Backpackers's Paradise: Yangshuo, Guilin

As the terminal of the 65 kilometer-long Li River cruise tour, Yangshuo has long been a mecca for backpackers since 1980 's. Crisscrossed with rivers and streams the Yangshuo area is embraced by Li River and Yulong River on the outskirts while the city is within the arms of the limestone peaks and hills. Yangshuo itself is becoming so famous that a popular idiom now says "Guilin 's mountains and water are the most magnificent under heaven. But Yangshuo 's are even better."

This beautiful and sedate ancient city has a history of more than 1,000 years. However, it isn't a typical Chinese town. Yangshuo has a reputation as a tiny global village in Southern China. It is more like a vacation town, with an exotic blend of cultures where East meets West.

Many travelers use Yangshuo as a base to explore the Karst hills and rivers or checking out peculiar caves around. Renting a bike and throw yourself into the countryside with or without a guide, is one popular strategy. There is also a whole community of rock climbers enjoying hills and caves. Others may choose to just take it easy in the quaint cafes and bars on the West Street. This certainly isn't the whole story. In Yangshuo, there definitely is something for everyone.

West Street
Situated in the heart of Yangshuo,West Street is an ancient street with a history of more than 1,400 years. It now attracts visitors for its unique mix of cultures. West Street has seen countless foreigners from all over the word and is reputed as "Foreigner 's Street". Visiting West Street, you will be overwhelmed by an array of Chinese traditional folk and amazing international elements. The 2000-m-long street has various bars, cafes, restaurants, hotels, art crafts and souvenirs stores, foreign language clubs and even Kufu schools. You may find some exquisite bars and cafes run by foreigners, decorated with bamboo rafts, fish baskets and wax-painted tablecloths. This street is an ideal place to eat, shop, entertain, study or just take a break. It is calm and peaceful in the morning, while trendy and modern in the evening.

The street is filled with small shops and vendor's stands selling all kinds of souvenirs and snacks.	West Street is the favorite for many international travellers, especially expats in China.

Rock Climbing
The Karst scenery makes it possible for Yangshuo to be China 's foremost venue for rock climbing. The heavily-eroded limestone offers wonderful settings as well as a wide range of hand and foot holds. The available various crags are enough to attract many climbers, especially expats and foreign travelers. There are as many as 300 climbing routes of different difficulty levels in Yangshuo. The most classic line is the "Moonwalker" first climbed by American Todd Skinner in 1992, which traverses the famous Moon Hill arch. There is still vast potential for climbers to create new routes and discover unexplored crags. There are several local operators who have the knowledge and equipment to make sure you have a safe and enjoyable day. Whether you are a beginner wanting to try or a serious climber, you will find great opportunities here. The experience will not only challenge and thrill you, but leave you with a much closer view of the mountains, allowing you to enjoy nature from a whole different perspective.

Heavy rain has left the living rock of Karst topography in Yangshuo a perfect surface for climbing.	Of all Yangshuo activities rock climbing is probably the most spectacular to do.

Cycling around Yangshuo
For tourists who want to see the best of Yangshuo 's dramatic scenery in a short time and have an intimate look at the rural life in Southern China, this is an ideal way. Easy flat rural roads and paved country roads will take you through numerous local villages, along bamboo-lined rivers and paddy fields, and up close to local people and their daily lives. There are several great routes for tourists ' option: from the downtown of Yangshuo to Moon Hill, to town of Baisha to see the ancient bridge over the Yulong river, to Xiping village, or to the market town of Fuli.

What an idyllic landscape of Yangshuo with rolling hills, lined groves and lush fields.	Take a leisurely bike ride along the smooth rural road.

Yulong River Rafting
If you want to have a relaxing and idyllic retreat, a bamboo raft ride downstream the Yulong River is the best choice. Sitting in a chair on a raft and floating down the crystal-clear Yulong River, you will be impressed by the dramatic scenery along the way. You can start at different places along the river and the rides range from half an hour to five hours. This is not adventurous as white water rafting, as the Yulong River has gentle flowing, so you will float down the river with a gondolier who steers you over the breakwaters. Generally the rafts have enough room for two bikes so you can always combine the ride with a biking tour. It promises to be a refreshing trip.

Do a ride to the Yulong River and then put your bikes on a bamboo raft to start a refreshing trip.	Relax yourselves among the verdant hills and green waters.

Impression Liu Sanjie Show
Do you watch a play in the theater of a natural environment? The unique performance of "Impression Liu Sanjie" will make you moved. This is the world largest natural theater which sets the waters of the Li River as its stage, with twelve mist shrouded hills and the heavens as its backdrop. Mist, moonlight, the hills and their inverted reflections in the water create the ever-changing natural background. Different weather or seasons will offer different experience for visitors. Its auditorium is housed on the islands of the river with the audience standing on the designed terraces, surrounded by green plants. The sound equipment here cannot be seen as it is in harmony with the natural environment. The valleys, the hills, the cool breeze and the gurgling streams are all elements contributing to the three-dimensional sound effect. This is really a new concept musical bringing nature as an integral part of its performers.