China Travel Forum

[Tina]

I' d like to hear your suggestions for my first trip to China in March/April, with the main focus on Yangshuo ,Lijiang. I can take 14 days off work, but could stretch it up with 2-3 days depending on my boss' mood.
1) Flying in/ out of HongKong or Beijing? I 'm aware of the distance Beijing-Yangshuo, but I'd love to see Beijing for its culture rather than HongKong (+/-3 days). Open-jaw tickets cost almost double of a regular ticket. Please advise on prices of domestic flights or other transportation, considering that I don't have too much time to figure out the train or bus tables.
2) I' ve read some bits about the main attractions in China and am wondering what to combine with Yangshuo,Lij iang+ that one big city (Beijing or HongKong). Xi'An doesn't sound much appealing to me. Do I have time to go Yunnan or Chengdu for example? I like nature and culture in a moderate amount (ie no museums or trekking tours). Being a girl, shopping is also always a good passtime.
3) A bit more about me: I 'm a single female traveller, Will I encounter any difficulties along the road? A silly thought but perhaps Chinese tend to be more helpful towards westerners. In other parts of SEA they were suspicious of an asian girl travelling on her own. How much is an average single room in a guesthouse? (basic, safe, no dorms)

4) What's the best way to meet up with other people? Guided tours (although too touristy)? If you don't spend much time in each place, I suppose it's not that easy.

[Henry]

For your holiday maybe you can thinking about getting in Beijing and out of Hongkong or doing the other way around.
You can visit Chengdu and Xi'an as well if you are travel by plane.
For a single femel to travel arround China that's no problem at now.I met many people and they have no problem.
The price for the guesthouse in the most big cities you can get for 50 yuan per dorm bed and you can get this price for a single or double beds in the small cities,for example you can get this price in Yangshuo,LijIiang. in the most places you can get your local guide if you don't want to lose your time,you can also have your own tour.
The good way for you to meet the other people that is from the guesterhouse or on your holiday and you will find very nice trip.