Y is for Yangshuo

(These are the first paragraphs of a travel article I wrote in 2007.)

Yangshuo has something for everyone.  

For a first time visitor to China, this small town in subtropical Guangxi is a soft landing into an ancient Chinese setting with many of the comforts of home.  For the veteran Asia traveler or resident, Yangshuo, with its proximity to Hong Kong (a mere one-hour flight) and other large urban Asian centers, is a spectacular place just to hang out and unwind for a few days.  

This popular backpackers’ destination since the ‘80’s has more recently been discovered by tourists both domestic and foreign. Yet the crowds still fail to detract from the town’s architectural charms and its serene location amongst green rice fields, gently flowing rivers and mystical karst peaks.

 

The old part of town is blissfully free of vehicles of any kind, a rarity in China.  That gives the pedestrian unfettered access to the scores of commercial concerns that line the streets from one end of town to the other.  A surprising number of locals serving in the businesses speak passable English; it’s no wonder the place is called “a global village.”  Perfect for those who can’t leave their shopping cravings at home!

 

Shoppers can find souvenirs of minority crafts and antiques (some real, some not);  exquisite embroidered tablecloths; popular Western (often fake but decent quality) branded clothes or very chic Chinese apparel and accessories; hand painted T-shirts or fans; art and calligraphy… and much more, all for still reasonable prices compared to other tourist centers in China.

But you have to bargain. Pretty “pashmina” shawls in a rainbow of colors were initially offered to me for RMB60 a piece; I walked away with ten shawls for RMB150 (under US$20).  Haggle for the fresh fruit sold by the local farmers on the streets, too.

Even the non-shopper can take pleasure in just a relaxing stroll along the marble stoned streets past the 1400-year-old buildings. Then stop to enjoy a great cup of coffee (really!) or a cold pijiu (beer) and a pizza in one of the many Western-style bars, coffee shops and restaurants, many managed by foreigners. 
 

Another day I will show you the exquisite surrounding landscape. If you can't wait, check out my earlier posts here, here and here.

Yangshuo enters the medley of Ys at ABC Wednesday. 

And this final photo taken early in the morning before the storefronts opened their shutters to show their wares, my favorite today (nicer enlarged) and processed in sepia, is for Sepia Scenes.

Yangshuo, 2007

PS. I am back home in the Philippines and will continue to share local sites as well as my travels around the globe as time permits.