Trip to China with husband 

The Long Long Corridor [Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) / Beijing] (Source: d. FUKA)

I have always yearned to go to China. To me it feels like a very complex country- full of contradictions - the traditional with the modern and its version of capitalism communism never ceases to amaze me. I have friends who have lived in China for years and still can't get over the country and what it can offer if you strike the right note there.

I am going to help you experience the exquisite highs of China (and try very hard not to give you any lows). I will be recommending places in Beijing to visit as well as suggesting options that are in that sense uniquely Chinese so that you have an enjoyable trip there.

NOTE: This is a fairly long answer and in many places I have restrained myself from giving you more information for fear of an information overload. I have tried my best to give you as many choices as possible with my own recommendations. It is possible some traditional tourist choices are missing from my suggestions so bear with me on this.

Weather and what to wear

June is expected to be hot with plenty of rainfall. Rainstorms may happen without warning on sunny days especially in Beijing. Remember to pack a raincoat or umbrella along with your sunscreen!

BEIJING

Whatever I have been reading about Beijing hints at a historic past which is walking along with a very futuristic vision of how China is going to look like. It played host to the historic 2008 Summer Olympic Games and Beijingers actually  have an attitude known as "Great Beijing-ism" - they are justifiably proud that Beijing is the capital and it reflects in their attitude to others as well.

THINGS TO DO

I am suggesting things that you can do pretty much after a standard 5 pm return from work. I would recommend that you spend the weekend in Beijing to experience the really big attractions like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Lama Temple and of course the pure pleasure of walking across Tiananmen Square in the warmth of the sun. It might be well worth the time and effort you take to spend a day for instance dedicated to the Great Wall and visiting the Forbidden City.

• Try and finish early one of the weekdays and visit Beihai Park, near the Forbidden City. It will be well worth bunking work I promise! Its an ocean of tranquility amidst the craziness of Beijing. There are Buddhist temples by the lake and the footpaths are lined with willow trees making it one of the most beautiful public parks in China. It is open till 10 pm and admission charges are ¥10. RECOMMENDED.

• You must check out Factory 789, China's contemporary art area. A converted weapons factory on the outskirts of the town, this is very hip and just a little bit different from what you might experience. Read here for more. RECOMMENDED

• Visit the Great Wall of China at Badaling - Admission Fee of  ¥45(US$6) and it stays open till 7 pm in the summers. RECOMMENDED

• Do a bicycle ride through the neighborhoods of Beijing - Use this Timeout link for more information on the same

• Shop for pearls at the Hong Qiao Pearl Market - Stall 98 comes highly recommended by a NY Times reader who has been buying pearls from Jun there for the last eight years

• Squeeze some time for 'Birds Nest' - the iconic national stadium of Beijing built for the 2008 Olympics. The architecture is well worth the visit.

•  I found this very cool listing of stuff happening around Beijing from music concerts to even Bollywood dancing at a local Indian restaurant in Beijing. It gets updated weekly so you will need to keep track of it for the period that you are visiting Beijing.

• Beijing Opera - Yes the city does have its own brand of opera. In Peking opera there are four main types of roles: sheng (male), dan (young female), jing( painted face, male), and chou (clown, male or female).Try Huguang Huiguan Ancient Opera Building located on 3 Hufang Road, Xuanwu District. Tel: 63529134 and its open from 9-7. Bus: Take buses No.5,6,23,50,53,102,105 and get off at Hufangqiao stop. Ticket: ¥150

• Forbidden City - The largest and most intricate imperial palace in China. It is best approached on foot or via metro (Tian'an Men Dong, 117), as taxis are not allowed to stop in front. The palace is open daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm during summer. Regular admission (men piao) in summer costs ¥60 (US$8)

• Lama Temple - This is Beijing's most visited religious site and one of the most important functioning Buddhist temples in Beijing.  Cost: ¥25, its open daily from 9-5 and the closest Metro stop is Yonghegong.

• Try to catch the flag raising and lowering ceremony at Tiananmen Square at sunrise and sunset. The precision of the young troops is amazing to watch. Get there about 30 minutes early to have a good seat.

• While you are here, take a peek at the National Centre for Performing Arts situated on the western side of Tiananmen Square. Err popularly called the Egg have a look at the photo below for why you should check it out. Check here for an events listing.  RECOMMENDED

 

Ooooh if you think you are going to have the time and inclination, check out the Dragon Boat Festival happening between June 14-16 in and around Beijing. I would RECOMMEND it.

FOOD AND DRINK

• If your partner has a penchant for duck then do visit the Dadong Roast Duck Restaurant (22 Dongsishitiao; 86-10-5169-0328) for the quintessential roast duck offering. Wash it down with red wine or beer

• Immerse yourself in the soft strains of jazz music at East Shore Live Jazz Café. The club hosts live acts from Thursday to Sunday and is located on the second floor of 2 Qianhai Nanyan Lu in the Xicheng district. RECOMMENDED

• You get to Beijing and you start craving for some garlic naan... Well Mughal's is the place to visit then. Located in Sanlitun's Tongli patio - top floor, you can catch the sunset and enjoy a fresh and affordable meal as well.

• For the veggie in you, check out Pure Lotus (China Wenlian Courtyard, Changhong Bridge; 86-10-6592-3627). The restaurant serves no alcohol. Reserve a table in the beautiful main dining room, where the servers sing folk songs. Try the creamy pumpkin porridge and the zen spicy stewed vegetarian fish, a Sichuanese number.

• UncorneredMarket finds you a fabulous list of restaurants with names and locations and types of food. Bon Appetit!

• Check out this treasure trove of nightspots across Beijing. Bourbon to Sichuan food to a cozy intimate feel sitting in a courtyard, its all here!

GETTING AROUND

The major street layouts in Beijing are often well planned: sidewalk for pedestrians, a fenced-off bike lane, two lanes for cars, another bike lane, and then sidewalk again. But Beijing's craziness manifests itself here as well so the car ends up zanily parked where it should not be, pedestrians are walking on the roads and what not.

The best way to get around the city is by metro or by taxi, or often by a combination of the two.

Foot - Walking around the hutongs (the old neighborhoods) might be way more interesting on foot so do enjoy walking around this city

Bike - Many upmarket hotels will rent you a bicycle for around ¥80 to ¥100 ($11-$13) for the day, however a new bike may be purchased for as little as ¥130 ($17), so if you're going to be using a bike for a few days, buying one is a better deal. Most streets have wide, well-defined bike lanes often separated from other traffic by an island of hedges. Always park the bike in marked and supervised enclosures, using the lock, which is built in.

Metro/Subway - The subway is a good way to avoid Beijing's frequent traffic jams. The subway runs from 5 AM to midnight daily. Fares are ¥2 per ride for any distance, and an additional ¥2 for transfers to the light rail. Stations are marked in both Chinese and English, and stops are also announced in both languages. Check out the Metro map here.

Taxi - Few taxi drivers speak English, so ask your hotel concierge to write down your destination in Chinese. Don't let the bellman call your taxi for you as typically they are in league with your taxi driver. Check this link here for rates and here for more information on taking a taxi in Beijing.

If you would still like more information on a particular attraction or more vegetarian options for yourself whilst eating out, please do write back to me and I would be happy to help.

SHANGHAI

Right now Shanghai is synonymous with the World Expo and everyone and his uncle is preparing to land there! The largest and most developed city of China, Shanghai is a fascinating mix of East and West. It also has one of the richest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world.

 

Two ways of getting into Shanghai from Beijing:

• Flight from Beijing should cost you about ¥400-¥1200. Pudong is the main international gateway and Hongqiao serves mostly domestic flights

• However the train is the more recommended option - you can take a night sleeper train for getting into Shanghai. A sleeper train is far superior to any flight and actually saves time compared to flying. It should cost you about ¥300-¥500 depending on if you go for food versus no food options. Check this link here for more information.

THINGS TO DO

• Well the World Expo is the current highlight so I would recommend a visit. The theme of the exposition will be "Better City – Better Life". It is expected to generate the largest number of visitors in the history of the world's fairs. Click here for a list of events happening at the Expo. It opens as a Winzip file. A cautionary note: Read this article on the Expo which speaks of long lines and not enough content to please the consumer as yet.

• Please please go to the Shanghai World Financial Centre. Steel yourself  and go up to the 100th-floor observation deck (¥150) with its terrifying glass floors for a view that will stun your heart and mind

• Splurge at the Park Hyatt Shanghai by taking the elevator up to 100 Century Avenue, the sprawling restaurant on the 91st floor with triple-height atriums. Check out this review here for more.

• Walk around the French Concession District with its old lane houses and tree-lined streets. Gawk at the architecture and have a wander among the area’s fashionable boutiques. Oooh do visit Spin (758 Julu Road, Building 3; 86-21-6279-2545), which produces contemporary ceramics in the traditional porcelain-making center of Jingdezhen. RECOMMENDED.

• Visit the Oriental Art Centre in Pudong - its an amazing building with great acoustics. On Saturdays, they have cheap traditional Chinese music shows. Also check here for a listing of events happening around the time that you will be visiting. It is located near Century Avenue and the Science and Technology Museum. RECOMMENDED.

• If you like museums check out the MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) Shanghai - they are open from Monday to Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm and every Wednesday until 10 pm. Charges: ¥20

• For a day trip, check out Xitang, a historic town southwest of Shanghai. It is a picturesque canal town with old bridges and houses lining the canal lit up at night with red lanterns.

• Shop for tees with a difference - check out Produc-T in the hip neighborhood of Taikang Lu. Their designs are definitely edgier with some political humor included.

• Take the public ferry across the river for ¥2-¥3 ..heap loads of fun thus avoiding touristy traps

• If you are in Shanghai, and you missed the Bund - well I don't think I could quite forgive myself. Almost left this one out! The Bund is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai. It  is Shanghai's stately street of old colonial-era buildings and the first port of call for many visitors. Check this Wikitravel link for the Bund which tells you how to get there and also what to see. RECOMMENDED.

Check out this slideshow of photos from NY Times on Shanghai..Enjoy!

For eating some yummy food in Shanghai, check out this answer that we have written previously. It should help you get an idea about the kind of cuisine options there.

I reckon it should take you about 2-3 days to go around Shanghai. So in your best interests I am going to suggest another place as well so you can decide based on time and budget constraints how best you want to proceed. Oh and if you want help with accommodation in Shanghai, do write back to me please.

Guilin

I picked Guilin on account of its extraordinary natural beauty. It can also serve as a base for doing day trips from here to nearby locations like Yangshuo, Longsheng Rice Terraces thus making it a practical option to go there.

 

Getting into Guilin

Trains will get you from Shanghai to Guilin in 24 hours or less. You can check this link here for schedules and prices.

THINGS TO DO

• Yaoshan Hill Park - RECOMMENDED. This is a large country park which encompasses the highest peak in the area. If you like walking this will end up being a fabulous view to the top.

• Longsheng Rice Terraces - RECOMMENDED. This is a 2 hour drive from Guilin. The most popular are Ping An Rice Terrace and Jinkeng Rice Terrace. The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountain top, the highest part being 880m in elevation while the lowest part is 380m. You can read here for more information on prices and how to get there.

• DO DO DO take a cruise down the pretty Li River to Yangshuo, about 50 miles away, sometimes with the addition of visits to nearby ancient villages. Allot a full day, and be prepared to pay around ¥500 (US$80) per person for an English-speaking guide and lunch. The trip back is by bus.

• Reed Flute Cave - ¥90, this limestone cave with impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations is worth a visit and located about 5 km west of Guilin

• Elephant Trunk Hill - ¥40, this park on the banks of the Li River has the Elephant Trunk arch which to many has come to symbolize the city of Guilin.

Found an awesome link for food in Guilin. Check it out for what you can eat whilst you are there. 

We have also written previously on Guilin. So check this answer out for more.

Another place I would RECOMMEND to you is XIAN

Xian like Guilin should take you 2-3 days. Its a historic city in the Shaanxi Province in China. It's the most-visited town on the Silk Route and has seen has more than 3,000 years of history. From Shanghai, this is approx 16-20 hour journey by train. Click here for schedules and prices.

THINGS TO DO

• Bike on the city walls - Yes you heard me right, you bike on the city walls. This should take you about 2 hours. Bicicle can be rented on East and South Gates for 100 minutes, ¥20 per person. Make sure you keep the deposit ticket or else it isn't returned back! RECOMMENDED

• If you come to Xian and miss the Terracotta Warriors, that would be a right shame. Billed as a World Heritage Site, an in-site museum has been built over these pits, covering a floorspace of 20,000 square meters and displaying 8,000 life-like terracotta warriors, 100 or so chariots, and 30,000 weapons. Entry is ¥90. RECOMMENDED

• Walk through the Hui Muslim Quarter - Sample kebabs and buy some souvenirs. Make sure you visit the Great Mosque. It dates back to 742 AD in the Tang Dynasty and is a blend of traditional Chinese and Islamic architecture. Entrance fee ¥25 which includes a little guidebook in both Chinese and English.

• Ring a bell at the Bell Tower which sits pretty at the centre of Xian

• Shaanxi History Museum - Arrive early to avoid crowds and to get one of 1000 free tickets each day (bring your passport). ¥50 in summer. Has a collection of local artefacts that spans the entirety of Shaanxi's history from Neolithic times to the Qing dynasty.

• Shop till you drop at Shu Yuan Men (the Arts Street). Read this wonderful article about the different types of traditional arts and crafts sold on the street.

Check out this slideshow from Frommers for Xian which showcases the city very eloquently.

Some Last Thoughts

• Accommodation: All four cities have different flavors - from the traditional to the modern, from the scenic to the ultra-cool...there are fantastic places to stay in all these cities which reflect Chinese culture and architecture so if you haven't booked, please do come back to us and we can come back to you with recommendations for the same.

• Map: Also let me know what attractions you really want to visit and I can come back to you with a wicked map which should sort you out for your trip.

• Phrases: I thought you might like this link for some basic essential Chinese phrases from Fodors.

• Currency: Last but not the least, for you to estimate costs ¥1 = Rs 7 (approx). This should help you to plan and budget accordingly for your trip.

Have fun holidaying in China. Cheers

Kirti