Traveling around China

Is China best seen with a tour group or is it just as easy to go it on your own?

Also, if you only had 2 weeks in China, what would you not miss?

wow that sounds great! Did you take pictures?

We were in a group of 6 and had a guide for each province we went to. It was great for us- I haven't the nerve to drive in any of the cities we visited. My favorite place was probably Suzhou- a very friendly city with incomparable gardens- espeically the Lion's Grove Garden. I think Beijing is compulsory (Forbidden CIty, Great Wall and especiailly the Summer Palace) I also really loved Yunan Province (the cities of Kunming and Dali) Check out the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Lijaing and Tiger Leaping Gorge for sheer splendor. Astounding shopping everywhere, if you like to haggle, but the how on that should be a separate post.

The people were friendly and helpful everywhere we went- it sounds a bit corny but the kids were my real favorite- astonished to see an American who looked as old as I do and was smiling all the time.

Are you thinking about going?

Cheers,

Mike

I took about 1200 photos (some may turn out to be pretty cool. Here are a couple I like so far:

I too just came back from China, but I was there for only about 12 days. Along with Shanghai, which I loved, and Beijing, which I found oppressive but also has many interesting sites, we visited Xi'an to see the Terra Cota warriors, Guilin, an interesting place and the gateway to Yangshuo, known for its beautiful karst mountains, as well as to Longsheng, home of the dragon spine terraced rice fields.

We also had a private guide and driver which made life easy for us. Getting around the big cities if you did not know Chinese would be very difficult otherwise despite some signs in English.

mbarbour, I hadn't really considered going to China but now you're making me want to check it out! Your trip sounds fantastic.

So my most important question: How was the food? I love Chinese food and I'm wondering about regional differences and how it compares to the food we get in the U.S.?

I have traveled in more rural areas outside the cities for work and It is quite rough out there. Not very safe for a person to go walking due to the poverty.

The cities are safe

The driving is trecherous as many intersections are free for alls (again , out of the city). There is alot of scenery yes, but i also witnessed alot of people struggling to get by.