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March 2023
Spring is finally here! That means we have holidays in April, May, and June to look forward to…and you know I have some recommendations for your next getaway. Fortunately for many, April is a week-long break! Others (including myself), only have one day off. That’s okay because my May is a longer, 5-day, holiday and I have an exciting international destination planned.
If You Have A Long Holiday...
1. Zhangjiajie. Zhangjiajie should be on everyone’s must-see-in-China list! These unique mountain structures are unlike any other in the world. There’s everything from glass bridges to exhilarating canyon elevators and of course, the jaw-dropping Hallelujah mountains. This trip is not for the faint of heart, but it is 110% worth it.
2. Macau. Now that covid restrictions have been lifted for travel between mainland and Macau/Hong Kong, this is a great destination with tons of flight and accommodation options. It’s perfect for a spring holiday! My favorite things to do here are going to fancy restaurants, seeing live shows (hopefully the House of Dancing waters spectacular will reopen soon), shopping at the Canal Shoppes, gambling in one of the many casinos, and exploring parks.
3. Xiamen. This coastal city has so much to offer. Did you know there’s even an island (Gulangyu) you can reach via 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland? We booked a hotel on the island and genuinely felt like you were in Greece!
4. Yunnan Province. No matter if you travel to Dali, Shangri-la, Lijiang or any town in between – you’re sure to have a wonderful time that will heighten all of your senses. The ancient towns in each of these bigger cities were so quaint to wander around at night. If you’re up for an adventure of a lifetime, hike Tiger Leaping Gorge and be sure to stay a night at the top of the mountain.
5. Taimu Mountain. We went to Fujian province and the top things to do there are: seeing the sunset at Xiapu, wander around Dayushan Island (it reminded me of the perfect summer day in the English countryside), and lastly – hike up Taimu mountain. The last day before departing, we went bamboo rafting on the Nine Koi Fish river and hiked another scenic spot up the Cliff Glass trail after rafting. It’s about a 5-6 hour train journey from Shanghai, making it impossible for a weekend adventure, but if you have a week in the April holiday, it’s worth making the round trip!
If You Have A Short Holiday...
1. Shanghai Disney. If you have the annual pass, I’ve been looking at the calendar for April and May, and unfortunately all Saturdays in these months are booked full. However, if your April holiday falls on Wednesday, April 5th reservation slots are still available (as of this article’s post date)!
2. Staycation. There are *so many* accommodation options in Shanghai. My husband and I have stayed at a couple hotels, and a few of our favorites are:
a. The Puli for the lux feel, yet affordable price tag
b. Banyan Tree for the *insane* room with a pool in it
c. W Shanghai for view and insane brunch
d. IFC Residences for the location and pool amenities
3. Explore a park. Or another part of Shanghai you’ve had on your list. Recently, we went to Gucun Park to see the cherry blossoms. While a lot of the blossoms were gone already, the park itself was massive and could have easily spent a day wandering around.
4. Rest! Get a massage. Treat yourself to a facial. If you’re lucky and have an apartment with a tub – enjoy that bath. Read that book you’ve been meaning to start. Or indulge in extra sleep and knowing you don’t have to wake up to an alarm!
5. Indulge. What I love about Shanghai are the endless restaurant options. You have every type of cuisine here for every budget. Go for afternoon tea on the bund, bottomless brunch, or a nice dinner on your day off.
Happy traveling!
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