13 days in China at the end of December — Shanghai, Xi’an, Guangzhou?

[enzo996]

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a 13-day trip to China from late December to early January and would love some advice from people who’ve been there.

I know it’ll be cold, but these are the dates I have, and honestly I’d rather travel in the cold than in the heat.

Right now, my itinerary looks like this:

• Dec 20–25: Shanghai (4 full days)
• Dec 25–28: Xi’an (2 full days)
• Dec 28–Jan 2: Guangzhou (4 full days)

I’d be flying into Shanghai and out of Guangzhou.

My travel style is pretty relaxed — I’d rather spend more time in each city and take things slowly than rush around trying to see everything.

I might also do a couple of day trips from Shanghai and Guangzhou, but the itinerary is still pretty rough at this point.

I’m also considering flying into Beijing instead of Shanghai and spending a few days there instead. For those of you who’ve been to both, would you choose Shanghai or Beijing?

Any feedback or suggestions would be really appreciated.

 

[Kyle Jones]

I've been to China many times, mostly in Shanghai and Shenzhen with a few nights in Changsha and Yangshuo as well. I have had business meetings in Guangzhou but have never actually explored the city. Happy to answer any questions about China travel in general as well as Shanghai.

I will note that you can expect a big temperature difference between Shanghai and Guangzhou - it is pretty much always warm and humid there. Shanghai is a really cool city and I always enjoyed exploring it. Both modern super skyscrapers and older style Chinese architecture. One thing to be ready for are the girls that will follow you around trying to strike up a conversation. Don't do it. Just ignore and move on.

The high speed rail is a great way to travel between cities. I have taken it from Shanghai to Shenzhen and it is easy to make stops along the way.

Let me know what you have questions about and I'll do my best. My China gallery is here if you want ideas.

 

[enzo996]

Thanks — your photos are beautiful and made me even more interested in visiting China. I’m curious, though: why were some girls trying to approach you? Were they trying to scam you out of money? Also, did China feel unsafe at all? It seems like even Google is blocked in China. How did you handle that? Did you use a VPN?

I've been to China many times, mostly in Shanghai and Shenzhen with a few nights in Changsha and Yangshuo as well. I have had business meetings in Guangzhou but have never actually explored the city. Happy to answer any questions about China travel in general as well as Shanghai.

I will note that you can expect a big temperature difference between Shanghai and Guangzhou - it is pretty much always warm and humid there. Shanghai is a really cool city and I always enjoyed exploring it. Both modern super skyscrapers and older style Chinese architecture. One thing to be ready for are the girls that will follow you around trying to strike up a conversation. Don't do it. Just ignore and move on.

The high speed rail is a great way to travel between cities. I have taken it from Shanghai to Shenzhen and it is easy to make stops along the way.

Let me know what you have questions about and I'll do my best. My China gallery is here if you want ideas.

 

[gudugan]

u can take a day trip to Suzhou or Nanjing or Wuxi from Shanghai

 

[Comet Hunter]

I was in china for 3 weeks in 2010 for a work assignment, quite an interesting experiance for me back then. But no interest to go back.
Loved the photos, brought back lots of memories

 

[Kyle Jones]

Thanks — your photos are beautiful and made me even more interested in visiting China. I’m curious, though: why were some girls trying to approach you? Were they trying to scam you out of money? Also, did China feel unsafe at all? It seems like even Google is blocked in China. How did you handle that? Did you use a VPN?

Yes, they are trying to extract money from you. Generally they offer massages (of various varieties) and other services. They will also say they just want to walk with you and practice their English to create an opening. They mostly hang out on Nanjing Road and around the Bund.

I've never felt unsafe in China - except for maybe one subway ride in Shenzhen when someone was eyeing me strangely. I have used a VPN to get around some of their restrictions. It can also be worth getting a cheap phone and leaving your main phone at home if you are worried about the government extracting your data. I've never bothered with that.

 

[Comet Hunter]

Yes, they are trying to extract money from you. Generally they offer massages (of various varieties) and other services. They will also say they just want to walk with you and practice their English to create an opening. They mostly hang out on Nanjing Road and around the Bund.

I've never felt unsafe in China - except for maybe one subway ride in Shenzhen when someone was eyeing me strangely. I have used a VPN to get around some of their restrictions. It can also be worth getting a cheap phone and leaving your main phone at home if you are worried about the government extracting your data. I've never bothered with that.

In china, we were guided by company employes of the local plant. So no issues there

E njoy the food and culture, and of they ask you want beer with ice, say yes. Just means is cold verses warm lol. Or that was the interpretation in 2010