3 weeks in Hong-Kong, Guangzhou and Guilin
 

Hello dear travellers!

Me and my friend are planing to go to the southern parts of China in mid November and stay there for three weeks. We want to spend approximately 1,5 weeks in the bigger cities such as Hong-Kong, Macau and Guangzhou and spend approximately 1,5 weeks on a trip in the countryside surrounding Guilin with the final destination of Guilin.

First of all we are wondering if this seems doable given our period of time.
Secondly we would like to get feedback about these destinations and if there is anything special (sights, cities etc) in the vicinity that you'd recommend we see (or if there is any cities nearby that might be of more interest?)

Best regards
The happy travellers Joactor

Hong Kong, great, Macau, good. I haven't spent time in Guangzhou but I have in and around Guilin in Guangxi. Guilin is, I think, the prettiest city I've visited in China, all of which has been in the south and southwest. Most recently I was several weeks outside Yangshuo and here's a bit of that experience:

http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/potd-liriver

There's more on the same website under 'China'.

Guangzhou isn't particularly known as a visitor destination so I'd concentrate, in the first part, on HKG with a day trip to Macau. Don't neglect to see the islands. Then spend as much time as you care to devote to Guangxi which is about as beautiful as a landscape gets.

Guangzhou is no tourist mecca. In fact, I elect you'll find it rather boring. I'd spend a day or two there and move on (or skip it completely)

Macau has some interesting historic parts and has big biz gambling. Depending on your interests, you may want just a day trip or an overnight or you might choose to spend a longer time there to gamble - until the money runs out.

Hong Kong is quite an interesting city with lots to see and do.

If it were me - and it isn't, I'd spend maybe a week in Hong Kong (with an overnight to Macau), skip Guangzhou, and move farther south for most of my time.

I agree with Kathie. Guangzhou isn't very interesting, unless you have family there or are going to adopt a baby.

Guilin is beautiful. Avoid taking the typical tourist boat junket on the Li River, and have someone paddle you on a bamboo raft. It's a lot more interesting and you're not stuck eating questionable river fish. You can easily hire a driver and take a day trip to Yangshuo. I'm not sure what there is to do there if you spend the night, but the drive there is incredible.

From there, if you choose, you can do an overnight train to HK, or fly. After spending time in China, you'll be surprised how many people in Hong Kong speak English. The subway and bus systems make it very easy to get around by yourself.

Have a great time.

Understand that it will be cold at that time of the year in Yangshuo so make sure your hotel has proper heating.
There is no train from Guilin to HK. However there is one going to Shenzhen (11 hours). 1.5 weeks sounds like a lot of time around Guilin.

FYI, A-Ma Temple Mount, Fortress, Na Tcha Temple, Ruins of St. Paul's, Meixi arch, Lovers Road, Yuexiu Park, Canton TV Tower, Chen Clan Academy, Chimelong International Circus, Chimelong Water Park