Hi there...
I have been planning my trip through China with my 7 year old daughter for a very long time now.

We will be in China from approximately July 12/08 - August 2/08 starting in Beijing and ending in Hong Kong.

Although I have cut out our Tibet portion for obvious reasons, we still plan to see as much as we can in our time there.

I would be interested in hearing opinions and tips from any other single parents who have done this type of trip, or parents of small children who have done an independent romp through China.

We are well travelled. I have travelled with my daughter since she was three months old, visiting many areas of the world where were were challenged by terrain and language. So I know we can do it, but I would love to hear from others who already have.

Thanks.

I just travelled through China with my daughter who is 15. I too am a single parent and found my daughter was most fascinated by Feng Huan Chen the Ancient Phoenix Town in far western HuNan Province. Lots of shopping and activities for the kids here.

I've worked in China for a while and I think it is both safe and cheap.. just don't try to buy anything from street vendors, specially try not to eat on street!! It's not Camden Town, you'll end up in WC for a looong time :)

I hope you have a very lovely trip to China!.

Thank you both very much for your replies. I guess I just wanted reassurance that it is and will be do-able!!

Fei's Nik - did you join a tour? Or were you able to navigate transportation ( overnight trains, etc.) on your own. That is what I am hoping to do. I would like to know if there are any areas that anyone would caution us as far as language barrier?? Like if an emergency happened, and we needed to communicate in english and couldn't?

Please advise if you are able.

Thanks you both again very much.

We did hire a tour company and a translator but it was an individual guide rather than a group thing. I can try to get the information if you desire it.

That would be fantastic... thanks very much!
I have contacted a LOT of companies and most of them are saying no because it is only one adult and one child, and others are limiting us because of her age (even though I have independently travelled the world including places like Africa with her). Others are just too expensive.

I'll take any info you can offer!
Thanks!

i've been to china just twice, in beijing and in shanghai. one advice i can give you is to ease in your vacation. start with a familiar city like beijing or shanghai. stay at a western-inspired hotel. shanghai is a quaint mix of the old and the new, but you can opt to stay in a western-style hotel like the pacific hotel where you can feel you are in china and at the same time you can feel comfortable and at home.