Friday, April 9, 2010

Where Should We Go for Our First Trip in China? Help me decide!

So, hubby and I are planning our first trip within China! We have a few choices we are choosing between for our first trip.. and I'd love your help in deciding where our first trip should be to! Now its important to remember we will eventually see ALL of these places, its just a matter of "when." All of these choices are extremely different, too, so its a hard decision. They each offer a completely different experience.

Choice # 1: Pingyao (平遥)
Pingyao is one of China's many UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is located in Central Shanxi Province. The city is really unique because it is still surrounded by an ancient wall that was built in 1370 during the third year of the Hongwu Emperor (thank you Chinese class... and Wiki!) Its also really unique because its a blend of the ancient and modern. The city right outside the ancient city walls is extremely modern, whereas inside the walls is a completely preserved ancient city.






As you can tell, there would be a lot of great history to learn & amazing historical sites to see.

Choice # 2: Shanghai (上海)
Everyone has heard of Shanghai. Its China's most populated and most modern city. Its a very cosmopolitan city and much of the old has been replaced with the new. Its the hub of fashion in China! There are endless choices for shopping and amazing and unique culinary experiences, and countless opportunities to mingle with Shanghai's young & elite. Think of Shanghai as China's New York City, except more rapidly developing at this point.




The 2010 World Expo is taking place in Shanghai and will be going on when we visit. Over 190 countries are joining this year's World Expo, and there are a ton of amazing events & shows to see. If you don't know what the World Expo is, you can find information about it here. Its pretty amazing!

Choice # 3: Hainan (海南)
Hainan is a totally different experience because its an island in the South of China. Its known as "The Hawaii of China." It has gorgeous beaches & beautiful ocean! Great hotels! At a 5 star Sofitel you can expect to pay just $95 USD a night. There are also ethnic minorities exclusive to Hainan, so those who want a cultural experience can definitely still find one! The Li minority group compromise about 91% of Hainan Island.





In Hainan, you can enjoy the tropical beaches, read in the sun, relax, get a massage (my personal favorite!), visit the authentic Li minority villages, or hike in the tropical rain forests.

This trip will be taken around my husband's birthday, and he IS partial to history and anything old (we like to joke about the fact that while in Ireland, we stopped every single time there was "something old and stone and decrepit" along the side of the road... yeah, in Ireland, we were stopping quite often!)

So, what do you think? What are your first and second choices for my first trip within China? Thanks for the help!

Remember, even if we don't go right away, these places are on our short list of must-see places.

Thanks for the perspective!

Steph

P.S. ...when I type in Chinese characters, can you see them?

Disclaimer: the pictures in these posts are NOT mine & I am not claiming then as such! They are courtesy of "Google Image."

33 comments:

  1. Shanghai! It is my one regret that my last visit to China was not long enough to include Shanghai (we needed to spend a certain amount of time in Changsha for the wedding and related events, and that along with Hong Kong took up all of our vacation time). So I will need to live vicariously thru you!

    http://deconstructed-life.blogspot.com

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  2. Hainan looks wonderful. I didn't realise that there was such a tropical place in China. But they all look like interesting and unique places to go.

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  3. Shanghai and Hainan!:D

    I do see the chinese characters.:D


    http://allthingsmarie.blogspot.com
    BEAUTY. FASHION. DESIGN.
    ...and everything girly under the sun!

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  4. Steph! I thought it was going to be a difficult decision, but then you posted those AMAZINGGGGGGG beach front pictures and I'm absolutely sold. YOU MUST GO THERE!!!!! It looks like heaven. =)

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  5. i haven't been to china. can't even pick, i saw the first pic and was going to say go there...until i saw the second, and this continued with every pic. looking forward to hearing about your travels

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  6. I'd say Shanghai so that the transition would not be drastic... Shanghai is a metropolitan city so I guess it'll be better to explore it first and know the people before you venture into the outskirts.

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  7. OMG!! I am SO jealous I can't even choose!!!! AHHH! Gah doesn't matter which place is first!

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  8. We can see the Chinese images. Or at least I can. I would vote for Hainan based on the pictures. But I think I would regret not going to Shanghai.

    http://senseofstyleiseternal.blogspot.com/

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  9. DH went to China a few years ago and toured Beijing, Guillen, Shanghai and Xian.
    He loved all of them so I don't think you can go wrong. He still talks most about Guillen.

    I think the beachy one looks amazing though but Shanghai would be an awesome experience.

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  10. You sold me on Hainan. It looks so peaceful and gorgeous! Looks like a perfect place to go after such a big move!

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  11. i'd SO go to hawaiian china! :)

    only b/c of a beachey vacation seems like a vacation to relax versus a city whirlwind trip. but if you get to go to all at some point....well all sounds amazing!

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  12. I can see the characters =)
    I vote the first one. I think it looks just really interesting and unique. Plus being here in Japan I love getting out to see anything old, and part of the culture and tradition.

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  13. Wow,it really looks amazing!You should definitely visit it!

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  14. The last one looks amazing! You should go there ;)

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  15. Oh my gosh! Impossible to decide!
    They all look like amazing places to go! I think it depends on if you're in the mood for relaxing beach, cultural experience or city shopping ;) Yes, please to all! lol

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  16. I say that since the World Expo is going on during your trip you should go to Shanghai so you can experience that. Everything else will remain there for you to visit eventually.

    Second choice would be Pingyao (平遥)since your hubby is a history buff and it's his b-day :)

    Good luck - doesn't really look like you can make a bad decision here!

    Oh and PS Pingyao looks like it could have been the inspiration if not the setting for the last Mummy movie with Brendan Frasure!

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  17. I would go for Shanghai, but that's because I love cities! The beach always looks gorgeous, the cool thing is that you'll eventually get to go to all of these places, right? How awesome!

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  18. Wow this is going to be an amazing experience for ya'll! I vote the first place, but I am partial to historical places lol. Second choice would be the last location listed- it'd be a great way to start the trip off with a bang- at a 5 star hotel!

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  19. April - thats so funny because the Chinese have all kinds of sayings, and one we learned in Chinese class is "桂林山水甲天下“ which basically means that Guilin is the most beautiful place on earth.

    Thank you everyone for the suggestions!!

    Steph

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  20. I would go to Hainan if I were you- I love beaches and it sounds like a wonderful place. Have fun where ever you go!

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  21. My vote is for Hainan!! I love beaches though so I'm biased that way :)

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  22. I know, I think its summer and everyone has the beach on their minds (myself included!)

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  23. I would love to go to Shanghai and Hainin. They look amazing!

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  24. Hello! Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog. Your China travels sound amazing (I've heard there is some really great shopping to be done there too). What an adventure!

    Bre @ http://theredbungalow.blogspot.com

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  25. 1. Hainan- just imagine laying out on the beach with your hubby! that would be so romantic!

    2. Shanghai- i bet you would LOVE the shopping!

    i'm so excited for your trip/move! take TONS of photos! <3

    http://aberrantmoda.blogspot.com/

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  26. wow, this is so cool, I would LOVE to go to china someday! but unfortunately it's only a dream now. and I would love to go to the expo 2010, it must be an amazing experience...ahhh your post made me want to travel! :D


    http://saladofmylife.blogspot.com

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  27. I would say definitely do the more fast paced places first and then spend the rest lounging on the beaches. That's what I did when traveling through Eastern Europe..we hit up all the major cities and it was so rewarding to then just spend the next week or two laying on the beaches of Croatia and Greece

    quite jealous of all your travels and i adore your blog!

    http://www.heatherinacandyshop.com

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  28. These pictures are truly amazing! What an experience!

    xx
    Jessie
    http://87life.blogspot.com

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  29. Shanghai! I haven't been out of Australia, so I wouldn't know what it's like but it looks amazing!
    Thanks for the comment
    XOXO

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  30. I would do Shangai first. Looks like an amazing place. I would do Hainan for a special occasion maybe. Have fun...

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  31. I just came across your blog and I am so insanely jealous of your experience! My husband is also a Marine and we just spent four years in Hawaii, and we're moving to California on Monday. I am dying to move overseas (we're hoping for Japan next!) I'm going to follow your blog and live vicariously through you!

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  32. Ok, sooo you know I used to live in Shanghai and would recommend it to anyone.. One thing you can see there is an art gallery called Two Cities. It is AWESOME. Meg Ryan stopped by to see it and she loved it. I belonged to a non profit who helped build, start and continue to run it. It showcases undiscovered talent. Also vacationed in Hainan ....Sanya to be exact and it was off the hook. Just sooo beautiful!!! you will LOVE it. We stayed at a resort called the Cactus resort. It is the largest or has the largest pool in China. It certainly does...or did when I was there. It's freaking HUGE!!!. Oh man, wish I could travel with you!!! your going to have a blast!!!

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  33. I say Shanghai! Take me with you! It looks fabulous!Love the pictures!

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