Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mikesaidyes]

So I'm thinking this for my winter vacation.

Any recommended places to stay, bars to visit etc?? I would do four days in Beijing, experience the overnight train to Xi'an, four days in Xi'an and then fly back to Seoul from Xi'an.

[Missihippi]

I just did this trip during chuseok. I stayed at Leo Hostel near Tianammen square in Beijing. Nice service, decent rooms, and great location. They organize trips to the great wall (as i'm sure most hostels do) and had a younger crowd there that you can hook up with to go partying with. Also, at their in-house bar they serve snake/scorpian vodka -- that stuff was crazy intense. haha

Anyway, the train to Xi'an is about 14 hours. I would recommend splurging for the the expensive sleepers unless you like being in a room with 5 other snoring souls.

As for Xi'an, i feel like 4 days there would be too much. You can do terracotta warriors in a day and walk or bike along the fortress wall in another day. Nightlife there is pretty bad, and there isn't much else to do IMO.

[wishfullthinkng]

[mikesaidyes]

Yeah I can't go to China for Chinese New Year's as I have to go to Thailand to meet a friend. Woe is me. Not to mention flights are like double in cost.

Also, whoever said flying in Asia was cheap was obviously full of shit. Like "Korea is cheap." Lie.

Oh and I've switched it up to Beijing and Shanghai (4.5 days in each city) Shanghai for NYE. I think it's a fair itinerary. I can do the Wall in one day.

[mikesaidyes]

oh, hey, Miss - did you actually have to use a travel agent to get your visa here? Or did you take it in person?

[Missihippi]

[Gamecock]

Look into China Southern Airlines to save significant dollars from Korea to China.

Living in China for the last 3 years, I have to disagree with wishfullthinking or anyone who tells you to come as a tourist during Chinese New Year. This is a family holiday, not a tourist event. As well, it is yearly the greatest migration of people on the planet as a billion people get on trains, buses, and planes to be with their relatives. Going ANYWHERE within China is a complete nightmare during this holiday time.

[Joshea8]

My girlfriend and I went to China last Lunar New Year. We spent 3 days in Beijing, 2 in Xi'an, and 3 in Shanghai. We didn't find Xi'an to be that great beyond the Terracotta warriors. It's worth seeing, but that's about it in Xi'an. We loved the Muslim food within the City Wall as well.

[waynehead]

I was in Beijing during the Lunar New Year a few years back, and it was a blast...for one night (New Year's Eve). The rest of the time the city was empty, everything was closed, it was kinda dull. Fortunately, I'd already done a Beijing trip once, so it wasn't a big deal for me.

But that Lunar New Year's night in Beijing was one of the best travel experiences of my life...everyone was in the streets, drinking, lighting fireworks, just one huge party. It was great.

[Triban]

What about the actual Chinese New Year (January 23)?