2 Week Trip to HK/China

[custy]

Hi guys

I will be doing some traveling over the winter holidays to HK/Guangzhou China. My main goals are to spend 1 or 2 days to visit the Great Wall of China / Beijing, a few days in Guangzhou and remainder in HK. I will be going solo and really don't have much of a connection in HK.

Is it possible to throw in Japan for 1-2 days also? I know I'm pushing it but I'm limited to time due to work.

So, does anyone know what route is the most cost effective? Would it be from Toronto to Japan to Beijing then to Guangzhou, then by train or bus to HK.

Also, where can I find the best tour deals in Beijing? I was told by a few people that I can book a tour from China to visit Beijing for a low price.

I will have to renew my Canadian passport and I am aware of the Chinese visa requirements. ANy other tips/info I need to know?

Thanks for your time and help!

[williamsauga]

I would leave my electronics at home


http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/us-government-advises-technology-executives-to-trash-mobile-phones-after-returning-from-china-20090916/

[artsreview]

Personally, between Hong Kong and Beijing, I think Beijing wins hands down. Any reason you want more time in HK than Beijing? Of course, if you speak no Chinese, you'll be a lot safer in Hong Kong than Beijing.

You could also save a lot of money by not going to Japan.

The best place to shop is Guangzhou, so you might consider taking your flight home from there - direct.

The cheapest all-inclusive Beijing tour from Guangzhou cost me 1600 RMB in September this year. Return ticket, three days group tour, four nights in hotel, all meals, and entry tickets to the Palace Museum, Great Wall, Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven gardens (Temple itself extra).

This was my travel agent: www.west-holiday.com. Site's in Chinese, but I had a guide.

[custy]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Forget about Japan, I just found out that it is quite expensive.

I am thinking about going to HK, spend a few days there and then taking the bus or train to Guangzhou. After a few days there, I will take a tour to Beijing and fly back to Guangzhou. Last, I will travel down to HK and fly back to YYZ.

I know staying in the big city like HK can be expensive. Does anyone know where I can stay for <1 week and is a decent price? All I really need is a bed, locked door and a shower.

Thanks

[SevenMiles]

I'm on my Asia trip now :D
I started in HK for 5 days, then 3 days in Xi'an, 5 days in Beijing, and now I'm in Shanghai.

Here are some ticket prices for some Beijing sites:
Summer Palace (very scenic!): 50 RMB (All inclusive... you can pay less if you want to visit a few spots)
Palace Museum (Forbidden City): 60 RMB (Entrance) +10RMB (for some jewelery gallery)
Temple of Heaven: 10 RMB (Entrance) + 20 RMB (for the temple)

I booked a tour in Beijing to Mutianyu (A part of the Great wall which involves A LOT of hiking... vertically... I couldn't make it to the top, because I didn't have enough time) + 1 Ming Tomb. The tour took me to a Jade factory (learned to tell apart fakes from real ones...I think), a Silk factory (saw how silk was made), and a tea ceremony demonstration (tasted 6 different teas). The trip also included a nice lunch, transportation, and entrance fees. This cost me 250 RMB.
http://www.chinaguide.me/mutianyu_bus_tour.html

I originally booked a hotel with ctrip.com at The Emperor hotel for 5 nights for 599 RMB/night, but I ended up canceling it and staying at an Aunt's place.

Flight from Xi'an to Beijing = 470 RMB
Flight from Beijing to Shanghai = 620 RMB

Compared to the poster who spent 1600 RMB, it looks like I over spent if it wasn't for my Aunt. (Most of my trip is on my own... almost no tour guides)

Good luck & have a good trip!

[custy]

Hey

Do you know where I can find cheap stay in Hong Kong? As for Beijing, I am about 99.99% sure that I will be going with a bunch of people as part of a tour group.

Thanks

[SevenMiles]

I stayed at CityView near Yau Ma Tei station. It was around 90CAD per day. I booked through Expedia. The location was pretty good and it was a decent room (1 king bed).

If you want cheaper, you can try hostels:
http://www.dragonhostel.com/