Hong Kong Overview
Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China, and as such, it is a world apart. More similar to New York than to Beijing or Shanghai, Hong Kong has been under British rule for a century and although being totally Asian, it still has a lot of traces of its colonial past. Laid out across a system of islands and bridges, Hong Kong is a fast-paced place with something for everyone.

Airport information
Hong Kong International Airport lies to the west of the city center, on the island of Chek Lap Kok, in the Lantau area of Hong Kong. It is one of the busiest airports in the world and literally has connecting flights to everywhere, from Europe to North America and other parts of Asia. Cheap flights operated by Air Asia, Tiger etc. connect Hong Kong with Southeast Asia and onwards with Australia. From here, you can literally go everywhere you want

Getting into town
By Bus: The cheap way is to take bus E11: just go out of the arrivals terminal and turn right, the bus should be waiting for passengers there, and generally runs from 7 am to 7 pm. The cost for a ride into town is 40 HK$, and the trip takes around an hour. You may get off around Canal Road to be able to walk to the sea front at Wanchai, and be literally in the centre of the city.

By Taxi: you won’t have a problem finding one, but this is probably the most expensive option and fares may vary on agreement or on your final destination.

By Train: a monorail Airport station is connected with a dedicated line, the Airport Express.  It takes around 25 minutes to reach the airport this way, and the fare is quite reasonable for such a hi-speed transfer, taking you directly to Hong Kong station on Hong Kong Island.

24 hours Smart Stopover
Essentially, people come to Hong Kong to shop, business or en route to other destinations. Although an interesting and vibrant city, if your main interest is visiting historical or cultural sites, you won’t spend too long in Hong Kong. With 24 hours on your hands, a must is a walk at the Avenue of Stars, a promenade along the waterfront around the New World Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon. The Avenue of Stars is the Asian version of Los Angels’ Walk of Fame, collecting the hand and footprints of many of the starts of Chinese and Cantonese cinema, and a life-size bronze statue of martial arts legend Bruce Lee. Try to get there at sunset and witness the light show, a really amazing experience. From here, the city center with its multitude of shopping malls and electronic bargains is just behind the corner: walk on Nathan road if you feel like, and immerse yourself in the heart of Hong Kong, occasionally hopping on the train, and easily spend half of your day getting around at your pace, before going back to the airport.

Spicing it up on the Islands If you are not really into shopping, have a walk at the Avenue of Stars and then get on a train to Lantau. You can also cross the bay by ferry, but having a limited time, we recommend you get there fast with a regular train commute. The main attraction in Lantau is the Giant Buddha, a 32 meters high seated bronze Buddha, the second largest in the world. Visitors can reach the site by bus or taxi, travelling first to Mui Wo (also known as “Silvermine Bay”) via ferry from the Outlying Islands piers in Central (pier No. 6) or to Tung Chung station via the MTR. You can then travel to and from the Buddha via the bus routes number 2 and 23. Go visit the Buddha and the nearby Po Lin monastery, and then head back into town for some food, before you get back to the airport to catch your connecting flight.

Ah, do not forget to taste some of the delicious dim sum and Hong Kong noodle soups during one of the various “pit stops” along the way!!!

We have talked about Yunnan several times already, boosting its natural beauty and incredible scenery. Dali, one of the most visited but still authentic destinations, has definitely kept its charm, but has also changed a lot in recent years. Still perfect for relaxation and savoring most of those yummy backpackers’ comforts, Dali may disappoint a bit if you have come there to have a glimpse of real yunnanese life.

But fear not, because you will find it not too far away, on the flanks of Erhai lake: I am talking about Xi Zhou, and most particularly, the string of villages lining along the lake side. When I visited, I thought I had been brought back into a time when China was very diverse. The system of small cobbled lanes, traditional shops, people running their errands or zooming around on their bicycles, topped with the intensely beautiful landscape of the lake side, make a great getaway from the more developed and touristy scene of Dali Old Town.

If you want to get to Xi Zhou and the villages surrounding it, just get out of town on a bicycle or a motorbike if you have a Chinese driving licence starting from the main road leading to the Three Pagodas Temple complex. Be careful as the road here is heavily trafficked; just cross the main interstate and follow up on the left, until you see some small gravel roads going into the lakeside directions at your right hand side. Just take any of them, and pedal towards the lake until you will find another smaller road, partly paved, but mostly in good condition gravel, crisscrossing the countryside. The show of old, authentic yunannese traditional country life starts here. You will be equally mesmerized by the turquoise lake’s waters and its shores lined up with small trees and wooden fishing boats, and the series of curious farmers and locals who will show great surprise when seeing a foreigner venturing out on their lands. Abundant picture opportunities with friendly locals are guaranteed. In my experience, as I reached the center of a small village where the local market was being held, I became the center of attention, as the locals literally interrupted their activities to observe me for long minutes. Here it is the magic of China, once again!!

As you reach Xi Zhou itself, you will notice that the tourist development here is a bit more present, but not as much as in Dali. There is a chance to visit a cultural show with annexed tea ceremony, but besides, the charm of Xi Zhou lies in taking a relaxing stroll along its cobbled streets, losing yourself along its small lanes, and visiting some very well preserved old Chinese town architecture. Xi Zhou is a center of Bai minority, and this culture is prominent everywhere, from the handicrafts to the buildings, to the way the women dress in those beautiful and colored dresses, topped by a circular and colorful hat. Just take your time, enjoy the street life and breathe a more relaxed version of the central Yunnanese tourist trail without getting too much out of the beaten path, but definitely completing a very interesting and adventurous bicycle trip, which eventually may continue and lead you to circle Erhai lake with one overnight stop along its beautiful shores.

How to Get There: Besides the bicycle trip we described above, it is possible, but less adventurous, to reach Xi Zhou by local bus departing from Xiaguan city (the newer part of Dali, where the train station is located) or flagging down one on the main road just in front of Erhai lake’s shore. To reach the area of Dali, take a night train from Kunming city, or if coming from the North, there are several buses connecting with the other famous destinations in the area (Lijiang, Shangri La etc.).

When it comes to travelling on a shoestring, the amount of money you might spend or save on accommodation becomes a serious matter. Luckily, the development of Chinese tourism has created a wide range of opportunities for the budget traveller, making it quite easy and affordable to spend a night in a comfortable, clean bed, getting your much needed rest time.

YHA, the wonder of Chinese Backpacking
My first option, everywhere and anywhere in China, is to look first for the YGA symbol, which means Youth Hostelling International. This international franchise chain is widely spread all around the major tourist destinations in China, and sometimes even a bit out of the beaten track. Generally, this kind of hostels are the Chinese equivalent of the Southeast Asian guesthouse, full of travelers, good vibes and essential travel information. Besides this, they are generally very cheap to stay, provide free wi-fi connectivity, restaurant facilities, self-help kitchen areas, luggage storage options and very crucial help with booking train or flight tickets. You will pay a little surcharge, but believe me, it is worth the saving of time and effort.
Most likely if you are looking for a cheapie, you will end up staying in a dormitory: have no fear. YHA dormitories are usually big, equipped with your own locker, crystal clear clean, spacious and comfortable. They are also a great way to meet other travelers, and join up for tours, or legs of your trip as well. They come in different sizes and are generally equipped with rows bunk beds: 4, 6, 8, even 10 or 12 people. And they are very cheap too, starting from 20 to 40/50 yuan per bed. So far, I only found the higher end of the spectrum (50 yuan) in Shenzen.

One of the best services provided is definitely the onward-travel hostel booking service: each one of these hostels will have many cards from hostels in the next “touristy towns”, just glance trough and pick the one you like. Then, tell the receptionist and he/she will make a call to reserve your bed in your next destination. Generally, you will have to pay half of the fee to the hostel you are reserving from and… magic! Once you get to your destination, you will not only have a reserved bed, you’ll also only need to pay the price difference. Easy, isn’t it?

Couchsurfing in China
Couchsurfing, for those who still do not know, is an American based web-community offering travelers help and hospitality, provided by other travelers/friendly locals! Being the mammoth of a country it is, also China has a big Couchsurfing community, and this might be a great way to get deeper and closer to Chinese society. Generally, Chinese couchsurfers are young college students, or people who want to meet foreigners for curiosity or to improve their English skills. On top of that, based on my experiences, so far the Chinese couchsurfers I met/stayed with were great hosts, caring and willing to show me around their area.  In this way, not only you will get a deeper understanding of Chinese family life and habits, but you will have the great opportunity to get in touch with some of the most outgoing and interesting Chinese people you can meet. Couchsurfing works definitely best in the bigger cities because there would be more opportunities to find a host, but even the smaller towns sometimes have some members. So, browse carefully, get yourself a cellphone, and start texting out… you will see, making friends and get a nice place in a local home will be the highlight of your China trip!

Ah, Yangshuo. That beautiful little village laid out among some of the most stunning karst rock scenery in East Asia is for many the highlight of any Chinese trip. For this reason and not unexpectedly, also one of the most booming Chinese tourist destinations: in little over two years, I was barely able to recognize some of the roads because of the massive presence of new buildings. Guesthouses, hotels and b&b are everywhere, and the push to exploit the tourism has also generated some bad effects for the solo traveler. I will warn you from a situation that might happen if you attempt to get to the pier at Yangdi to organize your own boat down the Li River….

Seeing the karst formations floating down the Li River on a little boat can be easily done taking a bus from Yangshuo main station, by now everybody will point you where to get the first bus to Yangdi/Xinping. There are several running every few minutes, so it will be definitely easy and fast. However, in this precise moment you will have to be careful who you talk with: many people will offer you boat trip packages, following you to the bus, being insistent even if you firmly and gently refuse their offers. One of these people, the most persistent, will follow you inside the bus, and start offering the same package for a lower price. Even if you still resist, and politely refuse, this person will leave you, probably come back, and then sit somewhere else in the front of the bus. You won’t notice by now, but this is your doom.

Arriving at destination after half an hour, you will get off the bus and be met by swarms of other touts offering everything, from fresh fruit to souvenirs and of course, boat cruises. Even if you will surely find some better bargain, at this point you will notice the presence of the very same person who offered you the boat trip in Yangshuo’s bus station… yes, that same person you politely said no at least twenty five times. In his/her presence, any other attempt to reserve a boat, either from one of the touts, or directly from one of the boatmen, will be vain.

Why? Because these people have organized what I would legitimately call a “river cruise mafia” which means that the person who spots you and talk to you first in Yangshuo, will be the only one entitled to deliver you to the boatman of her choice, and collect her cut from your payment. And there is not much else you can do: whoever you will talk to will pretend he doesn’t have that service you are asking for. This also means that your plans might definitely and easily run amok because of some third party person who lays eyes on you… yeah, that is too bad. But again, nothing to be done: boatmen will stare blankly at the karsts, pretending you are not there asking them questions. Touts will swarm further away from you. This person will, instead, become so insistent to push you to the boat of her interest you will have no choice but take it, or get back on the bus you came from and forget about your river cruise.

There are few things you can do, since this situation is directly created by a mutual agreement between most of the city’s hotel and guesthouse representatives. Best thing is, once you find a person you like and trust, organize your trip directly with them, and make sure they (or the person of their choice) are coming with you to the bus station, clearly showing that yes, they are your guides. This way, people will not be able to claim they “spotted you first” and your experience will be a bit less annoying, being able to decide for yourself, and not let the first peasant coming by claiming rights on your wallet.

Hong Kong is primarily a city on the water: being it the cityscape across the Avenue of Stars, or a view from Victoria Peak, the water element is predominant in the city’s soul. Just jutting outside of China Mainland, the peninsula of Kowloon only constitutes the concrete heart of a city that is hardly known if not experienced by water.

The main islands constituting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region are Kowloon and its New Territories to the North, Hong Kong island just south of it, the smaller Lamma island comes next in a clockwise order, ending in the massive Lantau to the closer West, the home of the largest seating Buddha statue in the world, and the dreamy fishing village of Tai O. And last but not least, home to Hong Kong Island’s airport.

With such a diversified group of islands, it is impossible to think you have experienced Hong Kong if you do not try to tackle it by boat. One of the best ways to start  is getting to Central in Kownloon, where there are fast and regular ferry services to Mui Wo in Lantau island’ In under an hour, you will be able to see the nature of Lantau disappearing into the open sea, and reconnecting with the massive skyline of Kowloon. For most, this is the quintessential Hong Kong ferry trip. Otherwise, always from Central, it is possible to get on a boat to the main outlying islands of Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, and Lamma .

Another popular alternative is constituted by humble but legendary Star Ferry service between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island from piers in Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom in Kowloon and Central and Wan Chai on the Island. An historical ferry route founded in 1888, It offers a memorable and scenic boat experience across one of the most-photographed harbours in the world.  This ferry trip has been rated first in the “Top 10 Most Exciting Ferry Rides” poll by the Society of American Travel Writers (“SATW”) in February 2009.

One of my personal favorite trips is however the one connecting Hong Kong with the tiny ex-Portuguese peninsula of Macau, where gambling and night life are king and queen. There are several ferries leaving from the China Ferry Terminal to Macau or vice versa every half hour. One reliable company providing this service is First Ferry.

And if you want to make your entrance in the Mainland with style, there are also several services connecting Hong Kong with several major ports  along the coastline of Guangdong Province, and some of them reach as far as the spring city of Xiamen in Fujian province, from where it is possible to keep on travelling North all the way to Beijing and the rest of China, or fly into Taiwan across the outlying islands.

The important thing is that whatever you do in Hong Kong, you consider using the ferry has a smart way to get around and explore this city-state in great style… few developed places in the world have the bright, shiny light blue sea that Hong Kong is able to boost.

The destination I want to talk about lies within the western island of Lantau, and no, it is not about the biggest seated Buddha statue in the World you will be reading about. Lantau abounds with beautiful natural scenery, hiking and biking opportunities. Among these, one of the easiest and most rewarding is a visit to the fishing village of Tai O, definitely a step back in time, and a big leap out of the smoggy cityscape.

Tai O has anything you need to kick back and spend an afternoon, or even more, lingering among smoky temples, a beautiful coastline, and some interesting beaches. And if food is what you are craving, fear not: the restaurants here are cheaper than in the city, and offer a great example of Hong Kong cuisine, mixed with the flavors of South East China.  Fish is, of course, the main dish on offer: in a restaurant or along one of the small lanes jutting out of the main harbor area, you will find a lot of different kinds of fish on offer. Cuttlefish is predominant and according to its variety, comes in different shapes, sizes, and of course prices. Also try the amazing oysters smothered in melted cheese, definitely an amazing, cheap starter which I never found elsewhere in China.

After stocking up on food, the main pier offers half hour cruises of the bay, including dolphin spotting. At a price of around 10/15 HK $ per person, you will be taken out in the bay and around, enjoying amazing views on clear days, and get up and close with the cute dolphins swimming peacefully in the bay.

If you prefer to walk, a very easy, relaxing stroll can take you in two different directions just leaving the main Tai O intersection. Going to the right, you will be able to visit the Kwan Tai and Yeung Hau temples. The beauty of this easy 20 minutes walk lies especially in the kind of housing and people you will find along the way: one thousand light years away from the high heels, miniskirts and tuxedos of the city centre, Tai O will offer you a glimpse of real Cantonese village life, with its incredible colors and characters. You might encounter some old woman sitting lazily in the shade of her aluminum porch, sipping tea or playing cards with her friends. Or some old man laboriously putting fish to dry on small circular fishnets hanging from anywhere you can fix a hook. The buildings range from small, colorful wooden houses, to more intricate townhouses made of scrap metal and aluminum, bravely facing the waters where long boats shuttle back and forth, bringing passengers or materials from one end of the bay to the other.

On the other side of the pier you might visit Hung Shing temple: like the other two, you are in for a Southern Chinese experience made of burning hanging joss sticks, statues of deities and their animals, and people praying. If you go till the end of the walk, you might catch a ferry from Shek Tsai Po ferry Pier and proceed onwards with your adventures.

Another way to get back into town is to bus all the way back to Mui Wo ferry terminal, and take a direct ferry to Central, in the city center. Just remember that the last ferry runs at 11.30 pm daily, and if you miss that, you will have to overnight in Lantau or wait for the 3.40 am ferry… probably not a very good time to get into Central anyways. Once you get in Central, many transportation options, from bus to LRT, will take you anywhere in Hong Kong.

Do not miss out on the opportunity of savoring something more beautiful in Hong Kong rather than those skyscrapers and posh clubs… Hong Kong has some of the best beaches and patches of sea in the whole South China Sea. Not spending some time enjoying these beautiful areas would be a big mistake, so plan accordingly, and get out of those shopping malls!

Ok, once in Dali, you cannot help but staring at that towering mountain range, just to your side. It is there to invite and protect, and it’s calling all of your senses to hike it. Problem is, it is not as easy as it used to be, if you are not aware of the big changes happened in Dali. Three years ago, there was no such thing as a new cable car, with new Chinese built pavilions and Asian fairy-tale environment.  Today, this is one of the city’s main attractions, generating a swarm of touts, guesthouse workers and random folks offering you all sorts of tour deals and tickets. It is quite hard to make sense of this, but I’ve been there now and before, done that twice, and able to share.

Tickets unfortunately, what used to be an almost free of charge adventure has been transformed into a commercial frenzy, but luckily still retains its charm.  There are two tickets: one for the Chan Shan park conservation fees (30 yuan) and one for the cable car. One way is an outrageous 50 yuan, and two ways is sold for 80 yuan. At the booth, of course. It seems like all sorts of people in the Old Town might be able to get you tickets for cheaper, generally a cable car return ticket for 60 yuan. I met someone who scored return ticket and park conservation fee for a total of 70 yuan. So look around, talk with people, and let the touts explain their offers, because it can pay back. Anyways, it is expensive.

The Circuit if you got a return ticket, generally you will be taken to the start of the new cable car, some 6 kilometers outside of town. Get up, stroll around the nice Qinbi stream, and then you have two options: walk back across a sealed path all the way to the old cable car located near Zhong He temple (a 13 kilometers trek) or get down from the same side and make your way back into town flagging down a bus or catching a taxi. If you walk, you’ll get to the other side in around 4 hours, nicely walking a flat path snaking its way along the cliffs. The views are stunning on a clear day, stretching out all the way to the Eastern side of the lake. Once at Zhong He temple, which itself is a nice piece of older, worn out architecture and makes great pictures, you can get a cable car down and easily walk downhill for 15 minutes reaching the western gate of the Old Town. A nice way to spend a day enjoying Dali’s picturesque setting.

The Old Way: cheaper, and more adventurous Let’s face it, two cable cars sound like no effort at all, and no adventure. If you are of the same idea, just reach the West gate of the Old Town on foot, and walk up. Cross the main road and keep on walking west. You will find directions for the old chairlift (not a cable car, and infinitely more rewarding, coming to scenic views), follow that road up hill and start your ascent here. At the right of the chairlift entrance the roads forks up right and the real ascent to Zhong He temple starts there. A forest police booth will be waiting at the junction: this is the time to pay your 30rmb park conservation fees. If you have, try to show an international student card, it proved useful in quite a few places during my travels in China.

The hike is not too strenuous, but not even too easy, as it snakes up the mountain side crossing the chairlift path on many occasions. You can charter a horse to go up, which makes an interesting trip by itself, but the price is all up to negotiation. Otherwise, be prepared to walk for around two hours before reaching the Zhong He temple entrance. From here, you could venture west along the path leading to the other end of the cable car, but be advised that from here, there are no paths going down the mountain. It is much better if you stick to the first part of the path, which also have the best views on the lake. At this point, if you are really tired, you can also decide to splash out some of your cash and take the chairlift down.

Chan Shan is a very good way to experience the high views of Dali. Behind Zhong He temple there is also a guesthouse lodge where you can stay, and indulge in the alpine forest atmosphere. A pavilion in front of te temple serves as a tea house with fantastic views over the lake and the clouds… after all, you are in Yun Nan, which means “South of the Clouds”… what better way to enjoy them, if not looking at them from Chan Shan?

We have talked about Dali before, but for such a hotspot, there is always some new suggestion to be given. Lying sandwiched between the Chan Shan mountain range to the west and Erhai lake to the east, Dali is a fantastic starting point for adventurous bike trips along the shoreline.

Rise early and rent a bicycle from one of the numerous shops lining the streets of the old town. You can get a bike for around 15/20 yuan, although your bargaining skills can help you getting this price even lower. Leave an ID card or your passport as deposit, and set off to the North Gate, following the way to the Three Pagodas Temple.

We suggest two itineraries, to be done in one or two days, with an overnight stop in Wase town, on the eastern side of the lake.

One Day Bike Trip
Bike north, out of the North Gate of the Old Town and towards the Three Pagodas Temple. You will find a turnoff to the east, take it and bike it all the way down until you get to a big roundabout with a Chinese Arch. This is where the main highway connects with Dali Old Town. Be extremely careful, because traffic Is heavy and for some parts of this route, you will have to partake the road with trucks, cars, buses and heavy vehicles. Keep the right side and bike as close as you can to the fields. Bike for a few minutes, you will arrive to a first junction with a gravel road swindling off to the right. Do not take it, and keep on going. When you cross the second junction, turn right on the gravel road and keep on biking. You will arrive to the shoreline in minutes. This will make you travel slower than staying on the highway, but what would be the sense of a day out on the lake if spending it inhaling the exhaust fumes of the highway? These side roads lead you through a number of villages, paddy fields, plantations and small temples. The locals are friendly and you will have so many picture opportunities you might linger longer than you expected. Get back on the main highway and stop in one of the many restaurants for lunch, and then set off again for

Xi Zhou This is a little village where tourists are usually taken to see a Bai minority show and tea ceremony. Forget about it and explore the beautiful old buildings and soak in the traditional Yunnnanese everyday life for a while before heading out west and cross the main road to reach the second destination of this trip

Zhoucheng besides another tourist trap, the tied dye fabric shop (you can get the same clothes and aprons for much cheaper in Xi Zhou, if you really wish), this town built along the length of the road has friendly locals, and a very colorful daily market in the main square. You can see a very old temple here, sample different kinds of food and shop for bargains. DVDs at 3 yuan each are some of the cheapest seen in all of China.

Now, get out of the market and bike back south. It is easily a couple hours biking back: the main road, at time of research, was under construction, be therefore very careful. A cold Dali beer and some steaming jiaozi are waiting for you back in the Old Town!!

Two days bike trip

Follow exactly the same itinerary as day one, but after Xi Zhou, keep on the main highway and bike again for a couple hours circling the northern tip of the lake. You need to reach the village of Wase before the nightfall, and find accommodation there. There is a nice and colorful Sunday market in Wase, so if possible, try to time your visit for it.

The options you have now are two: to cycle back to Xi Zhou and Dali Old Town from there, or to keep on going down the East Lake shore from Wase to Manjiang and later into Xia Guan proper, which is Dali New Town. Now you can bike back to your guesthouse, rest, and get ready for a day on Chan Shan mountain or prepare to set off east to Kunming, or North to Lijiang and further into Sichuan or Tibet.

So are you departing from China, right? You have indeed a few border options: Mongolia, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan… or probably much easier: Hong Kong.

So many people daily have to cross into Hong Kong from the mainland, generally to fly back home, as most airlines have international flights departing from Hong Kong, or even also to renew a visa… or to get one. Whatever is your reason to come to Hong Kong, this brief post will explain how to get there overland. Our favorite way.

Shenzen

This is Hong Kong’s sister city in the mainland, and connected by easy customs. There is not that much in Shenzen which might lure you, but if you have time, try to check out the art districts and the commercial center. Shenzen is a jewel of booming China’s architecture, and boasts spacious lanes and a definitely “western” feel. There are many connections to Shenzen. By bus from the north, like Guilin in Guanxi, connected to Shenzen by sleeper bus service, taking around 10 hours overnight. Guangzhou is otherwise the hub from where you will arrive, by train or else.

From Shenzen main bus station, cross the road and avoid the taxi driver touts and get to the bus stop. For only 2 yuan, bus 7 will take you directly to the main train station and Luo Hu exit/entry point. Get off at the last stop, and keep your right: Luo Hu is in front of you, on the left side of the train station. A fast 10 minute walk will get you trough customs and out of Mainland China, and a further 5 minutes walk will get you into Honk Kong territory proper. Take an LRT train from there and get to your central destination changing trains at Kowloon Tong station. Welcome to Hong Kong!

Macau

With more time and money on your hands, make Macau an interesting stop on your way out of the Mainland. From Guilin or northern destinations, reach Guangzhou first, and then Zhu Hai. By train, you will most likely have to reach Guangzhou first, but it is possible to get some sleeper buses which will take you to Zhu Hai directly. Zhu Hai itself is a nice harbour town, and you might want to linger for a bit, enjoying its breezy air and detached atmosphere. From here, the cross into Macau is straightforward.

Be forewarned, your passport will be stamped, so check if your nationality is valid to get a free entry into Macau territory. If not, a visa on arrival at the border will be generally issued for around 20 US $. Macau is quite compact, being constituted by the peninsula of Taipa and the island of Coloane, and can be walked on foot in a few hours. From the main jetty, half hourly boat departures to Hong Kong make a scenic entry into the city, although quite expensive at 150 HK $ one way. Once in Hong Kong, your passport will be stamped again. Indeed, a nice collection of visas!!

These routes make for a straightforward, easy entry or exit from China. Remember that you need to be on a double entry visa to activate your second stay in the Mainland or you have to get a new visa once in Hong Kong to be able to get back trough Shenzen or Macau/Zhu Hai. If you only intend to visit Macau from Hong Kong, Chinese visas are not necessary, but check online in the respective countries’ embassies websites what applies to your nationality.

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.