Travel from central Beijing south by train (to Xian)

Travel from central Beijing south by train (to Xian)
Feb 24, 2008 11:11
guest16144	Hello... I have been planning an extrnsive trip to China for myself and my 7 year old daughter for two years now. We will be arriving in Beijing in mid-July, and travelling the country for three weeks. We are both well travelled - I have travelled alone with her since she was three months old. We have not used tours, but travelled with maps and public transportation. I would like to make sure that our first journey will be a smooth one as we get used to the differences in travel in China as opposed to Afirca and Europe. After a few days in Beijing, our first major move will be by train to Xian. It seems that overnight train will be our best bet to this area. Then after 2 days max in Xian, we will head by bus to Chengdu to spend a day going to the Panda sanctuary and then off to Leshan for a day or two, again by bus. Do these modes of transportation seem reasonable for this partof our trip? Please advise if you have travelled a similar path with a small child. Her comfort is my main objective. Side question: How does hiring a driver from Xian to Chengdu/Leshan compare in price from bus costs?? Please advise if possible. From Leshan, we will head back (by bus) to Chongquin for a few days on Yangtze River ending up in Wuhan area, spend a day, head down to Guilin, flight up to Shanghai, few days, flight to Hong Kong, few days and then home from Hong Kong. Am I missing any key areas along those paths that I should look at?? Thanks.

Feb 24, 2008 11:11

guest16144

Hello...
I have been planning an extrnsive trip to China for myself and my 7 year old daughter for two years now. We will be arriving in Beijing in mid-July, and travelling the country for three weeks.

We are both well travelled - I have travelled alone with her since she was three months old. We have not used tours, but travelled with maps and public transportation.

I would like to make sure that our first journey will be a smooth one as we get used to the differences in travel in China as opposed to Afirca and Europe.

After a few days in Beijing, our first major move will be by train to Xian. It seems that overnight train will be our best bet to this area.

Then after 2 days max in Xian, we will head by bus to Chengdu to spend a day going to the Panda sanctuary and then off to Leshan for a day or two, again by bus.

Do these modes of transportation seem reasonable for this partof our trip?
Please advise if you have travelled a similar path with a small child. Her comfort is my main objective.

Side question: How does hiring a driver from Xian to Chengdu/Leshan compare in price from bus costs??

Please advise if possible.

From Leshan, we will head back (by bus) to Chongquin for a few days on Yangtze River ending up in Wuhan area, spend a day, head down to Guilin, flight up to Shanghai, few days, flight to Hong Kong, few days and then home from Hong Kong.

Am I missing any key areas along those paths that I should look at??

Thanks.

Feb 24, 2008 22:48

ELLYSE
Points:
Join Date: Oct 30, 2005
Status: Offline

Xi'an -- Chengdu should be ideally done by flight (if you can splurge a bit) or train, never by bus. I don't think it would be economical to hire a driver and vehicle for this leg.
I would heartily discourage you from going on the 3 Gorges cruise, I found it a royal waste of money and time. If you need a full review and candid photos please email me directly at yahoo.com|ellyse99 with "TravelChinaGuide" in the subject line.
If you're flying out of Hong Kong, it would only make geographical sense to do Shanghai and then Guilin, instead of the other way round. Look on a map and you should understand why.

Post a Reply to: Travel from central Beijing south by train (to Xian)