3 Weeks in China in May - Recommendations? :)

3 Weeks in China in May - Recommendations? :)
Mar 13, 2008 09:25
guestFiveManArmy	Hi all, We have a 3 week trip to China planned for May. The only thing set in stone is that we fly to Shanghai, meet up with some friends for a few days, & then catch a train to Beijing, where we will spend a few days, visit the great wall etc. From there we will catch a flight, probably to the south, maybe to Guilin, where we would stay at Yangshuo. What activities, sites etc would you guys recommend in this area? Or any other area for that matter. I'm tempted to go up to the Rice Terraces and stay at Ping'an for a few days. Is this recommended? If time permits I would also be tempted to visit either the Yunnan province (Lijang, Dali, stone forest) or maybe Hainan island. Is there any must see places I'm missing? Or hidden gems around these areas that I'd hate to miss? Many thanks in advance!! :)

Mar 13, 2008 09:25

guestFiveManArmy

Hi all,

We have a 3 week trip to China planned for May. The only thing set in stone is that we fly to Shanghai, meet up with some friends for a few days, & then catch a train to Beijing, where we will spend a few days, visit the great wall etc. From there we will catch a flight, probably to the south, maybe to Guilin, where we would stay at Yangshuo.

What activities, sites etc would you guys recommend in this area? Or any other area for that matter. I'm tempted to go up to the Rice Terraces and stay at Ping'an for a few days. Is this recommended?

If time permits I would also be tempted to visit either the Yunnan province (Lijang, Dali, stone forest) or maybe Hainan island. Is there any must see places I'm missing? Or hidden gems around these areas that I'd hate to miss?

Many thanks in advance!! :)

Mar 13, 2008 19:52

LEMONCACTUS
Points:
Join Date: Dec 8, 2005
Status: Offline

Hi

Whilst some people seem to feel Yangshuo is over-commercialised, I think it's a great place.

I can offer you some suggestions for enjoying your stay there:

1. Hire a bicycle. It's super cheap, usually around 20RMB for a whole day and there's tonnes to explore. Check out the Yulong River (see my review here for what to expect: http://community.travelchinaguide.com/review2.asp?i=971&keyword=
It's great fun, cycling and rafting and the scenery is amazing.

2. Absolutely do a boat trip on the Lijiang. there are many available and you might not get as llucky as I did, taking my chances with a hawker (see my review here: http://community.travelchinaguide.com/review2.asp?i=970&keyword=)

3. Moon Hill. It's up to you if you want to climb Moon Hill, or just take a picture. There's also many small villages to explore, such as Fuli (see my review here: http://community.travelchinaguide.com/review2.asp?i=972&keyword=)

If you're fit and healthy and like the outdoors, it's a great place to just head of cycling every day.

There are loads of tips and other reviews on this website about Yangshuo too.

Many of the members here have been there so I'm sure you'll get some more suggestions.

Have a great trip, LC

Mar 13, 2008 21:31

BARONTWANGLE
Points:
Join Date: Nov 7, 2007
Status: Offline

I agree with the above post except that If you pay more than 10 yuan for a bicycle in Yangshuo, you've been ripped off. You can get them for 5 if you bargain hard. I would also take the bus to Xingping and stay there for the night. There are only a few hotels, but they never seem to be busy, so no need to book. Usually you can get a room for 50 yuan. The reason to stay there overnight is to climb the mountain (sorry can't remember the name) with the pagoda on top, and be there for sunrise. It only takes about 30 minutes to climb, and offers the best views I have seen of the Guilin area. You used to be able to climb up the tv tower mountain in Yangshuo, but they've stopped people doing that now (although in a typical Chinese fashion, they'll wait until you have climbed almost all the way to the top before telling you it's closed!).

Also worth a visit is the town of Daxu. However, this is only accessible by bus from Guilin, not from Yangshuo. You only need a couple of hours there, but it is a good ancient town.

Mar 14, 2008 10:31

JABAROOTOO
Points:
Join Date: Jul 4, 2005
Status: Offline

Y5 is all you should pay for a bike. We didn't even need to bargain for that price.

Definately ride out to the Yulong River and raft back down. We also went prepared to swim and it was a pleasant relief from the summer heat.

If you are thinking of going up to the Long Sheng rice terraces, consider going a little further to
Sanjiang where you can visit some of the small dong villages with their covered bridges, water wheels and hand made fabrics in the surrounding districts. Nothing much in Sanjiang itself and there are cheap places to stay around the bus station. Hire a minivan for half day should cost less than Y200

Read my travel reviews on Guizhou for more information.

Mar 17, 2008 16:15	#4
RWCOX123 Points: Join Date: Mar 9, 2008 Status: Offline	Things we did (April 2007) that I really liked: - Lungang caves near Datong - Great Wall hike Jinshanling to Simitai - climb Tai Shan, Daoist holy mountain (7000+ steps!) If these interest you, PM me or check out www.coxklosek.com for pictures and e-mail

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