the list

A little ranking..

1) Shaoshan, (Hunan)
For obvious reasons. Go google. And don't laugh! Its a beautiful place.

2) Changsha (Hunan)
Must go to Yuelu Park in autumn. Best. And for all the happy people selling street meat. Good shopping too.

3) Chengdu (Sichuan)
For all the friendly happy people. Bestest hostel in the world is located there. Ma la heaven. And how can you forget the pandas.

4) Yongding (Fujian)
Engineering miracles all over, and great lesson on integrating physical and social structures. And its also hometown :)

5) Shuimo (Sichuan)
The admirable spirit after the deadly earthquake. Community-based social work. Marvelous.

6) Lhasa (Tibet)
The scenery, the culture, the monks. What more can you ask for. But altitude and permit / guide thing is a turn off. And the beggars. Though it is a place you must go once in your lifetime. Or twice.

7) Lanzhou (Gansu)
Another must go, though there isn't particularly any interesting thing to do. World's most polluted city! Its a living and breathing attraction. And its free. Travel advisory to stay one day max.

8) Shigatse (Tibet)
A bit repetitive after lhasa, but higher and more exotic. And it snowed there.

9) Guilin / Yangshuo (Guangxi)
Great scenery but full of irritating touts.

10) Macau (Macau)
Greyhound racing was closed. But how can you neglect a money making opportunity?

11) Xi'an (Shaanxi)
Another tout filled place. Hua Shan was legendary. Terracotta was average.

12) Beijing (Beijing)
Modern city, modern manners. Beijing Duck!

13) Xiamen (Fujian)
Not much things to do. Gulangyu island is cool stuff though.

14) Guangzhou (Guangdong)
Not much things to do.

15) Zigong (Sichuan)
Dinosaur museum was a letdown. But great find in the shopping area.

16) Shenzhen (Guangzhou)
Not much things to do and full of cheats and pickpockets. And touts. Its not the best place for shopping also.