"If life is too hectic, come to Yangshuo to take it easy"
I. Must-Visit Attractions
1. Li River Highlights (Yangdi to Xingping)
- Activity: Bamboo raft cruise (about 1.5 hours), visit the 20 RMB banknote scenery, Nine Horses Fresco Hill, and Huangbu Reflection.
- Tips: Book tickets in advance through official platforms; during peak season (April-October) you may need to join a waitlist. Recommended route: take a bamboo raft from Yangdi to Xingping, then walk to Xingping Ancient Town.
2. Yulong River Cycling
- Route: Yulong Bridge → Wanjing Section → Jima Village → Moon Hill (about 9 kilometers total).
- Transportation: Rent an electric bike (50 yuan/day) or bicycle (30 yuan/day); the countryside views along the way are incredibly therapeutic.
- Highlights: Fuli Bridge, Xiangui Bridge (perfect spots for photography).
3. Ten-Mile Gallery
- Recommended method: Rent an electric bike to ride through Moon Hill, Big Banyan Tree, and Butterfly Spring.
- Moon Hill: Natural stone arch shaped like a moon; you can climb it or view from a distance.
4. Xingping Ancient Town
- Features: A thousand-year-old town that preserves bluestone paths and old houses, perfect for photography.
- Highlights: Laozhai Mountain (climb to the top for a panoramic view of Li River), Guandi Temple (overlooks the 20 RMB banknote scenic spot).
5. West Street
- Activities: Night tour of the bar street, try local snacks, shop for handicrafts. Recommended: "Lazy Sofa" bar for folk music.
- Tips: Avoid weekend evening crowds; visit artsy shops during the day.
6. Silver Cave
- Features: Karst cave spectacle with lights that make it "flow like mercury"; tour takes about 1 hour.
7. Shangri-La Park
- Highlight: Boat ride through a cave that opens into a bright scenic area, reminiscent of "The Peach Blossom Spring"; great for photos.
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II. Food Recommendations
Must-Try Specialties
1. Yangshuo Beer Fish: First choice is Master Chef Beer Fish (West Street main store); choose Li River carp or swordfish.
2. Guilin Rice Noodles: Shengji Fenku (Seven Star District old shop); noodles with braised meats and soup are a perfect match.
3. Stuffed Snails: Meat stuffed into snail shells; "Xie Sanjie Beer Fish" on West Street has a good reputation.
4. Lipu Taro with Braised Pork: Tender and savory; commonly found in farmhouse restaurants in Xingping Ancient Town.
Snack Recommendations
- Osmanthus candy, mugwort cake, pine flower candy (at "Guzi Pastry" at the entrance of West Street).
- Oil tea stalls at the foot of Laozhai Mountain in Xingping (locals' favorite).
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III. Transportation Guide
External Transportation
- High-speed rail: Guilin Station → Yangshuo Station (about 1 hour, fare about 50 yuan), then 15 minutes by taxi to West Street.
- Bus: Guilin Bus Terminal → Yangshuo (about 2 hours, fare 25 yuan).
Within Yangshuo
- Bus: Routes 1/2 travel between West Street, Xingping, and Yulong River.
- Vehicle rental: Electric bikes 50 yuan/day (recommended), cars about 200 yuan/day.
- Bamboo rafts: Xingping to Nine Horses Fresco Hill section about 120 yuan/person (4 people per raft, empty seat fees apply if fewer).
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IV. Accommodation Suggestions
- Near West Street: Convenient for night tours, such as Yangshuo Mango Villa (countryside style), Jiyun Shangyan (high-end guesthouse).
- Along Yulong River: Yuyuan Jingshe (detached villas), Secret Garden (Instagram-worthy).
- Xingping Ancient Town: The Old Place International Youth Hostel (near the 20 RMB banknote scenic spot).
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V. Suggested Itineraries
Classic 3 Days 2 Nights
- Day 1: Yangdi bamboo raft → Xingping Ancient Town → West Street night tour
- Day 2: Yulong River cycling → Ten-Mile Gallery → Moon Hill → Silver Cave
- Day 3: Shangri-La Park → Xianggong Mountain sunrise (optional) → Return journey
In-depth 5 Days 4 Nights
- Add: Xianggong Mountain sunrise, Xingping Fishing Village, rock climbing experience (near Butterfly Spring), free cycling along less-visited sections of Yulong River.
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VI. Important Notes
1. Weather: Bring sun protection in summer, rain gear during rainy season, and jackets in winter due to temperature differences.
2. Bargaining: Specialty stores have fixed prices, but handicrafts on West Street can be bargained (start at 30% of marked price).
3. Avoiding scams: Choose official ticket booths for Yulong River bamboo rafts; refuse street touts. Photography is prohibited inside Silver Cave.
4. Environmental protection: Do not disembark from bamboo rafts on Yulong River to keep the water clean.
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VII. Best Time to Visit
- April-May/October-November: Pleasant temperatures, avoiding rainy season and peak crowds.
- Sunrise/sunset: Xianggong Mountain (5:30-6:30 AM), Moon Hill (soft light after 4 PM).
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Hope this guide helps you plan a perfect trip to Yangshuo! If you have other needs (such as family travel or photography routes), feel free to ask additional questions! 🌄