China Travel Forum

[Roy]

I am not sure whether to spend some time around the south-west, which looks like a really beautiful place, or to try an cover more of the country.
I have heard mixed reports of Yangshuo and Lijiang.. I am looking for rural China, I am not really so interested in big cities and tourist attractions.
Also looking for advice from the seasoned travellers, as this is my first time.. should I be booking hostels for that last leg of my journey now... in which case I need to really plan my itinerary.. or is it practical to just turn up in a town and find accomodation.

[Simon]

Lijiang is beautiful. The prettiest town I've ever seen.
Yangshuo is a great place to chill out for a bit and forget you're in China. It can be a welcome breather from the industrial mega-cities and their pollution and ugly buildings. We stayed at the Fawlty Towers Hotel. If you go to Kunming and you're there go to Camellia Hotel. You'll have a chance to meet real, friendly Chinese and it will help you regain a little faith in the country.
We just arrived in Dali and it looks great so far. Just make sure you end up in Old Dali and not New Dali, or Xiaguan.
Don't worry about booking any places in advance. We haven't had any trouble finding a room any place we've gone yet.
I know I sound a bit jaded on China...and I am, but there have been some beautiful places and wonderful people. The trick is finding them among the rest of the place.