Backpacking through china advice?

Question

Right as the question says my friend and I want to back pack through china (in around two weeks so not every part of china sadly) we do not currently know our route as we are still planning (and it's not till march 2013)
but I do know we will be starting around Tibet and ending in Beijing

but the thing is is that neither of us have come backpacking (or been to china) before
so need advice on what to do before hand like travel jabs to what to take with me (clothing or/and equipment)
visas we need to apply for
hostels that are cheap and cheerful (and also speak English)
transport that would be recommended trains buses taxis bikes
and anything like that

and also how much money you would recommend taking and how best to take it (traveller cheaqes, money, card ?????)
Thank you!

Answer 1

These books are great for traveling:



http://www.lonelyplanet.com/



I used to work for a tour company and we used these to find sources for things like transport/hotels/sightseeing trips. I like them better than frommers in most regards. Frommers has good historical info though...



Also, keep an eye on things like this



http://blog.chinatravel.net/china-travel-tips-advice/tibet-closed-20-feb-30-mar-2012.html



You will be required to get certain shots too, before you go. Like for malaria and things like that. There are usually advisories for which ones, and they do change some times.



http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/china.htm



One good thing about Asian countries is that even regular hotels are cheap like hostels so you can maybe get a good room with more privacy (if that matters to you. It does to me.) for the same price.



I plan trips, so if you gave me time I could probably do this for you and make a quick budget, but I'm at work. Its not really that hard if you know where you are going, it just takes time and research.



Oh, and I would invest in one of those prepaid (or several) of them from the country you are going to (or in their currency) that way you can report it lost or stolen easily and use it at ATMS, restaurants, shops etc... without having to worry about losing cash or being robbed of irreplaceable paper money.

Answer 2

the best back packer areas are in the south and west.



So you go Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Guilin (and yangshou), Dali, Lijiang, then up to Chengdu and up into tibet. Then take the train back to Beijing or keep going into Nepal. But that is more than 2 weeks.



There is a good network of backpacker hostels in those towns who will arrange on transport. They all speak English, all serve Banana pancakes and I always go to the Chinese hotels instead...but that is me.



For the more famous tourist spots you have the issue of few backpacker places, but they are there. Basically use your lonely planet guide to find these. Don't worry about transport as the backpacker places will arrange it.

Answer 3

Two weeks from Tibert to Beijing is unrealistic for backpacking. You will be spending most of your time riding a train. What I am trying to say is that the train from Tibet to Beijing will take up to 5 days alone, out of your 14 day trip.



I would suggest that first, you map out the cities to visit in conjunction with the rail lines inside of China. Plan on starting in an international city to obtain a flight there first. As far as I know, there are no INTERNATIONAL flights to Tibet. So plan on flying into Beijing first, or a city nearer to Tibet, and then taking a train.



Here are some good websites to hep you select a train route. They are in English, so it will make getting a ticket and planning much easier for you.



http://trains.china.org.cn/

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/

http://www.chinahighlights.com/china-trains/

http://cnvol.com/



Here's a railway map of China. It will really be a great help to help you plan your trip.

http://cnvol.com/china-railway-map.htm



Hotels in China can vary from really cheap to outrageously expensive. I like Hostels, and if all you want is a bed in a shared room, it can be as cheap as $us 3 a night. Hostels are no frills, but can also be nice and clean and a great way to meet fellow adventurers.

http://www.yhachina.com/

http://www.hostels.com/china

http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/china/

http://www.hostelworld.com/hostels/China



Have fun!

Answer 4

I don't think there are international flights to Tibet, or you can entry from Nepal. The ideal route would be: Nepal - Tibet - Xian - Guilin - Shanghai - Beijing.

I would recommend this site for your reference: http://www.chinatravel.com/facts/china-travel-guide-book/

Answer 5

I even have lived in China for 4 years now, in Zhengzhou particularly close to to Shaolin Temple. I even have seen plenty yet no the place close of being executed. sure, the two Hong Kong and Shanghai are somewhat high priced, I even have been to the two for the ease of English audio gadget, yet lots of the sight seeing comes at a cost. I take excitement in traveling between lesser commonplace cities: Guangzhou, Xian, Qingdao, Macau, Hainan, Suzhou have been the favs between me and my pals right here. it is likewise common to take heed to foreigners say, that once you have seen one temple you have seen all of them and Beijing has the terrific to grant in that section. For ought to do? hhhmmmm its have been given quite plenty to grant protecting a reasonably super bite of land. i'd look into the cities and provinces suggested above and make a plan with the practice routes. trains: affordable, rapid and correctly routed. I consistently splurge for quiet and convenience and purchase mushy Seats (larger) and D trains (quicker). For ought to don'ts? to save money stay far off from western eating places, in no way take the 1st cost ( If bargaining tell them your stay in China as a student, in the event that they ask what college, college of Zhengzhou is a real one) FYI: they stare. plenty. and WATCH YOUR STUFF reason they're proficient!!!!! i've got lost 2 wallets, 2 cellular telephones and merely final week i lost my MP4 participant.

Answer 6

to go to Tibet must get a special permission



travel visas -- immediately means "round ticket"



cheap and cheerul don't speak English

and vice verse

speak English aren't cheap and cheerful



transaport - trains and buses, not bikes