Travel Review: Review of China Trip

Oh, there were so many things! Meeting my friends there was certainly the best part of the trip. Everyone I met was wonderful and so hospitable. The sightseeing was great - China is absolutely fascinating. It's definitely a little rough around the edges still, as far as what a American tourist might expect. The food is great (if you like Chinese food), but the restaurants aren't always exactly spotless. Away from the hotels, the bathrooms are, um, "unusual." But I was prepared for that and didn't expect 5-star accommodations, anyway. On the other hand, the museums and other sightseeing locations were amazing and wonderful - every bit as interesting and incredible as you might have heard. I don't know if I can pick a favorite place; they were all (Forbidden City, Terracotta Army, Summer Palace, and so on) really great. One of my favorite parts of the trip was that I got away from many of the "tourist" places, since I was able to meet Chinese friends there and travel with them. In Changchun and Kunming, I was with friends the whole time, so I got to go to places Westerners typically don't go (Palace of Manchukuo Emporer in Changchun, the Stone Forest and Minority People's Village in Kunming). I am definitely looking forward to going back to China sometime - hopefully soon!