Yangshuo Travel Guide

Located in the heart of beautiful mountain ranges, Yangshuo is a picturesque city located close to Guilin. A popular tourist destination, Yangshuo is well-known for the stunning natural scenery it can offer to guests, as well as for its many eating establishments and other social hubs that include bars and cafes.

Yangshuo has maintained its sense of charm and the quaintness of a small town, which has resulted in a delightful destination that offers fresh air and freedom from the air and noise pollution that is so plentiful in other cities in China.

Yangshuo History and Culture

The picturesque county of Yangshuo is said to have been founded in the year 265. Some two hundred years later, in 590, which were during the Sui Dynasty, the county seat was moved from its original location to where it currently is today, in the town of Yangshuo. During the Tang Dynasty, in 621 a section of Yangshuo County was split off from the majority of the county and it was renamed as its own county; Guiyi County remained an independent county for just a few years and in 627 it was reabsorbed into Yangshuo County.

With 1,400 years of rich and diverse history surrounding Yangshuo, the region has a deep and traditional culture that includes a significant amount of diversity in the ethnic groups that make up the population. Some of the ethnic minority groups in the region include Yao, Hui, and Zhuang; all of whom add rich diversity to the region by way of influencing local festivals, local food, and even fashion.

Top Three Things to Do in Yangshuo

Yangshuo is a place where you can have different types of enjoyable things to do. Here is the top 5 things you should do in Yangshuo.

Cycling in Yangshuo

Cycling in Yangshuo is a popular way to visit Yangshuo freely. You can cost a little money to rent a bike easily. There are many renting place on the side of the road so don’t worry about nowhere to find. Here is a classical route for travelers who visit Yangshuo in first time: Yangshuo – Tall Banyan – Moon Hill – Moon Hill Village – Fushan Temple – Swallow Village – Tianjia River – Yangshuo. The trip is about 20km.

It is a classical riding route in Yangshuo. In this road you can see the most beautiful rural scenery of Yangshuo. The roads are only little bumped so you can ride bike effortless, and normal travelers can also finish the route. Starting in morning is a good choice.

Bamboo Rafting

Having a bamboo rafting in Yulong River is also a way to enjoy beautiful scenes of Yangshuo. Yulong River is the biggest branch of Li River in Yangshuo and it is 16km long. The flow water is clean and softly slow. Comparing with Li River, Yulong River is more quiet and tiny than Li River. If you make Li River like a Snow White, Yulong River must be Cinderella. So there is a nick name for Yulong River called "Petite Li River".

Expression of Sanjie Liu

Impression of Sanjie Liu is directed by famous director Zhang Yimou and started show in 2004. Sanjie Liu is a fairy singer in the legend of the Zhuang minority group. She isn’t only sing very well but also pretty as fairy. One day she met a guy called A Niu who is also good at singing. She loved A Niu and gave him an embroidered ball to show her love. A Niu accepted that ball and they lived together happily. In 1968 a film called Sanjie Liu was broadcasted in all the China and makes all the Chinese people known this brilliant girl. The theater located in Bingjiang Road next to the West Street, so it is easy to get there.

Best Time to Visit Yangshuo

Yangshuo enjoys four seasons all throughout the year. The best time to visit Yangshuo would be during spring, which usually lasts from March to May, and autumn, which usually lasts from September to December. While it is still nice to visit Yangshuo during summer and winter, you may not completely enjoy the experience due to the extreme weather conditions.

Spring in Yangshuo means sunshine, bright skies, and beautiful limestone mountains. There is occasional rain shower during spring, but the weather generally is dry. At around April, the temperature is at about 20°C or 70°F, which is perfect for travelers.

Autumn in Yangshuo means cooler weather, gray skies, and falling leaves. While the autumn sceneries may not be as breathtaking as those during summer, those who enjoy cool weather may opt to visit in autumn. The average temperature is at 20°C or 70°F but may drop to 5°C or 40°F come December.

You may opt to visit in summer and winter, however, you must know that the summer temperature averages at 25°C or 80°F and can rise up to 38°C or 100°F. Meanwhile, winter temperatures average at 15°c or 60°F and can drop to 5°c or 40°F. Make sure to bring appropriate attire should you decide to visit on these months.

How to Get to Yangshuo

Nowadays it is very convenient for travelers to get a vehicle to Yangshuo. There are many different ways to choose for how to go to Yangshuo.

By Bus from Guilin

In Guilin there are many shuttle buses stop in the airport and train stations. You can see them when you out of the station. So it is easy to arriving Yangshuo. There is also a bus station next to the Guilin Railway Stationv. If you get off the train in Guilin Station you can easily get there. In Yangshuo there are two bus stations. The southern one is located in Yangshuo Administration of Agricultural Mechanization which is send to other cities and provinces. The northern one is next to the Yangshuo Government Affairs Service Center. And this station is sending buses to Guilin and villages around Yangshuo.

By Boat from Guilin

Taking boat to Yangshuo (Li River Cruise) is a way full of ease and relaxes. But you should take boat from Zhujiang Marina(28km far from city center). You can only take taxi to arrive there (cost about US$18). You can enjoy the beautiful spots in Li River. On the side of the trip you can see those famous spots such as Jiuma Mountain and Amah Rock. The ship will stop in Yangshuo Longtou Hill.

And there is a Zhujiang Marina (32km far from city center) for foreign visitors and many famous people visited here. You should take taxi for 40-50min (cost about US$25). The ship will stop in Yangshuo Marina and West Street is 100m far from yard. The boat can’t be very fast so it may spend you 4.5 hours but you can have a lunch in boat during the trip. The cost is US$60.

Tips: you can’t take boat from Yangshuo to Guilin cause it only provide one way sailing, so if you want to come back Guilin you should take coaches.

By Train from Guangdong or Hong Kong

For tourists coming from Guangdong Province or Hong Kong, reaching Yangshuo by high-speed train is very convenient.

There are 33 daily high-speed trains from Shenzhen North and 4 from Guangzhou South to Yangshuo. Tourists in Hong Kong can easily travel to either Shenzhen or Guangzhou first, and then take a direct train to Yangshuo.

However, for travelers already in Guilin, taking a train to Yangshuo is not recommended. The Yangshuo Railway Station is located far from the town center, and a taxi ride from the station to downtown Yangshuo often takes longer than a direct bus from Guilin to Yangshuo.