Beijing Master Thread

[shwarmabob]

Thanks to the AC glitch, DW and I are planning a week in China in January.  I would love everyone's advice and suggestions.  Here is a proposed itinerary:

BOS-YYZ-PEK: arrive Wednesday 5pm.
PEK-PVG: Wednesday evening
Thursday all day in PVG.
Friday noon: PVG-HKG
Shabbat and all day Sunday in HKG
Monday afternoon: HKG-PEK
All day Tuesday and (almost) all day Wednesday in PEK
Wednesday evening: PEK-YYZ-BOS

How does that sound, as far as distributing our time in the three cities?

Why don't you visit Xian? Guilin?

[zow]

Why don't you visit Xian? Guilin?

I am embarrassed to say: Because I have never heard of them.

[zow]

Why don't you visit Xian? Guilin?

Instead of Shanghai?

[Yehoshua]

Thanks to the AC glitch, DW and I are planning a week in China in January.  I would love everyone's advice and suggestions.  Here is a proposed itinerary:

BOS-YYZ-PEK: arrive Wednesday 5pm.
PEK-PVG: Wednesday evening
Thursday all day in PVG.
Friday noon: PVG-HKG
Shabbat and all day Sunday in HKG
Monday afternoon: HKG-PEK
All day Tuesday and (almost) all day Wednesday in PEK
Wednesday evening: PEK-YYZ-BOS

How does that sound, as far as distributing our time in the three cities?

I think you should cut out one city. There's more to see in HKG than 1 day will allow, so I'd cut PVG. Plus the traffic in PEK is horrific, so things can take a lot longer than you otherwise anticipate.

[zow]

I think you should cut out one city. There's more to see in HKG than 1 day will allow, so I'd cut PVG. Plus the traffic in PEK is horrific, so things can take a lot longer than you otherwise anticipate.

This is what I was hoping to learn. Wife had same concern.

[Yehoshua]

This is what I was hoping to learn. Wife had same concern.

I wouldn't try to push it in 3 cities. If you just wanted to stay in China, you can spend shabbos in PEK or PVG and cut out HKG completely, but that's up to you.

[shwarmabob]

Instead of Shanghai?

Are you trying to avoid the visa? and want to use avios?

[zow]

Are you trying to avoid the visa? and want to use avios?

I would like to use Avios, but that's not essential.
I hadn't even considered the visa issue yet -- is it a big deal?
My main concern/question was about spending enough/too much time in each place.

I wouldn't try to push it in 3 cities. If you just wanted to stay in China, you can spend shabbos in PEK or PVG and cut out HKG completely, but that's up to you.

Visiting Hong Kong is a priority, based on what I have read here from you and others. Seems like Shabbos in HKG is best of all three, but maybe I'm mistaken? Please advise.

[PlatinumGuy]

Shabbos n HK definitely by far the best.

[Yehoshua]

I would like to use Avios, but that's not essential.
I hadn't even considered the visa issue yet -- is it a big deal?
My main concern/question was about spending enough/too much time in each place.
Visiting Hong Kong is a priority, based on what I have read here from you and others. Seems like Shabbos in HKG is best of all three, but maybe I'm mistaken? Please advise.

If HKG is a priority, so I'd go straight there, spend time through Sunday then go to PEK. In terms of a visa, you may be able to get a 7 day visa if you just visit PEK, but if you want to visit PEK and PVG you'll need a visa.

[shwarmabob]

I hadn't even considered the visa issue yet -- is it a big deal?

It's easy to get, but $140pp
if your entry and departure point is PEK, then the only way to avoid the visa will be PEK-HKG-PEK.

[zow]

Shabbos n HK definitely by far the best.

Thanks. I think we'll stick with the plan for Shabbos in HK.

It's easy to get, but $140pp

Ouch. We only paid $200 apiece for the RT airfare! I would like to avoid the visa.

If HKG is a priority, so I'd go straight there, spend time through Sunday then go to PEK. In terms of a visa, you may be able to get a 7 day visa if you just visit PEK, but if you want to visit PEK and PVG you'll need a visa.

I'm fine with just two cities, PEK and HKG.
If we stay 5 nights in HKG Sheraton on points, the 5th night is free.

Is that too long to be in HKG and does it short-change PEK?
We would have Sunday noon through Tuesday night in PEK.

[shwarmabob]

another option (no PVG):
BOS-YYZ-PEK: arrive Wednesday 5pm.
PEK: Wednesday evening
Thursday all day in PEK.
Friday noon: PEK-HKG
Shabbat and all day Sunday in HKG
Monday afternoon: Dragonair HKG-XIY (Xian)
Tuesday : Xian (Terracotta Army, City tour)
Tuesday evening: Fly or take high speed train or overnight train to PEK
(almost) all day Wednesday in PEK
Wednesday evening: PEK-YYZ-BOS

the visa is good for 10 years

/I let you know how Xian was in a couple of months /

[Yehoshua]

Thanks. I think we'll stick with the plan for Shabbos in HK.
Ouch. We only paid $200 apiece for the RT airfare! I would like to avoid the visa.

I'm fine with just two cities, PEK and HKG.
If we stay 5 nights in HKG Sheraton on points, the 5th night is free.

Is that too long to be in HKG and does it short-change PEK?
We would have Sunday noon through Tuesday night in PEK.

Some would argue that 5 days is too long for HKG, but on the plus side 5 days allows you to get a suit made. The time in PEK only gives you 1 full day, and depending on how long you can stand the traffic and crowds, 2 half days. I liked the one day tour I did in PEK, but besides that it was just too crowded (and cold) for my liking. HKG has enough to keep you busy for 5 days, especially if one of those days is Shabbos.

[zow]

another option (no PVG):
BOS-YYZ-PEK: arrive Wednesday 5pm.
PEK: Wednesday evening
Thursday all day in PEK.
Friday noon: PEK-HKG
Shabbat and all day Sunday in HKG
Monday afternoon: Dragonair HKG-XIY (Xian)
Tuesday : Xian (Terracotta Army, City tour)
Tuesday evening: Fly or take high speed train or overnight train to PEK
(almost) all day Wednesday in PEK
Wednesday evening: PEK-YYZ-BOS

the visa is good for 10 years

/I let you know how Xian was in a couple of months /

That's a sensible alternative.
I would like to see the Terracotta Army, but I think dear wife will ultimately not like the idea of trying to visit three cities.

Some would argue that 5 days is too long for HKG, but on the plus side 5 days allows you to get a suit made. The time in PEK only gives you 1 full day, and depending on how long you can stand the traffic and crowds, 2 half days. I liked the one day tour I did in PEK, but besides that it was just too crowded (and cold) for my liking. HKG has enough to keep you busy for 5 days, especially if one of those days is Shabbos.

I need to think about the suit option.  Hard to imagine a shlumpy guy like me in a custom suit!

The second half day in PEK is more like three-quarter day, so I think that will suffice for us.

This leads me to the following itinerary:
BOS-YYZ-PEK, arriving Wednesday 5pm
PEK-HKG, Wednesday night
In HKG 5 nights (Wed night through Monday morning; Sheraton Hong Kong).
HKG-PEK, Monday morning
In PEK 2 nights (Monday and Tuesday; probably the Fairmont).
PEK-YYZ-BOS, departing Wednesday 7pm

For tourism/sightseeing, we'll have 2+ days in HK (Thursday, Friday, Sunday) and about 2 days in PEK (0.5 of Monday+ 1.0 Tuesday+ 0.75 Wednesday).

Thank you all for the advice.

[Yehoshua]

That's a sensible alternative.
I would like to see the Terracotta Army, but I think dear wife will ultimately not like the idea of trying to visit three cities.

I need to think about the suit option.  Hard to imagine a shlumpy guy like me in a custom suit!

The second half day in PEK is more like three-quarter day, so I think that will suffice for us.

This leads me to the following itinerary:
BOS-YYZ-PEK, arriving Wednesday 5pm
PEK-HKG, Wednesday night
In HKG 5 nights (Wed night through Monday morning; Sheraton Hong Kong).
HKG-PEK, Monday morning
In PEK 2 nights (Monday and Tuesday; probably the Fairmont).
PEK-YYZ-BOS, departing Wednesday 7pm

For tourism/sightseeing, we'll have 2+ days in HK (Thursday, Friday, Sunday) and about 2 days in PEK (0.5 of Monday+ 1.0 Tuesday+ 0.75 Wednesday).

Thank you all for the advice.

If you find yourselves bored in HKG and feel like gambling you can always head to Macau.

[zow]

If you find yourselves bored in HKG and feel like gambling you can always head to Macau.

I was already thinking that would be a fun day trip.

[Yehoshua]

I was already thinking that would be a fun day trip.

And don't undersell yourself on a custom suit. They may be cheaper in CNX or other Thai cities, but I loved the one I got in HKG! It makes you feel better, and may encourage you to look better, too!

[zow]

And don't undersell yourself on a custom suit. They may be cheaper in CNX or other Thai cities, but I loved the one I got in HKG! It makes you feel better, and may encourage you to look better, too!

Thanks.  I do need the encouragement!

Separately, how much time do I need to allow in PEK for our connection to HKG?

YVR-PEK (AC) scheduled to arrive 16:50.

Can I make a 19:30 flight PEK-HKG on KA? (DragonAir)

[Yehoshua]

Thanks.  I do need the encouragement!

Separately, how much time do I need to allow in PEK for our connection to HKG?

YVR-PEK (AC) scheduled to arrive 16:50.

Can I make a 19:30 flight PEK-HKG on KA? (DragonAir)

MCT is 2 hours, so that should be enough time.