Beijing and Shanghai for 11 days

[wzhtg87]

You have to look at the flight timings for Daxing. At the moment, there's only SQ flying direct between Singapore and Daxing. Daxing to Singapore is at 9.20am. Which means you'll need to wake up damn early to get to the airport at 7.20am.

SQ Singapore to Daxing is a new flight and may be cheaper than to PEK. I have seen SQ flights to PEK at around $440. It's a pretty good price. There are 2 flights a day between Singapore and PEK.

PEK to the city, traffic is always bad.

Beijing is huge. As long as you are near the metro, you'll be ok. Note that a lot of metros do not have escalators (everywhere in the station) and no lift as well.

We don't like to drive in Beijing as traffic is bad. We usually take the metro.

We only drive in our neighborhood.

Woah thanks a lot for pointing that out. I would want a later flight out for sure. Did a 9am flight in Japan and had to crawl up super early just to get to the airport coz my Airbnb was about an hour plus away from the airport. Guess that means my return flight will have to be from PEK. Maybe I could fly into Daxing for the initial flight.

Are the metro stations very big like in Japan? I recall having to walk a fair bit sometimes to change lines in Japan. Given that there are not much escalators and lift, I guess I will skip bringing a stroller then.

 

[wzhtg87]

It's your choice of airline that determines your airport. Departing directly from Singapore, Air China and SIA use PEK. SIA is supposed to switch to PKX. China Eastern uses PKX. The taxis don't require child seats so you can have your kid in your lap. You will have to check if you can install Didi. I have better access to street-hail taxis than I do here in Singapore. Both Wangfujing and Qianmen are great for the attractions in the palace area.

Thanks for the reply bro. I'm planning to redeem tickets for SQ and from the website, can see they fly to both airports.

Not too sure I follow about the part on installing Didi? Is there some kind of restriction that would prevent me from installing the app? I plan to get an e-sim for data in China. Would using an e-sim allow me to access things like facebook, instagram, goggle etc.

For the other outlying attractions like Great Wall of China/Summer palace etc, are they doable on our own? Or is it better to get like a day tour etc?

 

[dilphinus]

Woah thanks a lot for pointing that out. I would want a later flight out for sure. Did a 9am flight in Japan and had to crawl up super early just to get to the airport coz my Airbnb was about an hour plus away from the airport. Guess that means my return flight will have to be from PEK. Maybe I could fly into Daxing for the initial flight.

Are the metro stations very big like in Japan? I recall having to walk a fair bit sometimes to change lines in Japan. Given that there are not much escalators and lift, I guess I will skip bringing a stroller then.

Yes. Some interchange stations are huge.

 

[dilphinus]

Thanks for the reply bro. I'm planning to redeem tickets for SQ and from the website, can see they fly to both airports.

Daxing airport is designed Zaha Hadid Architects. Probably worth having a look.
I've never been there. Always in and out of PEK as we live 15 mins (by car) from PEK.

For the other outlying attractions like Great Wall of China/Summer palace etc, are they doable on our own? Or is it better to get like a day tour etc?

The Summer Palace is accessible via the metro. There are two stations near the North Palace Gate and East Palace Gate.

For the Great Wall, which one? People usually take a day tour to Badaling and/or Mutianyu. If you can get a driver, then it's probably more flexible and convenient.

 

[beanstalk6]

Thanks for the reply bro. I'm planning to redeem tickets for SQ and from the website, can see they fly to both airports.

Not too sure I follow about the part on installing Didi? Is there some kind of restriction that would prevent me from installing the app? I plan to get an e-sim for data in China. Would using an e-sim allow me to access things like facebook, instagram, goggle etc.

For the other outlying attractions like Great Wall of China/Summer palace etc, are they doable on our own? Or is it better to get like a day tour etc?

It' is great if you have the option to fly to an airport and out the other one using SQ. Apparently the SQ 4-digit flight numbers are operated by Air China, and you should confirm your choice.
Look in this forum on the issues with using Chinese apps like Didi. More often than not, you need a Chinese number. I haven''t bothered to get a Chinese number or get my ID verified for these apps, including WeChat or Alipay. You can look up this excellent guide on how you can visit the Great Wall at Badaling by train.
I believe you can visit the Summer Palace using the metro, entering from the direction of one station and leaving by another, so you do not have to double back. The royal grounds are huge, so in the interest of health and time, I try not to repeat my path.
.https://www.chinadiscovery.com/beijing-tours/beijing-transportation/how-to-get-to-summer-palace.html

 

[saphire]

Just came back from Beijing. Took SQ which is a 1 am flight. Reached 首都机场 at 7am. At the airport, there are machine to take down all the fingerprint and need to write entry card. After custom, took a sky train to another terminal to collect luggage.
We stay in Novotel peace which is near 王府井. Took metro from the airport to the hotel. Suggest to pack light as many metro in beijing only have stairs. We have been struggling carrying the luggage around. Metro can use credit card to scan.
To the great wall 八达岭 we booked a bus ride 80 rmb at busda using at wechat mini program excluding cable car and entrance fee. Journey took about an hour. Never stay too long at 八达岭 as is snowing and too slippery. Almost fell. Big wind.
故宫 We book through the apps in wechat. 7 days before departure. From our hotel can walk to 午门 which is very near. Try to use Amap 高德地图move around. Take note If want to go Tiananmen need registered in advance. Search 天安门预约 in wechat mini program. Security there very tight. Always bring passport around. Even in 王府井 got check by 公安.

 

[saphire]

Payment in China
Is better to do a verification 认证 on wechat and Alipay app need to scan passport to get approved.
Wechat, Alipay - After verify can ask a china friend to top up rmb into wallet. I did that. Wechat tag with credit card anything spend above 200 rmb will charge 3% service. To avoid that we download Changi pay app wallet. It use alipay plus. Just paynow to the wallet. Un spend money can reverse back to bank. Take note some shop not able to recognize alipay plus. No choice i use we chat to scan.
Didi transport i use alipay or wechat to book. Just enter the current location and destination. When the car arrived. Driver will verify with your last 4 digit of sg hand phone number. Reach destination pay through app.
Other method to pay for metro. Use alipay 支付宝 under transport can setup transport Qr quote need passport and name to verify. With Qr quote can enter and exit by scanning. Deduction will be done whatever card that is tag.

 

[wuso]

Just came back from Beijing. Took SQ which is a 1 am flight. Reached 首都机场 at 7am. At the airport, there are machine to take down all the fingerprint and need to write entry card. After custom, took a sky train to another terminal to collect luggage.
We stay in Novotel peace which is near 王府井. Took metro from the airport to the hotel. Suggest to pack light as many metro in beijing only have stairs. We have been struggling carrying the luggage around. Metro can use credit card to scan.
To the great wall 八达岭 we booked a bus ride 80 rmb at busda using at wechat mini program excluding cable car and entrance fee. Journey took about an hour. Never stay too long at 八达岭 as is snowing and too slippery. Almost fell. Big wind.
故宫 We book through the apps in wechat. 7 days before departure. From our hotel can walk to 午门 which is very near. Try to use Amap 高德地图move around. Take note If want to go Tiananmen need registered in advance. Search 天安门预约 in wechat mini program. Security there very tight. Always bring passport around. Even in 王府井 got check by 公安.

I just booked my SQ flight to Beijing, and its SIN-PKX, PEK-SIN. So after custom, need to take sky train to another terminal to collect luggage?? May I know roughly what time will one clear everything to "get out"? I'm trying to gauge if I want/can to chiong to another place/city on the day of arrival itself since its quite clearly....

Thanks

 

[wzhtg87]

Daxing airport is designed Zaha Hadid Architects. Probably worth having a look.
I've never been there. Always in and out of PEK as we live 15 mins (by car) from PEK.

The Summer Palace is accessible via the metro. There are two stations near the North Palace Gate and East Palace Gate.

For the Great Wall, which one? People usually take a day tour to Badaling and/or Mutianyu. If you can get a driver, then it's probably more flexible and convenient.

Thanks bro for the info. I'm still quite early in my research for the trip so I guess I will probably do either Badaling or Mutianyu, depending on which will be easily accessible since I'm bringing my toddler along. You mentioned that you live 15 mins by car from PEK, do you stay in Beijing often?

I heard there are sandstorms in March and April for Beijing. Have never experienced one before and am wondering how serious it is and how frequent it happens? In the event of a sandstorm, we can just stay indoors at our hotel or shopping mall? Or should I try to go in May instead?

Also, a friend pointed out to me to watch out for the Qingming festival in April where there might be extended PH in China and there would be crowds. I googled and saw that the PH for Qingming in 2025 is 4 to 6 April 2025. I was planning initially to fly on the night of 7 April and arrive in Beijing on 8 April which technically should be after the Qingming PH but was wondering if i go 1 week later instead?

Its cherry blossom period from March to early May in Beijing right? I hope to catch the cherry blossom as well when I am there.

 

[wzhtg87]

Thanks @beanstalk6 and @saphire for the detailed guides and useful tips shared. Will definately take note of them.

From the krisflyer app, all the flights I see are SQ 3 digit flights like SQ810, SQ807 etc so I guess should be fine? I guess I will probably try to do an ID verification for the Wechat/Alipay apps to make things easier.

 

[saphire]

About 45 to an hour.

 

[hoshiyume]

Just returned from Shanghai hangzhou Suzhou Beijing and mutianyu. Flew in sq to Shanghai and out of Beijing capital airport PEK. Red eye flights.

Solo travelling, only self booked a transportation tour for mutianyu (on the day then pay for the bus transportation tour and fro and the type of transportation to go up to mutianyu eg cable car etc).

Alipay is your most impt app becoz you need it for 98% of your stay in China. 2% is use WeChat if the websites don’t allow u to book/buy ticket and pay with Alipay online, and also take queue number for restaurants. Alipay allows you to book didi too. From airport, I suggest book premium didi since is flat fare and the driver service is good.

 

[beanstalk6]

The rail link between Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao began operation a few days ago. 40 minutes and 26 RMB. Definitely better than the coach (80min, traffic permitting) and MRT (2h).

 

[klavier]

My 2 cents' worth.

I suggest that you visit other places on the same Shanghai axis- Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing, over Xi'an for this 10-day trip. In fact, you can visit Beijing and Xi'an on another trip. Consider:

High speed rail travel duration
Beijing-Xi'an 4-6 hours
Shanghai-Beijing 4.5-6.5 hours
Shanghai-Nanjing 1.5-2 hours
Shanghai-Hangzhou 45min-1 hour
Nanjing-Suzhou 1-2 hours

I don't find shopping in China essential unless it is for artwork, handicrafts and home decor. I shop on Taobao for many Chinese products and most of the time, I do not find it essential to shop there physically. If you are into clothing and prefer to shop at fashion stores, perhaps Chinese brands will interest you.

Guangzhou is a great choice for your next trip. Convenient and easy transportation to visit other destinations in the province- Kaiping, Macau, Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Foshan, Zhaoqing... the list goes on.

Sorry to quote an old post of yours.
I have booked a 2 weeks trip to complete the Shanghai axis you mentioned, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Shanghai in that order. Again traveling in June due to school holidays.

Is that too much traveling? Have 13 nights to be exact. I prefer to take things slow.

Currently allocating Hangzhou (3 nights), Nanjing (3N), Suzhou (2N) and Shanghai (5N).

Not sure if the allocation is fine or if better to just do a day trip at Suzhou from Shanghai and add an extra night to both Hangzhou and Shanghai?

I know it's a subjective question but which city deserves an additional night?

Hope someone here can give their opinion. Thank you.

 

[beanstalk6]

Sorry to quote an old post of yours.
I have booked a 2 weeks trip to complete the Shanghai axis you mentioned, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Suzhou, Shanghai in that order. Again traveling in June due to school holidays.

Is that too much traveling? Have 13 nights to be exact. I prefer to take things slow.

Currently allocating Hangzhou (3 nights), Nanjing (3N), Suzhou (2N) and Shanghai (5N).

Not sure if the allocation is fine or if better to just do a day trip at Suzhou from Shanghai and add an extra night to both Hangzhou and Shanghai?

I know it's a subjective question but which city deserves an additional night?

Hope someone here can give their opinion. Thank you.

You are welcome.
These cities are highly interconnected in terms of high-speed rail availability and frequency. IMO you can take a night or 2 from Shanghai to Nanjing and Hangzhou. You are right- you can visit Suzhou from Shanghai as an excursion, to minimise disruption to your hotel stay. I see that hotel rates have taken a tumble throughout China due to reduced domestic travel. I assume you are flying to Hangzhou and returning from Shanghai, which is what I would do, if there are cost savings.

 

[klavier]

You are welcome.
These cities are highly interconnected in terms of high-speed rail availability and frequency. IMO you can take a night or 2 from Shanghai to Nanjing and Hangzhou. You are right- you can visit Suzhou from Shanghai as an excursion, to minimise disruption to your hotel stay. I see that hotel rates have taken a tumble throughout China due to reduced domestic travel. I assume you are flying to Hangzhou and returning from Shanghai, which is what I would do, if there are cost savings.

Thank you for the quick reply. Yes I am flying in from HZ and out from Shanghai to avoid taking an extra train.

Base on your suggestion I would add a night to HZ and NJ and probably do 1 or 2 day trips to Suzhou from Shanghai to avoid having to switch hotels!

 

[beanstalk6]

Thank you for the quick reply. Yes I am flying in from HZ and out from Shanghai to avoid taking an extra train.

Base on your suggestion I would add a night to HZ and NJ and probably do 1 or 2 day trips to Suzhou from Shanghai to avoid having to switch hotels!

Basically that is how I would visit these 4 destinations. I drew up a list of attractions or experiences I wanted in my itinerary and to work out where I would be each night.
Leaving from Shanghai makes sense as most tourists shop there as opposed to Hangzhou, unless you wish to buy copious quantities of tea or silk.
Nanjing and Hangzhou are cultural destinations with many historical sites and parks. Suzhou classical gardens and canals can be visited with a land tour from Shanghai.

 

[Windowlover]

Any good hotel to stay in Shanghai ? Was considering travel with train direct from airport

 

[froztheart]

Any good hotel to stay in Shanghai ? Was considering travel with train direct from airport

Depends on the area you want to visit.

 

[Windowlover]

Depends on the area you want to visit.

First timer for shopping, food , major places of interest,, consider also nearby Suzhuo also if time permits.