Fisherman sits on traditional bamboo boats at sunrise

Things to do in  Yangshuo

Home is where the karst is

Located south of Guilin, Yangshuo is famous for its stunning landscape—a dramatic scenery filled with thousands of limestone karst formations, beautiful and meandering rivers, and a lush countryside full of pastoral scenes of rice paddies, farmers, cormorant fishermen, stone bridges, and rural villages. Beyond the vistas, Yangshuo is also a standout destination for rock climbing and many other things to do, including active pursuits like hiking and biking. There are also caves and ancient villages to explore, as well as a vibrant West Street in town that attracts international and Chinese visitors.

Top 15 attractions in Yangshuo

Li River (Li Jiang)

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Along the banks of the Li River (Li Jiang) as it winds south from Guilin, dramatic karst peaks, dense vegetation, and the winding river itself create magical vistas that loom large in the Chinese imagination, having inspired art and verse for centuries. From Guilin to Yangshuo, there’s never a dull stretch along China’s most beautiful river.More

Impression Sanjie Liu

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Impression Sanjie Liu is a unique outdoor night show directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou and staged at the Li River in Yangshuo. In the world’s largest natural theater, Yimou uses the river as a stage and the mist-shrouded karsts as a backdrop for a spectacle of light, sound, and intricate choreography.More

Longji Rice Terraces

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For the farmers who reside in Southern China’s Longji region, rice terraces are simply a way of life. Yet for the thousands of annual visitors who make the 2-hour journey from the city of Guilin, the Longji Rice Terraces—nicknamed the Dragon’s Backbone—are an iconic symbol of Chinese agriculture and one of the most photographed sites in the country.More

West Street (Xi Jie)

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Nearly a kilometer long, lively West Street (Xi Jie) is the most famous street in Yangshuo, and often referred to as the town’s heart. It’s also Yangshuo’s oldest street, lined with restored buildings from the Qing Dynasty that today house a vibrant mix of cafés, restaurants, bars, hostels, hotels, and shops selling a vast array of goods.More

Xingping Town (Xingping Village)

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Formerly a sleepy fishing village along the Li River, Xingping town (or Xingping village) is now a popular visitor destination for its rural landscape and well-preserved ancient architecture. Hiking and biking are popular ways to soak in the scenery, and Xingping is also the starting point of many river cruises as it’s on an especially beautiful stretch of the Li River.More

Yangshuo Park

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Yangshuo Park, located in central Yangshuo, is a favorite hangout of local residents, who come to the park to exercise, play games such as chess or mah-jongg, sing and dance, or relax and unwind. It’s an easy place to escape the tourist crowds of West Street and to spend a few hours relaxing and enjoying life as the locals do.More

Little Li River (Yulong River)

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The Yulong River, also known as the Little Li River, is the largest tributary of the Li River, and it runs 26 miles (43 kilometers) across Yangshuo county. The river flows past limestone karsts, bamboo forests, rice paddies, ancient villages, and stone bridges. Floating down the river, or hiking or biking next to it, provides up-close views.More

Ping’an Village

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Ping’an Village is one of three main villages that comprise the Longji Terraced Fields Scenic Area northwest of Guilin. The terraced rice paddies here rank among the region’s most spectacular as they spill down the mountainside toward a river. The village itself is home to a few hundred people living much as they did centuries ago.More

Moon Hill (Yueliang Shan)

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One of the most popular attractions in Yangshuo, Moon Hill (Yueliang Shan) is easily recognizable by its crescent-moon-shaped natural arch, the remnants of what was once a limestone cave (Moon Palace). Rising 750 feet (230 meters), Moon Hill offers stunning panoramic views of the countryside, which is dotted with unique karst formations.More

Fuli Ancient Town

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The history of Fuli Ancient Town, beside the Li River, dates back more than 1,000 years. A picturesque scene set amid some of Yangshuo’s most famous karst formations, many of the town’s cobbled roads and old stone houses remain intact. The village is known for its intricate painted fans, handmade from bamboo and delicate tissue paper.More

Baisha Ancient Town (Baishazhen)

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The lazy Yulong River winds through the heart of Baisha Ancient Town, a village dating back over 1,000 years set amid the spectacular karst landscape of the Guilin and Yangshuo area. In addition to occupying one of the most scenic points on the Yulong River, the town is known for its kumquats, exported throughout China.More

Yulong Bridge

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Also known as the Dragon Bridge, the 600-year-old Yulong Bridge stands amid hundreds of tall karst peaks, rural mudbrick villages, rice paddies, and grazing water buffalo. The 197-foot-long (60-meter-long) single-arched bridge—the largest of its kind in Guangxi Province—is shaped like a rainbow bending its way over the languid Yulong River.More

Big Banyan Tree

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One of the main attractions along Yangshuo’s scenic “Ten Mile Gallery,” this large, ancient tree is said to be over 1,400 years old. At 56 feet (17 meters) tall and with a trunk 23 feet (7 meters) around, this massive tree covers an area of nearly 11,000 square feet (1,000 square meters).More

Fuli Bridge

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While the Yulong Bridge is the largest single-arch bridge in the province and the Xiangui Bridge is the oldest passage across the Yulong River, the Fuli Bridge is the tallest span. When seen from a distance, the bridge’s high arched back and the reflection it creates in the water form a perfect circle, called a full moon by locals.More
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Yangshuo Cooking School

Yangshuo Cooking School

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Yangshuo Cooking School offers classes to those visitors who want to not only munch their way around China, but also to take home a new skill: the ability to re-create some of their favorite regional dishes. Set in a traditional farmhouse on the Li River, the Yangshuo Cooking School offers a scenic spot to get hands-on.More

All about Yangshuo

When to Visit

Although Yangshuo can be visited year-round, spring (April and May) and fall (September and October) offer the best weather for outdoor activities and sightseeing. It can be cold and rainy most days from December to February. Avoid Yangshuo during major public holidays in China, especially Chinese New Year and the May and October golden week holidays, as the area will be incredibly crowded.

Getting Around

The town of Yangshuo itself is small and easily walkable. You can rent a bike or scooter to get around the countryside. Taxis, electric carts, golf carts, motorbikes, mini-buses, and pedicabs are also available. The closest airport is in Guilin, and an airport shuttle is available. The Yangshuo Train Station is near Xingping Town, around an hour from Yangshuo Station by bus. You can travel between Guilin and Yangshuo by train, bus, taxi, and cruising down the Li River.

Traveler Tips

A cruise down the Li River from Guiling to Yangshuo may be one of the most popular activities in the region, but it’s not a very relaxing one. Bamboo rafting on the Yulong River is a more serene alternative, which also passes by famous bridges such as Yulong Bridge and Fuli Bridge. Try kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or a water mat to stay active while enjoying the Yulong River.

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People Also Ask

Is Yangshuo worth visiting?

Yes. Yangshuo is noted for having some of the best scenery in Guangxi and indeed, all of China. A Li River cruise is one of the top activities in Guilin and ends in Yangshuo. Adventurous travelers and outdoor lovers can also take advantage of activities like rock climbing, hiking, and biking.

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What is Yangshuo known for?

Yangshuo is famous for its scenic natural beauty, with a surreal landscape of limestone karst hills and caves and a lush countryside with rustic farms and picturesque ancient towns. It’s a popular endpoint of a Li River cruise and offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, including world-class rock climbing.

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What are the top attractions around Yangshuo?

In Yangshuo, top attractions include West Street and Green Lotus Peak. Nearby attractions include Moon Hill and Big Banyan Tree, along the scenic “Ten Mile Gallery” Road, and Xingping ancient village. There are also many peaks to climb and caves to explore. Cruising down the Li River or rafting the Yulong River are also popular.

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How many days do you need in Yangshuo?

Yangshuo is relatively small, and you can see attractions like West Street and Green Lotus Peak and visit the scenic countryside in one day. More active visitors will want to spend a few more days climbing, biking, or hiking. Add another day or two to visit nearby attractions like Xingping ancient village, Guilin, or the Longji Rice Terraces.

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What should I not miss in Yangshuo?

Don’t miss walking around West Street. Although always busy, it’s the heart of Yangshuo and dates back 1,400 years. Visiting the countryside is another must-do activity, whether on a bike ride, hike, or leisurely bamboo cruise on the Yulong River. Set on the Li River, Impressions Sanjie Liu is a must-see show created by famed director Zhang Yimou.

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Which is better, Guilin or Yangshuo?

Guilin is a large city with better hotels, transport, and food options. Though scenic, it doesn’t compare to Yangshuo. The town of Yangshuo itself is small, but the surrounding countryside is sprawling. For more active visitors, Yangshuo would make a better base. It may make sense for other visitors to stay in Guilin and visit Yangshuo.

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Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
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