Sivunigunta Family Trip

Enter password to view the itinerary

✈️ Sivunigunta Family Trip — March 2026

Satya · Carmen · Natalia  |  PHX → Seoul → Beijing → Shanghai → Guangzhou → HK → India → PHX

🏠 Pre-Trip Checklist

Loading…
🔒 Security Cameras
✓
Install 2 cameras — front of house
✓
Install driveway camera — next to backyard gate
✓
Change batteries — front door camera
✓
Install Blink camera — inside garage
✓
Install Blink camera — bedroom
✓
Install Blink camera — living room
✓
Install Blink camera — Natalia's room
✓
Install Blink camera — Carmen's office
🏦 Banking
✓
Open Mercury bank account — personal  mercury.com
✓
Open Mercury bank account — Smart Imports LLC  mercury.com
🧳 Travel Prep
✓
Pack CPAP — portable unit SATYA
✓
Pack CPAP — full unit SATYA
✓
Get GLP-1 medication — Dr. Lamb SATYA
✓
Get medication — GynoFit (Carmen's dietary regiment) CARMEN
🏠 Home Handoff
✓
Give extra keys to Vicki or Ritu's family
✓
Garage shuffle — fit all 3 cars inside before leaving
✓
Arrange for someone to water the plants
✓
Post on ACTS Facebook page
🎒 Packing & Prep
✓
Packing done SATYA
✓
Packing done CARMEN
✓
Packing done NATALIA
✓
Shop for innerwear at Dillard's CARMEN
✓
Get homework & study materials — soft copies organized NATALIA
📋 Admin & Finance
✓
Taxes — photograph & file documents
✓
Taxes — drop off to Panda Accounting
✓
Send Smart Imports LLC bank statements to Panda Accounting
Flight (booked)
Hotel (booked)
Transit / ground
⚠ NOT booked
TBD / open question
India leg
🗺 Recommendation
⚠️ Timing alert — Seoul Mar 8: Korean Air KE855 departs ICN at 11:10 AM. You must leave the Novotel by 8:00–8:30 AM (not noon checkout). Arrange early departure with the hotel now.
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
✈ PHX→SFO 8:05am
UA1372
✈ SFO→ICN 2:30pm
Air Premia YP112
5
🛬 Arrive Seoul ~7pm
🏨 Novotel Dongdaemun
Check-in
🗺 Light dinner + rest
6
🏨 Seoul
🗺 Gwangjang + DDP + Myeongdong
7
🏨 Seoul
🗺 Hongdae + COEX
8
⚠ Leave hotel by 8am!
✈ ICN→PEK 11:10am
Korean Air KE855 Biz
🏨 Grand Hyatt Beijing
Check-in
🗺 Wangfujing + skewers
9
🏨 Beijing
🛍 Sanlitun + 🎭 Red Theater 2:30pm
10
🏨 Beijing
🧱 Great Wall (Mutianyu) + DaDong
11
🏨 Beijing → checkout noon
🚄 High-speed train → Shanghai
🏨 Pudong Shangri-La
Check-in 2pm
🌆 Arrival + The Bund night
12
🏨 Shanghai
🗼 Shanghai Tower + Lujiazui
13
🏨 Shanghai
🏯 Yu Garden + Nanjing Road
14
🏨 Shanghai
🌿 French Concession + Tianzifang
15
🏨 Shanghai
🎭 Romance Park Show 2pm
16
🏨 Shanghai → checkout noon
✈ HO1869 → Guangzhou 3pm
⚠ Guangzhou hotel
NOT BOOKED
17
🥟 Dim Sum + Shamian + Chen Clan
🧵 Carmen: fabric market
18
🎢 Chimelong Paradise
📅 Decide: extend or leave?
19
🛍 Beijing Road + Pearl River
20
🚕 Guangzhou → HK (taxi)
✈ HKG→Chennai 9:20pm
Cathay CX641 PremEco
21
🛬 Arrive Chennai 12:35am
🏨 Chennai TBD
(1–2 nights)
22
📍 Chennai or
Tirupathi (TBD)
23
🙏 Tirupathi TBD
(VIP darshan?)
24
✈ → Guntur
🏠 Guntur family
(TBD)
25
🏠 Guntur
26
🏠 Guntur
27
🚗 → Hyderabad
⚠ Must arrive HYD by evening!
28
✈ HYD→HKG 1:55am
Cathay CX672 Biz
✈ HKG→LAX 12:35pm
Cathay CX884 Biz
✈ LAX→PHX 12:59pm
AA 7587
🏠 Home 2:34pm!
29
30
31

🗺️ Seoul Recommendations Mar 5–8 · tag: SEOUL-REC

Mar 5 · Thursday · Arrival Night
🛬 Arrive ~7 PM — Airport → Hotel → Rest
ALL Airport Limousine Bus — Route 6001 · ICN Terminal 2, B1 Floor, Stop 29 · Drops at Dongdaemun/Myeongdong area · ₩17,000 adults / ₩12,000 children (6–12) · Runs every 10–15 min, last bus 10:49 PM · airportlimousine.co.kr
ALL After check-in, short walk to Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) — Zaha Hadid's landmark is lit up at night, 5 min from hotel. Zero effort, impressive intro. Good for stretch after long flight.
SATYACARMEN Dinner: Sundubu jjigae or doenjang jjigae near the hotel. Small protein-forward portions — ideal first night after long-haul (GLP-1 + Carmen's dietary regiment). Avoid heavy or fried food.
ALL Early bed. Seoul is +17hrs from PHX — jet lag hits hardest on day 1.
SEOUL-REC
Mar 6 · Friday · Markets + Design + Beauty Day
🏮 Gwangjang Market → 🏛 DDP → Myeongdong
ALL Morning — Gwangjang Market (10 min walk from hotel): One of Seoul's oldest and most authentic markets. Not touristy — real locals shop here. Great for browsing and breakfast.
SATYACARMEN Gwangjang food: Bindaetteok (mung bean pancake — eat one, skip the second), mayak gimbap (tiny rice rolls, low calorie), yukhoe (beef tartare, high protein). Ideal small-portion market format for both dietary regiments.
ALL Afternoon — DDP (Dongdaemun Design Plaza): 5 min walk from hotel. Zaha Hadid's landmark building — futuristic architecture, free outdoor plazas, rotating exhibitions, design shops. Cheonggyecheon Stream walkway connects Gwangjang to DDP for a scenic stroll in between.
NATALIA DDP has K-culture pop-up shops and design galleries she'll enjoy — also a good photo spot. From DDP it's a short walk or subway to Myeongdong for the evening.
CARMEN Evening — Myeongdong: Olive Young (flagship), Innisfree, Etude House, Laneige, COSRX, Sulwhasoo all within 2 blocks. 30–50% cheaper than US. Go before 7 PM to beat peak Friday evening crowds.
NATALIA Myeongdong underground mall + street stalls — K-pop albums, character goods, anime accessories. Great evening wind-down after a full market + design day.
SATYA Dinner Myeongdong: Galbi or samgyeopsal — 2–3 pieces grilled meat with banchan. Skip or halve the rice. Works well for both dietary regiments.
SEOUL-REC
Mar 7 · Saturday · Anime + Gangnam Day
🎌 Hongdae → COEX Mall → Gangnam Dinner
NATALIA Hongdae (all morning): Seoul's anime/manga hub — Animeta store, multiple doujinshi shops, indie K-pop merch, manhwa bang (manga cafes). She could spend the full day here.
CARMEN Hongdae indie beauty boutiques — Korean brands not found in Myeongdong (Tamburins, Aestura, local indie labels).
ALL Afternoon — COEX Mall, Gangnam: Starfield Library (landmark atrium bookstore). Bandi & Luni's has dedicated manga/manhwa floors for Natalia.
SATYA Dinner Gangnam: Hanjeongsik (Korean multi-course set) — many small dishes, eat what you want, leave the rest. Best format for both dietary regiments in Korean cuisine. Or upscale galbi restaurants here.
SEOUL-REC
Mar 8 · Sunday · Airport Morning ⚠
✈ Leave Hotel 7:45 AM → ICN KE855 11:10 AM
ALL Settle hotel bill the night before (Mar 7 evening). Store bags at front desk if needed.
ALL AREX Express train: Seoul Station → ICN T2, ~43 min, ₩9,500/person. Leaves Seoul Station ~8:15 AM to arrive ICN by 9 AM.
SATYA Light hotel breakfast only — both Satya and Carmen should eat small before the flight. GLP-1 + altitude + food = uncomfortable. Eat small on the plane instead.
NATALIA ICN Duty Free has a large anime/character goods section airside — small buffer time for a quick browse after check-in.
SEOUL-REC
Dietary Cheat Sheet · Satya (GLP-1) & Carmen (dietary regiment)
🍽 What to Eat & Avoid in Seoul
✅ GO FOR
Sundubu / doenjang jjigae (soups)
Galbi, samgyeopsal (grilled meat — eat 2–3 pieces)
Banchan spread (many small dishes)
Bibimbap (eat ½ the rice)
Japchae (glass noodles, small portion)
Hanjeongsik multi-course set
Grilled fish
❌ AVOID
Full Korean fried chicken serving
Pajeon (oily scallion pancakes)
Bingsu (sugar bomb)
Large naengmyeon portions
Full rice bowl meals
Airport food before long-haul flight
SEOUL-REC

🏯 Beijing Recommendations Mar 8–11 · 3 nights · Grand Hyatt Beijing · tag: BEIJING-REC

Mar 8 · Sunday · Arrival Afternoon
✈ KE855 lands ~12:30 PM → Hotel → Wangfujing Evening
ALL Airport → Hotel: Take Beijing Capital Airport Express (Line ABC) from T2/T3 to Dongzhimen (~16 min, ¥25/person), then 15-min taxi to Grand Hyatt Beijing. Total ~50 min, ~¥100–120 for the taxi leg. Or take a Didi (Uber equivalent) straight from arrivals: ~¥120–150, 45–60 min depending on traffic.
ALL Grand Hyatt Beijing is on East Chang'an Avenue in the Wangfujing district — one of the best locations in the city. Wangfujing Pedestrian Street is a literal 5-min walk from the lobby.
ALL Evening — Wangfujing Snack Street (Donghuamen Night Market, 5 min walk): Beijing's famous street food strip. Lamb chuanr (skewers) everywhere — this is the protein move. Also: stinky tofu, scallion pancakes, candied fruit (tanghulu). Lively, safe, walkable.
SATYACARMEN Lamb chuanr = ideal street food for both dietary regiments. 4–6 skewers = solid protein, naturally portioned. Cumin-spiced, high satiety. Get these first before browsing other stalls. Skip: fried dough, sweet red bean buns, full noodle bowls.
NATALIA Tanghulu (candied hawthorn on a stick) — Instagram must. Also watch for character merch stalls scattered along Wangfujing pedestrian street.
ALL Sunday bonus — Panjiayuan Flea Market (optional, 3–5:30 PM): One of Asia's largest flea markets — vintage Mao posters, jade, calligraphy, retro tech, anime-adjacent merch, cheap prints. Only worth visiting on weekends (full capacity Sat–Sun; sparse or closed weekdays). From the airport you can swing by en route to the hotel: ask Didi driver to go to Panjiayuan first (~35 min from Capital Airport, then 25 min to Grand Hyatt). Open until 6 PM. Budget ¥200–500; negotiate to 30–40% of asking.
BEIJING-REC
Mar 9 · Monday · Shopping Morning + Red Theater Show
🛍 Sanlitun Morning → 🎭 Red Theater Acrobatics 2:30 PM
ALL 🎭 CONFIRMED — Red Theater Acrobatics Show · 2:30 PM · VIP Rows 7–9 · Booking #1658110774843699 · $344.52 paid · Leave hotel by 1:35 PM (35 min taxi, ~¥60). At box office: give name SIVUNIGUNTA/CARMEN + mobile number to collect printed tickets. Arrive 2:15 PM. Chinese and English bilingual. No late seating without missing portions.
ALL Morning — Sanlitun Taikoolie: Beijing's most international shopping district, 20 min taxi (~¥35). Village North has streetwear, Japanese-style indie boutiques, pop-up stores. Very different vibe from the rest of Beijing — relaxed, international, zero NPC-week atmosphere.
ALL After the show (~4:30–5 PM): Ghost Street (簋街/Guijie) is 15 min from Red Theater — Beijing's famous lantern-lit restaurant street. Mala chuanr skewers, hot pot, very lively. Easy and low-key dinner before a rest night ahead of the Great Wall tomorrow.
SATYACARMEN Ghost Street dietary: Order the chuanr platter (lamb, beef, mushroom, tofu skewers). At hot pot: broth-cooked items only (thinly sliced lamb, tofu, leafy greens). Skip fried add-ons and starchy sides. Eat slowly — mala stimulates appetite.
BEIJING-REC
Mar 10 · Tuesday · Great Wall (Mutianyu) + DaDong Dinner
🧱 Mutianyu Great Wall → (Optional Hutong) → DaDong Peking Duck
ALL Great Wall — Mutianyu Section: Leave hotel 7:30 AM. ✅ CONFIRMED — Klook Private Car · Booking CJY796029 · Voucher KLK4321912309 · Chinese driver +86-15010818864. Present voucher at pick-up. 70 km, ~1.5 hrs each way. ✅ Cable car QR codes pre-purchased (¥140 × 2) — show QR from Klook email at cable car gate. Toboggan ride down: pay ¥100/person cash on-site. Return from wall by 12:00. Back in city ~1:30 PM. mutianyugreatwall.com
NATALIA Toboggan ride down the Wall — non-negotiable. Metal luge track down the mountain, you control the speed. One of the most fun things you can do in China. Dress in layers — it's sunny and 10°C (50°F) tomorrow, but wind chill on exposed wall sections is real. Gloves + hat for the morning.
ALL Optional afternoon (if energy allows): Nanluoguxiang Hutong — 800m of indie boutiques, local snacks, courtyard cafés. 20 min taxi from hotel. Natalia: handmade pins, quirky stationery, vintage prints. Carmen: local skincare brands (Florasis, Proya) at a fraction of US prices. Or skip it and rest before the big dinner.
ALL Dinner — DaDong Roast Duck (Michelin-recognised): Signature lean-cut Peking duck, lower fat than traditional, stunning presentation. Tuanjiehu branch: +86 10 5169 0329. Nanxincang branch: +86 10 5169 0328. Walk-in or call ahead — Tuanjiehu is 15 min taxi from hotel. Expect ¥300–450/person. dadongchina.com
SATYACARMEN DaDong dietary strategy: 2–3 duck slices per person is satisfying. Minimal pancake, plum sauce sparingly. Also order: cucumber salad, tofu dish. Skip the sesame buns. Lean Peking duck works well for both dietary regiments — the crispy skin is high satiety in small amounts.
BEIJING-REC
Mar 11 · Wednesday · Checkout Day → Train to Shanghai
🚄 Checkout Noon → Beijing South Station → Pudong Shangri-La
ALL Settle hotel bill night before (Mar 10 evening). Store bags at Grand Hyatt bell desk on Mar 11 morning.
ALL Morning (9–11 AM): Final Wangfujing walk — pick up any last items from the pedestrian street or Beijing Apm mall (attached to Grand Hyatt). Last chance for street snacks.
ALL Train to Shanghai: High-speed G-train from Beijing South Station (南京南, Nanjing South is different — use 北京南, Beijing Nan). Fastest trains (G1/G3) take 4 hrs 30 min. Didi/taxi to Beijing South Station: ~45 min, ¥80–100. Book via 12306.cn or hotel concierge. Business class recommended for the 3 of you (~¥900–1100/person vs ~¥550 second class). Arrives Shanghai Hongqiao — taxi to Pudong Shangri-La ~60 min.
SATYACARMEN Train food options are poor. Pack a light hotel breakfast box (ask concierge night before) or eat at the station before boarding. Both dietary regiments do fine on trains — low appetite, just water and a small snack.
BEIJING-REC
Dietary Cheat Sheet · Satya (GLP-1) & Carmen (dietary regiment)
🍽 What to Eat & Avoid in Beijing
✅ GO FOR
Lamb chuanr skewers (4–6 = done)
Peking duck — 2–3 slices, minimal pancake
Hot pot: thinly sliced lamb/beef + tofu + greens in broth
Zhajiangmian (eat ¼ of the noodles, load on sauce)
Dumplings — 4–5 pieces, not a full tray
Tofu & vegetable skewers
Egg & tomato stir-fry (a classic, light)
❌ AVOID
Kung Pao Chicken (sugary sauce)
Sweet & sour anything
Full bowl of noodles / fried rice
Sesame buns & fried dough (Peking duck sides)
Candied tanghulu more than 1–2 sticks
Full mala hot pot (stimulates over-eating)
Baozi/mantou (steamed bun — pure carbs)
BEIJING-REC

🌆 Shanghai Recommendations Mar 11–16 · 5 nights · Pudong Shangri-La · tag: SHANGHAI-REC

Mar 11 · Wednesday · Arrival from Beijing
🚄 Train Arrives → Check-in → The Bund at Night
ALL 🚄 CONFIRMED — Beijing South → Shanghai Hongqiao · Booking #1658110774873518 · Departs 10:00 AM, arrives 2:35 PM · $959.23 paid. Leave Grand Hyatt by 8:45 AM — Beijing South station is 45–55 min by taxi (¥70–90). Check out at noon? Ask hotel to hold luggage until taxi is ready. Show e-ticket + passport at station security. Platform signs are bilingual.
ALL Train → hotel: From Hongqiao station take Metro Line 2 east direct to Lujiazui station (~35 min, ¥7). Pudong Shangri-La is a 3-min walk from the exit. Or take a taxi (~¥60, 25 min). Easy with luggage on either option.
ALL Evening — The Bund: 15-min walk from hotel or take the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel (¥55 round trip, novelty). Best after dark — the colonial buildings on the west bank are fully lit, and the Pudong towers are reflected in the river. The view from The Bund of Pudong (where you're staying) is the signature Shanghai shot.
SATYACARMEN Arrival dinner near hotel: Nadaman (in-hotel, Japanese) for easy high-protein meal, or Hai Di Lao hot pot (5-min walk, Lujiazui IFC branch) — thinly sliced lamb/beef in clear broth, load on tofu and greens, skip the noodle add-on.
SHANGHAI-REC
Mar 12 · Thursday · Pudong Skyline Day
🗼 Shanghai Tower (118F) → Lujiazui Walk → Huangpu Riverside
ALL Shanghai Tower observation deck: 632m, 2nd tallest building in the world. Floors 118–119. Book online in advance: ¥180/person. 10-min walk from hotel — you can see it from your room. ~90 min up top including the world's fastest elevator (20 seconds, 580m/min). Morning = clearest views.
NATALIA K11 MUSEA / IFC Mall (Lujiazui): 5-min walk from the towers. K11 MUSEA has rotating interactive art installations on multiple floors plus K-pop pop-up events. IFC bookstore floor carries manga and art books. Good 1-hour browse.
ALL Afternoon — Lujiazui free walk: The three towers (Shanghai Tower, SWFC "bottle opener," Jin Mao) form a triangle — walk the plazas between them, all free. Huangpu riverfront path runs from Lujiazui all the way back to the hotel.
SATYACARMEN Evening dinner: Lost Heaven (云南风味) on Yan'an East Road near The Bund — Yunnan cuisine: wild mushroom hot pot, baked cured Yunnan meats, steamed fish with herbal broth. Naturally high-protein, low-carb leaning. Reserve ahead.
SHANGHAI-REC
Mar 13 · Friday · Old Town + Nanjing Road
🏯 Yu Garden (early) → Yuyuan Bazaar → Nanjing Road
ALL Yu Garden — arrive 8:30am sharp: Classic Ming-dynasty Suzhou-style garden, 16th century. Ticket ¥40/person. Gets extremely packed after 10am — arriving at open is the only way to see it without crowds. ~1.5 hrs inside. Metro Line 10 to Yuyuan Garden station.
SATYACARMEN Yuyuan Bazaar food: Nanxiang Mantou Dian (south gate, established 1900) — original Shanghai xiaolongbao. 4 pieces max for Satya, assess for Carmen. Avoid the fried sesame balls and candied hawthorn stalls. Shengjianbao (pan-fried bun) 2 pieces is fine.
NATALIA Yuyuan Bazaar stalls: Chinese novelty goods, tea sets, jade trinkets, character snacks, hair accessories. Budget ¥200–300. The alleys behind the main tourist strip (Fuyou Road area) have cheaper finds and fewer crowds.
ALL Afternoon — Nanjing Road pedestrian street: 1.2km, very touristy but a box to tick. Department stores (Shimao, Raffles City). A tram runs the full length if feet are tired (~¥2). It dead-ends at The Bund — good spot for sunset before dinner.
CARMEN Sephora + Watsons flagship on Nanjing Road. Wuyou Road (one block off Nanjing) has Chinese domestic beauty brands not available in the US — worth a detour.
SHANGHAI-REC
Mar 14 · Saturday · French Concession + Tianzifang
🌿 Wukang Road → Tianzifang → Xintiandi Dinner
ALL Morning — Wukang Road (武康路): Shanghai's most photographed street. Tree-lined Art Deco boulevard from the French Concession era. Wukang Mansion (fan-shaped 1924 building at the main junction) is the hero shot. Walk south → Fuxing Road → Fuxing Park (free, locals doing tai chi, very peaceful). Metro Line 10 to Jiaotong University station.
NATALIA Tianzifang (田子坊) — 2–3 hours: Indie boutiques in a maze of brick alleyways near Taikang Lu. Handmade jewelry, anime-adjacent art prints, quirky stationery, character enamel pins, alternative/streetwear fashion, independent illustrators. More authentic and cheaper than tourist shops elsewhere. Budget ¥300–500. Metro Line 9 Dapuqiao station.
CARMEN Anfu Road and Changshu Road (within the French Concession) have small Chinese fashion concept stores worth browsing for design inspiration. Xintiandi Style mall nearby has contemporary Chinese fashion brands.
ALL Evening — Xintiandi: Renovated shikumen (stone-gate) block turned upscale dining district. Jesse Restaurant (本家上海菜) for elevated Shanghainese: smoked fish cold platter, 2–3 pieces braised pork belly (hong shao rou), stir-fried bamboo shoots. Reserve ahead. 15-min walk from Tianzifang.
SHANGHAI-REC
Mar 15 · Sunday · Shanghai Romance Park + Optional Disneyland
🎭 Shanghai Romance Park Show (2 PM, VIP) + 🎡 Disney Optional
ALL 🎭 CONFIRMED — Shanghai Romance Park Show · 2:00 PM · VIP Seats · Booking #1658110962150036 · Family (2A+1C) · $109.64 paid. Romance Park (上海浦江华侨城) is a large theme + performance complex in Minhang. The show runs ~90 min with acrobatics, dance, water effects. Arrive 1:30 PM. Show ends ~3:30 PM. Taxi from hotel ~40 min, ¥80–100.
ALL Shanghai Disneyland: Metro Line 11 from Lujiazui to Disneyland station, ~30 min. Tickets ¥499–749/person (weekend = higher tier pricing). Book online 1–2 weeks ahead — weekends sell out. The castle (Enchanted Storybook) is the largest in any Disney park globally. shanghaidisneyresort.com
NATALIA Must-do: TRON Lightcycle Power Run (headline coaster, unique to this park — use Lightning Lane, lines 90+ min otherwise). Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure (best version of this ride in the world — massive show scenes). Zootopia world (2023 expansion, very well done). Toy Story Hotel Land for character meets.
SATYACARMEN Park food: Smaller portions than US parks — naturally friendly to both dietary regiments. Grilled chicken skewers in Tomorrowland, dim sum at Wandering Moon Teahouse, barbecue at Adventureland. Skip the bubble waffle cones and Minnie/Mickey buns (pure sugar + dough).
ALL Alternate if Disneyland not preferred: Qibao Water Town (七宝古镇) — ancient water town 30 min by metro, free to walk, authentic old Shanghai canal atmosphere, good street food, far less touristy. Or use Mar 15 for a spa day at Shangri-La + last Shanghai shopping.
SHANGHAI-REC
Mar 16 · Monday · Checkout → Train to Guangzhou
🚄 Shanghai Hongqiao → Guangzhou South (~5.5 hrs)
ALL Checkout logistics: Settle bill night before (Mar 15 evening). Store bags at Shangri-La bell desk morning. Metro Line 2 west from Lujiazui to Hongqiao Railway Station (~35 min) — allow 30 min inside the station (it's enormous). Book bags/oversized storage at station if needed.
ALL Train timing: G-train (高铁) Shanghai Hongqiao → Guangzhou South. Recommended: G79 (departs 10:58am, arrives Guangzhou South ~4:30pm) or G97 (departs 9:00am, arrives ~2:30pm). Business class ¥1,100–1,300/person — lie-flat seats, power outlets. Book via Trip.com or 12306.cn.
SHANGHAI-REC
Dietary Cheat Sheet · Satya (GLP-1) & Carmen (dietary regiment)
🍽 What to Eat & Avoid in Shanghai
✅ GO FOR
Xiaolongbao — 4 pieces max (soup dumplings, protein-rich broth)
Shengjianbao (pan-fried bun) — 2 pieces, assess tolerance
Smoked fish (xun yu) cold platter — protein-dense Shanghainese classic
Braised pork belly (hong shao rou) — 2–3 pieces, no rice
Wonton soup — eat wontons, leave most noodles
Stir-fried river shrimp with scallion (葱油河虾)
Steamed fish with ginger/scallion — always available, always safe
❌ AVOID
Tangbao (oversized soup bun — pure dough)
Fried niangao (sticky rice cake — very high glycemic)
Full bowl of scallion noodles (cong you ban mian)
Lion's head meatball with full rice/noodle base
Red bean / sesame pastries from Yuyuan Bazaar stalls
Steamed glutinous rice in lotus leaf (nuomiji)
Drunken crab if raw (food safety risk for GLP-1 patients)
SHANGHAI-REC

🏙 Guangzhou Recommendations Mar 16–20 · 4 nights · Carmen's prototype work base · tag: GUANGZHOU-REC

Mar 16 · Monday · Fly Shanghai → Guangzhou
✈ Juneyao HO1869 → Guangzhou Baiyun T3 → Check-in → Rest Night
ALL ✈ CONFIRMED — Juneyao Airlines HO1869 · Business Class · Booking PHT05W (Satya+Carmen) · MDYH22 (Natalia) · E-ticket: 018-2060307738/39/40. Departs Shanghai Hongqiao T2 at 3:00 PM — arrive airport by 1:00 PM. Arrives Guangzhou Baiyun T3 at 5:30 PM. Checked baggage 30 kg/person. 30 kg generous — pack heavy from Shanghai.
ALL From Guangzhou Baiyun Airport T3: Metro Line 3 south to city center (Tianhe/Tiyu Xilu, ~45 min, ¥25). Or taxi to Tianhe ~45 min, ¥100–120. Airport is north of the city — Tianhe District (central, Metro Line 3) is the best base. Haizhu/Textile City area is 20 min south of Tianhe.
ALL Hotel options (see Open Items — unbooked): Guangzhou Marriott Hotel Tianhe (central, ~¥950/night) · Four Seasons Guangzhou (Zhujiang New Town, upscale) · Shangri-La Guangzhou (riverside, near Shamian Island, ~¥1,100/night) · Ask Grand Hyatt Beijing concierge for World of Hyatt cross-chain rates before departure.
ALL Arrival dinner: Guangzhou is the birthplace of Cantonese cuisine — any neighborhood congee house is excellent. Cantonese wonton noodle soup (eat wontons, leave half the noodles) = ideal light post-travel meal.
GUANGZHOU-REC
Mar 17 · Tuesday · Dim Sum + Shamian Island + Chen Clan
🥟 Guangzhou Restaurant → Shamian Island → Chen Clan Academy
CARMEN Carmen's work base — Guangzhou International Textile City (中大纺织城): China's largest fabric wholesale market in Haizhu District, near Zhongshan University South Gate. 200+ buildings across multiple blocks. Metro Line 8 to Wanshengwei station. Most vendors open 8am–5pm weekdays. Bring samples, specs, and photos.
ALL Breakfast: Guangzhou Restaurant (广州酒家): Wenchang Road, Liwan District. Opens 7am. The most famous dim sum institution in the city — real locals, not tourists. Order: har gow (shrimp), siu mai (pork/shrimp), cheung fun (rice noodle rolls), century egg & pork congee. ~¥80/person for a full spread.
SATYA Shamian Island (沙面岛): Former French and British colonial concession — 2km² island of European-style villas, banyan trees, and quiet cobblestone streets. Free to walk, no ticket. Perfect 1.5-hour stroll. Benches everywhere — bring a book. Near Liwan District.
SATYANATALIA Chen Clan Academy (陈家祠): Qing Dynasty (1894) ancestral hall — the finest example of Cantonese folk architecture anywhere. Intricate brick relief carvings, ceramic roof sculptures, stone and woodwork covering every surface. Ticket ¥10. Metro Line 8 Chenjiaci station. ~2 hours. Not to miss.
ALL Evening: Canton Tower (广州塔): 600m. LED light show runs daily at 8pm — free to watch from the riverside Flower City Square below. Observation deck (¥200+) optional. Pearl River riverside walk is free and beautiful at night.
GUANGZHOU-REC
Mar 18 · Wednesday · Natalia Day — Chimelong Paradise
🎢 Chimelong Paradise — Satya + Natalia Full Day
CARMEN Carmen: Full day at fabric market / factory visits in Panyu or Foshan. Best day for substantive prototype work — Satya and Natalia will be occupied all day.
SATYANATALIA Chimelong Paradise (长隆欢乐世界): One of Asia's top-ranked theme parks in Panyu (same area as Guangzhou South station). Metro Line 3 south to Hanxi Changlong station, then free shuttle bus (~5 min). Ticket ~¥320/person. Open 10am–8pm weekdays. chimelong.com
NATALIA Must-do rides: Jungle Trailblazer (10-inversion coaster, held a world record), Flying Tigers (inverted coaster), Speed (racing dual coaster), Terror Castle (dark haunted ride). Also: Chimelong International Circus evening show (~¥220 separate, 2-hour world-class acrobatics + animals) — book in advance if interested.
ALL Bonus — adjacent Chimelong Safari Park (长隆野生动物世界): Panda breeding center, white tigers, African savanna section, koalas. Opens 9am (before Paradise). Combo ticket available. Families with younger-age energy can do both in one day — Safari in the morning, Paradise after lunch.
GUANGZHOU-REC
Mar 19 · Thursday · Last Day + Pearl River Cruise
🛍 Beijing Road + Guangdong Museum + Pearl River Night Cruise
ALL Morning: Beijing Road (北京路步行街): Guangzhou's main pedestrian shopping strip — less touristy than Nanjing Road in Shanghai, better prices. At the main intersection: excavated Song and Ming dynasty road layers visible through a glass floor panel in the pavement (free, fascinating). Good for last-day trinkets and gifts.
SATYA Guangdong Provincial Museum (广东省博物馆): World-class provincial museum — Cantonese cultural history, maritime Silk Road by Sea exhibits, natural history wing. Free admission. Metro Line 5 Zhujiang New Town station. Opens 9am, closed Mondays. 1.5–2 hours.
ALL Evening: Pearl River Night Cruise (珠江游): Departs Tianzi Pier (天字码头) near Haizhu Square. Tickets ¥80–120/person, ~1 hour. Both riverbanks lit up — Canton Tower, the bridges, Haizhu Wetland. Book at pier same day or via Ctrip. Good final Guangzhou memory.
ALL Final dinner — roast goose: Pan Xi Restaurant (泮溪酒家) in Liwan or Yuecai Cantonese near Beijing Road. Guangzhou-style roast goose (different from Beijing duck — darker skin, richer drippings, plum sauce) is one of China's regional dishes that cannot be replicated outside the Pearl River Delta. 4–5 slices, skip the rice.
GUANGZHOU-REC
Dietary Cheat Sheet · Satya (GLP-1) & Carmen (dietary regiment)
🍽 What to Eat & Avoid in Guangzhou (Dim Sum Capital)
✅ GO FOR
Har gow (steamed shrimp dumplings) — 3–4 pieces, pure protein
Siu mai (pork + shrimp) — 3–4 pieces, no dipping sauce
Congee (jook) with century egg + pork — filling, protein-anchored
White-cut chicken (bai qie ji) — plain Cantonese style, minimal sauce
Roast goose — 4–5 slices, skip the rice underneath
Steamed fish with ginger + scallion — always a safe order
Cheung fun (rice noodle roll, shrimp or beef) — light, moderate portions
❌ AVOID
Char siu bao (BBQ pork steamed bun — pure carbs)
Egg tarts — high sugar
Lo mai gai (sticky rice in lotus leaf — very carb heavy)
Wu gok (deep-fried taro dumpling)
Cheung fun drowned in sweet soy sauce
Mango pudding + sweetened red bean soups (dessert dim sum)
Lo bak go / turnip cake fried — high glycemic index
GUANGZHOU-REC
💰 Confirmed Spend (Paid)
ItemConfirmationStatusAmount
PHX→SFO · United UA1372 AWFWW5 PAID (miles) 33,900 mi + $114
SFO→Seoul · Air Premia YP112 (Biz row 1) S8UBTG PAID $2,794
Seoul · Novotel Dongdaemun (3 nts) A5U6AC40616 PAID · Non-refund $983
Seoul→Beijing · Korean Air KE855 Biz A9RGKF PAID $953
Beijing · Grand Hyatt (3 nts, 2 adults + child) #62895765 NON-REFUNDABLE ~CNY 4,900 + tax
Shanghai · Pudong Shangri-La (5 nts, 2 rooms) 20125SG359683/84 PAY AT PROPERTY CNY 18,895
HKG→Chennai · Cathay CX641 Prem Economy EWFSER PAID · Free change HKD 14,993
HYD→HKG→LAX→PHX · Cathay Biz (return) A9CRGG PAID $7,910
Red Theater Acrobatics Show · Beijing (Mar 9, 2:30pm) · VIP x3 1658110774843699 PAID (Apple Pay) $344.52
Beijing South→Shanghai Hongqiao · High-speed train (Mar 11 10:00AM) · 2A + 1C 1658110774873518 PAID (Amex ****3007) $959.23
Great Wall Mutianyu · Private Car Charter (Mar 10 · Klook) CJY796029 PAID (Klook) $178.99
Mutianyu Great Wall · Round-trip Cable Car QR Tickets × 2 YPW2026…G477/G478 PAID ¥280 (~$38)
Shanghai Romance Park Show · VIP Family (Mar 15 2pm) · Booking #1658110962150036 1658110962150036 PAID $109.64
Shanghai→Guangzhou · Juneyao HO1869 Biz (Mar 16 3pm) · 2A+1C PHT05W / MDYH22 PAID $646.89
Total USD confirmed spend (approx) ~$16,079 USD
🎟 Tickets & Reservations — Buy Now
🎟 Mutianyu Great Wall — Cable Car + Toboggan (Mar 9)
3 people · Cable car round trip ¥140/person · Toboggan down ¥100/person · Book in advance to skip queues. Klook (bundled) or mutianyugreatwall.com · Send confirmation here to remove from list.
BUY NOW
🦆 DaDong Roast Duck — Reservation (Mar 10 dinner)
Table for 3 · Recommend Tuanjiehu or Nanxincang branch · Reserve 2–3 weeks ahead — fills fast. dadongchina.com or via Grand Hyatt concierge. Expect ¥300–450/person. Send confirmation here to remove from list.
BOOK NOW
🚄 Beijing South → Shanghai Train (Mar 11)
G-train, Beijing Nan → Shanghai Hongqiao, ~4.5 hrs · Business class recommended (¥900–1100/person) · Book via Trip.com or 12306.cn · Depart around 12:30–1 PM after checkout. Send confirmation here to remove from list.
BUY NOW
🎡 Shanghai Disneyland — Mar 15 (Saturday)
3 people · Weekend pricing ¥749/person (~$105) · Book 1–2 weeks ahead, weekends sell out · Lightning Lane pass recommended for TRON · shanghaidisneyresort.com · Send confirmation here to remove from list.
BUY NOW
🎢 Chimelong Paradise — Guangzhou (Mar 18)
2 people (Satya + Natalia) · ~¥320/person · Optional: add Safari Park combo · chimelong.com or via Klook · Evening Circus show ¥220/person if interested (book separately). Send confirmation here to remove from list.
BUY NOW
🔴 Open Items — Action Required
⚠ Guangzhou Hotel — Mar 16–20 (4 nights)
Nothing booked. Suggest: Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou or Four Points Sheraton near leather district.
NOT BOOKED
⚠ Shanghai → Guangzhou Train — Mar 16
High-speed G-train, Shanghai Hongqiao → Guangzhou South, ~5.5 hrs. Book on Trip.com now.
NOT BOOKED
? Guangzhou extension — Carmen stays / all stay?
Decision needed by Mar 18 once prototype work is assessed. If Carmen extends, change CX641 (free).
OPEN QUESTION
? Tirupathi VIP darshan — whole family or Satya alone?
Confirm TTD VIP quota. If secured → bring all 3. If not → Satya solo, Carmen + Natalia go to Guntur.
OPEN QUESTION
⚠ Chennai → Tirupathi → Guntur transport
No flights/trains booked. Book IndiGo/Air India Chennai→Tirupathi or Chennai→Vijayawada (closest to Guntur).
NOT BOOKED
⚠ India accommodations (Mar 21–27)
Chennai hotel (1–2 nts), Tirupathi if overnight, Guntur (family or hotel), Hyderabad night of Mar 27.
NOT BOOKED
⚠ Seoul departure timing — URGENT
KE855 departs ICN 11:10 AM on Mar 8. Must leave Novotel by 8:00–8:30 AM. Call hotel to arrange early departure.
ACTION NOW
Generated Feb 28, 2026 · Sivunigunta Family Trip · All times local