Yangshuo had been on our bucket list for a long time. We wanted to see a more rural side of China, and we found pure magic: karst peaks, a night show that had me in tears, a sky-high viewpoint, e-bikes through the rice fields and bamboo rafting on the river.
From Guangzhou by high-speed train
Two comfortable hours on the train, and the view outside the window slowly turned into something from a painting. After the long walking days in Guangzhou (and finally conquering my fear of heights), I was ready for a change of pace.
West Street and bamboo rice
West Street is Yangshuo's old street, more than 1,400 years of history in stone, now full of cafés, bars and souvenir shops under the karst peaks. Don't leave without trying bamboo rice: sticky rice, pork and mushrooms slow-cooked inside a bamboo tube over hot coals.
Impression Liu Sanjie
I wasn't prepared for what came next. Impression Liu Sanjie is a night show performed on the Li River itself, with the illuminated mountains as the backdrop. I cried for more than half of it. It's impossible to explain. They ask you not to film, but I've put a few clips in the video because it's simply too beautiful.
Ruyi Peak
Early the next morning we went up to Ruyi Peak, Yangshuo's sky-high viewpoint. I tested my vertigo again, and I'm proud of myself. I used to watch videos of places like this and think I'd never do it. But once you're there, you don't stop at the last mile. It's cheap, five minutes from town by Didi, and I hardly ever see it in other Yangshuo videos. I had a tea at the top looking at the view, and words just aren't enough.
E-bikes and bamboo rafting
We rented three e-bikes (the kids were thrilled) and rode the "Ten Mile Gallery", the most scenic road through villages, rice fields and endless karst peaks. Then came bamboo rafting on the Yulong River: a local raftsman gently poles you past the fields for about half an hour. It's pure peace, apart from my daughter shouting that we were all wet, and my raftsman probably cursing my weight.
We ended the night on West Street, which is the liveliest place in town after dark, and with foot massages for everyone, kids included.