Sheraton, Guilin

Well even though I am showing this as Day 2 it is really our first full day here in Guilin. Arrived about 8:30 pm and was picked up at the airport by Leizie and Mr Wong the driver. It takes about 45 minutes from the airport to the hotel. Kathy and I were both really tired and all we wanted to do was get into our room and go to sleep. The room was nice, but one half of the hotel is undergoing renovations. The most interesting part of the room was the fact that the wall between the restroom and...

Guilin is an extraordinary 'small' city. The lakes and rivers and all the lit-up pagodas, etc. are fascinating. The Li River cruise was excellent - there are so many unusual sites.

I arrived in Shanghai in November expecting the weather to be cold enough to wear sweaters and jackets. Unfortunately, global warming must have also reached China. Most nights, a light jacket would have sufficed, and only if I spent a significant time outdoors. Not to worry as Shanghai was only the starting point to my planned trip to Guilin and the provincial town of Yangshuo. I was in Shanghai for business. However, like most of my business trips, I decided to take a few days in between bus...

Tras un vuelo mas o menos de hora y media en China Suthern llegamos a Guilin, que se supone es una ciudad mas pequeña sin embargo resulto que el aeropuerto no era de desmerecer. Saliendo del aeropuerto conseguimos el crucero por el rio Li para el dia siguiente, asi que lo contratamos de una vez, costo 400 Yuanes por persona, incluyendo el almuerzo y el bus de regreso desde YangZhou. En guilin otra vez conseguimos un Sheraton donde de nuevo nos dieron trato especial por la tarjeta de viajero f...

8/14...Arrived in Guilin at 3pm. Guilin is home to beautiful landscapes (limestone hills covered in green and the Li River) and 640k locals. Michele, our local guide, picked us up a the airport and took us to the Sheraton. Long swim and lunch at the hotel pool, a few drinks in the Club Lounge and we met Michele again for an evening lake cruise (see photos of Sun and Moon Pagodas). All tired so back to hotel for rest. 8/15...Got up and had a little swim time. Ate breakfast and left for the Li ...

Spent most of the day in Xian

First to the Greater & Lesser Wild Goose Pagodas - Buddhist architecture from AD 652 - 709

Then back into town to the Drum Tower & walk through the markets & shops of the Muslim quarter. Very interesting - lots of locals on the streets - shopping, eating, gambling etc

Finally to the more modern supermarkets & shopping area near the Bell Tower - everywhere very busy & crowded

Finally out to the airport for our flight...