Limestone mountains rise above rice paddies and the Li River in this rural Chinese town. Local farmers fish with cormorants while climbers scale karst cliffs.
Yangshuo lies among 70,000 limestone karst peaks in China's Guangxi region. The small town along the Li River has grown beyond its 1980s backpacker roots into a major travel spot. You'll find climbers scaling the limestone walls at Moon Hill, cyclists winding through rice fields, and fishermen using cormorants to catch fish in the Li River. The Yulong River runs past working farms where water buffalo wade in the paddies, while West Street's cafes and shops fill with visitors each evening.
Getting to Yangshuo
Fly into Guilin Airport, then take a 90-minute shuttle bus to Yangshuo. High-speed trains link Guilin to Beijing (11 hours) and Shanghai (7 hours), with regular buses running from Guilin's south station to Yangshuo every 30 minutes. In town, rent bikes or scooters from shops along West Street, or catch local buses that connect to villages like Xingping and Baisha.
Exploring the Karst Landscape
The limestone mountains around Yangshuo rise 200-300 meters straight up from flat farmland and rivers. Moon Hill, 8 kilometers south of town, has a natural arch at its peak - climb 800 steps for a view across hundreds of karst peaks and the Li River valley. Rock climbers will find over 800 established routes on the limestone cliffs, with grades ranging from 5.6 to 5.14.
Rivers and Rural Life
The Li River and Yulong River shape daily life in Yangshuo. Take a bamboo raft from Yangshuo to Xingping on the Li River, or watch cormorant fishermen work at dusk. The calmer Yulong River winds past small farming villages like Jiuxian and Chaolong, where you'll see water buffalo cooling off in the water and farmers working in terraced rice paddies. Bike paths follow both rivers, connecting villages through the karst valley.
West Street and Local Food
West Street (Xi Jie) stretches 1.5 kilometers through central Yangshuo with cobblestone paths and Ming-era architecture. Local restaurants cook beer fish (Li River carp steamed with local beer and Yangshuo spices) and stuffed Li River snails. From September to November, street vendors sell sweet pomelos harvested from the surrounding orchards.
When to Visit
Plan your trip between March and May or September and November for temperatures around 20-25°C (68-77°F) and minimal rain. July and August see temperatures above 30°C (86°F) with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. December through February averages 10°C (50°F) with light rain. The Li River's water level rises during summer rains (June-August), which can stop bamboo raft trips.
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