Yangshuo
About Yangshuo
Yangshuo is a postcard-perfect pocket of karst wonderland where emerald bamboo-lined rivers cut between sugar-loaf peaks. Its vibe blends laid-back backpacker energy with timeless Chinese pastoral life—rice paddies sit beside latte-serving cafés, and water buffalo share lanes with street buskers. Settled over 2,000 years ago as a Tang-dynasty river port, Yangshuo became the southern terminus of the ancient Li-Jiang trade route. Today it is home to Zhuang, Yao and Han peoples whose folk songs, cormorant fishing and red-ribbon dances still animate village festivals. Local food is river-to-table: Li-jiang fish steamed with beer and chili, stuffed river-snails, 'eighteen-stuffed' vegetables (bitter melon, tofu, eggplant), and hand-cut rice noodles ladled with sour-bean broth. Yangshuo's charm lies in its perfect balance of natural wonder and cultural authenticity—a place where every vista looks like a scroll painting and every meal tells a river story.
漓江景区 | Li River Scenic Area
The 48-km 'hundred-mile gallery' of limestone peaks and fishing-village vignettes; 20-RMB-note scenery.
遇龙河 | Yulong River
Quieter 'Little Li River' ideal for bamboo-raft dams and cycling between rice paddies.
阳朔西街 | West Street
1,400-year-old marble lane mixing Ming-dynasty façades with jazz bars; locals call it 'the Global Village'.
印象·刘三姐实景演出 | Impression Liu Sanjie
600 fishermen performing on water against 12 illuminated karst peaks, directed by Zhang Yimou.
十里画廊 | Ten-Mile Gallery
Car-free cycling corridor framed by Moon Hill, Big Banyan and lotus ponds.
兴坪古镇 | Xingping Ancient Town
1,700-year-old river port; hike Laozhai Hill for the iconic Li-River bend.
银子岩 | Silver Cave
Multi-level cavern filled with snow-white stalactites said to bring fortune.
世外桃源 | Shangri-La Theme Park
Peach-blossom lake and Dong-style wind-rain bridge recreating Tao's 'Peach-Blossom Spring'.
如意峰 | Ruyi Peak
Glass walkways and cable-car to a 360-degree summit deck above the karst sea.
龙脊梯田 | Longji Rice Terraces
Dragon-scale terraces rising 800 m; spring mirror-water or autumn golden layers.
大师傅啤酒鱼 | Master Fu's Beer Fish
Flame-red beer-braised carp with tomatoes and tofu skin; locals queue nightly.
金龙寨酒楼 | Jinlongzhai Restaurant
Family-style riverside canteen; must-try stuffed river-snails and rice-wine pork ribs.
富贵楼斑鱼火锅 | Fuguilou Spotted-Fish Hotpot
Sweet milky fish-bone broth, tender fillet sliced tableside; open till 1 a.m.
红星快餐 | Red Star Fast Food
Plastic-stool joint serving 10-yuan snail noodles and duck-blood soup beloved by taxi drivers.
瘦子桂林米粉 | Skinny's Guilin Rice Noodles
Hand-cut noodles with pickled long-bean, crispy soy nuts and house chili jam.
老根农家乐 | Old Root Farm Kitchen
Firewood-cooked free-range chicken and river-snail rice; tables under pomelo trees.
小南国 | Little Southland
Reliable canteen for eighteen-stuffed bitter-melon and taro-pork pot.
渔火烧烤 | Fishing-Fire BBQ
Skewered Li-jiang shrimp, pork wrapped in lotus leaf, and ice-cold osmanthus beer.
阿丑姐油茶店 | Sister Chou's Oil-Tea Café
Pounded tea soup with fried taro chips and sweet osmanthus rice cakes—breakfast of porters.
西街玫瑰木西餐厅 | Rosewood Café
Western-yangshuo fusion: beer-fish pizza and osmanthus cheesecake for homesick travelers.
High value, low price local experiences
漓江晨雾竹筏 | Li River Dawn Bamboo Raft
Float through ink-wash mist as cormorants dive beside 20-RMB-note mountains.
遇龙河稻田骑行 & 老桥日落 | Yulong River Cycling & Fuli Bridge Sunset
Guided e-bike ride past waterwheels and buffalo to a 600-year-old stone arch at golden hour.
家庭式烹饪课：啤酒鱼 & 十八酿 | Home-Style Cooking Class
Market tour, river-fish catch, and wok session with a local grandma—lunch included.
传统竹编手作 | Bamboo-Weaving Workshop
Craft your own mini lantern with a 3rd-generation artisan; 1-hour class under pomelo shade.
中医足疗+拔罐体验 | TCM Foot Massage & Cupping
60-minute reflexology session using mountain herbs—costs one-tenth of Western spa prices.