faridabobat, saw your itinerary. Most of the places that you plan to visit were not visited by us, so I am really not in a position to offer suggestions. But there are plenty of China experts on this forum, who will undoubtedly give you good advice.

My only suggestion is : first buy a good guide book on China and do some serious background research. A lot of your questions will be answered there, and you will be able to narrow down the options better. Then read through the various Trip Reports posted here during the last year or so, which will impart even more knowledge. Once you have a fairly clear "doable" itinerary prepared, then start posting specific questions on this forum, and you will get more meaningful answers.

There is nothing wrong with what you have asked; I just feel that perhaps you have not researched China enough, before posting your questions. Fodorites tend to provide good answers when they feel that the questioner had invested a reasonable time in researching the topic independently. This is just my humble suggestion. Others may disagree.

i really enjoyed the entire report....how did you get all your purchases home---loaded up all those purses??

This was a fabulous report and certainly not too detailed. As Thurdaysd said, the more detail the better. Last year I would have said China was impossible to do on our own, but after reading this report and others, I am fully confident that one should go on their own. My only dilemma is where in China to go - visiting the highlights of China or concentrating on one region at a time. We will likely have 3-3 1/2 weeks to travel. Thanks again for this most helpful and interesting report.

By the way, in your opinion, which guide books did you find most helpful?

rhkkmk, dgunbug, thanks for the appreciation.

We always use the Lonely Planet guidebook, as they are easily available in India, and we are used to its format. I know people in the US prefer Rick Steve or others which are available. For hotel bookings, we always use tripadvisor.com .

Getting back to you on the "Titanic" pose, the movie was super popular in China, and Leo (pronounced Li Oh in chinese) became an instant heartthrob to old and young alike, guys all want to copy him.

We have just decided to visit China next year and started researching when I came across your wonderful report - congratulations. I think you should rename it "Indiancouples Bible of DIY China". So much great information, it really is a credit to you so thank you for spending your time to write this.

Now I have a question, I would love to see a beautiful garden/park so if you had to choose between Suzhou and Hangzhou which would it be? I am hoping we can spend a day or two at Mt Huang (Yellow Mountain)so we may only have time to visit one of these parks.

Thank you

Shanghainese, thanks for solving the Titanic mystery !

Maudie, thanks for your appreciation. Hangzhou in my opinion is a much more beautiful place to visit than Suzhou, but it is not exactly a garden city like Suzhou is. So if a garden is what you are looking for, then Suzhou is definitely the place to go. There are a large number of excellent gardens to choose from; we managed to cover the "Humble Administrator's Garden" and the "Master of the Nets Garden". I understand that the "Garden to Linger In" is also great.

Hangzhou has a beautiful lake, the Lingyin Temple, and various other interesting places around the West Lake (like the various causeways, the Solitary Hill, some pagodas etc); all in all a very attractive city, that we could not do justice to in a day. So it all depends on what your preferences are, when selecting between Hangzhou and Suzhou.

Excellent report!! An instant classic!

When you have a moment, can you answer my question (June 1) about the marriage market in People's Park? (Are the prospective mates on hand? Is this a daily thing, or weekends only? )

Many thanks!

Never mind! You already answered my question, right after I asked!

I just want to say again how much pleasure I am having from reading this report and how helpful it is for me, too, in planning my next China trip!

Where are you off to next?

Glad you found the reply ekscrunchy; I also remembered answering it.

Where to next ? Yet to decide, but probably New Zealand in late October.

Thanks again for a really wonderful report!

Thanks so much for your insight - I think we might just have to make time for both!

zverybestfamily, are you from India ? (as you once mentioned "Dhanyavaad" in your post, that too in Indian script).

Maudie, you are most welcome. Nothing is more rewarding than when someone finds one's TR useful in their tour planning - it makes the whole process of writing the TR so worthwhile.

No, I am just a nice girl from New York, but we do love Indian food! We love going to ethnic restaurants and we always try to learn how to say thank you in the particular language, so I just googled Pune, India to see how you would say thank you. I hope it was right, when you didn't say anything I got nervous that I may have said something inappropriate.

That was very nice of you. No, there was nothing inappropriate about what you said. It was a very proper "thankyou" in Hindi language.

Dear Indian Couple,

Your trips are amazing and you are a very good story-teller, which keeps people wanting to read more.
We are an Indian couple, Architects from Mumbai 43 & DW 42 yrs.
Just realised that we have some things in common. i.e I am a vegetarian, love photography, independent travel and Fodors.

We are palnning a Spain, Portugal and Italy ( Amalfi, Cinique Terre and Como) for our 20th wedding anniversary.
Your tips on veg. food are invaluable. Thanks a million.
I have travelled to almost all the countries in Europe( except Spain, portugal and Balkan) with the help of of Fodorites but could never write a Trip report. May be after thsi trip, is what I keep telling myself.
We are planning a trip to Turkey and Russia next year or later. Would love to travel with you some time, may be to Newzealand. Thanks again.

Thanks Paragkash. Why don't we meet up sometime and discuss this interesting idea ? Please give me a call on 98220-15562, and lets take this further.

i am not indian and i am not vegetarian, but i would love to come along too...any chance?

bob

Ditto - I want in on the trip! By the way Paragkash - We did Turkey last year and it was very interesting. Don't be afraid to do it on your own and if you are not afraid of driving winding mountain roads, it is quite manageable. June