trip in May to Pingyao and Datong

I%26#39;m trying to organise a 5 day trip for my family ( 3 kids aged 12, 9 and 6))and in- laws ( in their 70%26#39;s) in May.

We were planning to go to Datong and Pingyao.

We%26#39;ve lived in China for 2 years and travelled a bit with the kids but I%26#39;m a bit worried for the grandparents.

Will they get very tired?

How long do we need to stay in each place?

And can you suggest any nice hotels?

Should we rent a mini-bus for the 4 days or take the train?

Thanks for your suggestions

trip in May to Pingyao and Datong

Are you talking about the 1st week of May, or otherwise?

trip in May to Pingyao and Datong

Yes it%26#39;s the first week of may cause kids and husband are off school and work. I was thinking just going on the 2nd of May after the rush, unless I go before. Bur I can%26#39;t make it another week because I live in China!

Bad idea, actually. :(

Going before would be preferable to going after.

Taking the train won%26#39;t really be a good option.

Why do you think it%26#39;s a bad idea? Because it%26#39;s the holidays? Because it%26#39;s crowded? What would you suggest?

I%26#39;m trying to contact agencies to get me a mini-bus , I think it might be easier.

Bad idea because it%26#39;s the holidays and thus it would be very crowded and most probably more expensive than travelling in another time period.

Also, sand/duststorms are also a problem in much of northern China during this time.

thanks Ellyse for your info. I didn%26#39;t realise that there were dust storms at that time. I already went through that in Beijing last year and it was very disappointing visiting the Forbidden city covered in yellow sand.

I%26#39;ve just received a quote from an agent and it%26#39;s double the price I estimated it if I had done on my own.

So I might have to look for another idea, but still during that week.

We%26#39;ve already been , to Guilin, Suzhou, Hanzhou, Beijing, Xi%26#39;an and Gansu province.

Where could we go that would be less touristy just for 4 days in China?

oh and I forgot Yunnan that we visited in october!

Do you all speak any Chinese?

What are your sightseeing preferences and interests?

Oh and also, what%26#39;s your budget like?

I presume you have to start from Shanghai, and come back here as well?