Revised 2020 trip - advice, please

Question

I had a 3-week trip to China planned with excellent help from people on this forum, some of whom no longer post unfortunately. The trip was cancelled at the last minute when covid arrived. My husband and I now have the chance to do a shortened version, but things have changed and DIY China who was helping us, has closed.

So advice sought on the following, please:

Day 1 Guangzhou (incoming flight) to Xi'an by fast train

Day 2 Xi'an

Day 3 Xi-an to Pingyao by train

Day 4 Pingyao to Beijing by train

Days 5-8 Beijing

Day 9 leave for NZ.

Although I would normally book and travel independently, I am wondering about using China Discovery. I have looked at their reviews, but there don/t seem to be many by people who are widely experienced. Thoughts appreciated.

thank you in advance

Answer

Hello,

Your revised 9-day itinerary in China is ambitious but doable, and with careful planning, a DIY approach can still work well. Here’s a detailed breakdown of considerations and advice:

1. Itinerary feasibility:

Day 1: Guangzhou to Xi'an by fast train – The high-speed trains between Guangzhou and Xi'an take roughly 6–7 hours. Booking early is recommended, and consider leaving some buffer time in case of flight delays.
Day 2: Xi'an – You can comfortably visit the Terracotta Warriors and city highlights in one day, especially with a guided tour or a good plan.
Day 3: Xi'an to Pingyao by train – This is a longer journey (approx. 5–6 hours by high-speed train). Arriving in Pingyao late afternoon gives time for a brief walk in the old town.
Day 4: Pingyao to Beijing by train – High-speed trains take about 4–5 hours. You can reach Beijing in the afternoon for evening activities.
Days 5–8: Beijing – This is enough time for the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, and hutong neighborhoods, with a comfortable pace.
Day 9: Depart for New Zealand – Leave ample time for airport transfer, ideally 3–4 hours before flight.

2. DIY vs guided services:

China Discovery is a reputable travel agency with experienced guides, English-speaking drivers, and pre-arranged logistics. This can reduce stress, especially on tight train schedules and transfers between cities.
Pros of using China Discovery:

Hassle-free train bookings and seat reservations
Airport/train station pickups
Optional guided tours for Terracotta Warriors, Pingyao, and Beijing highlights
Support for unexpected issues (train delays, hotel problems)

Cons of using an agency:

Higher cost compared to DIY
Less flexibility in adjusting daily plans

3. DIY tips if going independent:

Book high-speed train tickets as early as possible via official China Railway website or apps like Ctrip/Trip.com.
Download offline maps, translation apps (e.g., Pleco or Google Translate), and check transport options in advance.
Stay near train stations in Pingyao and Xi'an to minimize local travel time.
Plan Beijing days to avoid backtracking, grouping sites geographically.
Consider local guides for one-day highlights if you want deeper insights.

4. Personal recommendation:

If you enjoy travel independence, have confidence with Chinese transport systems, and can handle occasional uncertainty, DIY is feasible. However, given the short timeframe and multiple cities, using China Discovery could offer a smoother, less stressful experience, especially for intercity transfers and language support.

Overall, your itinerary is manageable, and the choice between DIY and an agency depends on your comfort level with logistics versus wanting a seamless, guided experience.

Revised 2020 trip - advice, please

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