Yangshuo
Walking, biking, rafting are several ways to appreciate Yangshuo's charms. To beat the noonday heat, take a leaf from the village children frolicking in the clear river waters, often seen watching over a herd of buffaloes or wielding homemade fishing robs fashioned from bamboo.
Must See
There is plenty au naturel to see in Yangshuo; Karst peaks, plains and villages. Fortunately, Yangshuo's many pretty sights are incredibly well-connected. Rent a bike for a day from one of the many bicycle rental shops in Yangshuo and drink in the sights as you pedal.
A leisurely 30-minute ride from Yangshuo, and to the west of the highway, is Moon Hill, a limestone pinnacle with a moon-shaped hole square in the middle. There are stairs that lead from the bottom of Moon Hill to its windy, arched peak. The path gets narrower, rougher and more slippery as you near the peak, but the panoramic view is worth the sweat. On a clear, you get a rewarding 360-degree-view of karst topography and Jinbao River unfurling in the distant horizon.
Climbing enthusiasts will be thrilled with thousands of natural peaks to test their rock-climbiing skills. Climbing equipment is easily avaiable from Mountain Retreat, Lizard Lounge and karst Cate located in Yangshuo. Suggested peaks include Copper Door, Gold Cat Hill and Thumb Peak. Or try scaling slippery Green Lotus Hill.
Just a stone's throw away is a series of newly opened caves: Black Buddha Caves, Water Caves and Dragon Cave. The Water Caves have garnered rave reviews.The boat ride into the dark cave seems foreboding-the limestone canopy dips so low at certain points, passage between rock and water seems impossible, but somehow the master oarsman getts the crew through.
Famous for uts exquisite Ming dynasty architecture and centuries-old wood carvings, Xingping Village is also noteworthy for its superior fengshui. Ornamental eaves, elegant sloping roofs and ancient homes have long drawn scholars and dignitaries to walk the quaint back alleys. It's said that Sun Yat-sen visited the village when he was preparing to tackle the warlords of the north. In 1998, former American President Bill Clinton also popped by.
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