This week, we’re taking you to Yangshuo, which is a region in China. Get ready for karst formations (unique mountains) and bamboo rafts.

Planning an international trip can be overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be.

How?

You just need a plan for your plan.

It’s important to prepare with enough time for things like:

When we think of China, we often think of the hustle and bustle of cities such as Shanghai or Beijing. However, this week we want to take you somewhere more peaceful.

Imagine waking up to mist-covered karst mountains, sipping tea beside a peaceful river, and biking through emerald-green rice paddies. Welcome to Yangshuo, a charming region and town in southern China. It feels like it’s been plucked from a traditional painting.

Yangshuo is located in the Guangxi Province and is known for its dramatic limestone peaks and laid-back vibes. The Li River flows through it and is perfect for bamboo rafting or sunrise photography.

Here’s why this place should be on your radar:

🌄 Natural Beauty, Unfiltered
Explore iconic landscapes along the Yulong River, where you can cycle or take a peaceful bamboo raft ride through scenery you’ll never forget. We did both of these activities.

Cycling along the river gave us great views of the rice paddies. Riding a bamboo raft was incredibly relaxing and gave us the opportunity to soak in the beauty of where we were while our guide gently guided our raft down the river.

🏞️ Adventure Awaits
Admire Moon Hill, which is a natural archway in limestone rock. If you’re feeling up to the challenge, hike up to the top of it for breathtaking views of the karst formations.

You can also hike through nearby villages like Xingping, or kayak your way through breathtaking river bends.

🍜 Cultural Flavors
Sample local specialties like beer fish and Guilin rice noodles. Visit local markets or take a traditional Chinese cooking class in the countryside.

The best way to get to Yangshuo is to fly. The nearest airport is Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (KWL) located about 90 km (56 miles) away.

There are direct flights to Guilin from major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and international hubs such as Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Kuala Lumpur.

To get from Guilin to Yangshuo you can take a private transfer or taxi which is around 1.5-2 hours. Some airport shuttles go to Yangshuo, but often it’s easiest to go via Guilin first.

Another option is to take a taxi or bus from the airport to the Guilin wharf and board a 4-5 hour cruise down the Li River to Yangshuo (available in the morning only).

Here are some great places to stay in Yangshuo:

Yangshuo Fairyland Hotel - near Moon Hill

Banyan Tree Yangshuo - luxury resort

Li River Resort - the perfect place to relax

The food experience in Yangshuo is terrific. We’re always careful when sampling street food but you can’t help but find something there. Here are the local specialties you can find either on the street or in most local restaurants.

Here are some great places to eat in Yangshuo:

Lucy’s Cafe & Bar- Chinese bar

Cloud 9 Restaurant - Chinese/Asian

Amy’s on the Li- a mix of Chinese and Western food

Secret Garden Cafe -dining experience in renovated Qing dynasty buildings

We recommend packing breathable shirts and shorts for the summer months when it’s hot and humid. Comfortable pants or leggings are good options for hiking and cycling.

Rain showers are common between April-August so a rain poncho and umbrella are needed then.

Yangshuo’s streets and trails are best explored on foot so comfortable walking shoes is a must. Sunglasses and sunscreen are also items you will definitely want to take.

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Yangshuo. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob