EllenLM

I'm going to China in a few weeks on my own (third trip) and will be spending a week in Guilin. I have about 5 days unplanned after that and could use some recommendations as to where to go--Nanjing, Kunming, or other medium-sized cities are my primary interest, preferably with western-type hotels so I can use frequent guest points. Any recommendations for some place a middle-aged woman can go to appreciate the culture and environment, practice her (relatively lame but enthusiastic) Chinese, and retreat in the evenings? Many thanks.

thursdaysd

Well, Kunming is a nice enough town, but I really used it as a base for exploring the area. Heading south the towns are smaller and very untouristed - hardly any English, but I got by with a phrase book and sign language. Going north you can visit Dali and Lijiang. I would give Lijiang the edge over Dali - the mountains are wonderful. Nearer to Kunming you can make a day trip to the Stone Forest - very popular with Chinese tour groups, but you can easily walk a little and avoid them. The rock formations are quite remarkable. Info on my loop south at http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html.

Can't help with the hotel points - I stayed in the hotel side of the Camellia in Kunming, and I don't think there were any hotel point type hotels in the other towns I visited. Doesn't really matter, they aren't very expensive.

jadeleo

You are welcome to guilin where is reputed as the best landscape of china. li river cruise, rice terraces, Liu Sanjie Lightshow are must-visit.

tcpfq

I am in Nanjing City China. I am an english tour guide.I can do the guide service for you.If you come to China.just contact me.my mail address
is [email protected]

EllenLM

Thursdaysd:

Thanks for the advice regarding Kunming. I've decided to go there for a few days and use it as a base for exploring the surrounding areas. should be really enjoyable.

Cilla_Tey

Lijiang is my favourite spot in China. You may need to fly there though. Try to visit the Jiuxiang caves an hour out of Kunming. Most amazing cave complex I've ever visited. There are waterfalls inside the cave and cascading pools.