China Travel Tips

Reflections on Travel in China

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

LiJiang - My Favorite Town in China




As a 25 year business in doing Tours to China, many people ask me which area or city is my favorite. That is a tough question as China has a very wide variety of cultures and sites. However, I must admit that I love LiJiang in Yunnan province the most even though it is getting a bit touristy for most people. Old Town is a photographer's paradise with the Naxi people living here, streams flowing through the town and no cars are allowed inside the Old Town with its narrow streets. So much to see and experience. Shops galore, evening shows, markets, Mr. Mu's Mansion and restaurants of all kinds. One needs to get out into the country side as well with the many stone villages and historical places as well as the snow capped mountains which is a perfect place to visit during the summer months too at 8000 feet and cool mountain air.  Side trips can be done to the Leaping Tiger Gorge and Lugu Lake the home of the Moseo people.    Visit my web site at www.interlakechinatours.com for your customized tour to your special interests.

Longsheng Rice Terraces and Hotel




For those looking for a wonderful country experience, clean hotel and some wonderful hiking, nothing is better than Longsheng Rice Terraces outside of Guilin. It is a bit of a walk up hill to the hotel but well worth the effort. Just for the day or spend a couple days hiking the Dragon's Back across the top of the rice terraces. Great local food and convenient clean rooms with western facilities. Run by a family you will feel at home enjoying the local culture of the Zhrung and the Yeo people in their colorful everyday dress. The Yeo women only cut their hair once in their life time when they are 13 and are in the Guiness Book of Records for the people with the longest hair. I wrote about them earlier. Note our guide from Guilin who took us to this area. Local guides make your tour as they know all the wonderful places to take you that most tours do not even know about. For those looking for a private tour to your interests, let me plan a tour just for you. Our web site is www.interlakechinatours.com We only do Tours to China and Tibet and no other country. For the best in depth knowledge of China, contact us to plan your next tour to China.