China Travel Tale-Yangshuo Trip 2007

Guilin is famous for having China’s most beautiful landscape. Yangshuo is famous for having Guilin’s most beautiful hills and waters. I live in Hong Kong and I am a frequent traveler to Yangshou. Are you planning to visit this beautiful little town? Please read my travel tale on a Yangshuo trip of hill songs and rafting.

Last time I came to Guilin after a heavy rain, Li River was flooding. This time I came in winter, Li River was in low tide. I couldn’t even take a boat cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. However my Yangshuo trip at low season had a bonus. I didn’t have to compete with crowds of travelers everywhere.

A Day Trip at Yangshuo From Guilin to Yangshuo was about 90 minutes by bus. No matter how many times I have been here, the mini Li River (Yulong River) and the hills are extremely impressive. I am never tired of coming back.

I was in a group tour, however I paid ¥320 as an optional package for a bamboo raft trip, a fishing show, a late night dinner and a Song and Dance Show of Minority Ethical Groups.

With the additional package, my Yangshuo trip had three tours on the mini Li River. A boat cruise and a raft trip were included in the package and the second raft trip was part of my ¥320 investment. I love water and beautiful landscape. Actually I am happy to stay on water even for one whole day.

Yangshuo Trip of Hill Songs and Rafting Rafting is a must-do activity in Yangshuo. Bamboo rafts can hold two people or nine depending on their sizes. I was in a group tour, so I went on a 9-person raft.

The three of our bamboo rafts moved leisurely on the Yulong River among lush hills, beautiful water with reflections and blue sky. What a relaxing tour!

Singing hill songs is the custom here at Yangshuo. Anything or any topic can be sung. The rafting guide who was a young lady did most of her job by singing. The funniest part of singing hill songs is the Q&A. For example, someone asks you something by singing, and you answer in singing.

Actually we had some practice on the bus, so it all went well when the rafting guide started to ask us questions. However it became challenging when we came to the unprepared part. We were asked to sing anything we thought of.

At first, people were shy. But when I saw the old ladies from the other raft were singing, I started to sing as well.

Anna asked: “hey, a mei gei wo pai zhang zhao lei” Rafting guide answered: “hey mei wen ti”

“hey young lady, please take a photo with me” “hey no problem”.

The singing of hill songs is very easy. It is actually a repetition of a two-sentence melody. You just fit in whatever wordings you think of. However the foreign visitors on the other mini rafts preferred to remain as observers instead of joining us to sing. Certainly they had lots of fun watching us singing. Everybody in Yangshuo sings. Even the old man who rowed the raft joint us singing.

Fishing Show A Yangshuo trip won’t be completed without a fishing show. After singing, it’s time for the fisher birds to show off. This was also part of my ¥320 investment.

I am not new to this show, but there were a couple of new experiences here. A cormorant caught two fishes at a time. Everybody found it extremely amazing. It was my first time seeing a cormorant catching two fishes at a time, so did the tour guide.

Next, the fisherman offered us to hold the bird and take photos. As there wasn’t any volunteer, the tour guide nominated me. It wasn’t an easy job as the bird was quite heavy, I guess at least 4-5 kg, and weather was cold. However it was very funny.

Wandering Along the West Street, Yangshuo The world famous West Street is another must-go place for a Yangshuo trip. It is a little quite during day time. Though the bars and coffee shops all had their tables set up, there weren’t many customers. You have to wait till after dark in order to see the real busy West Street.

Don’t be surprised if you see ladies knitting while sitting on a little stool in the middle of the street. I also noticed many young guys playing cards or marble chess along the street side. However when I stopped by a coffee shop and started to read the menu which was posted outside, one of those playing guys immediate came by and was ready to provide service.

I was unable to explore the souvenir shops as I didn’t like sales people following me and kept selling. Hope they didn’t do this to foreigners or they’ll be scared.

Toilet facilities are generally clean and tidy at Yangshuo. Ridiculously, I found a paid toilet on West Street. After all, I had a little snack at KFC and used their clean and tidy toilet. I am sure they’ll let you use it even if you don’t buy from them.

My Yangshuo trip ended at the West Street. Unfortunately I didn’t stay overnight and I missed the Liu Sanjie show and a biking tour.