Oops - I missed your later post. Sorry you're not going down the Li.

Cheers, Alan

Yes Alan, we are going to miss it. Some other time maybe! I'll check out hotels near the Bell Tower in Xi'An, it's the one place I don't have something booked yet.

The Bell Tower Hotel is right across from the Bell Tower and the Muslim area, one block from the airport bus drop-off, great bustling location, ok hotel, better than the Citadines Apartments in the alley around the corner. I heard there is a private apartment nearby run by a tour guide, think it's on T.A.

One suggestion for Jiuzhaigou - the Tibetan restaurant A Bu Lu Zi (link with address below) is really good. If you like beef, try the yak. Not many restaurants with personality in Jiuzhaigou...this is one of the few. I also stayed at the Sheraton and the Chinese restuarant in the hotel isn't bad either.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restau...y_Sichuan.html

Thanks so much! I'll definitely check this restaurant out.

I am hoping to get a trip report done soon, but we are back and had a great time! Interesting, fun trip :)

Can't wait to read it, welcome back.