Noodle King, I think HF does travel a lot.
I've been to Guizhou, it is quite pretty, but is also famously cloudy. Cloudy weather depresses me. Kunming's sunshine keeps me upbeat.

Something to consider. If you are retired with money to invest, don't even consider buying. For much less than a mortgage, you can rent somewhere nice. If you get bored or decide you don't like the place, you can up sticks. You can even find short-term rentals, if you offer more monthly rent. This would be a good way to see more of China.

going slightly off topic Tiger, but yes I agree, especially in China. So many new apartment buildings are being finished at around the same time, oversupply is giving renters more choice and lower rents. Why buy? You could lose a huge amount if the property bubble bursts. Unless you intend to live there your whole life, it doesn't make much sense to buy in China.

I'm quite a fan of Guizhou also, but to be honest, the only major city is Guiyang, and it's more of a hardship to live there than Kunming. Xiamen and Qingdao are both excellent seatowns.

As to the slightly off topic, buying can be more of a cultural rather than financial decision. But spouses of Westerners tend to be more open minded about it. A Chinese couple is constantly under pressure to own and don't envision a rent for rest of life future.

"buying can be more of a cultural"

ie face