Xingping Landscape Area

Chinese name: 兴坪景区 (Xingping Jingqu)
Location: 25 km northeast of the county town of Yangshuo, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (aka Guangxi Province).
How to get there: minibuses departing to Xingping are available at Yangshuo Bus Station (about 8 Yuan / person, 45 minutes).
Best time for visit: all year long

History of Xingping Ancient Town

Standing like a pearl by the highlight section of the Li River, Xingping Ancient Town had been set as the administrative center of the ancient Xiping County (熙平县) and had jurisdiction over the ancient Yangshuo Town early in 256 AD (Three Kingdoms Period in China). In 590 (Sui Dynasty), Yangshuo County was established and Xiping became a town under its governing. With time passed, the name "Xiping (熙平)" was evolved to be "Xingping (兴坪)" which is now widely known to travellers today.

Many national leaders of China such as Sun Yat-sen, Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping had ever been to this small town and spoke highly of it for its tranquil and natural beauty. And the previous US President Bill Clinton's visit to the Xingping fishing village in July of 1998 made it known to more people in the world.

What to see at Xingping Ancient Town?

Endowed by the nature with most of the marvelous natural spectacles along the Li River, Xingping Ancient Town collects as many as 8 famous scenic spots and 24 attractions at the area, including the famous Nine Horses Fresco Hill, the Yellow Cloth Shoal, the real scene of the back of RMB 20 Yuan, the Lotus Cave (fantastic karst landform), the Snail Hill, etc.

Apart from the amazing natural landscapes, the many historical sites at the Xingping ancient street and the fishing village, e.g. ancient bridge, ferry, pavilion, stage, temple and some other architectural complex, are also contributed to making Xingping Ancient Town "the most charming ancient town along the Li River".

The flagging-paved Xingping Ancient Street stretches for more than 1 km from the southeast of the town to the ancient ferry. Along the street the guild halls of other provinces were built, many of which are still well-preserved until today. What amazes people is the old banyan which is said to be planted when the ancient Xiping County was established. This old tree with luxuriant foliage has "eaten" five statues of Bodhisattvas and one 20-ton-weight stone by its luxuriant root hairs. Wandering around the old town, visitors will feel like walking back to hundreds of years ago to read its past bustle.

At present, there are about 13 local restaurants and inns with over 240 beds in total at Xingping Ancient Town. Visitors can also buy some souvenirs at the several artware shops of the town.

Li River Highlights Cruise from Yangdi to Xingping

Known as the highlight of the picturesque Li River, the "Yangdi-Xingping (杨堤-兴坪)" downstream cruise on small "bamboo" raft is a popular choice for many Chinese individual travelers. The "bamboo" rafts are in fact not made of bamboo but special plastic tubes, usually equipped with life jackets and driven by motor. By taking such a cruise, travellers can spend the cruising time at their pace and stop en route to go ashore to take some pictures and have a closer touch with the scenery.

- Departing from Guilin to Yangdi (50 km)

1. Take a bus departing to Yangshuo (阳朔) at the square in front of Guilin Railway Station and get off at the Yangdi Intersection (杨堤路口, yang di lu kou). It costs about 10 Yuan / person, 50 minutes. The buses leave every 20 minutes.

2. Arriving at the Yangdi Intersection, walk to the other side of the road, wait there for the minibuses to Yangdi Dock (杨堤码头, yang di ma tou). It costs about 3 Yuan /person, about 20 minutes (12 km).

3. Arriving at the dock, choose a raft and try to bargain with the helmsman (normally about 120-150 Yuan per raft at ordinary days, and the price will be about double at festivals especially during the May Day and the National Day holidays).

4. It is strongly suggested to wear the life-jacket on raft. The leisurely cruise time lasts 2-3 hours according to personal preference.

5. Arriving at Xingping Dock (兴坪码头, xing ping ma tou), minibuses departing to Xingping Bus Station are available (about 3 Yuan / person, 10 minutes). It takes about 45 minutes from Xingping Bus Station to Yangshuo Bus Station, about 8 Yuan / person.

- Departing from Yangshuo to Yangdi (39 km)

1. Take a bus departing to Guilin (桂林) at the exit of Yangshuo Bus Station and get off at the Yangdi Intersection (杨堤路口, yang di lu kou). It costs about 8 Yuan / person, 40 minutes. The buses leave every 20 minutes (NOTE: the shuttle buses at Yangshuo Bus Station go to Guilin Bus Station directly, so do not buy your ticket at the ticket office if you plan to get off on the way).

2. Arriving at the Yangdi Intersection, wait there for the minibuses to Yangdi Dock (杨堤码头, yang di ma tou). It costs about 3 Yuan /person, about 20 minutes (12 km).

3. Arriving at the dock, choose a raft and try to bargain with the helmsman (normally about 120-150 Yuan per raft at ordinary days, and the price will be about double at festivals especially during the May Day and the National Day holidays).

4. It is strongly suggested to wear the life-jacket on raft. The leisurely cruise time lasts 2-3 hours according to personal preference.

5. Arriving at Xingping Dock (兴坪码头, xing ping ma tou), minibuses departing to Xingping Bus Station are available (about 3 Yuan / person, 10 minutes). It takes about 45 minutes from Xingping Bus Station to Yangshuo Bus Station, about 8 Yuan / person.