China

West Lake is a 6.5 square kilometer freshwater lake situated in my hometown city of Hangzhou, in eastern China.  Unlike the towering high rises and skyscrapers of its neighboring city, Shanghai, Hangzhou is famous for its natural beauty.

Marching through the hills of Fujian, China, from one tulou to another, I and my all-Chinese tour companions went at a clip through a beautiful riverside village, walking on paths and climbing stairways built of stone. 

Between Guilin and Yangshuo in Guangxi, China, the Li River and the classic landscape are the big attractions.  Bumper to bumper tourist boats shuttle visitors among the famous karst mountains and overwhelm Yangshuo town.