China

Good Morning
We are planning a 10 day(or so)China trip in October, the aim is Shanghai-Xian-Beijing-Shanghai with 3/4 days in Shanghai, an overnight in Xian followed by 4 days in Beijing and back to Shanghai for the trip home. Having enquired about guided tours the organisers (as usual) want to take us to commercial places (commonly referred to as Tourist Traps). Has anybody experience of DIY China visits/

[Nottingham Nick]

From my own limited experience in Shenzhen, and from what I have been told, you will be fine....... provided you are a fluent Mandarin speaker. 8D

If you aren't, there is a complete lack of English speakers and bi-lingual signs once you get away from the 'tourist traps'.

Nick

Hi OAP,

I have been to China more than 60 times in the last 10 years, NN is right as soon as you are away from the tourist traps English is not understood, even in Shanghai/Beijing the majority of taxi drivers do not speak English and fail to understand common Hotel names [Hilton, Radisson etc], however with a bit of planning DIY is the only way to see China, I travel the length and breath of China by myself on business, the airline industry is generally good, aircraft are relatively new, taxis are cheap [driving standards of everybody is scary], people are friendly and you always feel safe.
I hired a hotel taxi for a day in Xian [with wife and our two girls], drove more than 100 miles to the warriors, spent several hours on site, drove 20 miles to ancient tombs, drove 100+ miles back to hotel, cost was less than £80 and we dictated pace etc ---- driver could speak English and doubled as tour guide.

On VS metal I would fly into Shanghai and take the opportunity to fly out from Hong Kong, remember you will need a visa for China but not HK.
Feel free to pm me and I can supply names of places to eat and see in Shanghai, Hong Kong etc, and can put together a small list of "Western" friendly Hotels, restaurants in Xian etc