Samir & Anu Travelogue

Samir & Anu’s China Travelogue details their 10-day trip from May 13-22, 2025, starting from Mumbai and covering Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, and Suzhou. It highlights modern infrastructure, cultural sites, and personal observations like clean streets and high-speed trains.

​The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle

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dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.

​The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.

Trip Overview

The journey began with a flight via Bangkok to Beijing, where they noted efficient but app-heavy systems and chaotic yet electric vehicle-dominated traffic. Key stops included the Forbidden City, Great Wall at Mutianyu (with steep climbs and panoramic views), Tiananmen Square, National Museum, and Temple of Heaven before a 304 km/h bullet train to Xi’an.​

Highlights by City

• Beijing: Praised for spotless cleanliness, no beggars, queue-cutting culture (like India), and golden rooftops at the Forbidden City; passports required for sites.​
• Xi’an: Terracotta Army (120 RMB entry, vast pits with detailed warriors), biking the city wall, and a high-tech Novotel stay after 1,100 km train ride.​
• Later Stops: Continued to Shanghai and Suzhou, emphasizing China’s poverty reduction and autocratic controls (banned apps like Google).​

Practical Insights

They walked extensively (up to 19 km/day), found tickets easy despite warnings, and appreciated English signboards amid limited spoken English. The blog contrasts China’s growth from 35 years ago, when its GDP per capita trailed India’s