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Hiking - Explore the countryside on foot
Yangdi to Xingping
Duration: 5-6 hours
Enjoy an easy 18 km hike along the Li River. Hop on a local
bus from Yangshuo to Yangdi for 8 RMB. The path crosses the
river at three points, so you'll need to buy a 16 RMB ticket
in Yangdi for to get across at each of these crossings.
This trail lets you experience the Li River from a unique
vantage point and enjoy the peace and dramatic mountain vistas.
The trail winds through small local villages, rice fields,
bamboo groves and along the shores of the meandering Li River
where you'll find few tourists. If you get tired, you can
always opt for a motorized bamboo raft that will take you
3 km from Xingping but there are also Tuk Tuks or electric
cars for 2-3 RMB that will take you back to the bus stop in
town. The local bus from Xingping to Yangshuo is 5.5 RMB.
Prices based on time of writing
Dragon Bridge (Yu Long Qiao) to the Village Inn
Duration: 4 hours
For those interested in a long beautiful walk to Yangshuo Village Inn, start at the Dragon Bridge (Yu Long Qiao) and continue on the path that heads down river to the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat. You'll pass through the Yu Long (Dragon River) valley surrounded by amazing limestone Karst formations, ancient villages and even a catch-your-own fish farm.
Tip: The Yu Long River and Dragon River are one and the same.
Moon Hill Hike
Duration: 2.5 hours
Head out of the village and cross the main highway. The park
entrance to Moon Hill is just to the left about 100m. Entrance
for foreigners to Moon Hill Scenic Area is RMB 10. Over 700
stone steps will lead you the famous arch which is about 50
meters high and across and is looks like a half moon. You can
also climb up to the top of the dome by walking through the
arch and going along the trail back behind it. You can often
find people sport climbing on this back face of Moon Hill.
Note: These stairs are very
slippery after rain. Make sure you have appropriate shoes with
solid traction. Flip-flops are not recommended. Also note that
this is a half hour walk up and may be difficult for elderly
people and small children.
The Big Banyan Tree
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Follow the village road out to the main highway and turn right.
About 1km toward Yangshuo and across the highway is the park
entrance to the Big Banyan Tree. This ancient tree is a big
tourist attraction as it is over 1,000 years old and unusually
large. Definitely worth a look. We recommend that you avoid
the camels, ponies and silly costume photo taking services.
The Yu Long River Valley to Dragon Bridge
Duration: all day
Set off early and enjoy the magnificent scenery along the way.
Walk along the Yu Long River to the historic Village Jiuxian,
and 20km on to the Dragon (Yu Long) Bridge. This 600 year old
bridge is located in a picturesque setting. Bring your swim
suit as there are many places to swim in the river along the
way. For the daring, you can jump off the top of the bridge's
10m arch into the deep water below. Make sure you have someone
spotting on the other side of the bridge to ensure that there
are no bamboo rafts coming underneath you. At the Dragon Bridge
you can board a bamboo raft back downriver or take a bus ride
back to Yangshuo where you will need to hire a taxi to the Yangshuo
Village Inn. The walk to the Yu Long Bridge will take approximately
four hours and the bamboo raft back about 2.5 hours so allow
for a full day to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Jurassic Park Experience
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Take a bike out of Moon Hill Village and head right along the
main road about 2 km. Immediately after the big bridge - Moon
Hill Bridge (Yue Liang Qiao), turn left onto the narrow concrete
road. Head in about 1.5 km to the Yangshuo
Mountain Retreat. Park your bikes for free turning left
outside the hotel. Turning left out of the Retreat, about 500
meters up the road, there is a sharp turn to the left I this
road. Do not follow it. Instead, head right into the yard of
the house on this corner. As you continue into a stand of trees
you will see a cow shed ahead of you to the left. Head toward
it and look for a muddy trail heading up and to the left. Follow
the path to the top (about 500m) and continue on at the top,
making sure to always follow the path staying to the left. You
will find yourself in a remote valley, ringed by dramatic peaks
and can enjoy the total silence and tranquility of the area.
There is a great echo in this place. You will pass thorn thickets
to keep buffalo and eventually reach a shady wood at the top
of the trail (about 40 min in) and down stone steps into a village
that faces the Yulong River. Once at the village, head either
into the paddy fields and follow trails to your left or follow
the main road. You will be able to see the Yangshuo Mountain
Retreat ahead of you about 500m. Once back at the Retreat, have
a refreshing swim in the river and enjoy a glass of fresh fruit
juice or beer.
The Gaotian Hills
Duration: 1-3 hrs
Just down the village road from the Village Inn, you'll find
access to the rolling hills of Gaotian Township. These are forested
in places and are crisscrossed with cow trails and winding single
track. From these hills, you can run or hike and easily find
your way back to the Village Inn. Watch out in places for brambles.
Wang Gong Mountain
Duration: 2-3 hrs
If you're looking for a longer and more challenging hike with
steeper approach and higher elevation, take a bike from Moon
Hill Village and cross the main road heading toward town. At
the first paved road, turn in left. Wind your way up to the
Jing Bao River about 1.5km in and cross on the big concrete
weir. Follow trails to your right that will take you to the
Yulong River about another 2km. As you approach the Yulong (Dragon)
River, to your left you should be able to see a 30m high thumb-shaped
karst crag with a rust-colored face. This is Copper Gate Mountain.
It also has a small cave at the base. Ahead of you should be
the Yangshuo
Mountain Retreat. Depending on water levels, you can cross
the Yulong River on the breakwater (weir) directly across from
the Mountain Retreat with your shoes off. If the water is up
to your knees or higher, DO NOT APPEMPT TO CROSS ON FOOT,
instead, head for the Copper Gate and where there is a small
jetty in the River, there should also be some local people running
a raft photo business. Ask one of them to take you across. Don't
pay more than 10RMB per person.
Once you reach the Mountain Retreat, head right on the paved
road back toward the main road to the right, past the newly
built Dragon River Inn. About 500 meters ahead is a graveyard
with stone steps leading up the hill. This leads to a series
of trails that crisscross meadows and pastures and eventually
out either to the right (at the main highway near the Butterfly
Cave) or left behind the Mountain Retreat and nearby villages
to the narrow concrete road you came in on.
For more great pictures of Yangshuo, go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yangshuomountainretreat/
For more great hiking pictures go
to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yangshuomountainretreat/sets/72157603689854539/
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