Well, actually a train from Beijing to KMG. I'm looking to mosey my way back, taking about week or two Any recommended stops? My venture will be in July 2017 so I have some time to plan. Thanks

Go via Xian, if you've never been there.

It depends on what kinds of things you are interested in. Food? Ancient history? Modern history? Tea culture? Philosophy? All of the above? The only place I have visited that I would not recommend to anyone is the Shaolin Temple in Henan, corporatism meets cheap fairgrounds magic

LOL, Tiger. I'm looking for clean air, places that still look like China instead of an American strip mall, and more temples than Starbucks. Thanks about Shaolin Temple.

"clean air, places that still look like China instead of an American strip mall"

Well you are 20 years to late at least ;-)

I'm plotting this trip. I'll fly to beijing ( i have a one way ticket) then take a train to Xi'an (thirteen hour sleeper instead of the bullet) then from xi'an to Guilin---either the expensive 13 hour bullet or the-gulp--twenty six-hour creeper-- then Guililn to KMG (8). Thanks for the input.

Just in case you didn't know, head over to yangshuo once in guilin.

Thanks. I'll soon discover if a 15 hour train ride is anymore bearable than a 15 hour plane ride.

If you have the middle bunk and quiet roommates, it's just about bearable. Does anyone know if any gaotie have beds? That would have to be the ultimate in comfortable travel.

For me, 15 hours by hard sleeper on an ordinary Chinese train beats sitting economy class on a plane for 15 hours any day.