Hi Everyone,
I am thinking about going to China for Christmas to visit a friend/Colleague who is living in Shanghai. The only problem is she just found out she really can't take any time off to travel around with me- they are barely letting her have Dec 25th and Jan 1st off, given that they aren't holidays in China.
So I still want to go, and I've traveled by myself plenty of times, but I have to admit I'm getting a bit sick of it and long for the perfect travel buddy. Also, I'm a little too old and past my point of comfort requirements to stay in hostels where I'll meet people. I think it's hotels and B&Bs only from here on out. So I am posting here to learn from experienced China travelers.

I want to go to Hong Kong first and then head over to Shanghai. From there I would travel around China for a week or so and see whatever people like to see when they go to China. (Only have 2 .5 weeks of vaca this time so staying longer is not an option).

Here's my questions:
1. Will I be lonely/a bit depressed- I'm not religious but I could see myself getting a tad homesick traveling alone around the holidays in a country where Christmas isn't celebrated
2. What would it be like, traveling around by myself without staying in all the hostels where you meet tons of people?
3. Any route suggestions? Things to see? I really haven't researched it much yet as I'm still debating the plane ticket.

Thanks!

I've spent xmas in Shanghai the last couple of years and it was a strange feeling at first having to work on xmas day but its just another thing to get used to whilst living here.

Its business as usual in China during xmas, the expats all in partying and get-together mood whilst the locals exploit it as another excuse for shopping. So dont expect any festive cheer unless u can hook up to an xmas expat party somewhere.

Travelling on your own in China is fine, the locals are generally very friendly and welcoming (anywhere outside of Shanghai anyway) and the cities/towns are very safe. Its probably best to aim for a B&B/hotel where the foreign tourists go (look at tripadvisor) to increase your chances of meeting fellow minded people, I think travelling on your own anywhere in the world will have its moments of loneliness, just need to be in the right frame of mind when doing it.

As for routes, if you're starting in Shanghai then go up to Beijing for 4-5days. There's alot to see and do there. Considering its winter, you might be interested to visit Haerbin which is famous for its ice festivals. Head over to Xian afterwards to see the terrocotta warriors. If you still have time fly down to Chengdu afterwards to see the pandas and head out to see some of the bamboo forests. There's still alot to cover in China but 2.5 weeks is not nearly enough. Bear in mind its winter so the northern places will be pretty cold too.

Hope this helps. Have fun!!

I lived in China for four Christmases. In Shenzhen there were plenty of Christmas decorations and shops playing Christmas carols (usually American versions). Whilst i don't particularly get in to it (I am not a Christian) we had a great Christmas dinner at a friends pizza place in Shenzhen for about 75 people. There are plenty of expats in Shanghai so there will be things going on. Look at www.shanghaiexpat.com.

It's been a while since I went to HK, but I remember that place goes all out for Christmas.

What do you like to see? Villages? Mountains? Big cities? Lots to see around Shanghai.

As for being lonely... I guess that's kind of inevitable when you're traveling, but you'll still meet lots of people. Outside of Shanghai and Hong Kong foreigners are still quite a novelty in China, and Chinese people are really curious and generally very open about talking to them, at least, if they can get by in English. You'll meet lots of local people outside of tourist areas...

I think it will be difficult to get lonely in a country of more than a billion people. I've had people all over China come up to me asking if they could talk with me so they can practice their English. Some stores in Shanghai do throw up some Christmas decorations and Hong Kong does have more for Christmas than China. If you really want to spend Christmas with folks who celebrate it search for one of the ex-pat websites for where ever you will be on Christmas and see what is going on.

Traveling around by yourself in China should be no problem with a few caveats. If you plan on traveling by train, you may find that the ticket vendors speak no English and the routes are all posted in Chinese only. Look for someone college age and they can probably help you out. Payments will be in cash only. If you travel by airplane, I would book in China as I have found the flights are generally less expensive. I've bought tours and plane tickets from travel agents in China and never had one who took credit cards, so be prepared. ATM's work well, but they limit you to I think 2000 RMB per day.

As for Shanghai, there are a good many things to see and a lot of inexpensive places to stay. Public transportation is good, so getting around is no problem. As for food, I have eaten from street vendors and local restaurants and never had a problem. From a vendor on the street you can get breakfast for $1 or less.

I have found is you can book tours in China much cheaper than you can outside of the country so you may want to book local tours once you are there. Staying in a Chinese hotel is much cheaper than staying in a hotel that caters to westerners. Most will have no one who speaks English, but you can get some one to write "a room with a bath" or use an electronic translator. In Chengdu I stayed in a local hotel for about $25 right next door the tourist hotel which charged $200.

I saw someone mentioned going to Beijing and Harbin, both are fine places to visit but cold, cold, cold. I was in Sanya which is on Hainan Island last November, which is tropical, much like Hawaii. I never saw another American the entire time I was there. The tourists are Russian and Chinese on company sponsored tours, but if you are looking for a warm, beach setting with some interesting things to see you might consider it. My flight from Sanya to Shanghai was via Shenzhen which is just a short bus ride away from Hong Kong so we stayed in Hong Kong for a few days as a side trip. Flights from Shenzhen are cheaper than flights through Hong Kong within China but not if you are traveling to China from another country. If you do this, make sure you apply for a multiple entry visa, it is the same price as a single entry visa.

Another warm place you might consider is visiting Yunnan. There is a lot to see, it is a part of China most Western tourists skip and you will not freeze in December. There are many different ethnic groups and the scenery is spectacular. It runs right up to the Burmese border so there is a lot of Burmese culture around which is quite different than what you will find in the northern parts of China.

Happy Traveling!

I just got back from China - I'd agree with the above poster, not many westerners at all, most of the tourists are chinese nationals. And in winter this will drop off even more. And pretty much no one speaks english at all anywhere- so be prepared, take some translations. But mainly you get by with signng and pointing especially for meals where menus have pictures.
Hongkong rocks and is a massive party place with loads of expats, everyone speaks english so you will be fine there. Also, Yangshou is a lovely beautiful place and pretty much the only place where we did bump into lots of westerners - its an overnight train journey from HK but I defo recommend it, it has lots of western style bars too. Xian - we met westerners in the hostel bar which is in the basement although we werent staying there - I think several of the hostels do have bars where you can drink even if your not staying there - worth looking up.
I didnt go to Shanghai so cant comment.

It is great if you want to go ShangHai for Xmas. There are a lot of places you can visit and the means of transportation here is good. But you don't go alone because this city is very crowded. Anyway, you should have a detail schedule. Have fun.