Yangshou Countryside

candid China tips

 

Why the
Yangshou countryside
is special

For over a thousand years, the Yangshou countryside has been a popular tourist destination and an inspiration for poets and painters. Its skyscraping cone-shaped peaks "sprout" out of the ground and are lushly blanketed with verdant subtropical vegetation. These peaks along with Yangshou's rivers and rice paddies are marvelously photogenic.

What to do in the
Yangshou countryside

A sampling:

Bike
 Pedal through the enchanting back roads of the Yangshou countryside.
Hike
Yangshou has 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
Scale limestone peaks (this sport is becoming an increasingly popular Yangshou pastime).
Travel on a boat
Kayak, canoe or bamboo raft on beautiful Yulong River.
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.

What to do in
Yangshou town

Its two top attractions

West Street
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 masse 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.
Yangshou water show
It 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.

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.

Best and least desirable times

There is no perfect period. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

September and October
These are the best overall months for visiting Yangshou, but they can be crowded.
Spring
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.

Mist

Often the mountain peaks are clothed in mist, creating mystical scenes. This is especially true in the early morning and on rainy days.

Visitor profiles

Yangshou town is a haven for foreign backpackers and, increasingly, for independent suitcased budget travelers. Yangshou also has a few first class hotels.

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

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©2010 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications