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Thread: My travel plans in China- comments welcome...

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[quote=APAULT,265744]I agree with Jabaroo, but don't take any brass monkeys** with you, it was cold cold in mid summer up in those mountains.  Why o why come at this time of year, so cold and short days?  Further north you can expect sub zero temperatures most of the time too.  Southg of the Yangtze I doubt that the budget hotels will have heating
(**There is an old English proverb:  "It's cold enough to freeze the b.lls off a brass monkey')

You are not trying to travel too fast which is good.  Hong Kong and Macau are quite a bit different from the Mainland - and the mainland train system does not apply there.  Hong Kong has good walking according to their TV.  I am not sure what you mean by hiking... but in the strict sense of the word, the mainland around HK/Macau is not hiking territory.

Why do you want to visit Shenzhen? It is totally modern.  Girls love it for the great shops.   Guangzhou is a little better.  Stay in the non-affiliated youth hostel (if that is what you mean by budget) on Shamian Island.  There is an IYHA affiliated one futher easyt close to the river but I haven't been there (ignore the one by the old/west/main railway station.

You can catch a night bus to Guilin from Tian He bus station but you will miss some good scenery. I couldn't find a day bus, but they do exist.  Most people spend be more time around Guilin and Yangshuo, though I don't like teh latter......and check out my thread questioning if there is enough water in the river for the standard river trip to Yangshuo.

The Hunan area with minorities is well worth a visit.  I suggest taking a bus from behind the Guilin bus station to Sanjiang...31Y for 4.5 hour trip along a twisting mountain road in the process of being sealed.  Should be no more than 3.5 hours when sealed.  Great journey just for the views.

Not far away is the famous Chenyang (covered) Bridge. At Sanjiang you should cross the river and turn right  where you will find grey minibuses (12 seater) who charge about 7Y..there is also a bus.  Do not pay to cross the bridge but cross the river a few hundred metres back - I was told the locals built the bridge but don't get the revnue. You can cross back for free....spend the money on 'souveniers' instead.  There are several budget accommodation places there.  Some serious hiking in this area if you are keen.[/quote]

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