Anyone been to China?

[JoseCuervo]

A friend and I are going to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing.
We will of course see Mt. Victoria, the Terracotta Warriors, and the Great Wall, but does anyone have any other suggestions of must see things?

Thanks Guys

[anyonebutedmonton]

Silk street market in Beijing... Nightclubs in Hong Kong... Forbidden City in Beijing...

There really is a ton to see, how long are you going for?

[ma-skis.com]

hit all the peking duck restaurants in Beijing too, there's a particularly good one down some alley near tiananmen square, you'll need the lonely planet to find it though.

[JoseCuervo]

Only 3 weeks. Then on to Mongolia for a month.

[VladtheImpaler]

Yeah, we went to Beijing last May, so here are some tips for Beijing only:

1) definitely Silk Street Market - but only if you can really bargain
2) Forbidden City is a must, though it is packed with Chinese tour groups
3) the Summer Palace is superb
4) you have to take a trip to the Great Wall, BUT do not book through a big hotel or a tour service; phone a youth hostel and book through them - much, much cheaper. Go to Sumotai (sorry have to check spelling) - it is the part of the wall that has not been renovated. It's a long trip, so it will basically take all day (6AM - 9PM), but well worth it - truly one of the wonders of the world

[Sliver]

I've never been but I have a bunch of stuff from there.

[rockstar]

There was a poster called FlamesFanInChina, but he died.

Or changed his name.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Yeah, we went to Beijing last May, so here are some tips for Beijing only:

1) definitely Silk Street Market - but only if you can really bargain
2) Forbidden City is a must, though it is packed with Chinese tour groups
3) the Summer Palace is superb
4) you have to take a trip to the Great Wall, BUT do not book through a big hotel or a tour service; phone a youth hostel and book through them - much, much cheaper. Go to Sumotai (sorry have to check spelling) - it is the part of the wall that has not been renovated. It's a long trip, so it will basically take all day (6AM - 9PM), but well worth it - truly one of the wonders of the world

- If you go Simitai WILL be the highlight of your trip (if not I'll eat pubes)...

you also have to see the Yonghe/Lama Temple in Beijing...there is a STUNNING 3 story tall Bhudda in this Tibetan temple...everyone I've been to the temple with is floored.


If you want a amazing overnight trip from Shanghai climb Mount Huangshan



The antiques market in Xian is cool if you can find it, as its for locals.

If you are near Luoyang the Longmen Grottos are cool

An interesting fact one of the researchers leading the excavations at the TerraCotta warriors (and the tomb of the emperor nearby) is a prof at the U of C.

[Madman]

[Tron_fdc]

A quick word to the wise about silk street.....there's an underground tunnel that runs under the road right in front of the market, and it's filled with shops as well. It get liitle to no foot traffic, so you're going to find some of the best bargains in the entire market down there.

There is a stairwell that aceesses it out front of the market.

[mots]

Summar Palace is a must in Beijing. There is so much to do in Beijing you can spend 2 weeks there.

I would also consider going to Tiger Leaping Gorge if you can swing it.

As far as Mongolia, are you driving a 4x4 across the desert? I did that a while back all the way to Ulan Baatar. Its a must! You need at least a week to do it, but definately worth it.

[Byrns]

http://www.beijingtraveltips.com/tip...ning_howto.htm

[Komskies]

Don't forget to eat some tiger penis. I say this because in grade 3 or 4 or something a Chinese girl in my class brought some tiger penis in for lunch. It was a pretty big WTF moment.

[STeeLy]

Check out the Big Buddha in HK as well, it's pretty neat, and a good climb up to where the statues are.

Victoria Peak, Ladies Market (not really a ladies market), Stanley.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

A quick word to the wise about silk street.....there's an underground tunnel that runs under the road right in front of the market, and it's filled with shops as well. It get liitle to no foot traffic, so you're going to find some of the best bargains in the entire market down there.

There is a stairwell that aceesses it out front of the market.

[ma-skis.com]

+1 to the simitai part of the great wall, it's a big hike where there were a couple spots that seemed a bit dicey in terms of was it really safe for tourists. Still amazing scenery on that portion though, definitely do that rather than the renovated portions.

[jjbouma]

I've been to Beijing, Xi'an, Guilin/Yangshuo, and Hong Kong.

I would recommend at least 4 days in Beijing to see everything.

I spent 4 days in Xi'an as well and was kept very busy with the Terracotta Warriors, Hanyangling Museum (similar to the warriors), Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Bell/Drum Towers, Panda trip, Muslim Quarter/Old Mosque etc.

Guilin/Yangshuo is a nice place to go if you want to see some very scenic places and the Longshen rice fields.

Hong Kong is ok, but after being to so many big cities in Asia didn't thrill me. The food is really good, shopping is good across the border in Shenzhen, the light show over the harbour at night is cool (from the Kowloon side) and the tram to Victoria's peak is worth it.

[DrPepper]

I'd advise you to bring some sort of pouch with you to carry your passports and wallets and such if you don't already know. If you don't mind looking a little ridiculous, if you have a backpack, put it infront of you and not behind you.

Alot of them usually like to steal from you if they know your not one of them.

[SportsJunky]

This guy spent one night in China.

[JohnnyB]

I am in my fourth year of living in China. I have traveled to Beijing, Xi'an and Hong Kong. I lived in Shanghai for two years. I will answer questions if you like.