Caving Trip to China

[Chris Lank]

I was contemplating having a caving holiday in Guilin, Guangxi Province, China.

I have read this similar topic which is a good start:

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php/topic,2428.0.html

... and wonder if anyone has any further guidance, comments or feedback.  Also, I am interested in knowing of any people that have done similar or any contacts in China that could be of use.

It would be useful to know if there are any Chinese government restrictions on foreigners undertaking this type of activity.

My primary interest is just to get underground.  I do not have to be exporing new cave systems; guided/unguided trips to known caves would suffice.

Finally, I am not the world's best camper so my preference would be to stay in a hotel.  Are there any recommendations?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[Andy Sparrow]

I was contemplating having a caving holiday in Guilin, Guangxi Province, China.

I have read this similar topic which is a good start:

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php/topic,2428.0.html

... and wonder if anyone has any further guidance, comments or feedback.  Also, I am interested in knowing of any people that have done similar or any contacts in China that could be of use.

It would be useful to know if there are any Chinese government restrictions on foreigners undertaking this type of activity.

My primary interest is just to get underground.  I do not have to be exporing new cave systems; guided/unguided trips to known caves would suffice.

Finally, I am not the world's best camper so my preference would be to stay in a hotel.  Are there any recommendations?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

My advice would be not to undertake this venture without hiring the services of a qualified caving instructor from the UK. 

 

[Les W]

A good person to contact in the first instance would be Erin
She is the editor of Speleology and lives in China, she is a member of the Hong Meigui Caving Club.
I think, but am not sure that she is in or near Guilian.

 

[biffa]

I believe that Erin is in Wulong now. She used to live in Yangshuo (about an hour south of Guilin). I visited Yangshuo for a week, spectacular landscape, bolted limestone climbing if that's your thing and a fair bit of caving. I believe that the China Caves Project did the majority of exploration of the big systems in this area so it might be worth tracking down some of there publications.

Hong Meigui can be found at here

 

[Brains]

Try contacting Matt...
http://www.ccpc.org.uk/user/matt

 

[JL]

Agree that Erin would be a good contact as she did live in Yangshuo.

I have been to Yangshuo and Guilin and the area is magnificent.  Hotels in Yangshuo, while very cheap, are often not as expected by Western standards.  Guilin hotels are maybe a bit better in that regard.

When are you planning this holiday?  If this year, one thing to keep in mind is that visas to China have been delayed, restricted, and denied due to the Olympics, seemingly at the whim of the Chinese government.  Whether this difficulty will continue beyond the Games is anyone's guess but it is something to consider and plan for in any case.  Since the Expo is planned in Shanghai for 2010, who knows? 

JL

 

[Chris Lank]

JL - For various reasons, I already have a visa and would therefore prefer to do a trip before it expires early in January.

 

[JL]

Chris

You're a lucky one then!  I know the hotel occupancy in Shanghai is down 40% as a result of the visa issues......Having just moved from Shanghai two weeks ago, would be happy to provide you with any other details or contacts (i.e. local travel agents) on accommodation in Guilin or Yangshuo.  One other bit of info to help you plan: the first week in October is a Chinese holiday, so travel then is a big pain as it seems most of the Chinese population goes on holiday then so bookings are difficult and crowds are awful. 

JL

 

[nickwilliams]

Jonathan Sims and Paul Dunkley are both (very) experienced cavers and are based in Guilin. PM me if you want contact details.

Nick.

P.S. If you see Jonathan in proximity to beer, don't approach him unless you have your headache pills with you. Don't ask me how I know this....

 

[Chris Lank]

Thanks to everyone for their assistance.