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Any of you been to mainland China in summer? Late July / early August?
If so, just how bad was it outdoors?
@Aston100 – we went to Beijing and Shanghai in July/August a few years ago, but only because our son was doing work experience there in holiday time. It was horrible frankly with Shanghai being worse than Beijing. Just far too hot, incredibly humid and not improving much in the evenings. These are cities where walking around is usually a pleasure. In Shanghai it can also rain in these months. We did go to Yunnan for ten days where the weather is far cooler, even in Kunming. The weather is also cooler in the northeast – eg Heilongjiang province.Chongqing, Wuhan and Nanjing are known as the furnace cities in these months and Xian is close behind.
We did go to Yunnan for ten days where the weather is far cooler, even in Kunming.
Interesting.
Had a quick google and it looks like mid 20s in August, but with some rain.
That must mean I can probably go there next summer for 10 days, combined with time somewhere else in that part of the world (largely to fulfil the TWOV conditions).
Looks a bit challenging getting there without landing elsewhere in China first (which needs to be avoided due to TWOV rules). I guess coming in via Bangkok and going out via Siem Reap or something might work, but not straight forward at all.Thanks and also thanks to Michael C.
We were going to use TWOV to travel to Chengdu last June, but decided to apply for a tourist visa to avoid falling foul of the TWOV rules. We had applied for a visa over 20 years ago and found the current process a much improved and easier one. We booked our air tickets and hotels and completed the forms online. Armed with the printed bookings, we were seen immediately once we got to the Manchester Visa Centre and our visit lasted less than half an hour. I think we paid around £260 for the two of us for a 2 year visa which meant we were able to travel in and out of China as many times as we want, for up to 30 days each time in the next 24 months. Since then we have been to China twice, and will be back again in June. It was great to be able to travel freely in different regions, without worrying about getting into areas you are not supposed to with TWOV. I would avoid travelling to China during school/national holidays as all tourist sites will be overwhelmed with hundreds and thousands of people and traffic jams everywhere. August will be humid and hot in Beijing and Shanghai.
Hi
Can anyone advise a way of booking a domestic avios or virgin points flight in China from Shanghai to Beijing?
I’ve checked via BA and Virgin but nothing but maybe there is a workaround booking via another airline?
Thanks, Brian
Hi
Does anyone know who strict the baggage allowance checks are using the high speed trains in China?
Apparently there is a luggage allowance of 20kg per person whereas we would have luggage of around 28kg each across all our bags.
Thanks, Brian
@BrianN – you have asked the same question three times which usually yields fewer answers rather than more.
Anyway, I don’t think there is an Avios answer for any direct flight – with BA you can earn but not redeem on China Southern. Virgin, I don’t know. QR does have a relationship with Xiamen, but previous experience show that if there’s a schedule change, you are probably stuffed. It’s better to book the flights yourself and have control.
Re the trains, we have done this journey maybe twenty times, in recent years always by train as it’s very quick and easy, you get to enjoy seeing the country and it’s overall less hassle. It is expensive, but well worth paying for business (which is higher than first) which gives you a separate no queue station entrance, lounge and escort to your flat bed seat, cutting through all the mêlée. We have never travelled with as little as 20kg and our luggage has never been weighed. There’s security at the station entrance, so you can’t carry stuff you might possibly put in an airline check-in case like long scissors or a penknife.
If you were to do the journey by train, get the ones from the Shanghai central station rather than Shanghai Hongqaio as the traffic to/from that station can be pretty bad. Also, if you go by train it’s really worth considering stopping for a few days in Nanjing (which is on that line) possibly one of the nicest and most interesting cities in China.
If you go by air, there’s a magic moment to book – usually two to three months out – look at the pricing grid by dates to get the exact prices and timing. Again, it’s well worth going in business for a calmer serene journey.
Hi
Thanks for the reply and information that’s great.
Yes I appreciate I asked it more than once but my logic was it was on different forums as part of another question and some people may only look in speficic forums.
I’ve found out flights are available with China Eastern and can book these using Virgin points through Virgin flying club.
Thank you
@BrianN – you have asked the same question three times which usually yields fewer answers rather than more.
Anyway, I don’t think there is an Avios answer for any direct flight – with BA you can earn but not redeem on China Southern. Virgin, I don’t know. QR does have a relationship with Xiamen, but previous experience show that if there’s a schedule change, you are probably stuffed. It’s better to book the flights yourself and have control.
Re the trains, we have done this journey maybe twenty times, in recent years always by train as it’s very quick and easy, you get to enjoy seeing the country and it’s overall less hassle. It is expensive, but well worth paying for business (which is higher than first) which gives you a separate no queue station entrance, lounge and escort to your flat bed seat, cutting through all the mêlée. We have never travelled with as little as 20kg and our luggage has never been weighed. There’s security at the station entrance, so you can’t carry stuff you might possibly put in an airline check-in case like long scissors or a penknife.
If you were to do the journey by train, get the ones from the Shanghai central station rather than Shanghai Hongqaio as the traffic to/from that station can be pretty bad. Also, if you go by train it’s really worth considering stopping for a few days in Nanjing (which is on that line) possibly one of the nicest and most interesting cities in China.
If you go by air, there’s a magic moment to book – usually two to three months out – look at the pricing grid by dates to get the exact prices and timing. Again, it’s well worth going in business for a calmer serene journey.
Just to revive this thread a little. As I’m finding it an amazing resource. We are flying back from Tokyo via Beijing. The plan was to spend 1-2 days, but the thread is tempting me to increase the amount of days (within TWOV). Thank you all.
For reference, you can redeem Avios on China Southern airlines. And I have to say a bargain for Economy.Just to revive this thread a little. As I’m finding it an amazing resource. We are flying back from Tokyo via Beijing. The plan was to spend 1-2 days, but the thread is tempting me to increase the amount of days (within TWOV). Thank you all.
For reference, you can redeem Avios on China Southern airlines. And I have to say a bargain for Economy.Yes, Beijing certainly merits more than one or two days. While not as glitzy or visually appealing as Shanghai, Beijing is more Chinese has far more historic and/or interesting sights/sites and two of the top ones (the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace) are huge so take some time to visit and the latter is about 45 mins drive from the centre. In addition to those, you have the Temple of Heaven, Lama and Confucius temples (close to each other but very different), the Drum and Bell towers plus the surrounding hutongs and Beihai park and pagoda. There’s much much more, but those are the very basic must sees. Great markets too! Beijing is also far cheaper than Shanghai!
It’s really worth booking a tour, particularly for the FC and Beijing Postcards
https://www.beijing-postcards.com/
are beyond excellent. I have no affiliation with them but have done many of their tours including the FC one four times – it’s always different and brings the place alive. All the more thematic tours are also great.
Happy to try and answer any questions!
Just to revive this thread a little. As I’m finding it an amazing resource. We are flying back from Tokyo via Beijing. The plan was to spend 1-2 days, but the thread is tempting me to increase the amount of days (within TWOV). Thank you all.
For reference, you can redeem Avios on China Southern airlines. And I have to say a bargain for Economy.Yes, Beijing certainly merits more than one or two days. While not as glitzy or visually appealing as Shanghai, Beijing is more Chinese has far more historic and/or interesting sights/sites and two of the top ones (the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace) are huge so take some time to visit and the latter is about 45 mins drive from the centre. In addition to those, you have the Temple of Heaven, Lama and Confucius temples (close to each other but very different), the Drum and Bell towers plus the surrounding hutongs and Beihai park and pagoda. There’s much much more, but those are the very basic must sees. Great markets too! Beijing is also far cheaper than Shanghai!
It’s really worth booking a tour, particularly for the FC and Beijing Postcards
https://www.beijing-postcards.com/
are beyond excellent. I have no affiliation with them but have done many of their tours including the FC one four times – it’s always different and brings the place alive. All the more thematic tours are also great.
Happy to try and answer any questions!
Thank you for the information @JDB All very helpful through the post, and very thorough. Any good value hotel redemptions? Ideally one which offers a suite to accommodate family.
@Venturelog – last summer, we stayed as a family of 3 in a King Suite at the Regent (also
having consulted @JDB extensively!) and loved it. A lovely area to walk around,
and both the lobby (with live music) and lounge were very appealing.@Venturelog – I’m afraid I’m the wrong person to ask re hotel redemptions but I would say that they may not be the answer as cash rates are remarkably low as the city is very oversupplied with luxury hotels. Definitely for a first visit and really any visit, I would be staying around the Wangfujing area – you can walk to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square (n.b. it’s free but must be booked at least a day in advance + take passport but you need that for most tourist sites). Good metro connections and loads of good eating places at all levels.
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