China Itinerary

During my 1987 trip to China, when I visited Hong Kong, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, and Beijing, aside from Hong Kong, Hangzhou was by far my favorite city in China (Hong Kong was not yet politically part of China, and it didn't feel like it was part of China to me, either). I found Hangzhou beautiful and pleasant. I loved biking around the lake and across the old stone causeway, and I found the Buddhist Caves very peaceful (maybe they aren't anymore). The food was great and the people were friendly. Some of these things may no longer be the case, but it certainly was a worthwhile place to visit then.

Also, Shanghai really doesn't have so much in common with New York. Yes, they're both big, outward looking port cities, but Shanghai is the most modern city in the world in terms of architecture and the building is continuing at a truly awesome pace, while New York, though a fast-paced city, is especially after the destruction of the World Trade Center mostly a city characterized by older skyscrapers and residential buildings, with new construction taking place at a moderate pace. I found Shanghai well worth visiting when I was there in the summer of 2004, though my visit was brief (3 full days, I think).

Generally, my own bias is to spend more time in fewer cities. And I think Beijing merits a week or more by itself; 2 1-2 days would be simply inadequate. Maybe 4 full days would be enough for a taste.

Would you be travelling by plane from Wuhan to Hangzhou and Hangzhou to Xian? Have you checked on how good the plane connections are and whether you have to change planes in Beijing or Shanghai? Travel time could be an important consideration.

Michael