I would definitely recommend Yangshuo, in Guangxi Province which is world-famous for unique Karst (rock formations looking like needles) and location on the Li River.
Yangshuo is located about 1 to 1.5 hours outside of Guilin by bus. Do not be talked into going to Guilin instead of Yangshuo. Guilin, (which also has the Karst formations) is the more popular tourist destination for Chinese people as it is a much larger city and offers all the trappings that many Chinese people like to do on holiday (go shopping, eat in huge overly formal restaurants, go to big KTV clubs, etc), however Guilin has less beautiful and accessible scenery than Yangshuo, and Guilin has many of the less desirable aspects of other large Chinese cities in that it is overcrowded, polluted, etc. While Guilin would be worth a look if you have the time, Yangshuo is definitely where you want to go first.
Yangshuo is a very small city located on the scenic Li River and is surrounded by world famous Karst (kind of rock) formations which have peaks poking up into the sky in a scattered fashion. Just google it and look, there is really no description for it.
Yangshuo is a small city, with a western soul catering to western backpackers making their rounds, and Chinese people with a more outdoorsy inclination. As unlikely as it may seem because of its size, outside of Hong Kong or Shanghai, there actually is no better place to have a western meal or share a beer with like minds than in Yangshuo. The crowd tends to have a Bohemian vibe. What is great is there is a western communal atmosphere, but this in no way kills the natural beauty that surrounds Yang Shuo, or the opportunity to interact with locals.
Yang Shuo is especially popular with westerners living in China (i.e. teachers/backpackers) and is touristy, but in a relaxed nice sort of way, you can sit in endless bar's and cafe's and watch people flow by, sit on rooftop bars or rooftop pools and look at the natural scenery. If you have been living in China for a length of time, it's a wonderful escape because it is the 'anti-china' with a beautiful, relaxed, easy going, western mood which stands in contrast with huge, sprawling, crowded, polluted, loud, busy cities, which is largely life in working in cities in China. After a long year of teaching English and having dumplings or noodles for breakfast, blueberry pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast on a sunny rooftop in Yangshuo can sound very very apealing. If however, you're leaving L.A. to go to China as a tourist, you may not appreciate this mood as much because you can go to Starbucks and sit outside anytime. But regardless of your background, the beauty is undeniable.
There are plenty of places to go hiking, bicycle riding, river rafting, caving, etc either on guided outings or independently. It has a much more outdoorsy vibe than most Chinese destinations, partially because of the sheer natural beauty of the area, and partially because there is a definite western backpacker community that participates in outdoor activites that Chinese tourists would be more apt to avoid because of fear of getting a tan in warmer weather or a preference for going shopping.
Yangshuo is a destination that can be viewed as 'a break from China' in that it is small, aesthetically beautiful, laid back, quieter, outdoor oriented, and foreigner friendly. The city is a place where people go to get away, especially for outdoorsy people and foreigners living in China.
Generally, Yangshuo is an extremely beautiful, tranquil, outdoorsy place, without hordes of Chinese tourists you run into at other tourists spots like the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Sanya, etc. However, as I mentioned earlier it is touristy, just in a strange western-relaxed sort of way.
Just make sure to avoid going during the Chinese Spring Festival or you will have hordes of Chinese tourists flocking here as Guilin overflows on a quest to see/take pictures of 'foreigners' who are living/staying in Yangshuo. Any other time of year, besides during the Spring Festival, Yangshuo is a wonderful place to stay.
The Spring scenery is superb, and you've already missed the Spring Festival Season this year, so you won't have to worry about crowds.
ALSO: ALMOST EVERYTHING I SAID OF YANGSHUO IS ALSO TRUE OF DALI IN YUNNAN PROVINCE.
Dali has the same sort of vibe, but I can't take the time to write another review.
For Spring Scenery and an outdoorsy, relaxed, atmosphere the two best places you can stay in China are:
1. Yangshuo (smaller than Dali, more backpacker driven/western touristy, more obvious always viewable scenery)
2. Dali (larger than Yangshuo, touristy, but not as western touristy, more mountainous, Tibetan minorities can be seen here)
Tibet would also be a great trip, but that's a large time/travel commitment, and probably better done in Summer depending on where you want to visit.