Traveling Alone | A Slow 4-Day Trip in Yangshuo

📍 Guilin · 👁 10 reads · ❤️ 593 likes

The elementary school text 'Guilin’s Mountains and Waters' still lingers in my mind with its memorable charm—'Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven,' but I, who have lived all year round in the neighboring province of Guangdong, had never set foot in the city of Guilin...

This time I chose Yangshuo County in Guilin.

Guilin’s scenery is the best under heaven, and Yangshuo’s scenery is the best under Guilin. Finally, during a brief break from my busy work, I took a short rest and came alone to a place I had longed for yet overlooked...

This was a spontaneous trip, with the goal of leisurely spending four slow days in Yangshuo...

Transportation: High-speed rail (Zhuhai—Yangshuo)

Accommodation: Xishi Flower House (Yangshuo West Street Sky Mirror Branch)

D1: Zhuhai—Yangshuo—Night tour of West Street

D2: Ten-Mile Gallery

D3: Silver Cave

D4: Yangshuo—Xingping Ancient Town—Zhuhai

This time I booked a homestay near the Li River—Xishi Flower House (Yangshuo West Street Sky Mirror Branch).

When I decided to stay at this homestay, the affordable king-size bed rooms were already booked (their 180-degree panoramic rooms are great, but my budget was tight). After much hesitation, I still chose to stay here...

So I reserved a twin room for one day and a king-size room for the other two days...

Although it is not a brand-name homestay, I feel it is one carefully managed by the owner... From the cleanliness, bedding, and toiletries, the details exceeded expectations for this price range, and Shili Li’s Lizhu is right next to it, costing more than double...

The common area of the homestay is decorated in a light French style... perfect for taking photos. The rooftop has a 'Sky Mirror'; going in the morning yields stunning photos!!!

Every day, I took a 2-yuan ferry to the opposite bank and walked 5-6 minutes to West Street to find food...

I still miss sitting on the balcony of its guest rooms... feeling the breeze... watching the Li River... snacking... playing games... letting the natural wind dry my hair...

West Street is the oldest and most bustling street in Yangshuo, especially at night, radiating a charming glow... The liveliest parts of West Street are the various restaurants, bars, and karaoke venues...

As well as some trendy shops...

But I still prefer the quiet West Street during the day... having a dessert... drinking coffee... spacing out...

Guilin is a typical landscape city, where natural mountains and waters form the basic elements of the urban landscape. The One River and Four Lakes area truly embodies the beautiful scenery of 'thousands of peaks standing around the wilderness, a single river encircling the flow' and the harmonious view of 'the city amidst the scenery, and the scenery within the city'...

The Ten-Mile Gallery is the most scenic colored road... It feels like admiring an unfolding Chinese landscape painting scroll; along the way, it is truly beautiful mountains, beautiful waters, and beautiful scenery. Riding a bamboo raft downstream, I enjoyed the splendid landscape. Entering the Moon Hill tourism scenic area, along the road there are amazing peaks, pastoral beauty, and many rock formations with unique shapes that spark imagination, picturesque...

Silver Cave is a typical karst cave that runs through twelve peaks, a multi-layered cave. Inside, stalactites from different geological ages are gathered, crystal clear and pure white, like the Milky Way pouring down in the night sky, shimmering with silver and diamond-like light...

'After visiting Silver Cave, you will never lack money in your life.'

Silver Cave is quite large with many steps, requiring climbing up and down. The cave is hot and stuffy with poor ventilation; it is advised that the elderly or frail should not enter...

Located on the east bank of the Li River, where the river bends and turns, the main reason to visit Xingping Ancient Town is to check the location depicted on the back of the 20-yuan banknote...

Compared to the lively West Street, Xingping Ancient Town is simple and peaceful, with smooth polished bluestone streets, showcasing the authentic essence of Yangshuo...

A Taste of Rice Noodles

Location: Near Yangshuo County People's Hospital (navigable)

Tips: I feel that in Guangxi, whether it’s Guilin rice noodles or snail noodles, almost every shop serves delicious food. But after trying a few, personally I think the shop using stainless steel bowls (as shown below) tastes better.

I think the sugar water’s flavor is not amazing (but still good), but the advantage is the nice environment where you can comfortably sit for half a day...

The 12-yuan mango juice amazed me with its taste at that price; the mango milk was also very good... It reminded me of the cheap and tasty mango juice in Thailand, so a daily cup became a must...

From the recommended shops in the guide, many people mentioned 'tree bark fried egg'... Since I was alone, I could only order one dish (that’s the downside of traveling solo)...

I had never eaten 'tree bark' (scientific name: Peltigera) before, so the texture was quite novel. The overall taste was good...

Location: Xingping Ancient Town

It feels like one of the best coffee shops in Xingping Ancient Town. I ordered a latte...

The interior environment is quite nice, suitable for sitting quietly and playing a couple of games. Due to time constraints, I didn’t stay long...

A person walks from a place they are tired of to a place others are tired of...

No matter where I go...

I think this is the best way to truly empty (relax) oneself...

Gaining the motivation (courage) to move forward...

Travel Diary Contents

1. About the itinerary

2. About accommodation

3. About attractions