Yangshuo

Driving through the back country roads at night from Guilin airport to Yangshou I could not see them.

Rising with a rooster's crow and stumbling from my room in a traditional yet restored farmhouse – now the lovely Outside Inn – I see they loom everywhere. My eyes adjust slowly to a panorama they’ve never before seen. Some resemble thick bull horns, others some kind of granite vegetable. They rise conspicuously from the ground and dot the topography of lush rice fields and slow moving rivers. Formed over millions of years ago by the earth’s crustal movements, the Karst peaks are composed of limestone sediments. Each one’s unique body a result of endless erosion and whipping winds – nature always proves to be the best artisan.

We rented a bike in Yangshou and began the route along the Yulong River. After about 6 km there is an entrance to the left passing through a village and connects to the river. At that point a rower takes riders over who return from the full path by the river. We discovered this when we crossed and then returned the 2nd day. The scenery is breathtaking, it is a stretch of the river surrounded by mountains and the reflections of clouds in the water. There is a raised area which allows you to walk over the water and a waterfall for a relaxing swim. The area is secluded but you might see Chinese sowing rice under the mountains, water buffalo wallowing and peasants carrying water.

Stroll the streets of this small town in the inside of China provides photos as beautiful as this. After being in large cities as Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai , traveling to the more rural areas of China is relaxing, because besides being beautiful, the people are wonderful. This was decorated by beautiful karst massifs typical of the area. To rest, repeat, and stay some time to dream. It comes with a 4-hour cruise of where one can enjoy the beautiful views and landscape along the Li River, departing from Guilin and arriving at Yangshuo. In it you can see fishing, cattle grazing, and mountains