Yangshuo:
a place prettier than Guilin
As the old saying goes, “Guilin’s scenery
is the most beautiful in the world, while
Yangshuo’s is far more superior to that
of Guilin’s. From this, one can know that
the natural scenery of Yangshuo is so unique
that there is none alike in the world.
The clean and clear Li River winds through
Yangshuo for 56km. On both sides of the
river, magical peaks and green bamboo trees
reflect off from the mirror-like surface
of the water to form such a beautiful landscape
that all the western visitors begin to believe
the sceneries in the Chinese water-colored
paintings really exist on the earth.
The most notable scenic spots of Guilin
are close and around Yangshuo. Such as the
well-known scenic spots as: Nine-horse Painted
on the Cliff, Yellow Reflection Point, Yong
Scholar Hill, Snow Lion Ridge, the Big Banyan
Tree, Moon Hill, and Dragon River. Moreover,
all the visitors hold the idea that the
local landscapes are really like a beautiful
picturesque fairyland: crystal-clear river
water running passing by the green hills
with white cottages here and there.

Baisha Town: (Ancient Bridge on the Yulong
River)
The “Meet the Dragon” or Yulong River, which
begins in Zouzai Village, is the largest
tributary running into the Li river. The
excellent composition of water, ancient
bridges and mountains along this waterway
is one of the favorite choices of photographers
and artists coming to the area.
For those who are looking for a fabulous
hike, you can start at Baisha’s Yulong Bridge
and follow the path down the river to Gao
Tian. You’ll pass six unforgettable ancient
bridges during the 5-hour walk. There is
just a feeling that country road takes me
home and you will pass by the typical Southern
China country views: rice fields, ancient
trees at villages. The road is easy walk
and please remembers to bring an umbrella
with you just in case of sudden shower.
Fuli: Home to the “ Sister Liu”
Those who are familiar with Chinese old
movies will immediately recognize Fuli’s
distinctive wharf as the backdrop for shooting
parts of a famous feature film, “Sister
Liu”.
Like being at Xing Ping, travelers can experience
the lovely “mountain-water” scenery of the
area by taking the 50-minute boat ride on
the lower reaches of the Li River down to
this quaint spot. In the town, you can visit
some of the best local artists’ and their
shops or just sip some tea on the wharf
at Sister Liu’s Restaurant.
Gao Tian: a Best Retreat from Hustle-bustle
World
The most popular sport for 1-2 day biking
trips is the riding to Gao Tian, which,
a predominantly Zhuang ethnic minority town,
offers some of the most memorable sights
and experiences for those who want to encounter
China “off the road”. The Moon Hill, an
only large rounded hill in the shallow basin
is the centerpiece of the area. On a day
trip, bikers will usually go first to the
big Banyan Tree, and perhaps do some caving
exploration in the nearby caves. Many then
opt to stay overnight in the county at a
farmer’s home or better yet, rent a room
at the “Riverside Retreat”, a very comfortable
bed and breakfast run in a renovated mill
house beside the “Meet the Dragon”.
Xingping : Take me Home Country Roads
The cruise from Yangshuo to Xingping is
a “must do” for many adventurous travelers
who want to see the local landscapes from
another vantage point. The fascinating shapes
and coloration of the limestone hills sometimes
offer such a picturesque views that the
crews on board are eager to show you the
well-known scenic spots, such as “Nine Horses
Painted on the Cliff”, “Monk and Nun’s Peak”,
and “Snail Hill”. With bikes loaded onto
small riverboats or rafts, the energetic
tourists sit on the chairs, enjoying the
serenity of the magnificent hills passing
by their boats. After their arrival at the
destination, they can take a bike tour back
by way of winding country roads, with different
views and different impressions.
During the boat cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo,
travelers often stop near the halfway point
to visit the famous “Fishing Village”. From
the very beginning, visitors would notice
the authentic and well-preserved structures
the local houses, which reflect the life
style of the local that has lasted nearly
500 years. What is striking as well is that
this is not a museum; locals still eat,
sleep, and work out their lives there.
For detailed information,
please drop in an email and you will get
a tailor-made itinerary exclusively for
your tour calendar and interest.
john@chinahuangshan.com
congzhang35@hotmail.com
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