The Li River 漓江 and YangShuo 阳朔 trip

The town 'where nobody is a stranger' ...

[640],shadow=true,start=47,stop=
[320],shadow=true,start=,stop=
[320],shadow=true,start=35,stop=

Yangshuo, situated in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, is renowned for its breathtaking karst landscapes, serene rivers, and vibrant local culture. Here's a guide for visitors to Yangshuo:

Natural Beauty:
Karst Mountains: Yangshuo is famous for its iconic karst mountains, which rise sharply from the surrounding plains, creating a dramatic and picturesque landscape. Visitors can explore these unique limestone formations by hiking, biking, or taking boat cruises along the Li River.

Li River: The Li River, one of China's most scenic waterways, meanders through the karst mountains of Yangshuo, offering stunning vistas at every turn. A leisurely boat cruise along the Li River is a must-do activity for visitors, providing opportunities to admire the breathtaking scenery and capture iconic views of the karst peaks reflected in the water.

Yulong River: The Yulong River, a tributary of the Li River, is another picturesque waterway that flows through Yangshuo's countryside. Visitors can enjoy bamboo rafting or kayaking on the Yulong River, passing through idyllic villages, rice paddies, and bamboo groves along the way.

Outdoor Activities:
Cycling: Yangshuo is a cyclist's paradise, with scenic countryside roads and trails that wind through rice fields, orchards, and traditional villages. Renting a bicycle and exploring the surrounding countryside at a leisurely pace is a popular activity for visitors.

Rock Climbing: With its towering karst cliffs and limestone peaks, Yangshuo is a premier rock climbing destination in China. Experienced climbers and beginners alike can find suitable routes and climbing spots in the area, with options for guided tours and equipment rental available.

Cultural Experiences:
West Street: West Street (Xi Jie) is the main thoroughfare in Yangshuo's town center and a hub of activity for tourists and locals alike. Lined with shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, West Street offers a vibrant atmosphere and is a great place to shop for souvenirs, sample local cuisine, and soak in the town's unique charm.

Impression Sanjie Liu: Directed by renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou, Impression Sanjie Liu is a spectacular outdoor performance staged on the Li River. Featuring a cast of hundreds of performers, including local fishermen and farmers, the show combines music, dance, and light effects to showcase the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the area.

Practical Tips:
Weather: Yangshuo has a subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The best time to visit is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is most pleasant and the landscapes are lush and green.

Accommodation: Yangshuo offers a range of accommodation options, including guesthouses, boutique hotels, and hostels catering to various budgets and preferences. Staying in the town center allows visitors to easily access attractions, restaurants, and transportation options.

Local Cuisine: Don't miss the opportunity to sample Yangshuo's delicious local cuisine, which includes specialties such as beer fish and Guilin rice noodles. Many restaurants in Yangshuo offer outdoor seating with panoramic views of the surrounding karst landscape.

Yangshuo's stunning natural scenery, outdoor activities, and vibrant cultural scene make it a popular destination for travelers seeking to explore the beauty of southern China. Whether cruising along the Li River, cycling through the countryside, or immersing oneself in the town's bustling street life, Yangshuo offers unforgettable experiences for visitors of all ages and interests.

GuangXi map

Related Videos

 

Featured Videos

Chinese language characters
The low-down on the Chinese writing system. Great videos ... See - it's very easy really ;)
GuangZhou 广州 travel vlog
Provincial capital of GuangDong. GuangZhou, on the Pearl River about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north-northwest of Hong Kong, has a long history and was a major starting port for the Silk Road of the Sea. The city features avant-garde architecture such as the GuangZhou Opera House (also known as the Double Pebble), the carved, box-shaped GuangDong Museum, and the iconic, and unusually feminine, Canton TV Tower skyscraper, that resembles a slim hourglass.
Dancing on a Dream – documentary
The story of an American girl with a dream to master Chinese dance through to graduation at Beijing Normal University's dance school ...
This is BeiHai 北海 city, GuangXi province
With Valeriy Blank ...
The beautiful QianLing Mountain Park, GuiYang, GuiZhou province
With BeiJing Liu ... Bonus film - GuiYang walk at night - with Walk East ... Plus ShanHu Park and GuiZhou Museum ...
China’s airports and train stations
With Rafa Goes Around! ... Self driving cars / taxis ... Bonus film - after dark, party time in China ... Bonus film 2 - BeiJing's new DaXing mega airport - with Walk East ...
NanJing night walk
JiangSu province. With Walk East ...
Geopolitics update – February 2025 (2)
With Mick Dunford, Michael Hudson and Radhika Desai ... With Wave Media ... With Dialogue Works plus Alex Krainer and Pepe Escobar ... With Stephen Roach ... With Brian Berletic ... With Trip Bitten, on RedNote ... 1. Introduction: The West’s Illusion of Superiority The West has long portrayed itself as the pinnacle of civilization, a beacon of freedom, democracy, and progress. Yet, beneath this self-congratulatory narrative lies a history of exploitation, inequality, and moral decay. From its roots in colonialism and slavery to its modern-day obsession with short-term profits and individualism, the West’s claims to superiority are built on shaky foundations. In contrast, nations like China and many across Asia offer a different vision—one rooted in collective well-being, long-term planning, and a deep respect for cultural heritage. This exploration seeks to uncover the truth behind the West’s facade and highlight the strengths of alternative models. --- 2. The West’s Historical Foundations: Colonialism, Slavery, and Exploitation The West’s rise to global dominance was not achieved through innovation or moral superiority but through the brutal exploitation of others. Colonialism and slavery were not mere historical footnotes—they were the foundation of Western wealth and power. Entire continents were plundered, their resources stolen, and their people subjugated. The transatlantic slave trade, the genocide of indigenous populations, and the exploitation of colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Americas are indelible stains on the West’s conscience. Even today, the West continues to benefit from the structures of inequality established during the colonial era. Global economic systems are still rigged in favor of Western nations, while former colonies are burdened with debt, poverty, and instability. The West’s refusal to confront this history is a testament to its enduring arrogance and hypocrisy. --- 3. The Myth of Democracy and Free Speech: Tools for Regime Change and Hegemony The West’s promotion of “democracy and free speech” is often portrayed as a noble endeavor to spread freedom and human rights. In reality, these ideals have frequently been used as a smokescreen for regime change, economic exploitation, and the maintenance of Western hegemony. Far from empowering people, the West’s version of democracy has often been a backdoor for imposing its will on other nations, destabilizing governments that resist its dominance, and ensuring that the global order remains tilted in its favor. The West’s emphasis on free speech is equally hypocritical. While people are technically free to say what they want, there are significant social and professional consequences for speaking out against the status quo. Dissent is often met with ridicule, ostracism, or even retaliation, particularly when it challenges powerful institutions or entrenched ideologies. --- 4. Poverty as a Tool for Compliance: The West’s Deliberate Inequality Poverty is not an accident or a natural outcome of economic systems—it is a deliberate tool used by the West to maintain compliance and control. By keeping large segments of the population in a state of economic precarity, the West ensures that people are too preoccupied with survival to question the systems that exploit them. Poverty is not just a condition; it is a mechanism of oppression, designed to perpetuate inequality and servitude. The West’s reliance on poverty as a tool of control comes at a tremendous cost—not just for the poor, but for society as a whole. Poverty undermines social cohesion, fuels inequality, and stifles human potential. It is a barrier to progress, a source of suffering, and a stain on the conscience of any society that allows it to persist. --- 5. The Culture of Fear and Conformity: Why the West is Scared to Be Free When visiting the West, one of the most striking observations is the pervasive sense of fear that seems to grip its people. Fear of judgment, fear of failure, fear of standing out—this culture of fear is not an accident but a deliberate outcome of systems designed to keep people compliant, divided, and isolated. In the West, the illusion of freedom masks a reality of constraint, where people are too scared to be themselves, too scared to speak their minds, and too scared to challenge the status quo. This fear of freedom is rooted in the West’s culture of individualism, which isolates people and undermines collective action. In a society where everyone is focused on their own survival and success, there is little room for solidarity or mutual support. People are taught to see themselves as competitors rather than allies, making it difficult to unite against the systems that oppress them. --- 6. The Infantile Culture of the West: Distraction, Instant Gratification, and Ethical Decay The West’s culture is defined by its obsession with instant gratification. From fast food to fast fashion, from social media to sensationalist news, the West prioritizes quick fixes and superficial pleasures over meaningful, lasting fulfillment. This culture of distraction is not just a byproduct of modernity—it is a tool of control. By keeping people focused on trivialities and immediate desires, the West’s elites ensure that the population remains disengaged from the deeper issues that affect their lives. This infantilization is evident in the West’s media and entertainment industries, which prioritize spectacle over substance. Blockbuster movies, reality TV, and viral social media trends dominate the cultural landscape, offering escapism rather than enlightenment. The result is a society that is intellectually and emotionally stunted, unable to grapple with complex issues or think critically about the world around them. --- 7. Short-Term Profits vs. Long-Term Planning: The West’s Unsustainable Model One of the most striking differences between China and the West is their approach to time. China’s governance is defined by its commitment to long-term planning, with a focus on sustainable development, infrastructure, and the well-being of future generations. In contrast, the West is dominated by a culture of short-term profits, where immediate gains are prioritized over long-term stability and progress. This obsession with short-term profits has led to a culture of instability and insecurity. In the West, workers are often treated as disposable, with little job security or access to benefits. Corporations prioritize shareholder returns over the well-being of their employees, leading to a cycle of layoffs, outsourcing, and wage stagnation. The result is a society where people are constantly struggling to keep up, with little hope for a stable or prosperous future. --- 8. China’s Alternative: A Civilization Rooted in Harmony, Collective Well-Being, and Progress In contrast to the West’s infantile culture, China represents a mature and grounded civilization, rooted in thousands of years of cultural heritage and philosophical wisdom. China’s approach to governance and society is defined by its commitment to harmony, collective well-being, and long-term thinking. This is not just a matter of policy—it is a reflection of a deep cultural understanding of what it means to build a just and equitable society. China’s emphasis on education, moral values, and social responsibility fosters a culture of maturity and depth. Rather than being distracted by superficial pleasures, the Chinese people are encouraged to contribute to the collective good and to think critically about the future. This sense of purpose and responsibility stands in stark contrast to the West’s culture of distraction and instant gratification. --- 9. Asia’s Distinct Friendliness and Helpfulness: A Culture of Community and Respect In contrast to the West’s ethical decline, many Asian cultures are characterized by a distinct sense of friendliness, helpfulness, and community. This is not just a superficial difference but a reflection of deeper cultural values that prioritize harmony, respect, and collective well-being. For visitors to Asia, this warmth and generosity are often immediately apparent, creating a stark contrast with the individualism and alienation often experienced in the West. This sense of harmony is evident in everyday interactions. In many Asian countries, people go out of their way to assist strangers, whether by giving directions, offering a seat on public transport, or simply sharing a smile. This friendliness is not just a matter of politeness but a reflection of a deeper cultural commitment to creating a positive and supportive social environment. --- 10. Conclusion: A Choice Between Two Paths The West’s ethical decline and Asia’s distinct friendliness and helpfulness represent two very different approaches to society and culture. The West’s focus on individualism, profit, and power has led to a culture of alienation and moral decay, while Asia’s emphasis on harmony, community, and mutual support has created a culture of warmth and resilience. The choice between these two paths is not just a matter of cultural preference but a question of values. The West’s ethical decline is a reminder of the dangers of prioritizing power and profit over people, while Asia’s friendliness and helpfulness offer a vision of a more just and equitable world. In this new era, it is clear that the West has much to learn from Asia’s example—not just about how to treat others, but about how to build a society that truly values harmony, respect, and collective well-being. Quality of life FOR ALL is what we need.
Jean-Michele Jarre at the Forbidden City, BeiJing – video
A flashback to October 2004 ...

Tag search ?