Answered by Ms.WANHU from Malaysia | Sep. 16, 2012 18:31
Google out where you want to go. for 12 days you can cover Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. You can find some affordable hotels that provide a room around USD50 per day both in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, while the same room condition may cost a little bit higher in Hong Kong. Still you can find a room around Kowloon such as at Chung King Mansion that offers from USD20 with sharing common bathroom. It is unnecessary to be on guided tour for the whole 12 days but rather you may appoint guide for certain days, while some days you may browse the areas at your leisure time. Once you are familiar with the place, you don't really need a guide.
Food you may choose, for stretched noodles and other simple food provided by some small food stalls/shops from USD10 per day that serve you ala carte, you may choose what kind of food you prefer. With group tour you don't have that choice. Through my experience, this kind of ground arrangement, the most you'll spend will be about USD2000 ex-Guangzhou, per person. With twin sharing, you will spend less on rooms.
It will be a good experience for you by travelling on a shoestring, arriving Guangzhou you can either take a subway (USD1.5) or express bus (USD3.5) to the city. You can stay in Guangzhou for a day, and depart for Hong Kong. You may leave your luggage at the receptionist or concierge or bring along with you if you're travelling light. The train from Guangzhou direct to Hong Kong will cost you around USD30. In Hong Kong usually I stay at Charterhouse, Wan Chai, around USD150 per day.
Wan