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| Tourist
Guides for China |
Yangshuo
Tourist Guide (October 2008) |
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General Comments:
Yangshuo is a town situated close to Guilin, the Li
River and River Yulong. A visit here normally forms
but one day of a 4-day tourist package to Guilin.
We consider this to be an excellent place worthy of
far greater investigation, and ideal for those seeking
a quite week away from it all, and especially ideal
for Independent Travellers.
This small town currently has about 300 assorted hotels
and guest houses, and a room can be found here virtually
at any time of year. Getting a good room with full
Western facilities is more difficult, as you will
probably expect a bathroom with Western toilet, air-conditioning
in summer, Western food options, etc - so please contact
our friends at Outside Inn, or see below for more
details...
Yangshuo is a base for ethnic minority groups, and
we list below areas worth visiting for: Rice Terracing,
Native Villages, and general relaxed hiking trips.
Bicycle hire is readily available, as are taxi's to
drop you off and pick you up somewhere else later
Prices are generally very cheap, but facilities can
be quite basic on occasions. If you consider 5* as
'roughing-it', then one night here will be enough
for you. If you like to wander off for days and mix
with the locals, then you are in heaven.
Where to Stay:
Outside Inn
A collection of historic local dwellings, refurbished
by a Dutchman called Herbert who came to China many
years ago, and fell in love with this part of the
world
Working alongside local people, he has created what
we think is a superb holiday experience. Rooms vary
in size some can accommodate whole families, some
come with air-con, and prices are very competitive.
He also offers airport return transfers, all meals,
and excursions from a few hours to several weeks duration.
Herbert also has Wireless internet installed for people
with their own laptops, and computers for use by residents
Visit Yangshuo Outside Inn website for full details
and contact information
What to Do
Local Attractions
1. Seriously consider a longer trip
if you want a more relaxed and fulfilling visit -
there are loads to see and do here abouts
2. Take a leisurely bicycle trip
along the river - it is very flat and easy + superb
scenery! There are marked cycle routes to Dragon Bridge
and Moonhill
3. Rent a local raft and spend a
few hours on the Yulong River
4. Visit the Longji Rice Terraces
at nearby Pignan Village. You can also spend a few
days here, and we recommend Liqing Guesthouse, which
is owned by local friends of Herbert
5. Marked Hiking trails, from a few
hours to several weeks. A local English speaking guide
is available for a small fee
6. Rock-climbing is available by
arrangement with local experts
7. Caving is also a must-do, and
there are a variety of locations and experience levels
to choose from
Further Afield
8. Guilin City is very close by, and you
may fancy sampling the more Westernised shopping or
nightlife?
9. Otherwise you would do very well
to consider from the following options, which can
be arranged during your stay by Herbert and his friends,
or via local travel operators. Most are in local parts
of Gaungxi Province (This is where you are), or in
closely neighbouring Guizhou Province - One province
I consider to be vastly underrated and explored:
a. 2 Day biking
trips from Xing Ping to Guilin
b. 5 Day trip
to “The Other side of Guilin?” Stay with
Eastern Zhuang Ethnic Minority villagers in Zhaoxing
Village. They live in wooden houses with; animals
below, living accommodation on the first (British
2nd) floor, with grain, storage and supplies above.
Tourism and exposure to nearby modern China is changing
these peoples lives at break-neck pace ... so be quick
if you want to see the real thing.
Note: China Expats is extremely
worried about loosing these and similar cultural heritages:
see below...
c. The Cormorant
Fishermen of Guilin, as pictured in the black &
white picture to your left, are virtually extinct
now. The old men still continue their traditional
methods of fishing - except nowadays it is usually
only a show for tourists. Commercial fishing practices
have wiped out their traditional livelihood and ways
of life. As stated in the mouseover: these cormorants
can count up to 7 fish caught, and after that they
refuse to dive again unless they are fed = end of
work for the day!
d. 6 to 12 days
Travelling through mountains and along rivers to meet
several different minority people such as: the Miao,
the Dong, the Zhuang and the Yao.
Much of this information was provided by Herbert and
his friends with local knowledge. We have supplemented
this with our own contributions, observations, and
experiences. China Expats and Team do not have any
business arrangements with Outside Inn nor owners
and staff, we are just trying to help each other-out,
and provide you with information and unforgettable
experiences. For full information please see:
http://www.yangshuo-outside.com/tours.html
Herbert, Thank You for allowing us to use
the above information
Tip! The page referred to above also has
some great pictures!
Summary:
Yangshuo is as near as most Foreigners will easily
come to seeing real and rural China. The Ethnic Minority
mixes are exceptional, and at specific times of year,
you can still witness their local celebrations, dances,
music, and traditions. All local people live off the
land and rivers; nowadays being supplemented by increasing
tourism. Nearby Guilin was once a small District Capital,
it is now a smog-ridden western-style city
Conclusion:
Independent Travellers will love Yangshuo, and especially
what Herbert and his friends are trying to accomplish.
We suggest you use this as a base and go explore...
It is the ordinary people that make China such a great
Country
See our dedicated page for Independent Travellers
here
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This information is as supplied by the Chinese Embassy
in UK, as dated 20th June 2008, and/or other reliable
sources. Please check this information yourself as it
may alter without notice, and whilst we try our best
to ensure it is correct, please do not hold us responsible
for any errors - this is intended as a simple guide
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