Travelling to China

By Confused Laowai | Date: April 20th, 2011 | Category: Culture

I’ve been tweeting about for this (follow me: @confusedlaowai): I’m planning a trip to China this year in June/July. Unfortunately, I can’t keep you up-to-date on all the details as they develop, but I’ll do some sporadic updates on how it is going.

So here is the brief. Since going to Beijing in the Summer of 2009 on an International Summer School, I’ve always wanted to return. This year my girlfriend, who is now a second year in the same course I did, now also has the opportunity to go study in China for four weeks. They are however going to Xiamen this time. They teamed up with our Uni’s Confucius Institute. The exact dates of their departure and return is still unknown, however they are going away for four weeks between 10 June – 10 July. They get sponsored for most of their fees.

For me, I don’t have that much money, but I really want go back to China along with trying to see my girlfriend – four weeks is too much time away for me. :)

I’m thus aiming to go for three weeks to China. A week and half I’m spending with girlfriend exploring Xiamen, then the rest of the time I’m gonna do a quick tour of some cities I want to see in China for another week and half. These are all ball park estimates.

My planned dates are around: 21 June – 10 July.

Preliminary Itinerary

This will most likely change, but here is my plan thus far.

Enter the country via Hong Kong. Then head to Xiamen on a train ride. Spend about 9 nights in Xiamen.

From there I’m free, but want to end up in Shanghai to fly back to Cape Town from there. Once again all these are up for change. My budget is a bit limited though so can’t travel around too much.

So, I want some ideas of places that I should see. Or maybe even visit some of you who read this blog! This is why I’m posting this now, maybe I can get some great ideas and tips. I want to see Guilin, but the other cities are up for choice and convenience really.

Do you have tips for me? Maybe even some experiences of travelling in China? Leave a comment.

Related posts:

Interview with La Loupe
Useful Chinese I picked up while in China
Xiamen Impressions
  • http://www.sarajaaksola.com Sara

    Sounds really good! First, you are of course always welcome to Guangzhou and if you do, let me know.

    I’ve been to Guilin and I really liked it, especially the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo. Travellers seem to like Yangshuo more, but I was there only one day so can’t really say.

    Then I’ve always (atleast for few months) wanted to visit a traditional tulou 土楼 house of the Hakka minority. They have them in Fujian. I haven’t really been to the east coast, only to Shanghai for few days so don’t have more recommendations.

    In Shanghai I liked the People’s Park and Shanghai Museum near the park. First has “marriage market” where Chinese parents try to find a daughter or son-in-law, the latter one has free entrance and three or four floors of interesting exhibitions.

  • http://niel.delarouviere.com NielDLR

    Thanks for the great tips. Yeah, I’ve been thinking of maybe spending 1/2
    days in Hong Kong/Shenzhen/Guangzhou area just to check it out before I head
    to Xiamen. I’ll keep it mind for sure.

    Yeah, the reason I want to head to Guilin/Yangshou area is because it is
    basically the scenery that I’ve dreamed of seeing ever since I garnered an
    interest in China. It’s like a dream of mine to see those mountains and rice
    fields.

    I’ll keep those things in mind for Shanghai. I’ve heard of People’s Park.
    Maybe I’ll swing by there to see the fuss of it all. Sounds like much fun! I
    remember going to a very popular English Corner in Beijing. Great way to
    meet people and have a laugh or two.

    Peace,
    Niel

  • http://mandarinsegments.blogspot.com Greg

    Neil, some quick thoughts:
    – let me know when you’re in HK, it will be great to meet up
    – Shenzhen is less of a tourist spot (lots of shopping) so don’t feel bad about choosing other places over it
    – I would definitely recommend 1 day in Guilin (to see the terraced rice fields) and 1-2 days in Yangshuo (2 hour busride from Guilin). I spent a week there … nothing short of amazing
    – from there head to Xiamen, and continue as planned

    Good luck!

  • http://niel.delarouviere.com NielDLR

    Awesome tips Greg.
    Will take it into consideration. Have considered Yangshou as well.

    Also, depending on what time and how crazy things are in HK, we can meet up.
    I’ll keep you updated.

    Peace,
    Niel