General Information
 Since you're visiting the Cathay Cafe, you're obviously embarking upon a journey to one of the most fascinating counties in the world. With a land space of more than 3,690,000 square miles and a population of over 1.2 billion people, China is without doubt, the epitome of paradoxes, mysteries and adventures. It's a land of contrasts, with primitive rural villages, picturesque countryside and glittery, towering skylines of opulent city wealth enjoyed by the new and affluent bourgeoisie. Tourism has bloomed with the new economic climate: hotels, restaurants and reconstructed historical sites are abundant.
But travel in China can be overwhelming, with language being the most difficult barrier to overcome. You'll be wise to familiarize yourself with basic Chinese words for food and drinks, hotels and restaurants, purchasing necessities, and asking for directions and time schedules. It will make getting around much easier and will also lead to greater interactions with the Chinese people.
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Climate
Due to the size of China, climate varies considerably from one region to another. The northeast generally boasts very hot and dry summers but also some of the most bitterly cold winters. The northern and central regions have a lot of precipitation at all times of the year with hot summers and cold winters. The south-eastern area is the most temperate, with nearly tropical summers and cool winters. There is still however, a substantial amount of rainfall spread throughout the year.
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What to Take
Backpack Invest the extra money to get a comfortable backpack that fits well. Anything larger then 4500 CUI is going to be more trouble then it is worth.
Fast Drying Towel These are available as most camping stores. The last thing you want to do is pack a wet towel in your backpack.)
Walking Shoes While walking throughout China, you'll be happy you have comfortable shoes.
Socks and Underwear Bring extra pairs (especially good socks).
Comfortable Clothing Preferably dark in color (shows less wear and soil).
Long Underwear Depending upon the season and whereabouts you travel. Most hostels are not heated.
Pillow Case If you are planning to sleep in backpacker hostels, your own pillow case is a nice luxury.
Sleeping Bag Again, look for quality, something light, preferably down filled.
Passport Don't leave home without it!
Spy Wallet Pickpockets are all around and they love travelers. Since your lively hood is in your wallet, it's not a bad idea to divide up your money.
Day Pack Many backpacks come with a detachable daypack. If yours doesn't, it might not be a bad idea to bring one along.
Camera Digital is great, and there are plenty of internet cafes available for emailing pictures home. You can use a service like Snapfish or Shutterfly to store, share, and print your photos. They offer free storage, photo sharing, and photo editing tools.
Flip Flops Use them in the shower or hotel room.
Wet Wipes Nice to have in a pinch and don't require much space in your pack.
Landry Detergent Sure, you can buy it in China, but's it's a great convenience to have some with you.
Space Savers These are key. They are available at most camping stores and make packing much easier.
Rain Coat If you are going to be traveling for a while, it is going to rain.
Band Aids and First-Aid Ointments Be prepared.
Swiss Knife As you know, with a Swiss Knife, you'll be well equipped with knives, spoon, can-opener, and various other handy tools.
Travel Guides Travel Guides are great and essential. However, those thick books weigh down your pack. You'll also want a copy of SPEAK E-Z CHINESE In Phonetic English or SPEAK E-Z CHINESE Pocket Cards!
Shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste Bring small amounts - you can purchase more here.
 Travel Tips: Make sure your shoes are well broken in before you leave home. You don't want to start off your trip by developing blisters on your feet.
Backpacks that open up on the sides (rather than ones that open on top) are the most practical. Using a backpack that loads from the top may mean strewing your belongings all over while you look for something that is (naturally) at the bottom.
Also, ensure that your backpack has a place to stash a water bottle that's easy to reach.
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Hostels, Guesthouses and Hotels
Finding sleeping quarters at a decent price throughout China can be a bit daunting due to the fact that the 4 and 5 star hotels are assertively targeting the foreign market. Adding to that, the government restricts or bans foreigners from the cheapest hotels, forcing westerners to book rooms in much more expensive accommodations than locals can get into, many of which are still state-run or they're cogs in the mega systems like the Hiltons and Marriotts. Hotels that are not licensed to accept foreigners can be heavily fined if they are caught housing foreign occupants, but enforcement of the law appears inconsistent and many unlicensed hotels will find you a room. There are numerous sleeping options in most Chinese towns and despite language and law barriers, you should be able to find something in your budget and comfort range.
You'll not have a problem finding a room if you're willing to pay around $40. USD (approx. 320 RMB) per night or higher, but if you want a cheap yet comfortable room, you'll have to be armed with a bit more knowledge than what can be found in many guide books.
The cheapest options include travel hotels catering to Chinese, and there are plenty available in every city charging in the vicinity of 100 RMB. Be sure to check if the shower, sink and toilet do in fact work. Also, it's advisable that you avoid checking into a room next to busy streets, as traffic may keep you up late and wake you up early. If you do plan on just showing up in town and looking for a place to sleep it is best that you arrive before 6 P.M. as the most popular places get filled early.
Keep in mind when you're booking a room, that the prices are often negotiable. A reduction from the listed price can often be arranged by simply asking "Dah juh mah?" (Is there any discount?). This doesn't work during any busy Chinese holiday season, when prices skyrocket and rooms are hard to get.
Hostels and guesthouses are the most comfortable of the low end options. They typically cater to foreigners and often have English speaking employees. Some of them are even cleaner and better furnished than more expensive places. Many also have a cozy, international atmosphere and are a good place to meet other travelers and get some 'places to go' tips or advice on where a good meal can be had for cheap. Most cities of any size, as well as many popular villages that you visit will have hostels and guesthouses, but because of their popularity with backpackers, they can fill up fast. On the positive side, you shouldn't have any trouble finding sleeping arrangements for under 70 RMB per night.
If you're looking for an inexpensive room that is clean and comfortable, then mid-range hotels may be your best option. These are usually larger hotels, with rooms around 200-300 RMB. Doubles in these hotels are usually quite nice and up to western standards, with clean private bathrooms, towels and complimentary toiletries. There may even be a free buffet breakfast thrown into the price, or a breakfast ticket can be purchased for around 20 RMB.
At the high-end of the accommodation chains are the international hotels, such as the Marriott, Shangri-La, Crowne Plaza, etc. which charge hundreds of dollars per night for luxurious 4 and 5 star pampering. If your budget includes a hundred dollars a night or more for a good night's sleep, this may be the option for you. Many expensive hotels also book rooms for package tours at a reduction in price, so you may want to see if a tour company can get you a room in one the 4 or 5 star hotels at a steep discount.
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Transportation
Buses
 Buses are still the major public transportation means in all large cities of China. The buses are generally numerically named, e.g., Buses of Route 1, Route 15 and Route 320. Given the large numbers of passengers, crowded roads and complicated routes, it's not an easy means of travel for foreigners, especially newcomers. Buses in urban areas normally operate between 5:00 A.M. and 11:00 P.M. every day. There is normally an interval of 10-15 minutes between every two buses. During the rush hour, buses are often dispatched every five minutes.
Passengers buy tickets from bus conductors. The prices of bus tickets vary in accordance with different numbers of stops.
Over recent years, some large Chinese cities have started to operate a number of air-conditioned coaches and unwatched buses on busy tourist routes, whose ticket prices are normally two to three times those of general buses but are significantly lower than taxi fares. Therefore, such coaches and buses can well be a good choice.
Long distance buses can be divided into soft-seat and soft-sleeper buses. Some are equipped with TV, air conditioning and a toilet. Compared with the train, travel by bus is more flexible, as there are regular breaks during the journeys. Seats on buses are numbered, so it is advisable to book a ticket and seat well in advance. The booking could be made through a travel agency or hotel.
Subways
Major cities all boast well-equipped subway systems, with all the stations, ticket-booking offices and transit points clearly marked with their names both in Chinese and English. In every subway train, travel information is read alternately in Chinese and English.
The subway transportation operates 18 hours per day, normally between 5:10 A.M. and 11:30 P.M., with an interval of four to six minutes between every two trains. The hours between 6:30 and 8:30 A.M. and between 5:00 and 7:00 P.M. are rush hours.
Taxis
It's very convenient to take taxis in all large Chinese cities, and it's not very expensive to hire a taxi in China. Taxis are available at any time around hotels, guesthouses, railway stations, airports, major communications trunk lines and busy commercial areas.
In China, taxi services are normally charged according to the mileage completed and the time used. When a passenger embarks on a taxi, the taximeter will begin to indicate a basic rate. After running four to six kilometers, the fare payable will increase progressively in line with the mileage completed, with the fare chargeable for each kilometer varying according to the size and grade of the vehicle. When the taxi runs at a speed slower than a certain standard, an extra charge will be added to the basic rate chargeable on a minute-counting basis. Besides, a percentage of night driving fee is chargeable for services between 11:00 P.M. of each day.
When taking a taxi, the passenger should first of all ask the driver to switch on the taximeter. When arriving at the place of destination, the passenger should ask the driver to provide a receipt (fah pee-aow) to prevent possible unfair charge. Secondly, if anything unhappy involving the service occurs, the passenger can write down the plate number of the taxi and lodge a complaint to competent authorities.
Bicycles
There are bicycles for rent in some hotels in tourist cities. Riding old-fashioned pedicabs for a tour of Beijing's hutongs and back alleys proves a unique experience. You should be able to purchase a reliable Chinese bicycle for about 280. RMB (approx. $25.USD).
Trains
 In the past, it was not very comfortable to take a train in China. Today, things have changed after the Chinese government invested heavily in building and rebuilding railways, increasing the running speed of trains and expanding the transportation capacity of railway systems. Consequently, the operation of railway transportation has been relatively greatly improved. Many slow lines have been changed to "leaving in the morning and arriving at evening," thus improving the travel service, raising efficiency and increasing the competitive edge of the trains.
Chinese trains differ from those in other countries as the seating is not separated into first and second class areas. In China, the accommodation on the trains is divided into four categories, namely, soft-sleeper, soft-seat, hard-sleeper and hard-seat.
Hard Seats: Contrary to what the name implies, the seats are upholstered. These are the less expensive seats. These seats tend to be crowded and are not always very clean.
Soft Seats: These seats cost about double, but are very comfortable, with plenty of leg room. The carriages are less crowded than the hard-seat carriages.
Hard Sleeper: The hard-sleeper carriage is made up of door-less compartments. Each one contains six beds in three tiers. Sheets, pillows and blankets are provided and it somewhat resembles a budget hotel. Compared to the soft-sleeper, the hard-sleeper is far less comfortable. Competition for hard-sleepers has become keen in recent years, so if you get one, you are very lucky.
Over recent years, in an effort to further protect the safety of passengers, railway stations in some large Chinese cities have newly installed X-ray detecting equipment at the entrance of stations to scan the luggage. Passengers entering the station shall have their luggage checked by the equipment under the guidance of security officers at the station.
Train tickets, particularly tickets for sleepers, should normally be booked in advance. Following the coming of the Internet period, train tickets can be booked through Internet in large cities in China, and this no doubt is convenient for passengers. Foreign travelers wishing to take trains can book tickets through travel agencies or hotels.
Domestic Flights
There dozens of airline companies in China, including China International Aviation Company, Northwest Aviation Company, South Aviation Company, Southwest Aviation Company, Oriental Aviation Company, North Aviation Company, Xiamen Aviation Company, Xinjiang Aviation Company, Yunnan Aviation Company, Sichuan Aviation Company, Shanghai Aviation Company, Great Wall Aviation Company, Wuhan Aviation Company, Zhongyuan Avaition Company, Hainan Province Aviation Company, Xinhua Aviation Company and Shenzhen Aviation Company. All of them serve the domestic airlines of China.
Foreign travelers can contact ticket offices of airline companies or airline ticket sales agencies to have their seats reserved. For passengers whose seats have been reserved, they shall have to book their tickets within the prescribed period of time. Otherwise, the reservation of seats will be canceled. Foreigners can book tickets with their passports. Passengers holding round trip tickets where they are staying for 72 hours or longer at a stopover will have to reconfirm their reservation by 12:00-1:00 P.M., two days before the departure of the flight. Otherwise, the original reservation could be automatically canceled.
Passenger tickets are valid for one year counted from the date of starting the journey. Children between 2 and 12 years of age are charged at 50% of the adult fare.
Check-in procedure: Passengers are generally required to arrive at the airport 90 minutes before the time of departure, and go through the check-in formalities with their passenger tickets and valid identity papers. Check-in counters are closed 30 minutes before the time of departure.
To provide convenience for passengers, many aviation companies have set up flight information desk or hot phone lines to book tickets, and their phone numbers can be secured through "114" information desk at various cities.
In major cities, plane ticket booking is available via a computer network or the Internet. Booking is also available at all civil aviation ticketing offices, travel agencies and hotels. Airport tax is required for domestic flights and international flights.
International Airports
In the past few years, China's air transport network has been continuously expanded, and there are now 1,122 regular lines, including 131 international ones and 143 airports. Its international airlines connect with 57 cities in 31 countries and regions.
So far, more than 40 overseas airline companies have been allowed to operate regular passenger and cargo transportation services in China, in addition to the dozens of Chinese airline companies which also operate international air transportation services. The overseas air companies operate nearly 900 flights to China each week, with stopovers in a dozen and more international airports in China, namely the international airports of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Shenyang, Dalian, Harbin, Qingdao, Hangzhou, Xiamen, Shenzhen, Kunming, Huhhot and Urumqi. All these airports are equipped with various forms of complete service facilities, including service counters for changing currencies at any time, airport information counters and taxi service counters. There are public telephone booths in many parts of the airports. Users can dial to their receivers after paying a small fee by following the steps indicated on the telephone set. There are IDD telephone call service counters at large international airports.
There are generally smooth communications from the airport to the city proper, with many types of transportation means available at the passengers' choice, which mainly include: 1. taxis provided by airport taxi service counters; 2. time shuttle buses to the city proper provided by airline companies; and 3. mini-buses shuttling between the airport and the city proper.
Waterways
Another method of travel in China is via the waterways. The major inland navigable rivers in China include the Yangtze River, the Pearl River, the Heilongjiang, the Huaihe, the Qiantang, the Minjiang and the Huangpu, as well as the Grand Canal.
The Yangtze River, known as the golden waterway of China's inland river transport, has 6,000 kilometers navigable throughout the year. The annual water transits of both freight and passengers account for over 70 percent of China's total capacity.
The following inland waterway tourist attractions are highly recommended:
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Yangtze River Cruise
Voyage on this route, mainly from Chongqing to Yichang and Yichang to Wuhan, provides a grand view of the Yangtze River. A special feature is the magnificent view of the Three Gorges.
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Grand Canal Cruise
Suzhou and Hangzhou are connected by the Grand Canal, a voyage totaling 146.6 km. Feast your eyes on the enthralling waterside village scenery, typical of the areas south of the Yangtze River as you sail along this route. In Nanjing, Wuxi or Yangzhou, dragon boats and pleasure boats provide cruises on the Grand Canal, theYangtze River, and Taihu Lake. Tourists have the opportunity to enjoy good food while appreciating the surrounding scenery.
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Li River Cruise
Surrounded by rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves and groves of bamboo, the Li River, with its fleets of leisure boats, is the largest and most beautiful scenic area in China. The 83 km long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo - the spirit of Li River, is often called the hundred-mile gallery. Cruising along the Li River, one gets to enjoy both the stunning and unique scenery, and a galaxy of historical ports.
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Trekking Areas
The Great Wall: Jinshanling to Simatai
 Location: Hebei Province
Hiking Duration: 4 - 5 hours
The rugged six-mile (10 kilometer) stretch between Jinshanling and Simatai - 55 miles (89 kilometers) northeast of Beijing, is a great start. Taxis in Beijing are easy to arrange to either site (approx. $60. USD round-trip). Plan on taking at least four hours: the trail is stony and steep.
Other well-preserved and accessible sections of the wall are Huanghuacheng and Mutianyu, north of Beijing. For weathered travelers, the province of Hebei has no restrictions on wall walking, but almost no infrastructure for trekkers.
Most Chinese tourists take the zip line in Simatai ($4.), or head to the reconstructed section of the wall at Badaling ($6.) for an afternoon. You're apt to face fierce crowds and vendors, but it's definitely the easiest way to see the wall.
Starting in the tiny village of Jinshanling and ending in Simatai, hiking is a strenuous rhythm of climb and descent the entire way. Some stretches have fallen into disrepair, with crumbling walls and steps, thus enhancing the sensation of walking upon ruins that are more than 2,000 years old.
During this hike, you're likely to run into local farmers selling water, beer or tourist trinkets. The hike is a strenuous climb of up and down steps. For the fit, the 10 km hike could take as little as 3 hours.
Getting There
It's possible to get there by public bus, but much easier to arrange through a travel agency. Tickets usually include a minibus from Beijing to Jinshanling, entrance fees, and a minibus from Simatai back to Beijing.
Entrance Fee
Two tickets are required. At the end of the hike, there is a 5 RMB fee for crossing a bridge; the zip line ticket is an additional 60 RMB.
A 'tour' obtained through a travel agency should cost 90 RMB. Be aware that an additional 30 RMB may be required for the second ticket purchased separately by you at the wall.
Accommodation
It's possible to sleep overnight on the wall if you have the appropriate gear. Otherwise, most people visit the Great Wall as a day trip from Beijing. Lodging in the small villages near the wall may be difficult to find.
Food
There are locals selling water, soda, and beer, as well as kabobs and noodles. At the end of the hike in Simatai, there is a restaurant near the parking lot.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
 Location: Northern Yunnan Province
Hiking Duration: 2 days
Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in the world and a spectacular scenic wonder. Mountains, forests, flowered meadows, vertical walls of rock, and hamlets with terraced fields await you. Homes built with stacked slate, wood frames, and tiled rooftops give you the feeling of stepping back into another time. Far below the trail that winds along the Haba Mountains, you can see the Jinsha Jiang River (known as the Yangzi in other parts of China) that cuts into the 16 km gorge and pierces the steep walls of snowcapped mountains, rising more than 19,000 feet into the clouds. Most people take two days to complete the 9-12 hour hike along Tiger Leaping Gorge, staying overnight at one of the numerous guesthouses in the villages.
Getting There
Tiger Leaping Gorge is located north of Lijiang, several hours by bus (20 RMB). The trail starts near the small town of Qiatou. At the end of the hike, transport back to Qiatou is another 20 RMB. From there, you can pick up a bus back to Lijiang.
Entrance Fee
Entrance fee: 30 RMB
Accommodation
Most people hike the length (16 km) of Tiger Leaping Gorge in 2 days, starting early in the morning from Qiatou on 'Day One', and stay overnight at a guesthouse in one of the villages along the trail. Accommodations are basic, and will cost you about 30 RMB.
Accommodation in Qiatou can be found at the Tiger Leaping Gorged Café, which offers food, dorm beds, storage of luggage, and lots of information. At the end of the trail, Sean's Guesthouse in Walnut Grove is a popular spot with many hikers.
Food
In Qiatou, The Tiger Leaping Gorged Café offers home cooked meals. There are restaurants at the guesthouses in the villages - water and snacks can also be purchased. Outside of the villages, there are no facilities along the trail.
Emei Shan
 Location: Southern Sichuan Province
Hiking Duration: 3 days
One of China's four sacred Buddhist Mountains, Emei Shan is scattered with temples and monasteries still inhabited by monks and nuns. It's a place of pilgrimage for Buddhist followers, and as you hike, you'll think you're climbing the longest staircase on earth. At the summit of Mount Emei, you'll stand above the clouds at an elevation of over 9,800 feet as you trek on toward the Golden Temple. It's easy to see why Buddhists have chosen Emei Shan as a place of pilgrimage. Not only is it a test of physical endurance, but a test of the mind and will, as well. The Buddhist religion is established on the principle that life is about suffering, and climbing Emei's stairs is grueling enough to make you a believer.
Hikers can make the journey to the summit and back in three days, staying overnight at one of the monasteries on the mountain, and on Day Two, at the Golden Temple. The third day is a walk or bus ride down the mountain. You may also consider taking one of several cable cars that are located on Mount Emei.
Getting There
Emei Shan is located in Emei, about 150 km southwest of Chengdu. It's approximately three hours by bus.
Entrance Fee
Entrance fee is 120 RMB. Cable cars are 40 RMB going up and 30 RMB coming down (round trip is 60 RMB). The bus from the top to bottom is 30 RMB.
Accommodations
Hikers can expect to pay anywhere from 40 RMB for a dorm bed, and 130 RMB for a double room at one of the monasteries on the mountain. At the base of the mountain, there are numerous hotels.
Food
There are stalls along the path selling water, soda, fruit, and instant noodles, and most of the monasteries have basic dining facilities.
Other Noteworthy Trekking Areas
Yangshuo to Kaili
 Traveling from Yangshuo to Kaili, you'll experience the sites of many Dong villages set along river valleys while Miao villages are scattered on the hills.
Accommodations: Except Yangshuo and Kaili, all the towns and villages rarely have any real star-standard hotels. So-called "luxury" hotels that are supposedly 2 or 3-star quality are normally owned by local governments. Unfortunately, few of these live up to their star ratings, and most of them are located far away from the bus stations.
There are plenty of simple hotels near the bus station in the town that offer double rooms with hot showers and flush toilets at 40 to 60 RMB.
Yangshuo to Guilin, Longsheng, Pingan and Jinkeng
Yangshuo has one bus leaving early in the morning for Longsheng. The Guilin Bus Station has non-stop express buses and normal buses leaving for Longshen every 15 minutes. There are also buses every half hour connecting Longsheng to Pingan or Jinkeng. It takes an hour and a half to get from Longsheng to Jinkeng (33km) and costs 7 RMB.
Pingan is the Zhuang village located in the Longji Terrace Fields (Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces). Jinkeng Rice Terraces have several beautiful Yao villages including Dazhai and Xiaozhai.
Itinerary: First, go to Jinkeng and spend a day visiting several beautiful villages, including Dazhai, and Xiazhai. On the second day, hike from Jinkeng to Pingan (around 4 hours) and stay overnight in Pingan. On the third day, you can walk from Pingan to Golden Zhuang Village via Old Zhuang Village. You can catch the bus for Longsheng on the road near Golden Zhuang Village. Pingan is frequented by tourists from Guilin, but Jinkeng is still very isolated. Entrance fee: 50 RMB to see both places.
Accommodations
There are a lot of hostels in Jinkeng. The guesthouse Quanjinglou is situated at the highest viewpoint in Jinkeng, overlooking rice terraces and beautiful traditional Yao villages. Clean dormitory rooms are 20 RMB per bed with a shared bathroom. There's also a good restaurant. The owner can arrange a guide for you for walking to Pingan: (40 RMB per day). Xiaozhai is worth visiting, as it has not yet been developed into a tourist site. It takes 2 hours to hike from Quanjinglou to Xiazhai. Take food: there are no restaurants in Xiaozhai.
Longsheng to Sanjiang and Chengyang
Every half an hour (from 6:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.) there is a bus leaving Longsheng for Sanjiang. It's a two and a half hour trip and costs 10 RMB. Sanjiang has two bus stations. Buses from Longsheng and Guilin stop at the West Station. You have to go to Sanjiang's East Station to take a bus to Linxi and you get off at Chengyang Bridge. It's a 40 minute drive and costs 3.5 RMB. You can also take a collective taxi (about 5 RMB) to Chengyang Bridge on the main street.
Accommodations: Chengyang Bridge National Hostel. (20 RMB per bed). Dinner there is 15 RMB per person.
Sanjiang to Zhaoxing
Sanjiang's East bus station has two daily buses directly to Zhaoxing (7:00 A.M., 11:30 A.M.). It's a four and a half hour trip and costs 18 RMB. Zhaoxing is one of the most attractive destinations in Southwest China for those who wish to experience minority cultures.
Zhaoxing to Luoxiang and Congjiang (Gaozeng, Basha)
There's no bus service between Zhaoxing and Luoxiang, except on Luoxiang's Market days. Luoxiang has buses leaving for Congjiang seven times a day for 11 RMB. It's an hour and a half trip.
Gaozeng and Basha are located close to Congjiang, but there are no regular bus services. Basha is an interesting Miao village. Gaozeng is also worth a visit. There's a hostel near the new Drum Tower in Gaozeng. (10 RMB per bed).
Congjiang, Rongjiang, Wangdong and Zengchong
Bus service from Congjiang to Rongjiang is every half hour. One of the most beautiful minority villages is the Dong village of Zengchong. Bus fare to Zengchong is 22 RMB.
Rongjiang, Leishan, Xijiang and Kaili
It takes four and half hours to get to Leishan from Rongjiang. (30 RMB). You can take any bus heading for Kaili. Between Leishan and Xijiang, the journey takes one and half hours and costs 8 RMB. The bus leaves only when it is full. From Xijiang, there are two buses leaving early in the morning for Kaili directly.
The best hostel in Xijiang is Minzhu Zhaodaisuo: Beds are 8 - 20 RMB, with flush toilets.
Wuling Mountains
 The Wuling Mountains cover over 100,000 sq. kilometers of Central China, from West Hunan to East Guizhou and Chongqing. In the east, the famous Wulingyuan Scenic Area is a World Heritage Site located near the Zhangjiajie. In the south, the ancient town of Fenghuang hugs the banks of the Tuo River and is considered to be one of the most beautiful towns in China.
Gongtan
Gongtan is another attractive destination of backpackers in this region. Little known to outside travelers, the town is located halfway inside Wu Jiang Gorge. A large number of wooden stilt-houses, perched finely on steep slopes, stretch along the east bank of Wu Jiang (the River Wu). Most of them have been there for over 100 years, and some of them are almost 400 years old. The main drag is a narrow old street, paved with stone slabs, and connected by beautiful stone bridges. Wu Jiang Gorge is steep and rugged and crowned with stunning rock formations. The gorge is bout 100km in length, starting after Pengshui, and ending near Wanmu. Mt. Fenghuang (2570 meters) is the highest summit of the Wuling Mountains, and it stands in the Fanjing Shan Nature Reserve near Tongren in Guizhou. Fanjing Shan is one of the five sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism and an important conservation area of Wulings. It is also home for the Guizhou snub-nosed Monkeys.
Nujiang Gorge
Nujiang is one of the rivers within the Three River Natural Reserve and it flows into Myanmar and joins the Salween River. The Nujiang Gorge from northwest Yunnan to Tibet lies in a narrow strip of land bordering Myanmar, sandwiched on the west by the Gaoligong Mountain range and the Biluo Mountain range on the east . The region is inhabited mainly by the Bais, Lisus, Nus and Tibetans. The Hans are prominent in the towns. The main towns in Nujiang Gorge are Liuku, Fugong, and Gongshan. The most beautiful part of the gorge starts from Bingzhongluo.
Fugong: 123km north of Liuku
Fugong is mostly populated by the Lisu tribe. Outside of town you will find luscious rice terraces that are easily accessible and within hiking distance. The Gaoligong Mountains are close by and soar to over 4000 meters.
Accomodations: There are plenty of hotels in town; most are close to the bus station near the center of town. Bus Station Hotel has clean doubles for 50 RMB, which includes a bathroom and hot shower. The Dianli Hotel is the most luxurious hotel and you can get a double for 80 RMB.
Gongshan
Gongshan is another major town in this region. It is the closest supply depot for hardware and other requirements to all the towns and villages nearby. There are plenty of accommodations, such as the Bus Station Hotel, and the Gongshan Hotel. Sandan Jiudian has dormitory rooms for 15 RMB per bed, and their doubles are around 60 RMB.
Between Fugong and Gongshan there are fabulous waterfalls and beautiful scenery. A narrow road winds along the Nujiang, and vehicles traverse within inches of the cliff's edge. There are Lisu and Nu farms clinging along the steep slopes hundreds of meters above the river.
Zhaoxing
 Zhaoxing is an attractive Dong village with 5 Drum Towers all painted and decorated. Graceful Wind and Rain Bridges and traditional wooden houses add to the beauty of the setting. Zhaoxing is one of the most attractive destinations in Southwest China for those wishing to visit the minority cultures.
Hiking in Maituo
Maituo is the last county in China without roads for automobiles and has become a mecca for backpackers. The name Maituo means "the Hidden Lotus", and the scenery is gorgeous After receiving your travel permits, it will take 9 days to hike from Lizhi, via Lage, Aniqiao, Badengze, Maituo, Damu. The hiking routes will take you all the way through Maituo. Backpackers can expect to experience high altitude sickness, bad weather, and difficult living conditions. It's a challenge to your physical strength, but the rewards will be the lasting memories.
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Online Resources
Train Travel:
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Domestic Airline Reservations:
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Hostels and Hotels:
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