Final itinerary just about done for our trip to China, we have decided to visit Pingyao on the way to Xian, by catching the train. We were going to go to Lijiang but it sounds so over run with tourists and very touristy, we thought Pingyao may be another option would you say this is a good idea or are we missing out on a lot in not going to Lijiang. We are going to spend more time around Yangshou (near Guilin) for about a week instead. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I can't compare because I didn't visit Lijiang, but I did visit Pingyao and enjoyed it. It's definitely a place visited by many tourists, and it is geared in many ways to tourists, but it wasn't "overrun" by them (us!) when I was there.

Lijiang's popularity is because it's beautiful and charming IMO. Just because a place has a lot of tourists it doesn't mean that it's not worth going to. When I went we did everything independently and hired a guide and car for our own use. You can avoid the crowds if you have your own guide and car.

Yangshuo IMO is just as touristy as Lijiang.

Thanks for the info, now I am confused again, perhaps I should go to both places, I was just trying to not rush the holiday, we have five days in Beijing, overnight in Pingyao or maybe two nights,overnight train to Xian for 3 nights, then to Shanghai for 5 nights which will include a couple of trips outside of Shanghai and then 5 nights in Yangshuo to enjoy some countryside There are also travelling days to take into account,so now I have to decide do I fi in Lijiang, I know I will probably regret it if I don't go.

bb:
You may want consider hiring a guide with car (mostly for his car!)while in Gulin/Yangshuo to drive you into the terraced rice fields about three hours from Guilin. I would recommend our guide, Jade Leo, and his excellent drivers.
I had visited the Guilin/Yangshuo area in 1984, a decidedly different China then..so I have some 1984 pics at a time when Guilin and Yangshuo were much smaller than they have become....Yangshuo in particular.

Here are pics from Beijing, Xian, Guilin/Yangshuo/terraced fields, and Shangai..from '07 and '84. Please don't hesiatate to ask any direct questions. The '84 pics are scanned of course.
http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...naBeijing2007#

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...erAndVicinity#

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ChinaXian2007#

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Shanghai200702#

stu tower

bb:

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ChinaPix1984#

http://picasaweb.google.com/stuartto...46186358061250 (1984)

just click on the pics and they will enlarge...

stu

it depends what style you like,Pingyao more history,Lijiang is more nature scenery.

If at all possible, do both! You won't regret it. Lijiang is definitely touristy (Chinese tourists) but the scenery and culture shine. You could spend 1 -2 days exploring the town, then spend another day north of town at Dragon's Pool Park and a great museum of the Dong culture.

Pingyao can be seen in a day and a half (or 2 days). There are some great museums and just wandering the old city streets and the wall is amazing.

To do Yangshou justice, you will need 3 - 4 days. Again it a touristy town but there are some amazing outdoor experiences to be had (rafting, hiking, cycling).

Can you take a few days of the Shanghai portion? You could fly from Xian via Kunming to Lijiang, then after fly to Guilin/Yangshuo (also via Kunming). Then head to Shanghai for the last few days of your trip.

If you are interested, click on my name to see a detailed 4-week trip report of our time in these places.

Have a wonderful trip!