For Introduction to Best of China in Ten Days
For Day 1 of Best of China in Ten Days
For Day 2 and 3 of Best of China in Ten Days
For Day 4 and 5 of Best of China in Ten Days

This ten day journey will take you around China’s most amazing places while keeping in mind that unfortunately you don’t have time to see it all; so make it count! We started in Beijing and saw the best of the hutongs, 798 Art District and of course, the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu. Xian brought us the terracotta warriors but now it’s time to see the best of China’s lush outdoor scenery like no other while enjoying the serenity of one of China’s unique villages, welcome to Day 6, and awake in Yangshuo…

Day 6:

Wake up in beautiful Yangshuo and rent a bike or a scooter and ride down Pantao Lu past Green Lotus Peak to get to Moon Hill, ( 月亮山). Be prepared for some exercise today but to see the most beautiful and exquisite landscapes in the country. Moon Hill will make you feel like you have been hiking for years but it will be worth it in the end. After a grueling 900-step trek up to the top of the mountain, the most beautiful panoramic view you have ever seen will be revealed. The hill is named for its crescent shaped hole in the center and will give you a genuine sense of accomplishment upon reaching the top where you can feel like you are truly looking out over China. Check out the amazing Buddha Cave ( 佛洞) and then prepare to get a mud bath in the Water Cave ( 水洞). You can literally roll around in the mud and bathe in the waterfall. Extra clothes are highly recommended unless you don’t mind arriving back into town as a crusted dirtball.

Photo: Andrea Hunt

In the evening, head back into town to relax and get dinner and try the local specialty, beer fish. The local carp from the Li River is cooked scales and all in an array of spices, beer and chilies giving it a distinct and succulent flavor. Try Mei You café, which also has western food and a nice outdoor area for people watching.

Mei You Cafe, Yangshuo, Guangxi, China 没有咖非
111 West Street, 电话:(86)0773—8828897

Day 7:

Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province: 杭州
Make your reservations for Hangzhou hostels in advance as well, as the good ones tend to fill up. The best ones are located right on the West Lake. There are several HI hostels that are immaculately clean and well priced with tons of amenities, helpful staff, and a good mix of people.
If you want to meet people, try the HI Hostel on Nanshanlu.

Hangzhou Youth Hostel
No. 101 Nanshan Lu, Hangzhou
Tel. 86 571 87918948/ 0571-28069669

If you are looking for a bit more peace and quiet, head to the other side of the West Lake to the Mingtown Garden Hostel. It’s set in a lush garden with willow trees and cobble stone paths.

Photo: Andrea Hunt

Wake up and get back on the bus to get back to Guilin where you catch your flight for Hangzhou. Hangzhou is a perfectly sized city that won’t overwhelm you like many big Chinese cities and is beautifully clean and noticeably well kept. Hangzhou is one of the richest cities in China, truly charming, and unfortunately missed by most people who travel around China rushing to Shanghai instead. Hangzhou has about 7 million people and feels noticeably smaller than Beijing and less gritty than Xian. Hangzhou is best known for its prized lake, West Lake. (西湖), which is absolutely beautiful and immaculately clean. Adorned with hanging willow trees and peach blossoms, this lake is truly an image fitting of China alone. There are stone bridges and benches for sitting and paths for just taking a stroll past little ponds of red carp or bunches of enormous lotus. In the winter, the pond is beautifully decorated with Christmas lights, giving it a magical glow. There are numerous restaurants and bars lining the lake and many expensive designer shops, but don't worry, it’s also possible to find local eateries as well if you are willing to walk a bit.

When you arrive to Hangzhou, head to your hostel to drop your stuff off and head to the West Lake to stroll around a bit and see the Su Causeway (Su Di 苏提) and follow it down all the way to Solitary Hill for views of beautiful pagodas. You can either walk or rent bikes and bike around the lake as well if you don't mind biking along with the rest of traffic.

Photo: Andrea Hunt

West Lake is filled with little cafes where you can drink a coffee or grab food or snacks along the way. In the evening, try what is said to be China’s oldest restaurant, founded in 1848. It is said that this restaurant offers the best of Hangzhou’s famous 11 dishes. This place is fabled to have been frequented by anyone important in China, including Emperors and poets alike.

To find out what activities are going on in Hangzhou that evening, check out the Events section. Hangzhou has a myriad of bars with live music shows or dance clubs.
If you want to rock out to an awesome Chinese band playing your favorite songs in English as well as Chinese rock, check out You To bar:

You To Bar
No.36 Shuguang Road
Contact: 0571-87976788

Follow up next time for Day 8 and 9 in Hangzhou and Shanghai!

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