Which one would you like the look of best, shohin or penjing and why. I prefer penjing because the bonsai stands out a lot in the natural surroundings e.g suiseki, cliffs, stone seas...

Penjing is Chinese styled Shohin is the size of the tree, so there is nothing to compare. Shohin is a tree up to 12CMs I think, whereas Penjing can be any size.
Again, suiseki are viewing stones and are seperate to trees.
Hopefully that clarifles it. I can understand how it can be confusing Bob.

As said it's either shohin vs Kifu,Chhuhin, mame whatsoever or just penjing vs bonsai.

I read an article written by Robert Steven were he explains:


The main difference between penjing (Chinese: pen = pot; jing = panorama) and bonsai (Japanese: bon = pot; sai = plant), despite the terminology, penjing is more about artistic nuance in portraying natural phenomena; and bonsai is more disciplined in technical skill with the objective of suggesting the physical perfection of an old tree.
Penjing is more symbolic as well as a media for the artist in expressing his emotional ideas.
To a certain extent, bonsai is rather bounded within its convention and rules; where penjing is more free as personal expression.

I agree Chris that is right.