This is one and probably only trip to China/Cambodia. We, lucky us, have free roundtrip tickets, flying into Beijing, out of Hong Kong. Dates are set, so can't stay longer. We are a couple in our late 50s, I turn 60 while in China. Have traveled in Europe, lived in Mexico, hate tours, so doing this on our own. Too much info?Here's the plan, please comment, criticise, suggestay 1- fly into Beijing, take train to Datong, spend 2 nights there, then back to Beijing. Bus, plane, car? Day 3-7 in Beijing. Day 7-10 in Suzhou. Fly to Suzhou or fly to Shanghei and bus to Shuzhou. Which do you suggest?Day 10-Day13 go to Huangshan (yellow mountain) Should we go to Tunxi and stay there? What's best way to access mountain? Should we stay on mountain? If so, do we carry our belongs up? Unable thus far to get clear picture of situation there as far as leaving luggage somewhere, etcDay 13- 16 Guilin, Yangshuo area, Day16- fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Can you get there from here?How?Day16-21-Siam Reap, Day21 fly to H.K., 23-fly home. Possible? Changes? Something that's don't miss? Don't do? Thanks.

I'll let someone else comment on your China portion of the trip.

To get to Siem Reap, you'll need to fly to Hong Kong, then there are a number of ways to get to Siem Reap, most with a stop in VN (I was unable to find any non-stop flights from Hong Kong to Siem Reap). So this is likely to be a full day process if you can leave early enough, otherwise you may need to overnight somewhere. Another option is to fly through Bangkok. In any case it will be at least two plane changes to get from the Yangshou area to Siem Reap.

Chani Southern Airline has flights from Guangzhou to Siem Reap on sun, wed and thu. Guangzhou is a short flight (or alternatively bus or train) from Guilin your last stop in China.

Dragon Air flies between Phnom Penh and Hong Kong so you would have to get to PP. You can either fly there (1hr) or take a bus or taxi which will take 4-6 hrs depending on the mode of transportation but you will see the countryside.
PP is well wofrt a day to see the sights.

Thanks, Scotters and Kathie.
Do either of you, or anyone else, know if it is less expensive to wait and buy airline tickets in Cambodia? Also, should one wait to book hotels after arriving? Is the price for hotels negotiable?
Thanks, in advance, for any help you can give.

The airline tickets will be the same price whether you buy them on the web or in Cambodia. (It's not like China). I'd book your hotel ahead. Do you really want to spend your first day in Siem Reap having a taxi drive you from place to place? Take a look at some of the discount hotel sites like www.asiarooms.com