Yangshou - A haven for the western tourist

Yangshou is set on the Li River in Guangxi Provence and is a great escape for western tourists. Everyone here speaks English and you can get western food. The town is set amongst picturesque mountains and the region has been an inspiration to many Chinese poets and painters. The limestone pinnacles come from when the area was once an ocean 190 million years ago following a movement in the earth's crust which pushed the karsts upwards.

Yangshou at night

Our group took a cycling trip through the countryside the following day which was fantastic. We passes by a section of the Li River and on to a lunch spot called Moon Hill which is a natural arch in one of the mountains, then returned through villages and farming areas.

Me cycling Yangshou countryside

Other activities available in Yangshou include bamboo rafting, kayaking or boat trips on the Li River, hiking, caving and rock climbing. There are also loads of souvenir shops and local markets but I think that one of the best things about the town is that it's a great refuge for the overwhelmed western traveller to chill out and take a bit of a break from chopsticks and the overwhelming Chinese cities.

Our group took a boat trip on the Li River the following day before making or way by bus to Gui Ling railway station for our overnight sleeper train to Kowloon which is a two hour ride by hydrofoil to Hong Kong.

Ploughing field with water buffalo

Cycling countryside Yangshou

Babies in baskets... remember 'photo money'

Jenson and the group, cycling

Moon Hill

Anyone hungry

The water gun lady

Village near Yangshou

Washing time, Li River Yangshou

Yangshou countryside