The perfect combination of mountains, rivers, adventure, and slow living

📍 One-sentence summary: "Guilin's scenery is the best in the world, and Yangshuo's scenery is the best in Guilin" — Lijiang River rafting, countryside cycling, rock climbing and cave exploration, West Street nightlife, all in one go to experience the "most beautiful landscape painting in China"! 🌸 --- 🚩 Must-see attractions & recommended experiences 1. Lijiang River Cruise: Walking in a painting ✅ Recommended route: - Yangdi → Xingping (classic bamboo raft/electric raft, approx. 1.5 hours) - Xingping → Nine Horses Fresco Hill (check in at the CNY 20 note background) ✨ Highlights: - Along the way, you'll see reflections of strange peaks and fishermen casting nets (artificial poses require payment). - You can visit Xingping Ancient Town along the way, and the sunset at Laozhai Mountain is stunning (30 minutes to climb). 2. Yulong River Rafting: The most poetic "artificial bamboo raft" ✅ Recommended sections: - Jinlong Bridge → Jiuxian (approx. 1.5 hours, 9 drop dams, exciting and photogenic). - Shui'edi → Wanjing (short trip, high value for money, 40 minutes). ✨ Tips: - Book tickets in advance! Long queues during peak season, fewer people before 8am or in the evening. - Wear slippers, you may get wet when crossing the dam. 3. Cycling along the Ten-Mile Gallery: Unlimited rural scenery 🚴 Route: Yangshuo County → Gongnong Bridge → Moon Hill → Big Banyan Tree → Yulong River Trail. ✨ Highlights: - Rent an electric bike (CNY 30–50/day) or bicycle and stop and take photos at any time. - Cafés along the way (such as "Haruki Murakami") are suitable for daydreaming. 4. Yangshuo West Street: A mix of hustle and bustle and art 🌙 Nightlife recommendations: - Listen to music in a bar ("Xiaoma's Sky" folk bar), eat beer fish ("Master Fu" is famous but expensive). - Pick up handicrafts and take ethnic-style photos. 5. Niche experiences: Adventure and secret realms - Rock climbing: Butterfly Spring, Leipi Mountain (suitable for beginners). - Cave exploration: Yinziyan (commercialized) or undeveloped Yanzi Cave (requires a guide). - Hot air balloon/paragliding: Yansha Aviation Camp (super beautiful when the weather is good). --- 🍜 Must-eat food 1. Beer fish: Recommended "Xie Sanjie" or local food stalls. 2. Guilin rice noodles: CNY 5 a bowl, rich in brine ("Shouzi Rice Noodles" is good). 3. Stuffed snails: Yangshuo specialty, snail meat + minced pork stuffed back into the shell. 4. Oil tea: Ginger spicy flavor, a must for locals for breakfast. --- 📌 Useful information ✨ - Best seasons: April–May (Misty Lijiang River), September–October (clear and refreshing autumn). - Transportation: - Guilin → Yangshuo: 30 minutes by high-speed train (to Xingping Station, which is closer to the Lijiang River) or 1.5 hours by bus. - Within Yangshuo: Renting an electric bike is the most convenient. - Accommodation: - Yulong River B&Bs (such as "Liangsu") → The scenery is stunning. - Near West Street → Convenient for nightlife but slightly noisy. --- 💡 Itinerary suggestions (3 days and 2 nights) ✌🏻️ Day 1: Lijiang River bamboo raft (Xingping section) → Xingping Ancient Town → Laozhai Mountain sunset → West Street night tour. Day 2: Yulong River rafting → Cycling along the Ten-Mile Gallery → Rock climbing/cave exploration. Day 3: Yinziyan → Return trip or go to Longji Rice Terraces (2-hour drive). --- ✨ Tips to avoid pitfalls: - Don't trust the aunts soliciting customers on the roadside, buy tickets through official channels. - Bamboo raft tips are not mandatory, you can give the boatman CNY 10–20 appropriately if you want to take pictures. The charm of Yangshuo lies in the collision of mountains, rivers and freedom — whether you want to lie down and enjoy the scenery, or go up to the sky and down to the earth, you can find your way to play! 🌿