Thorn Tree travel forum

1

I'll answer the last part of your post

2 nights in Xi'an is enough.
Guilin - well, aside from a couple of nice hills is really better as a jumping off point for Yangshuo, so I wouldn't spend more than 1 day there myslef.

- I like 4 days Yangshuo, but honestly I really dislike the west street scene so rent a bike and get out of town.

he'll defend us, he'll defend us,
the amazing astroboy!

2

What are your sightseeing interests and preferences? Ie more towards culture and history, or scenery?
Do you have a budget limit?
2 nights in Xi'an should be enough. :)
Spend no time in Guilin -- go directly for Yangshuo. Yes, 4 days in Yangshuo sound fine for the average traveller. Count on a couple more days if you're the outdoorsy type who'll want to explore in more detail.
Cheers!

3

I recently travelled to Yangshuo. That is I took a cab to Ainshanmen (spelling?) Village. That is a really nice place out in the country. Close to the Dragon Jade River.

This Dutch guy and his wife run a hostel which is a converted farm house. Really clean (Dutch remember?).

He has mountain bikes, a restaurant with a large selection of Chinese and Western dishes.

He calls it the "Giggling Tree Inn". I think he has a website. I had fun at the riiver and drove all over the small towns on a bike. The river is very placid with bamboo rafts (overpriced naturally), and is swimmable.

If you arrive in Y. by bus from G. don't fall for the hustlers at the bus depot. The taxi stand is around the corner, less than half a block away. The fare to A. should be 30rnmb, not more and my cab driver knew right away where I wanted to go.

Also, try and take in the amazing light show called Senjie Liu, over 600 actors and whole mountainsides lit up.
B.t.w. ellyse is spot on with her comments.

4

#3: Checked out your information, I think the correct spelling should be "Aishanmen". :) And thanks for the compliments.
Cheers!

5

I had 4 days in both Yangshuo and Xi'an. I could have had only 2 in Yangshuo and been more than satisfied - not my kind of place at all(and I love cycling). I had no trouble filling 4 days in Xi'an. Just depends what you are into... :)

6

Regarding Xi'an, IMO Hua Qing Pool is overpriced and not worth it. Also out in that area is the Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang. I haven't been there yet, but some of my visitors have liked it and some have thought it was OK.

!! Be warned that "students" who want to practice English with you may actually be scammers. In Shanghai they try the Tea Ceremony Scam. In Beijing it's the Art Student Scam. Be very wary if a stranger wants to speak English with you, especially if you are in a tourist area. !!

7

I think we are going to head straight to Guilin from Xi'an. We'll spend one night there and then go on to Yangshuo. Thanks everyone for all the advice.