Are you bored of the hustle and bustle of city life, or want to have a breath of natural fresh air, or are you curious about diverse cultures and exotic flavors in China? Please come to Yangshuo, a small county in southern China full of what you want. In the 1980s, many foreign backpackers were drawn here by the introduction of the county in the 'Lonely Planet'. Now, the county greets its guests with more charms and attractions.
Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City. The special geography gives it breath-taking beauty while over 1,400 years of history bless it with a deep traditional culture. The diverse ethnic minority groups including Hui, Zhuang, Yao and others, enrich it with special folk cultures represented by their various festivals; while many foreign residents add exotic flavors to its fascination.
The famous Li River traverses the county and brings it the most beautiful scenery. Along the extremely pure river, thousands of hills stand in different poses and with different expressions, such as Moon Hill, Mural Hill and Schoolboy Hill which is the natural stage of the world famous opera 'Impression on Sanjie Liu'. Sanjie Liu is a fairy singer in the legend of the Zhuang minority group. Big Banyan, a huge tree with a history of over 1,400 years, is said to be the place where her love story happened. The 'Little Li River'- the Yulong River – is a paradise for a cruise because of its green hills, silky water and ancient bridges. You can also go to Xanadu, a primitive minority village full of folk culture and tranquil rurality.
Streets in Yangshuo are well kept in the original style, presenting the simple and primitive atmosphere of the ancient town. West Street is the most exciting one that locals call the 'Global Village'. There are not only many foreign tourists, but also quite a number of foreign residents managing cafés and restaurants. The exotic flavor, combined with the traditional culture, make the West Street world famous.
Yangshuo also attracts tourists with its delicious specialty foods, such as Beer Fish, Niang dishes and special snacks including rice noodles and various glutinous rice cakes. You can taste them in most streets of the county. The local specialties such as the Shatian Shaddocks, the kumquats and the Chinese chestnuts are worth tasting as well. If you want to buy some souvenirs, painted fans, embroidered balls, and painted shirts are all good choices. You can buy these articles both in the tourist spots and in the malls of the county.
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Travelers' Voices on Yangshuo County
1.
Jun. 26,2009 19:10 Reply
Ms.karen(usa) said:
hello. does anyone know anything about the green lotus hotel in yangshuo? How would it compare to the paradesa?
I will be there in August (I know that it will be hot).
Also, how long is the yulong river trip? Is it on a private raft.
Thank you.
Jun. 26,2009 20:25
Ms.Ruth(China) replied:
I prefer the Green Lotus Hotel. It is located by the side of the Li River, near the West Street.
About 4 to 5 hours are needed to complete the whole Yulong River trip. The itinerary is 12 kilometers long.
Jinlong Brdige - Yulong Bridge - Guiyi Ancient Town (Jiu Xian) - Xiangui Bridge - Chaoyang Dock - Gongnong Bridge
Yes, it's on a private raft. The rafters are all the locals.
2.
Jun. 17,2009 21:11 Reply
Mr.Hong(Malaysia) said:
Hi all,
Be arriving Guilin 4th July. Any recommendation of clean budget hostel to stay in Guilin and Yangshuo for about 2 weeks.
Thanks.
Hong
Jun. 17,2009 23:27
Mr.Leo replied:
In Guilin, you may consider the Flowers Youth Hostel located at Guilin South Railway Station. The price is 35RMB/night/berth and 70~90RMB/room. It also has branch in Yangshuo.
There are many hostels along the West Street in Yangshuo, too. You could look for one hostel by yourself.
3.
Jun. 16,2009 01:34 Reply
Ms.B-V(USA ) said:
I have 1 week in mid August to spend in Hong Kong and Guilin area following a 3 week tour of china. Any suggestion on time split and the most efficient means of travel between hong kong and Guilin / Yangshuo?
Jun. 17,2009 04:42
Mr.Jerry replied:
To Ms. B-V.
Guilin is hot and humid in August, but not rainy often. So as Hong Kong, the weather there is hot either. The most efficient means of transportation is by air. From Guilin to Yaangshuo, you can take cruise ship along the Li River or going by bus. :-)Enjoy~
4.
May. 29,2009 11:26 Reply
Ms.KR(Canada) said:
Hi,
I am planning to visit Yangshou in July. I know it will be hot! I have read confliecting reports about what the city is like--some say that it is swarmed with tourists that ruin the experience, and some say that is has an untouched feel. If you have been there recently, can anyone tell me what the city is REALLY like? Thanks! I can't wait!
KR
Jun. 1,2009 00:38
Ms.Tingting(China) replied:
Hi,
I just came back from there. It is fatanstic. You can have fun in the bars /discos and also have a good rest in the mountains on biking. In addition, you can meet some people interesting.
Important: it is not important to reserve the hotel, for even on holiday, you can always find a place in the west street without reservation. It is better to look for a room after your arrival in the famous west street.
Jun. 2,2009 17:03
Mr.Antonq(Canada) replied:
I am here now and have really enjoyed my stay. Yes there is obviously some growth in the town but it is still small and friendly compared to Shanghai and Beijing. Well worth seeing IMO. Prices at the market and restaurants are better than Beijing.
I am staying at the Magnolia standard rates 388rmb 488 for deluxe. Works out to about$65cad a day depending on exchange, which is getting better at the moment. Paradeso I believe is a little more expensive. It's right next to West street so a little noisy but the rooms are great. Noise is not a problem for me as it shuts down about 1am.
Do the Yulong raft trip for sure. Most reviews seem to prefer it over the motorized trip down the Li River. I did both and liked them, but the Yulong is more quiet and peaceful. More my style.
Highly recommend a local guide to save on time and wrong turns.
I would recommend Lilly Lu. 15yrs experience, good english and very reliable, single mom. Works out to about 500 rmb per day including driver, depending on where you go. Google Lilly Lu and Longshu for her web ad contact info.
5.
Mar. 24,2009 09:53 Reply
Mr.Dickson Lai(Malaysia) said:
Will be there for a week trip soon. Any recommend hotels in Yangshuo and Guilin Town???
Dickson
Apr. 19,2009 05:49
Mrs.Jane(China) replied:
Stay at the Paradesa Resort. It's Malaysian run, great location and clean accommodations.
Apr. 30,2009 03:54
Ms.Yee(Malaysia) replied:
In Yangshuo, stay at the Paradesa (great location right next to West Street, decent rooms (Deluxe rooms have great views). In Guilin, depending on your budget, you can stay at the Sheraton (good rooms, all that you expect from a Sheraton), Lijiang Waterfall or Royal Garden.
6.
Apr. 17,2009 07:16 Reply
Mr.geckex(United Kingdom) said:
We was in Yangshuo in October last year, perfect time of year, not too hot.
Did have some problems with some very aggressive touts who were hanging around the bus stop. We were really tired after a 14 hour bus ride, and were tricked into staying at a really poor hotel (really poor).
This seems to be a growing problem in the area, and I would recommend at least arranging accomodation through a travel guide.
We used www.winwintravels.com and really enjoyed it. They are great people and we still keep in touch with them They are very friendly and easy going and so knowledgable, they will show you things you will never find in a guide book.
7.
Feb. 4,2009 07:40 Reply
Mr.Jean (Switzerland) said:
Really nice place. Great to enjoy the river Li and beautiful surroundings.
8.
Jan. 14,2009 03:09 Reply
Mr.Vlado Sestan(Serbia) said:
50 years ago I travelled from Guilin to Yangshuo by sampan. I was enchanted with the fantastic beauty of Lijiang scenery which fully proves the truth of the chinese saying: "Lijiang shanshui jia tian xia". I got acquainted with the boat people and the trip in this beautiful land inspired me to write a romantic story,"Daughter of the river", about the life of boat people.I am sure it would be interesting for the tourists who are coming to see the wonders of Lijiang river, especially in view of the fact that the transportatiion by sampans ceased long ago and they can get a glimpse of the life of boat people in my story.I wrote about this also to Guilin tourist association. I hope that that the story might be published in China, in English, for foreign tourists and may be also translated.
I published another story, in Yugoslavia and in Canada "Documents of the Taishan pilgrim" after my pilgrimage to Taishan in 1959.
Jan. 28,2009 15:28
Mr.carolyn franzini(USA) replied:
Dear Mr. Sestan,
I would love to know more about life with the boat people, and more specifically your story. I have been to Yangshuo 5 times. My small town in Kentucky is a sister city with Yangshuo. I taught English there one summer, I took a group of young people there another summer. My husband and I love the beauty of the landscape and the people.
I would like to know more about your experiences in Yangshuo.
Carolynfranzini@gmail.com
9.
Dec. 11,2008 09:09 Reply
Ms.Schindler(Germany) said:
Hello out there! I wanna stay in Yangshuo for a couple of weeks from February on. Is there a nice and cheap hostel to recommend that offers weekly prices for accomodation? Furthermore I'd be interested in a job in a bar/ restaurant/ hotel... Thanks for information! Kind regards from Harbin
Dec. 29,2008 10:55
Mr.T.Hayashi(UK) replied:
I was in Yangshou in the last week of 2008 and strongly recommend Magnolia hotel in west district of the town. The room charge was Y180 with free city map and breakfast. It is very clean hotel and most of staff speaks English. It is also very near to LiRiver.
10.
Dec. 28,2008 03:46 Reply
Mr.Owen(UK) said:
This may be a better time to travel than in October when things were really busy, especially lots of Chinese tours. We really like the choices outside of town, particularly the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat and Giggling Tree. The Mountain Retreat is on a river while the Giggling tree is in a quiet village. We stayed at Giggling Tree because Yangshuo Mountain Retreat was full, then we moved there when they had rooms. Best to make advance reservations!