Mount Tai.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tai
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/437
Tai Shan
.
.
Hua Shan
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Guilin
.
.
vette
Are you still planning for September?
I am into 3 years now in China.
Have been to so many places.
Here is some where quite interesting.
There are hundreds of interesting places, depend what you are interested in.
We were here last year for the morning sunrise it is called Mount Tai.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Tai
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/437
Tai Shan
.
.
Hua Shan
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Guilin
.
.
vette
Edited by uk_vette on Saturday 31st March 14:27
Edited by uk_vette on Saturday 31st March 14:33
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff