Travel and study Question

[Larry Language Lover]

I am going to study at Keats in Kunming,  but since the flight there stops in Beijing, I'd like to take advantage of this and study 1-2 weeks in Beijing.  What's the best way logistically to accomplish this?  I've never been to China.  Is your round-trip flight to and from China required to enter and leave from the same city?   Would it be better to just fly to Beijing, stay there,  then flight or train to Kunming or vice-versa?

[Lu]

On 5/21/2024 at 10:20 AM, Larry Language Lover said:

Is your round-trip flight to and from China required to enter and leave from the same city?

No, as far as I know you can enter and exit wherever you like. This kind of three-way plane ticket is usually more expensive, though.

 

On 5/21/2024 at 10:20 AM, Larry Language Lover said:

 Would it be better to just fly to Beijing, stay there, then flight or train to Kunming or vice-versa?

Perhaps someone has a ready-made answer, but I'm afraid this is usually the kind of thing you need to research yourself. Look up prices of plane tickets from your hometown to Beijing, from your hometown to Kunming, from Beijing to Kunming and vice versa, and train tickets from Beijing to Kunming and vice versa, and you should get a good idea.

 

My guess is that home-Beijing is cheaper and easier than home-Kunming, since Beijing has a larger airport with more international flights. Not sure whether flying or training to Kunming is cheaper. Flying is probably faster, but a train is more environmentally conscious and personally I find it more pleasant than flying.

[Larry Language Lover]

On 5/21/2024 at 11:26 AM, Lu said:

My guess is that home-Beijing is cheaper and easier than home-Kunming,

 

Today I was surprised to see Madrid-Beijing-Kunming round trip for $830.  

[Jan Finster]

You can enter and leave from different cities. 

Go to skyscanner.net or trip.com and test a few options. 

 

The train ride would be something like 11-13 hours. Not sure how enjoyable this is. I would fly. 

 

Personally, I would book a return ticket Madrid-Beijing and buy the ticket to Kunming separately. In China I often booked ticket a few days before the flight for fairly little money. My Chinese friends tell me Chinese typically do not ook weeks ahead. 

[cncorrect]

When you are in Beijing, don't miss visiting Beihai Park (北海公园). Despite its seemingly ordinary name, it is a genuine culture heritage site that you shouldn't overlook.

[Larry Language Lover]

On 5/21/2024 at 9:07 PM, Jan Finster said:

 

Personally, I would book a return ticket Madrid-Beijing and buy the ticket to Kunming separately

  

 

Sounds like good advice,  I think I´ll do it.

On 5/23/2024 at 5:07 AM, cncorrect said:

When you are in Beijing, don't miss visiting Beihai Park (北海公园).

 

Thanks!  I'll definitely visit there.