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Why Yangshou 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 delightfully photogenic.
What to do
outside 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).
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.
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
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