Things to see around Yangshuo

West Street

Said to have a history of more than 1400 years West Street is a Yangshuo institution and considered a “must-see” for both foreign and Chinese visitors. With enough shopping, cafes and bars to keep everyone happy, West Street continues to evolve as Yangshuo gains in popularity.

Moon Hill

A limestone karst with a half crescent moon shape in the top is one of Yangshuo's most well known attractions.

Sublime views of the surrounding area and karsts can be gained from getting up high, putting the landscape into a whole new perspective. Climbing the 800 or so stairs may be a tough job when the weather is hot and humid but certainly worth it when you get there.

Drink sellers will often be scampering up behind you trying to offload their wares onto you.

The most popular option is to include Moon Hill on a day of cycling in the countryside.

Li River

The river is surrounded by beautiful landscape however there are some areas which are better than others.

The stunning views along the Li River between Yangdi and Xingping are the best on offer. The two best ways to take advantage of these wonderful views are:

• Hike from Yangdi to Xingping
• Taking a local boat and cruising Xingping – Yangdi – Xingping

The section from Fuli down to Liugong and onto Puyi is also quite beautiful. The river here is quieter and it is becoming more and more popular to complete this via Kayak. Boats can also be arranged.

Dragon River

Many believe the spectacular scenery of the Dragon River valley rivals the most beautiful section of the Li River. It is undeniably gorgeous scenery. A day out cycling amongst the fields and villages is surely to leave a lasting impression. The cycle of rice cultivation ensures the beautiful views constantly evolve trailing a blast of colour across the fields. Bamboo rafting is popular here and can be combined with a ride or hike.

Dragon Bridge

This ancient stone structure dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD). Picturesquely located on the Dragon River not far from Baisha the ride from Yangshuo through the countryside is a popular day out. Bamboo rafts are available here to make the journey back down river should you feel the full journey by bike is a little too much.

Karsts - Green Lotus Peak

Located in the centre of town is one of Yangshuo's most famous karsts: Green Lotus Peak .

Said to resemble a green lotus flower preparing to bloom, there is a small park here with a few pavilions enabling you to enjoy the view and explore the area. The large Chinese script said to have been carved into the rock during the Qing dynasty apparently translates as “ the young generation should maintain the beauty of the area and work hard to contribute to the country”.

Markets

Markets offer a fantastic glimpse into daily life for the area's residents with plenty of exotic and interesting items on offer that you usually won't see in the supermarket back home.

The market in Yangshuo is undercover and operates daily.

In the villages surrounding Yangshuo the markets can also be fascinating. The best time to visit is in the mornings.

• Fuli market operates on days of the month with 2, 5 & 8 in the date. (2 nd , 5 th , 8 th , 12 th , 15 th etc)

• Xingping market operates on days of the month with 3,6 & 9. (3 rd , 6 th , 9 th , 13 th , 16 th etc)

• Baisha market operates on days of the month with 1,4 & 7. (1 st , 4 th , 7 th . 11 th , 14 th etc)