Yangshuo County
The beauty of Yangshuo county is something you can only truly appreciate by being there in person. It’s hard to capture it in photos.
Yangshuo county (阳朔) is known for its unique karst landscape, which shapes some amazing natural scenery, especially along the Li River (the Yangshuo county section) and Yulong River. While you’re there, you can also check out traditional Chinese performances, like the Yi ethnic group’s Torch Festival or the Carp Lantern Festival. The food in Yangshuo is pretty varied, with beer fish and beer duck being the standout dishes. Beer fish is super common in Yangshuo—almost every restaurant has it on the menu. And you can’t leave without trying the famous Guilin rice noodles.
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Scenery of Yangshuo County
Xingping Ancient Town
Xingping Ancient Town is full of old houses, opera stages, and temples, all dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Here, you can try authentic Yangshuo dishes like beer fish and stuffed river snails. Beer fish is a local specialty—it’s tangy and spicy, with tender fish and a rich, flavorful broth that’s perfect with rice. Stuffed river snails are also a must-try. The snails are huge, and the filling, which includes minced pork and perilla leaves, gives it a unique taste that’s quite special for first-timers.
Ten-Mile Gallery (Shili Huagong)
Yangshuo’s Ten-Mile Gallery is famous for its stunning scenery along the road. On both sides of the highway, you’ll find endless mountains and towering peaks, creating some truly unique landscapes. The idea to develop the area came from former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. During his visit to Yangshuo county China, he suggested changing the way people tour the area, so he borrowed a bike and rode through the Ten-Mile Gallery. To honor this, the local government built a nearly 10-mile-long bike path, along with viewing platforms and rest areas, so visitors can enjoy the views at their own pace.
Xianggong Mountain
Xianggong Mountain is not only a place of natural beauty but also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can try rock climbing, hiking, rafting, and other thrilling activities for an extreme physical challenge. The viewing platform on Xianggong Mountain faces east, making it one of the best spots in Guilin to catch the sunrise. But to see the most stunning moment, you’ll need to start your hike by 4 a.m., or you might miss it!
Moon Hill
Moon Hill is famous for its giant natural arch at the top, which stretches 50 meters wide and high. The rock around the arch is only a few meters thick, and the ceiling of the cave is covered in beautiful stalactites. There are several hiking routes to the top of Moon Hill, suitable for all levels of hikers. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and fields of Yangshuo Guilin China.
Butterfly Spring Scenic Area
Every spring, thousands of butterflies dance around the area, creating a beautiful and magical sight. The region is also home to a variety of colorful and uniquely shaped stalactites, adding to its natural charm. In addition to the stunning scenery, you can enjoy ethnic minority performances, such as the Dong people’s “Grand Song” and traditional Miao dances, offering a taste of local culture.
Rice Field Café
The Rice Field Café is nestled within the Ten-Mile Gallery scenic area in Yangshuo town. Surrounded by lush, green rice fields, the café offers a peaceful escape, with the air filled with the fresh scent of rice and the rich aroma of coffee. Although the prices here are a bit higher than chain cafes, it remains a popular spot for tourists, thanks to its unique atmosphere and picturesque setting.
Silver Cave (Yinziyan)
Silver Cave is famous for its stunning underground formations, with unique geology and beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. The rocks inside have been shaped over time by water erosion, creating all sorts of strange and fascinating formations. Compared to the hot weather outside, the cave’s climate is cool and pleasant. The temperature inside stays constant, and the air is moist, giving you a refreshing break from the heat.
The peaks along the Li River are mostly made of limestone. Over millions of years, natural processes like erosion have shaped these mountains into strange and dramatic formations. You can take a boat ride down the river to soak in the beautiful landscape and enjoy the iconic Karst mountains of Guilin.
Yulong River
Yulong River is the longest tributary of the Li River in Yangshuo county China, often called the “Little Li River.” Bamboo raft rides on the Yulong are super fun and a little thrilling. As you float down the river, the water is crystal clear, and the bamboo forests on both sides sway gently in the breeze, making it feel like you’re in a fairy tale. Along the way, you’ll pass several small rapids and ancient bridges, adding a bit of adventure while you take in the rural landscape and historic sites.
West Street (Xi Jie)
The whole street is lively and bright, with music, street vendors calling out, and the laughter of foreign tourists mixing together. It’s like a little bit of the world’s excitement packed into one small street. The locals, who run businesses here, often offer visitors samples of their homemade products with a lot of warmth and hospitality.
Ways to Tour the Yangshuo County
Ten-Mile Gallery Cycling
The cycling route along the Ten-Mile Gallery is about 20 kilometers long, with smooth, wide roads that are perfect for biking. There are plenty of rest stops and viewing platforms along the way, so you can take breaks and snap photos. The whole ride takes about two to three hours, making it suitable for visitors of all ages. The scenery along the route is breathtaking, with views of Yangshuo city’s endless mountain peaks, picturesque rice fields, and stunning natural landscapes.
Yulong River Bamboo Rafting
While the Li River is famous for its views, if you’re looking for a quieter experience, I highly recommend a bamboo raft ride on the Yulong River in Guangxi Yangshuo. Unlike the crowded Li River, Yulong feels more like a hidden path through the mountains. The banks are lined with dense bamboo forests and rice fields. As the raft drifts gently down the river, the sound of the oar strokes from the boatman feels soft and calming. The whole ride takes about 40 minutes. When the sun is high, the water sparkles with golden flecks, and you might even spot a few fish swimming beneath the surface.
Performances in Yangshuo County
Guilin Forever Show
The Guilin Forever show features hundreds of performers, bringing to life a dramatic, timeless love story set in Guilin. The performance is often described as both realistic and abstract, with stunning stage effects and lighting that truly immerse you in the experience. It gives you a deep sense of the local customs, folk traditions, and cultural heritage. In addition to the show, the Guilin Forever scenic area also has beautiful caves, like the Huangyao Ancient Ferry Cave, where visitors can explore breathtaking underground rivers, waterfalls, and stalactites.
Accommodation in Yangshuo County
Many hotel in Yangshuo Guilin skillfully blend natural beauty with modern design, offering rooms with stunning views of the mountains and rivers around the city. Some hotels also offer services like Li River boat tours, rental of traditional Chinese ethnic costumes, as well as amenities like mini-golf courses, heated swimming pools, and small playgrounds for families.
FAQ About Yangshuo County
1. Is Yangshuo in Guilin?
Yes, Yangshuo is a county under the administration of Guilin city.
2. Is the Li River in Yangshuo or Guilin city?
The Li River flows through both Guilin city and Yangshuo county. Its total length is about 164 kilometers, with the section from Guilin to Yangshuo covering roughly 83 kilometers.
3. How long should you spend in Yangshuo County?
Yangshuo country is best explored in 2 to 3 days.
How Do Local Visitors Rate the Yangshuo County?
Translation:
The bamboo raft on Yulong River is super natural (not like the plastic ones on the Li River…). It’s really just a few bamboo poles tied together. I watched the raft float up and down, with water seeping in and out between the bamboo joints. At first, I was a little worried it might flip over. But after a while, I got used to it and just relaxed, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Before getting on the raft, you can buy a raincoat and shoe covers, mainly to keep your clothes dry when the raft splashes against the dam. I thought it sounded fun, so I didn’t buy a raincoat. My clothes got wet, but the weather in Yangshuo town is so nice, they dried off pretty quickly!
Translation:
If you’re in Yangshuo, you definitely have to try the bamboo rafts on Yulong River. There were three of us, so we rented two rafts. After picking up our numbers, we waited in line for a bit and then got on the rafts. Sitting back and enjoying the scenery while drifting down the river was super relaxing. The raft guide rowed a bit fast, though, so it didn’t quite feel like a full 40 minutes. Yulong River is absolutely gorgeous—calm waters, lush greenery all around. It’s definitely worth the experience. Just a heads-up: if the combined weight of two people is over 160 kg, you’ll need to take separate rafts.
Translation:
You absolutely have to try the bamboo raft ride on Yulong River—it’s so relaxing, and I’ve never seen such beautiful scenery. Besides the Yulong River, I also visited Silver Cave. I didn’t have high expectations for it at first, but I was completely blown away. The cave is stunning, especially the parts with water. The stalactites hanging from the ceiling, and the reflection of the rocks in the water below—it looks so deep, even though the water isn’t that deep. It’s really breathtaking. The whole Silver Cave tour takes about two hours, but be careful—it’s pretty slippery in some spots.
Translation:
The scenery in Yangshuo county is absolutely stunning, and the bamboo rafting is pretty exciting too. The main difference between Yulong River and the Li River is that the water in Yulong River looks deeper and greener, while the Li River is clearer. The bamboo rafts on Yulong River are also way more thrilling—it’s almost like surfing! Plus, the local boatmen are super friendly and welcoming. After touring Yulong River, I decided to check out Xingping Ancient Town. It’s not very big, and like most old towns, it’s pretty commercialized.
