China is just too big!

Hi, I can't answer all your question but give some general commnet: China is huge, Chinese cities are huge too. Meaning that planning is essential. As you will go for a couple of months I would suggest you make an basic itinerary, with approximante time at each place. Then you can change it as you go. But you will soon find out that travel between places will take up quite some time. Thus it is probably best to limit the number of places you will visit, and spend at least a couple of days in each. Beijing and Xian has lot's to offer, so add more days there. Shanghai has less of sights but there are fantastic places in the area, Suzhou and Hangzhou you shouldn't miss. Huangshan mountain (if the season is right) is one of the most beautiful places you can visit.
Yunnan also is very interesting and the Kunming to Zhongdian (or Shangri-La) is at an altitude, so bearable temperatures in Summer but it rains a lot then. Between Yunnan and Beijing you can visit very popular Guilin with its great scenery (is very touristy). The nearby Guizhou province in my opinion is more interesting, and also has minority cultures, great scenery and great food. Hunan province has a National Forest Park that is a Unesco world heritage site, if you like scenery you shouldn't miss it. A cruise on the Yangtse river is also recommended, there are various price classes to choose from,takes 2-3 days.

What time of the year are you going? Summer is hot (very hot) and rainy in many areas, also typhoon season if you are planning for the coast. Spring and autumn are high season usually, winter can be cold. Avoid 1 May, 1 October and Chinese Spring Festival (usually in February). Trains is a good way to see China, if you are asking about getting tickets it is difficult to say something general because it depends on when and where your are going. During Chinese holidays next to impossible, some destinations sell out quickly - don't forget that Chinese people travel a LOT, as tourists and for other reasons. On shorter distances long distance bus is a good alternative, and for very long trips for example Yunnan to Beijing plane may be advisable. In general China is very cheap, lodging, food and train tickets cost a few euros (all depends on how cheap you want to go, you can get a simple meal for 5-10 yuan in canteens, and hostels are probably 50-100 yuan). However, entrance fees are in comparison VERY expensive, we are talking 100 yuan or more, depending on the site.
Good way to plan is to check the travel blogs on this site. There is also lot's of travel information (incl. prices and train time table) on the site travelchinaguide.com
Enjoy your planning and the trip
Inga Reply to this

November means winter in China, although Southern Yunnan should be fine, maybe not hot but OK. Most of the other places will be cold, so bring suitable clothes or buy when you arrive. You can buy everything you need cheaply almost everywhere in China (in cities, Kunming for example has huge shopping malls!). And I have been told that heating in hotels and hostels is only required in the area north of the Yangtse river. So be prepared.
Inga Reply to this

I think in southern Yunnan this time is fine and nice to visit. Majority of the places there are cold so i will suggest you to bring thick clothes or coat. Everything is cheap in China so you can enjoy do shopping while you were there.

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