Help needed for Yangshuo Itinerary

Hi - we will be in Yangshuo for 4 full days towards the end of October and would be grateful for some advice!

After a manic week travelling around Beijing and Xi%26#39;an with the help of a private guide we are looking forward to a slightly more relaxed few days in Yangshuo chilling out before we head to HK but we still want to make the most of our time there. In particular, we would like to do the following; Moon Hill, cookery course, Yulong river/bamboo rafting.

we like the idea of travelling around by bike but are not sure how easy this will be. We are staying at the Li River Retreat so understand we can hire bikes there but how easy is it to navigate around?! is it likely we will get hopelessly lost or are all of the major sights easy to get to and the tracks easy to follow?

We are toying with the idea of hiring a guide for maybe one or 2 days - from experience would this be the best and easiest way for us to get around and organise the cookery course etc?

finally, are there any other must sees/do that should be on our list? many thanks

Help needed for Yangshuo Itinerary

First day:morning biking to Yulong river and take bamboo rafting in Yulong river,than to climb the Moon hill.After lunch have a mudding bathe in the water cave,than come back from the countryside road.

second day:Morning rent a private car to Xinping town to see the great landscape by moto-bamboo rafting,than have lunch at a farm resturant.After hiking to see a ancient temple,(or take bamboo boat to see a ancient village).

Third day:Do the cookery course at Yangshuo town in the morning,afternoon you can choice to do some outdoor activities you prefer do.As kayaking,air-balloon,climbing,taichi,and so on.

Forth day:Rent a private car to see the Terrace field in Longji.If your flight at the after 7:00pm,we can from Longji to airport express.

That a simple plan,if you have any demand or questions and want to get more information about Yangshuo welcome to send message to me.By the way,if you biking around your hotel or countryside where not far away Yangshuo town that easy to found way come back.

Help needed for Yangshuo Itinerary

See yangers.com

Easy to hire a bike and travel around. Maybe get lost- but don%26#39;t worry about it. Easy to find your way again.

As well as the above there is also a little town called Fuli (a short way down the Li river). You might be lucky %26amp; be there for one of their market day.

Have you looked at the cookery school website. Looks like fun.

You should probably get a massage after all that riding LOL. i have been told there is a terrific lady called Dr Lilley on West St.

We are going to Yangshuo in April - can%26#39;t wait.

Annie

The town of Yangshuo itself is quite small. The land is flat so it is easy to go around.

i never hire guides but I did get one on my first visit to ride on bikes with us. The hotel provided her and the cost was only 30RMB for the whole day. I usually don%26#39;t tip in China as it is the habit there but she was quite good and i felt she was askiong too little money.

Will you take a Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo? I think this is a must see.

In Yangshuo it is easy to hire a bike and you can travel everywhere by riding it.

It depends upon your level of adventure whether or not you want a guide. There are buses (vans) which go to Fuli and Xingping every few minutes. You just go to the bus station and say the town name and someone will direct you to a van. You will see all kinds of funny things! (I wrote a excruciatingly detailed account over at Fodor%26#39;s when we got back)

At Xingping, there will be guides waiting for you to get off the bus. The guides will speak some English and will take you to the raft either by a cart or by walking. (You get to see more if you walk) After the ride, walk back to town and stop at the Old Place Cafe (look for the sign) go in for a beer. We had a lovely experience there listening to jazz on their stereo system while basking in a blast from their fan, and watching the fellow across the alley ';paint'; black ink karst scenes. We only bought one which I regret to this day.

Dr Lily%26#39;s is a must.(46 Gui Hua Road, West St, tel 773-8814625, email: lily_li89@hotmail.com) My husband had a relazation massage (70RMB) and a foot massage. He thought he had been run over by a Mack truck when he was done! He LOVED it. You can make an appointment or walk in and see if she or one of her other employees have time.

We had a great time and met so many nice people. If you like talking to kids, volunteer to go to the English College and talk to the students.

Lynclark, I read your trip report on Fodors a while ago - it was great. I didn%26#39;t know that you could volunteer at the English school. My daughter, who is 14, would like that. I have added it to out list of Yangshuo things to do which is getting very long:).

We were at the park in town when one of the college students asked us if we would come to his class that night. The college is on the road right next to the park.

The kids were really nice and eager to talk. They dedicate 3 years to learning English. Most of the kids (young adults) can understand more English than they can speak. I talked for about an hour. You will be shocked at how much they know about the rest of the world. They asked me to list all the countries I have visited over the years (28)- they knew every one of them including where the country is located and the chief exports etc.

I have a midwest accent which they could understand. They said that the British accent was more difficult for them to ';get';. Your daughter would be fascinated by their dorm rooms- tiny closets with 4 students per room.

Thanks Lyn. That sounds wonderful. I think we will volunteer:)