Travel Review: Tour of China, Guilin, Yangshuo, Hangzhou, Li River Cruise, Forbidden City, Great Wall, Shopping & Markets

China is an amazing country, with such a rich and ancient culture and so many beautiful landscapes.  Although we expected to be wowed by the Forbidden City, we enjoyed visiting some of the better known Buddhist and Taoist temples as well.  A highlight was the Li River cruise through the karst mountain area between Guilin and Yangshuo, very serene and breathtaking at the same time.  The bamboo raft ride along the Yulong River was delightful as well.  Walking the Great Wall fulfilled a lifelong dream.  Hangzhou certainly deserves its reputation as China's most beautiful city, with gorgeous gardens and parks, and surrounded by the terraced tea plantations.  An unexpected surprise was the Zen Music Ritual performance put on by the Shaolin Temple, an incredible spectacle of music, dance, acrobatics, kung fu, special effects, and Zen involving more than 600 performers, with towering mountains in the background used as part of the set.