Guilin or the 3 Gorges

I am trying to decide what to do to finish my trip to China. I have 5 nights left after visiting Beijing, Xian and Chengdu. I was thinking of going to Guilin and then thought that maybe a trip on the Yangtze would be a good idea also. If I had to choose, which one would you do? Or would you try to see both? Or do you have another fabulous idea?

Thanks, Arlene

Guilin or the 3 Gorges

We have decided to skip the cruise based on reading input here. You can do a search with key words like ';yangtze cruise'; and read peoples thoughts.

The impression we get is that the scenery is nice but not ';got to see';, especially compaired to Guilin. Mostly a relaxing time with ok things to see.

Guilin is spectacular. Yangshuo better!!

Guilin or the 3 Gorges

Guilin is without dispute the most scenic city in China. Hilltops pop up from nowhere like trees in the forest and they are shaped like buns, camels, fishes, saw-teeth, horses, etc. It is a city you must visit or you will miss those beautiful landscape there. Rivers flow around like green silk ribbons while the hills reveal themselves as jade hair-pins. Guilin embraces great landscapes like green hills, clear waters, pretty rocks and fantastic caves. You can do the biking, boat cruise, watch the night show as well as see the cormarant fishing. it is very nice place for who like enjoy the relaxed life and see the stuning landscape.

Fly to Guilin and immediately hop in a taxi to Yangshuo (Rmb350 from Guilin airport). Yangshuo is a beautiful little town about a 90 minute drive south of Guilin. It%26#39;s gorgeous, fun, cheap, the people are super friendly, and there%26#39;s enough English spoken so you can make do sans tour guide. I was there last week, took a day trip to XingPing, which is the spot on the back of the Rmb20 note - simply stunning!

Arlene

The Three Gorges cruises in my mind are the single most expensive thing that you can do in China and once you are aboard you are captive customers $$$$$.

To my way of thinking Yangshuo is a must see in China along with Mao%26#39;s Tomb, Summer Palace, The Great Wall the Terra cota Army maybe the Pandas at Chengdu.

Yangshuo offers a chance to look into the Chinese rural lifestyle the manner in which 65% of the population live, with close encounters with water buffalo and their handlers as you travel through a unique and picturesque countryside.

I could list the attractions but I am sure that you have read about them in any travel book but I can if you wish email you some pictures if you have any places of special interest. If I can assist you further or you want me to send some pictures please reply to my email address pwintle00@hotmail.com and please note the 00 are zeros

Lucky Aussie

Having been to both (Yangshuo in September, 3 Gorges in January) recently, I would definitely pick the former, but note make a beeline for Yangshuo as soon as you get to Guilin. Read http://www.yangers.com for detailed and up-to-date information about Yangshuo.

Alternatively, I would fly to Jiuzhaigou in between Xi%26#39;an and Chengdu. And perhaps try to see Luoyang%26#39;s Longmen Grottoes and Shaolin Temple between Beijing and Xi%26#39;an.