The big difference between Hong Kong and China is all the signs that were accompanied by English translations suddenly disappear and you are left looking at characters that mean absolutley nothing. Then you realise that the few Cantonese words you picked up are also worthless as everybody now speaks Mandarin and very few speak English.
(The translations dont always appear to work.)
China's border town to Vietnam. A 3-wheeler takes you from the town to The Friendship Pass - the first/last thing you'll see of China.
Although it's another big, ultra modern Chinese city, there is a bit of character about Nanning and worth a quick visit.
A beautiful town on the Li River, Yangshou has long been exposed to tourism and over a million Chinese visitors pass through each year. However, it is easy to avoid the much touted West Street and mix with the locals.
Eight km SW of Yangshou is one of the areas main attractions - a karst peak which obtains its name from a large round hole in the middle of the mountain. Usually tackled as a day trip from town, the best way to see it is to stay in the local farming village and just cross the road at first light. The very relaxing, family run Moon Hill Resort offers a taste of local life and is a welcome break from the bright lights of the town.
A spectacular light show at the confluence of the Li and Yu Long Rivers. Designed and directed by Zhang Yimao, who has been awarded to task of directing the opening ceremony at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it is a major production with a cast of 500 singers, dancers, bamboo boats and cormorants birds.
Fortunately met one of the cast over a bowl of street noodles the day before and got me in through the 'peformers village' to watch the show from backstage.
Public transport in China is very efficient, all the buses and trains are well staffed and are usually very comfortable. The 13 hour trip to Yangshou arrived just 8 minutes behind schedule and the 6 hour bus journey to Nanning was 2 minutes early.
My 2 hour coach trip to Heathrow was 40 minutes late and then the tube was delayed.
On the train from Hong Kong, a girl from Shanghai described Guangzhou as the "Armpit of China". Wasn't there long enough to justify this but what I did see was big and bland.
Perhaps this sign at the exit the railway station sums it up.
