Perfect 10

1 West Street

Yangshuo, in north Guangxi province, is one of the most beautiful places in the Middle Kingdom, a fairy-tale town of low-slung classical buildings surrounded by karst limestone peaks resembling dragon's fangs. First-time visitors often say they feel as if they've stepped into a Chinese painting. The heart of Yangshuo is West Street, a funky, cobblestoned slacker's paradise. Spend the day wandering around, checking out the traditional architecture, soaking in the atmosphere and shopping for antiques, wooden masks, scrolls and paintings. When you need a break from your meandering, check out Cafe China, whose rooftop garden provides diners with 360-degree views (34 West Street, tel: [86] 773 882 7744). Or head for French-run The Balcony, which offers a well-stocked bar and a touch of Paris on the picturesque banks of the River Li (28 Xian Qian Street, tel: [86] 773 881 2331).

2 Tai chi

A number of masters operate on the city's riverbanks, and their courses last from about three hours to a week. One of the more popular, the graceful Luo Meijuan (tel: [86] 138 7837 6597), has been teaching the art for more than a decade. 'While tai chi is a life-long practice, I can teach students the basic moves of Chen- [hard] or Yang- [soft] style tai chi in a short time,' says Luo.

3 Moon Hill

Moon Hill has a perfectly spherical hole in its centre. Geologists say it was formed by erosion, when much of the area was submerged, but locals say the opening is the result of an errant thunderbolt shot from the bow of an ancient hero battling a mythical dragon. You can get there by bike, bus or motorcycle taxi, but once you're there, be prepared for a workout. The hike from the road to the bottom of the hill entails a few thousand steep steps through bamboo forests. From there, the climb to the top of the hill gets steeper, and is without steps, but the view from the summit is well worth the effort. Decent footwear is a must.