```html Epic China Trip: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou & Beijing!
My Amazing China Adventure: Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou & Beijing!
Get ready for the ultimate China travel guide! I recently conquered Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Beijing, and I'm bursting to share all the juicy details. Buckle up for an unforgettable journey filled with delicious food, stunning sights, and a few unexpected twists!
Macau Layover: Prepare for the Chill!
- Air Macau: On time, but the food was meh and the seats were a bit cramped.
- Macau Airport Alert! Seriously, it's FREEZING. Pack layers (hat, scarf, gloves – the works!).
- Sleep Situation: Limited benches without armrests. Consider bringing a thin mat to crash on the floor for a comfier nap.
Shanghai Arrival: Immigration Hurdles!
- Hongqiao Airport Shenanigans: Even though it was quiet, my group (and others from Vietnam) got pulled aside for extra questioning.
- Pro Tip: If you're not fluent in Mandarin, have your flight, train, and itinerary bookings READY. Show them you're organized and know your stuff!
- Airport to Hotel: Initially planned to subway it, but those stairs with luggage are brutal! Didi (China's Uber) saved the day. If you're hauling a lot, skip the subway and Didi it up!
Hotel Highlights: From Cozy to Convenient
- Shanghai: Maixinge Boutique Hotel (Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower) (3,850 RMB/2 nights/3 people, breakfast included). Central location, decent rooms (a bit dark), easy access to attractions. Super polite staff and a good breakfast buffet. Amazing value!
- Hangzhou: 一竖酒店（杭州西湖湖滨店) (2,800 RMB/2 nights/3 people, breakfast included). Clean rooms, but thin walls. Tucked away on a small street (cars can't enter), but close to the main road.
- Suzhou: 嘉宝酒店(苏州观前街十全街店) (1,400 RMB/1 night/3 people). Spotless, right next to the subway, easy to book a Didi. Spacious rooms with all the essentials.
- Beijing: 汉庭酒店(北京前门店) (6,400 RMB/3 nights/3 people). Small, windowless room. Breakfast is extra (49 RMB/person). Close to Qianmen Street (3-4 min walk) and TONS of restaurants.
The Ultimate Itinerary: City by City!
Shanghai: Dazzling Nights & Culinary Delights
- Day 1: Started with dinner at 蟹叁寶上海南京西路店 – hairy crab noodles, soup dumplings… delicious! (163 RMB for 3 dishes).
- Must-See: Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street & The Bund. Both are CRAZY crowded.
- Insider Tip: For The Bund at night, head to 外滩金牛广场. Less crowded, amazing views of the illuminated buildings, especially around 6 PM. Skip Nanjing Road if you're heading straight to The Bund.
- Didi Drama: Waiting for a Didi after The Bund was a nightmare. Walk to a less congested area to make it easier!
- Day 2: The North Bund – panoramic views of Shanghai's skyline without the crowds! Photo-op paradise.
- Starbucks Reserve: At a nearby mall. Matcha lattes were overpowered by milk. Still, the mall had killer photo spots! Skipped lunch.
- Haidilao Hot Pot: Back to The Bund for the lights and Haidilao. Book in advance (especially for central locations!). Ask your hotel to help with a Chinese phone number for booking. Pricier than in Vietnam (439 RMB for a HUGE meal for 3).
- Day 3: Xintiandi – picture-perfect streets! A must for photography lovers.
- Lunch: 瀚祥本帮面馆 (武康大楼店) – noodles near the Wukang Building. The noodles were okay, the crab noodles had more sauce but I didn't love the flavor. The Wukang Building is super popular for photos. Then, it was off to the train station for Hangzhou!
Hangzhou: Serenity by the Lake
- Check-in & Dinner: 吴记餐厅·杭帮菜·私房菜(西湖湖滨店) – right by West Lake. EVERYTHING was delicious! Highly recommend the roasted duck and the beef with poached eggs.
- Evening Stroll: West Lake is magical at night.
- Day 4: Lingyin Temple (10 RMB entry, buy with Alipay). Incense provided. Beautiful temple with walls covered in characters – people touch them for good luck! Just look for the worn-out characters!
- 玛瑙寺: Near West Lake, great for photos. Lunch at 杭三姐妹（武林店）- yummy food.
- Evening: Explored the streets and had hot pot at 呷哺呷哺(杭州湖滨银泰in77) – great prices!
Suzhou: Gardens & Canals
- Day 5: Yipu Garden – less crowded than other Suzhou gardens, perfect for peaceful exploring and photos.
- Dinner: 新苏里·非遗传承·苏州菜·松鼠桂鱼 – try the famous Squirrel Fish! Pretty good.
- Shantang Street: Too touristy and crowded for my taste. Maybe try 东方之门 instead.
Beijing: History & Hustle
- Day 6: Morning snack shopping in Suzhou before the 5-hour train to Beijing!
- Dinner: 北京璟雅轩烤鸭店（前门店）in Qianmen Street. Peking duck was okay, a bit greasy.
- Qianmen Street Fun: Huge line for ice cream (10 RMB). The matcha flavor was a hit!
- Day 7: Forbidden City! (Tickets pre-booked by a friend). Entered through Donghuamen (less crowded).
- Insider Tip: The path from Donghuamen to the Meridian Gate is beautiful! The Forbidden City is HUGE. Most palaces are only viewable from afar. Still worth it!
- Lunch: 刘记炙子烤肉（虎坊桥店) – local BBQ spot. Amazing marinated meat! (Almost 1.2 million VND for 4 plates of meat, veggies, and fish cakes). Highly recommend! Evening: Qianmen again for dinner and exploring.
- Day 8: Great Wall at Badaling (via train from Beijing Bei station). Super crowded!
- Cable Car: Take the cable car up, then hike a short distance to the end. Cable car or toboggan down!
- Tiananmen Square Fail: Couldn't get in without pre-booked tickets. Book ahead!
- Dinner: 北京铃木食堂 – cozy Japanese restaurant. Delicious food! Walking distance from the hotel.
- Flight Cancellation! My Beijing-Macau flight was cancelled, which meant missing my Macau-Da Nang flight. Rebooked on a late flight with an 18-hour Macau layover. 😭
- Day 9: Beijing windstorm! All attractions closed. Spent the day in a café, then headed to the massive Beijing Capital Airport. Delayed flight due to the wind. A smooth trip until the very end!
Final Thoughts: The Good, The Bad, and the Delicious!
- Shanghai: Ultra-modern, fast-paced, and extravagant.
- Hangzhou: Beautiful streets, lush greenery, peaceful vibe. Wish I had stayed longer!
- Suzhou: Too short of a visit to truly experience it.
- Beijing: Ancient vibes, melancholic atmosphere. Large city but not as fast-paced as Shanghai. A blend of old and new.
Trip Summary: Relaxed & Delicious!
Leisurely pace, rested when tired, ate whatever I wanted, didn't buy souvenirs. Mostly used Didi instead of the subway. Total cost: ~25 million VND/person.
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