Trip reports forum

Hi Mariana,
VIETNAM - 10 days (30/Jan ~ 10/Fev)
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh , Hue , Hoi An, Saigon, Chau Doc

That is going to be a real squeeze. If you can't give Vn more time, then I'd suggest dropping Ninh Binh and perhaps Hue (depending on how long you are spending at Ha Long Bay).

For The Thai/Lao leg, I assume you're flying in and out of Luang Prabang? If not, you're going to run out of time.

Think the boat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh fits the bill for the "Mekong experience"

Hope that helps

Sounds like the makings of a great trip to me! I'm planning something similar from Beijing, though just to PP or Bangkok, not Kuala Lumpur.

Anyway, for myself, I would either go through Vietnam and Cambodia to Thailand or through Laos to Thailand (possibly via Cambodia), and leave either Laos or Vietnam out. That way you'll have more time to see things and won't spend the majority of your time in a bus or train, as fun/interesting as that can be too. Of course you could fit all the countries in if you fly, as somtam points out, but doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of going overland?

Hi Everyone!!!

Thanks a lot for the replies, I am changing the itinerary now... Yeah, Madmac, I will try to avoid seeing the contries just from the buses or trains windows.

Thinking about flying some destinations in China and Vietnam and going by land between Guilin and Bangkok. It would be like this:

China 12 days
Beijing > Shanghai > Guilin (connect by flights)

Vietnam 15 days
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh, Hoi An, HCMC, Chau Doc

Cambodia 8 days
Phnom Phen, Siem Reap, Stung Treng

Laos 6 days
Pakse, Vientiane, Luang Prabang

Thailand 8 days
Chiang Mai, Bangkok and some other city

Fly to Kuala Lumpur...

What about? Should be less rush!

Thanks again everybody!

Mariana

I looked at your changed plans - still bananans. WHy even go to Laos for 6 days. What are you going to do? Nothing ... your whole 6 days will be on a bus. Vientiane to LP is a day trip and Pakse to Vientiane is the most pointless trip on a bus in S-E Asia as you could exit Laos and go up through Thailand in half the time and then reenter laos. Pakse - Vientiane nothing to see except traffic speeding past you in Thailand.

Cambodia? Stung treng / PP and Ankor in 8 days? I have now decided that your post is a joke and will stop here.

if you're going to Beijing, Shanghai and Guilin you will definately NOT need to know any chinese. I visited these places sept 09 on my 30 day jaunt round China. I didn't know any Chinese and was travelling alone. You just have to make sure you do a bit of research. The most important thing is to find out directions to where ever it is you're staying from wherever you arrive from. These are usually available on websites like hostelworld, or alternatively just email the accomodation.

I think navigating round China used to be a major challenge but, since the Olympics especially, it's been made much easier for non-chinese speakers. Of course, this isn't the case everywhere but certainly where you're going i had no problem. I found everyone very friendly and helpful. The Beijing and Shanghai tube systems are really easy to use. I found getting round Beijing very easy. On the other hand, you should probably be prepared to get lost in China - i know i did - but i was never lost to the extent that i was worried. Just the odd wrong turn or perhaps i was looking for a museum and couldn't find it...in fact, i got lost in a park in Beijing for 45 minutes or so...

Guilin isn't anything special, despite the fact that all the Chinese i met raved about it. I would personally leave as soon as you arrive and head to Yangshuo. Yangshuo is a really good destination and, although it can be quite busy with tourists, you can easily escape them by renting bikes, going rock climbing etc

If you want any more info on my fairly recent experiences with Beijing and Guilin let me know and ill post my email address up or post yours and ill drop you a line

good luck