Southwest China in 2 weeks
Not everybody is gifted with the freedom of travel, and for most people taking more than a couple weeks off work may prove to be an unrealistic option. If you belong to this group of mere mortals who haven’t decided to make travel their lifestyle, but still want to enjoy the thrills of it on a smaller scale, this post will come very handy.
China is a very big country, and requires preparation in terms of travel time in order to experience its best. The Southwestern part of China especially presents some logistical problems because of the scarceness of its transportation options: most of the times, in fact, crowded and not so comfortable buses will be the only options left to shuttle you around famous routes with infamous road conditions. Flying can be an option, but still, besides getting expensive, it leaves the most off the beaten path places unreachable.
With a time shoestring, this is what could be done (in this way or in reverse) to fully enjoy the Chinese Southwest without missing too much, or getting too crazy:
Chengdu can be the starting or finishing point of a Southwestern China trip because it’s a good travel hub with Europe, South East Asia and beyond. Get in, see the panda breeding base, have a half day trip to Leshan to see the majestic Giant Buddha, and enjoy the old China atmosphere in Jie Street.
Kunming Fly or take a night train to the City of Everlasting Spring, and use it as a jump off point to explore Northern Yunnan and its famous sites. The city itself boosts magnificent temples, a beautiful central lake with park and all sorts of entertainment, without being too busy nor congested. Highly recommended.
Dali to me, the highlight of any Yunnanese trip. Part backpacker haunt, part market town, part jewel of exquisite architecture and cobbled streets, Dali is a place to linger, enjoy and savor. Bike around Erhai lake, hike up Chang Shan Mountain and enjoy the breath taking views over the valley, or just walk around the Old Town at sunset and snatch great pictures… great place for bargains and great souvenir shopping, as well… cheap as hell!
Lijiang a bit over hyped and extremely touristy, it is indeed an incredible destination to see a glimpse of (renovated) old China which is impossible to find anywhere else. If relaxation, nice cafés, cappuccinos, pizzas and Chinese tourists is what you are looking for, plan for a couple days stop here. The city itself is only the starting point for many activities, being the climb to Snow Dragon Mountain one of the most rewarding.
Tiger Leaping Gorge from Lijiang get to Qiaotou and complete this natural wonder of a trek along one of the world’s deepest gorges in a couple days, and then go back down south or proceed up north to Shangri La and its perennial snows, being the beginning of Kham and the Yunnanese Tibetan world. The Lamasery alone, a copy of the Potala palace, makes thinking of a trip to Tibet a totally unnecessary chore. Beware of the stinging cold, however!!
Guilin and Yangshuo get back to Kunming via Lijiang-Dali and get on an overnight sleeper train to Guilin, or just fly in. There is a more lengthy route into Guizhou province, but forget about that now since you won’t have enough time. Guilin and Yangshuo are undeniably two 0of the most packed, touristy and western money eating destination in China, but oh man, they are beautiful. Paddling along the countryside of Yangshuo looking at the weird karst formations jutting out of the paddy fields like fantasy fangs is to many the best Southwestern China experience. Whatever you desire (pizza, cappuccino, beer fish, souvenirs, relaxation, meeting other travelers etc.) is all here. But do not linger too long, because there is something more you have to see, just read on.
Macau I personally love Macau, this tiny little city-state, just across the Chinese border. Having been Portuguese for a long time, history and scenic spots are very abundant here, and it can be as well made as a half day trip on the way to Hong Kong. Turn your exit from China mainland into a glance of colonial Europe, stroll along the small lanes and cross the peninsula in an easy 50 minutes stroll. If you dare, Macau’s casinos are some of the best in the world, and might easily spice up an overnight stop on this tiny peninsula. Watch your wallet, tough!
Hong Kong The city of lights, the Big Apple of the East, the civilized dragon lying on the sea… Hong Kong has it all, from a bustling night life to thousands of ways to satisfy your shopping frenzy. Its citizens live fast and the city is one of the commercial centers of Asia, still retaining a beautiful natural atmosphere thanks to the many islands’ setting. Definitely spend at least a couple days, one to soak up the city atmosphere, and one to explore the outlying islands. Go to Lantau to see the big Buddha statue, or look for some secluded beach time in one of the New Territories’ islands shores.
The above destinations constitute a GREAT trip in Southwest China, which can be better overtaken starting from late February up to October, being some of the places in Northwest Yunnan quite cold during the winter months. You can start in Chengdu and end in Hong Kong or the opposite, but one thing is sure: you will not forget this trip for many years to come.
Tags: Adventure Travel, southwest China, Yangshuo, yunnan
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