patriciatbrogan

patriciatbrogan9

patriciatbrogan

ONLINE

4 hours ago





Hello,

We, two females, mother and adult daughter are hoping to have vacation time in November , if we are lucky 3 weeks: and we are considering flying into Hong Kong to enjoy a few days there on either side of our little sojourn enjoying the dim sum and the fine dining there and Macau - but then, there are thoughts of going to Yangshuo etc as in my Title above: we spent 2 or 3 nights in Yangshuo briefly about 6 years ago so, first of all, are concerned that it won't be the same place we visited then, although the towns itself, Yangshuo, being slightly touristy even then - we just adored the karst hills and the river and the autumn leaves and we were too inexperienced to discover it properly only taking a collective taxi to Xingping but not venturing further than the town, and just looking at the river, no hiking at all.

My question is - is it worth it anymore to try and hike along the river between Xingping and Yangshuo? Is it a good idea to try and take in the rice terraces there and what would be the best way to plan these 2 activities?
Thanks.

MmePerdu

I stayed for a couple of weeks several miles outside Yangshuo along the Yulong River. Quiet villages and farm country with easy walks through the countryside. While Yangshuo is busy and full of tourists, even 4 years later I doubt you'd find the Yulong area over-touristed.

I had lunch here a couple of times on my walks and it would be a wonderful place to stay: http://www.yangshuosecretgarden.com/

MmePerdu

This is another good place to stay near Yangshuo, not far outside town. I did stay here for the last several nights of my stay and enjoyed it. Good rooftop restaurant. http://www.yangshuoguesthouse.com/

patriciatbrogan

Thank you so much for your advice MmePerdu, I have had a look at the Secret Garden and it looks ideal (I love the idea that they serve wine with their meals, I like to wine and dine!).

BUT - I would prefer not to spend as much as 300RMB on being transferred to the hotel, I don't think we will arrive by plane, we will probably take the new fast train to Yangshuo from Hong Kong side, and then make our way out there - by collective taxi, or a local taxi, what do you think? Also, if we don't cycle, would it be easy enough to get around, we want to take in the rice terraces, and get over to the other side of the river in Xingping to walk up among the karst hills to Yangshuo, I believe it is am amazing walk, I would appreciate any advice on these?

patriciatbrogan

PS We do not necessarily want to take tours unless this is absolutely necessary for safety etc.

CanadaChinaTraveller

There is a bus from the Yangshuo train station. 5RMB to Xingping and 20RMB to Yangshuo. You can then take a taxi for the bus terminal to your hotel.
I stayed next to the river once, very nice but found it annoying to always have to get a taxi to go anywhere.

MmePerdu

I suggest you ask any accommodation that interests you about alternative transportation to places you want to go. I found walking on both sides of the river a joy, flat and beautiful and backed by the karst peaks.

The Outside Inn https://www.yangshuo-outside.com/, where I stayed for most of the time, is closer to Yangshuo than the Secret Garden, farther than the Yangshuo Village Inn. For a short stay I'd prefer the Secret Garden or the Village Inn, take taxis for trips away, quite inexpensive. The Secret Garden and the Outside Inn are both very good locations for the walks along the Yulong.

I don't believe there are rice terraces near Yangshuo so you'd likely need to arrange private transport or go by bus in any case.

Since I walked a great deal I didn't find taxis annoying on the occasions I used them to go farther afield, as ChinaTraveller apparently was. If you don't want to walk then this beautiful area may also not be for you.

Here are my pictures of the immediate area:
http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/potd-liriver
http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/gall...province-china

And Fuli:
http://www.travelgumbo.com/blog/pod-fulitabac

CanadaChinaTraveller

I did not find taxis annoying, I just found it annoying to have to take taxis. I like to walk around and have a lot of restaurants nearby.
Agree that rice terraces are on the other side of Guilin. not an easy trip from Yangshuo.
While Yangshuo has developed a lot and not in a good way, the scenery is still great.