Yangshou

Why the Yangshou countryside is special
For over a thousand years, the area has been a popular tourist destination and an inspiration for poets and painters.

Its skyscraping cone-shaped peaks "sprout" out of the ground and are lushly blanketed with verdant subtropical vegetation. These peaks along with rivers and rice paddies are marvelously photogenic.

What to do in the Yangshou countryside
A sampling:

• Bike
  Pedal through the enchanting back roads.
  
• Hike
  There are many trails. The best known one ascends Moon Hill, Yangshou's most famous site, which is situated just south of the town. Nature cut a gargantuan round hole near the top of Moon Hill (it's really a mountain peak). Moon Hill offers a stunning vantage point overlooking the countryside (see photo).
  
• Rock climb
  Scale limestone peaks (this sport is becoming an increasingly popular pastime).
  
• Travel on a boat
  Kayak, canoe or bamboo raft on the beautiful Yulong River.
  
• Li River Cruise
  If you are staying in Yangshou, take a morning shuttle bus north to Guilin (one hour), then the the Li River Cruise downstream (4 to 5 hours) back to Yangshou.

What to do in Yangshou town
Top 2 attractions

• West Street
  It is a long, narrow, pedestrian lane lined with restaurants, bars, hostels, small hotels, and souvenir stalls. West Street normally has a relaxed atmosphere that's ideal for outdoor cafe eating, drinking and camaraderie - except at about 3 p.m. That's when hundreds of Guilin based tourists move en masse like cattle through West Street on their way from their moored Li River Cruise ships to board their Guilin bound tour busses in the center of the town.
  
• Yangshou water show
  It is a lavish spectacle with hundreds of synchronized performers with traditional outfits, river rafts and colorful props. The huge stage is an enclosed river inlet. Flood lit limestone peaks and the night sky form the theatrical backdrop. Seating is amphitheatre style.

Here yesterday, gone today
Sadly, little remains of Yangshou's once picturesque traditional architecture. It was replaced with nondescript contemporary structures.

On the positive side, today's Yangshou can serve as a convenient base for exploring the nearby countryside and as a place to unwind in the middle of your trip to China.

More Yangshou tips & insights
How to pronounce
Yangshou: Yahng-zh'joe

Best and least desirable times
There is no perfect period. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.

• September and October
  These are the best overall months for visiting Yangshou, but they can be crowded.
  
• Spring
  Pleasant, but can be rainy.
  
• Summer
  Offers long days for exploring, but can be hot, humid, and rainy
  
• Winter
  Has fewer tourists and is relatively dry, but can be cold and frosty.

Mist
Often the mountain peaks are clothed in mist, creating mystical scenes. This is especially true in the early morning and on rainy days.

Visitor profiles
Yangshou town is a haven for foreign backpackers and, increasingly, for independent suitcased budget travelers. Yangshou also has a few first class hotels.

Nearest major city
Yangshou is 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Guilin in the Guangxi autonomous region - and approximately 1000 kilometers (600 miles) northwest of Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Canton) in Guangdong province.