We visited Vietnam several years ago on our own (hiring custom tours when necessary). Now we are contemplating visiting China on our own (possible areas Bejing, Yunnan, Guangxi, water villages around Shanghai). Once again we'd do a mix of DIY and private custom tours. We are not thinking to do the standard biggies tourist itinerary of Beijing, Xian, Hong Kong etc. but want to do some more low key rural visiting with some biking and walking through villages.