Wow YangShuo
Trip Start
Oct 08, 2010
1
13
16
Trip End
Oct 22, 2010
Where I stayed
Guilin Paradise Yangshuo Resor
Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuang, China
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Scenic but a bit too long boat ride later we arrived at Yangshuo. So many highlights in yangshuo: golf cart tour of the countryside, photo with water buffalo and amazing show (choreography, lights) on the water by locals.
A leisurely start from the hotel around 8.30am. A quick driver to the harbour to catch a boat for a cruise up the Li river to picturesque YangShuo. The scenery is beautiful. Similar to Ha Long bay in Vietnam. In fact it is made by the same forces. This whole region was under the sea millennia earlier. The soft lime stone hills are soft mounds, like an egg carton.
Stayed on the top deck to soak up some sun and views. A dragonfly landed on me and stayed for ages. The locals said it was a very lucky sign. We saw locals on bamboo rafts, water buffaloes and hoards of tourists on boats. It took almost 5 hours to get to Yangshuo. A bit too long but otherwise fun.
Walked up West Street, presumably because all the westerners are marched up this street and everything has the usual x10 prices. After a quick look around we hopped on a golf cart for our hinterland tour.
The hinterland tour was definitely worth it. It was great to see lots of orchards, rice paddies, farmers tilling etc. Of course, the enterprising Chinese have capitalised on the tourism boom. You can take a photo with a buffalo for a few Yuan. Which we did. We also visited the house of a local farmer. Electricity is arrived three years earlier. So there are TVs and fridges, but it is still very old fashioned. We had a look around the house. The kitchen is spacious but bare. Similarly for the rest of the house.
We tried some honey pomelo from her tree. It was very yummy. We also had some water chestnut and peanuts. She had a picture of Chairman Mao and the premier on her wall. She was very hospitable and sweet.
We checked into the YangShuo resort. It is beautiful. Our room is spacious, well appointed and has a bath in the middle of the room! There is a little balcony by the river. A bath and some rest to recover from the day so far and heat.
A quick dinner and then the highlight of the day, the show. Impression by Sajie Liu – the same person who choreographed the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. It was definitely worth it. The lights, the co-ordination, the choreography were amazing. It is difficult to describe it in writing – you really had to be there. I know I’ve said it before, but add this to your list of 'must dos’. Very favourable impression of Guilin. Great sights, entertainment and all topped off by an excellent guide. Bit sad that holiday almost over.
