Chengdu and Chongqing

[christianpfc]

I got a return flight Bangkok-Chengdu, therefor I didn't want to venture far from Chengdu.
I made side trips to Emeishan, Leshan, Fengdu.
Anyway, first trip mostly to get acquainted and figure out how things work.
There are spectacular mountains in China, little known outside, but well developed for local tourism.
(Danxia Mountain in Shaoguan, Fanjingshan, Zhangjiajie, each of them alone worth a trip to China.)
I found I can holiday in China about as cheap as elsewhere in SEAsia.
But they are not prepared for international tourists, reading basic Chinese was very helpful.
I have vague plans for Kunming-Sipsongphanha-Lao by train.
I will certainly make use of that 15 days visa free (don't know how it works overland) next year.
Tourist visa for 142.50 EUR and a lot of documentation as others report, no thank you.

Everyone and their grandmother have been to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia.
Due to absence of foreign tourists, China still somewhat exotic.
In two weeks in China, I saw 4 White tourists.
Going to Lotus Prasart (Surin province) for lunch, I saw 4 Whites.