Thailand and China

China is a big country. Both of our trips were May trips and weather comfortable. Friends/family did October trips with no complaints about weather. Given that you are constrained, research climate paying attention to humidity. We enjoyed Guilin this past May in spite of the rain, but have friends who suffered Guilin heat and humidity in August.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/climate/guilin.htm

Introduction to Guilin Climate The city has a sub-tropical monsoon
climate, with enough rain and sunshine but little snow. The year-round
average temperature is around 19 C (66 F). To some extent, we can say
that it is a good time to visit the city at any season. Comfortable
footwear suitable for walking is a must all year round.

Summer Summer from late April to mid-August is a rainy season
especially in May and June. The rainfall in summer reaches up to 1,000
mm, making up over 50% of the total rainfall per year. Always remember
to bring an umbrella with you if you go there at this time. However,
visiting there in rain and fog may make you feel as graceful as a
fairy. It would be a great pity if you haven't enjoyed the misty rain
of Li River during your Guilin travel. T-shirts with skirts, shorts or
slacks are the best choice for summer when the temperature can be
rather high. It would be wise to bring sun block with you, some
medicine to prevent heatstroke and insect repellant Local herbal tea
also helps travelers to become accustomed to the local weather and
water.

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/beijing/when-to-go.htm

Summer Sunny summerSummer months in this city (June to August) are
long and hot with plenty of rainfall. With the exception of the hilly
areas, the monthly average temperature is above 24C (75.2F). The
highest temperature on record is 43.5C (110.3F) which was in June,
1961. Summer is also a rainy season. About 70% of the city's rainfall happens in summer. Heavy rainstorms are common throughout the summer,
and may occur on sunny afternoons without warning. Heavy rain may
block traffic. Summer resorts are a great way to escape the summer
heat.

Mountain Resort of Chengde is the most well-known resort in China. It
was built for the royal families to spend the hot summer months in
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Miyun Reservoir, also known as the Bridge
Pearl of Yanshan Mountain, is the largest reservoir in Northern China.
Ling Mountain is the No.1 Peak in this city with an elevation of 2,303
meters (7,556 feet). Plants here vary greatly with elevation. A Tibet
Festival is held in July and August each year. Black Dragon Pond in
Miyun County enjoys an average temperature 3C – 5C (37.4F– 41F) lowers
than that in city center. Clear fountains runs along the hilly alley
from the pond on the top of the hill. Refreshing Valley is also in
Miyun County. There are 5 waterfalls and 13 ponds gathering in 4
kilometers' (2.5 miles) area.

Haven't experienced Thailand other than enjoying Thai food. But I've heard about monsoon season.
http://www.tourismthailand.org/Thailand/weather

Rainy Season (July - October) The rainy season lasts from July to
October and is dominated by the southwest monsoon, during which time
rainfall in most of Thailand is at its heaviest. However, like the
“cool” season, the name “rainy season” is slightly misleading. While
it certainly does rain during this season it’s more likely to consist
of flash-flood afternoon downpours than a continual drizzle for days.
If you can bear the heat and humidity, the weather in Thailand is
typically sunny throughout the rainy season, but when the rain comes,
it’s fast and it’s furious.

I've been to both places and they are great, especially if you have plenty of time.
We spent 5 weeks in Thailand. The weather is very warm and humid and you are going to be there in the rainy season...I remember the day it started the summer we were there. We were kayaking down an estuary with a guide to visit some caves. In front of us there was suddenly a grey cloud that moved towards us...it started raining and really didn't stop very often the rest of the time we were in the country. Pretty amazing! It is so warm though that it just doesn't matter...wear cheap rubber flip-flops like the locals do and just keep going. The earlier you go in the summer, the less rain you'll have. Scroll down this section of the forum and look at my last post to the other person who asked about Thailand. Do your research and go in with your eyes open and you'll have an amazing experience with your kids! We took our son when he was about 8 and it was a fabulous experience.
China is amazing but you need to rely on public transportation and drivers since foreigners aren't allowed to drive there. The trains and very sleek and efficient and the airports are uber-modern. Beijing has an excellent metro system and lots of taxis as does Shanghai. In other towns and cities where the is no metro, use taxis in town and hire drivers to take you to any outlying areas you want to visit. It's easy to get a driver through your hotel. I loved China - only got to spend 16 days there so I want to go back and spend more time some day! You'll also need to get Chinese visas for each of you through their embassy - it doesn't take too long (a matter of weeks) but make sure to plan ahead so that you aren't scrambling at the last minute.

I spent 4 days in Beijing in January 2009 (low season), after they hosted the summer Olympics. I stayed in a 4-star hotel where the staff all spoke good English and I engaged a private guide for all 4 days of sightseeing. Virtually no one else I encountered spoke English. At the main tourists sights, the ticket sellers knew just enough English to sell tickets. There were almost no signs in English. There are brief descriptions/explanations in English at the sights and guide books are available in English, but I felt I learned and appreciated much more - and got to see more - with a guide. I haven't been to Shanghai but it's probably easier to visit on your own, given its history.

Chinese visa I arranged my flights through a travel agent and she took care of getting the visa for me. It did take some time. Do not get it too far in advance, though. It was good for a single entry within 90 days of the date of issue for up to a 30-day stay. If you want to see "some cities in China" you will have to use internal flights or trains.

You can visit Hong Kong/Macau without a Chinese visa, but if you want to enter "mainland" China from there, you'll need to have your visa before you arrive.

I loved Bangkok (2 visits) and found it very easy to manage on my own using only English. Taxis are not expensive and it's lovely to ride in one with the AC on full-blast between sights. Most drivers know English but I had my hotel write down my destinations in Thai just in case. On my second trip, I spent a week-plus in the north, in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. My visits were in February when it's fairly hot and humid, but rainless. The north had much less humidity, and cool evenings and mornings. I recommend a private guide with a car for Chiang Rai to see the area, visit the border and remote mountain villages.

If you're planning to visit the north or the south (beautiful beaches as well as some sights), use internal flights. They are cheap and fast. Trains are cheaper but slow and can be unreliable and uncomfortable.

I also flew from Bangkok round-trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia and spent 3 days seeing Angkor Wat temples with a private guide and driver.

Have you considered Vietnam?

China is a beautiful country and again a techno. hub. Without making a blunder I would say you should go for Thailand first and then to china. There you will found yourself with a new imaginary world.

There's so much to see and do, in both Thailand and China! These lists might help you pick some attractions/destinations: http://bit.ly/1I5TsV8 (Thailand), http://bit.ly/1G0Jjao (N China).

And here's a pretty good guide weather-wise: http://www.selectiveasia.com/thailand-holidays/weather/august

Went to Chengdu, Sichuan province, in October to visit family working there. Excellent trip. ALL policemen had POLICE written on the back of their shirt. Many signs and info were written in English. Many young people speak English. My sister and brother in law stayed at 4 store hotel with Translator available.Also restaurant attendant seemed to understand English. Everyone was very nice. Traveled by private driver, taxi, bus, subway, bullet train. All were good experiences. Local Bank of China was very helpful when exchanging money. Take lots of cash, I never could get credit cards to work. American food all over the place. Don't drink any water but bottled water. Wash all produce thoroughly before consumption. Take an appropriate mask just in case of heavy smog day. Take good translation book. Google and Facebook not available there. Yahoo worked, though. Be friendly, respectful, obey the law and you should have a great time! I wish I could have had better conversations with people; I was mostly limited to hello, I am a grandparent. LOL. They LOVE babies. I plan to go twice a year from the midwest of US.

My family has vacationed in Thailand and they loved it. Good value for money. Very nice beaches.