|
What to do outside Yangshuo？
Kayak, canoe or bamboo raft on beautiful Yulong River.
Take the Li River Cruise. If you are staying in Yangshou, take a morning shuttle bus north to Guilin (one hour), then cruise downstream (4 to 5 hours) back to Yangshou.
Bike through the enchanting back roads of the Yangshou countryside.
Hike on Yangshou's many trails. The best known one ascends Moon Hill, Yangshou's most famous site, which is situated just south of the town. Nature cut a gargantuan round hole near the top of Moon Hill (it's really a mountain peak). Moon Hill offers a stunning vantage point overlooking the Yangshou countryside (see photo).
Rock climb limestone peaks (this sport is becoming an increasingly popular Yangshou pastime).
 
What to do in Yangshou？
True, little remains of Yangshou's once picturesque traditional architecture (it has been replaced with nondescript contemporary structures). Still, today's Yangshou can serve as a base for exploring the nearby countryside and as a place to unwind in the middle of your trip to China. Yangshou's two most interesting travel attractions are
West Street (Xi Jie in Chinese) is Yangshou town's best known area. It is a long, narrow, pedestrian lane lined with restaurants, bars, hostels, small hotels, and souvenir stalls. West Street normally has a relaxed atmosphere that's ideal for outdoor cafe eating, drinking and camaraderie - except at about 3 p.m. That's when hundreds of Guilin based tourists move en mass like cattle through West Street on their way from their moored Li River Cruise ships to board their Guilin bound tour busses in the center of the town.
The Yangshou water show is a lavish spectacle with hundreds of synchronized performers with traditional outfits, river rafts and colorful props. The huge stage is an enclosed river inlet. Flood lit limestone peaks and the night sky form the theatrical backdrop. Seating is amphitheatre style.
Tips for your vacation tour or trip？
September and October are the ideal (but most crowded) months for visiting Yangshou.
Spring is pleasant but can be rainy.
Summer offers long days for exploring but can be hot, humid, and rainy.
Winter has fewer tourists and is relatively dry, but can be cold and frosty.
Yangshou tidbits
Yangshou town is a haven for foreign backpackers and, increasingly, for independent suitcased budget travelers. Yangshou also has a few first class hotels.
Often the mountain peaks are clothed in mist, creating mystical scenes. This is especially true in the early morning and on rainy days.
 
Nearest major city
Yangshou is 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Guilin in the Guangxi autonomous region - and approximately 1000 kilometers (600 miles) northwest of Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Canton) in Guangdong province. See map below for the general location of the two provinces.
Pronunciation guide
Yangshou: Yahng-zh'joe
|
