China- where are your favorite places?
 

I'm planning a trip to China and I'm in research mode. I'm curious to hear about your "Greatest Hits" of The Middle Kingdom. <BR> <BR>---Cheers!---- <BR>

China has lots of unique and interesting things to see. Among the not-to-be missed are the Great Wall (this can be seen at several locations; we visited at Badaling, outside of Beijing), and the Terra Cotta Warriors (outside of Xian). Geographically, the cruise down the Li River from Guilin, and the surrounding countryside, is beautiful (although I wan't too impressed with Guilin itself). The Stone Forest (outside of Kunming) was interesting, but in my opinion, not worth a side trip. The cruise down the Yangtze River was also beautiful, but could probably have been shortened from the 4 days it took, if limited only to the gorges. As for cities (I love cities!), Shanghai was my favorite. Hong Kong shouldn't be missed, simply because it's Hong Kong, and unique. Hangzhou is a beautiful, relaxing city - good place to unwind. Suchow (an hour from Shanhai by train), is also worth seeing. <BR>Don't be mislead by my comments; everything I saw in China was interesting. These are just some of my favorites.

A day floating down the Li River at Guilin marked the high spot of our 30-day trip through China. The unusual karst topography was just like all those ancient Chinese scroll paintings. Sure, it's a "tourist" thing to do -- but we were tourists and had a marvelous day. We, too, thought that the upriver trip on the Yangtze from Wuhan to Chongking was overlong. The first day and a half is spent chugging through dreary flat scenery; the gorges themselves were superb. But the day spent coming down the Chenong stream to join to main river on dugout canoes was not to be missed.

Has anyone else out there been to China? I'd like to hear more. <BR> <BR>Thanks. <BR>

If you like scenery, try Jiu Zhai Gou in Sichuan province. It's China's alpine country. It's beautiful. But you need to find out the weather condition before taking off. The area is covered by heavy snow for up to six month a year.

I've lived in Shanghai for the past year. Best city but don't spend along time here if you are simply a tourist. <BR> <BR>My best trip, and I've been on a few, was to yunnan province in the South west. And in particular tiger leaping gorge near Lijang ( its in the lonely planet ). Not to be missed. However I heard they might be putting a road thu. <BR> <BR>Can anyone confirm

I lived in China for 3 years in the late '80s and have definitely watched its "development." Hurry, before it changes too much!! When I took my husband to see my "second homeland" (and yes, I am a round-eyed "foreigner"), his favorite spots were: Yangshuo (where we stayed 2 nights, after taking a river cruise down the Li River from Guilin and took the bus back); the Great Wall (at Mutianyu (where they have the cable car and are still working on legnthening the improved sections on the wall) and went by private car; Terra Cotta Warriars in Xian. I am now going back to see the two areas that I did not get to go to: Tibet and Yunnan Provence (Kunming, Dali, Stone Forest...). One other very hot spot is Suchou (the "Venice of the East," absolutely gorgeous (or atleast when I was there in the very early '90s). Remember, China is NOT the US. What I mean is you may run into experiences that are frustrating, it is still developing (and sometimes you feel as though you have gone back in time, through a time warp or something). Be patient. Remember, you are a guest in their country and try to remember that you are on vacation. If you are a "Type A" personality, try to calm down, and smell the roses (metaphorically, not literally because you may have difficulty finding them...) Have fun! <BR>