Yangshuo
Alex | July 13, 2009Arriving in Yangshuo by bamboo raft, overcrowded bus and finally electric powered tricycle is an experience in itself, but once you are here you can see why the local travel guides (who should be avoided like the plague) carry business cards that state: “Guilin is a beautiful place in China. But Yangshuo is better.”
Our guesthouse sits next to a small canal in the middle of the village sized town and a view of a 200 million year old rock formation in the background. Yangshuo is very touristy, the term ‘global village’ has been used by tourist maps (I wonder if they have read Marshal McLuhan) but it is really beautiful and you can understand why a lot of people would want to come.
Jo and I took a tandem bicycle out of Yangshuo yesterday and rode it to the next village; Fu Li. This was much more authentic, without the hustle of people trying to sell you $5 Rolex watches. We sat at a corner store on tiny little stools and drank two cokes and offered cigarettes to a group of older men that were looking at us from a few metres away. They then came over and sat with us and talked to Jo in Chinese. They asked where we are from and when we said ‘Ao-da-li-ya’, which is Chiense for ‘Australia’, they looked confused. It was obvious that they had never heard of it. Jo explained that it is south of China. Then we moved on, talking about a map of the local area we had brought, which they were fascinated by. Later they asked if we were Americans. We said “no” and left it at that.
We have now caught up with Jimi Barlow, a friend from Australia, and are sharing a room with him at the Magnolia. We are planning a 20km bicycle ride today, but this time without a tandem – they suck, especially when you are being overtaken by a 20ton Russian tip truck in a narrow tunnel.
Hello Alex,
My name is John, I`m 24 and I`m from Ireland. I`m planning on going to Guilin and Yangshuo at the end of August. It sounds like you really enjoyed your time there. I was just wondering if you had any quick tips on interesting or fun things to possibly do in the area.
Best Regards
John
Hi John,
Things to do in Guilin:
1. Congee City Restaurant (I recommend the caramelised taro balls)
2. Reed Flute Cave (a bit touristy but still pretty awesome)
3. Just walk around at night (its safe and you can just soak up the place)
Things to do in Yangshuo and surrounds:
1. Rent a bike and ride around town
2. Stay at the Magnolia (approx. 250rmb+ per night)
3. Get a map and ride your bike to Fuli (nice little town 20mins away)
4. Ride to Yima and go to the Yulong Jiang River and swim (yes swim, I know its clean enough)
5. Eat western and Chinese food (they are both generally quite good here)
6. Eat Lychees and Mangosteins from street vendors (they are fresh, cheap and delicious)
7. Avoid the numerous tourist guides that canvas the streets
8. Eat at the White Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant next tot he Magnolia – it is the best food I have eaten in China – with or without meat.
Guilin and Yangshuo are probably the nicest most pleasurable parts of China, at least based on my experience. You will love it. Bon Voyage!
Thanks for all the advice Alex! I`ve been looking up many things and its difficult to know where to start! Some of these look good, we`ll keep them in mind and will no doubt be trying some of them!
Hi Alex,
I`m back from my trip and I loved every minute of it. Guilin and Yangshuo are great places. We did some of your suggestions like bike riding and I loved just being in both places at night just wandering around. The heat was a lot for me as you might guess, I`m not from a hot place!! We went cormorant fishing in Yangshuo and that was good. The food was wonderful everywhere and I`m missing it already! The whole place is just amazing and I`m definately going back again! Theres a lot more to see and do.
Thanks again for your help.
Keep Well
John
Glad you enjoyed it, sorry for the late reply.
What blog script do you use on your site ?
It’s wordpress.