Xingping

Xingping (兴坪) is a town in North Guangxi, China. It is on the Li River, about 27 km upstream from Yangshuo and 60 km downstream from Guilin.

Like Yangshuo, Xingping is surrounded by great examples of Karst scenery, with one particularly prominent peak overlooking the village from the southern end of the shoreline against the Yi River, which is topped with a lookout which can be climbed to with relative ease by those with an adventurous spirit and a head for heights. Certainly, not as clean or developed as neighboring touristy Yangshuo, it nonetheless has a nice authentic feel to it, complete with a few intact historical buildings and easy access to the Li River.

The town was initially settled in 265 AD, and was the regional centre for Yangshuo County until Yangshuo was settled in 590 AD.

• Bird's View Pavilion. This pavilion, perched on the Karst peak on the Southern end of the waterfront on the Yi River gives a spectacular view of both the town of Xingping and the distinctive surrounding scenery. The climb is a bit challenging in sections and you are advised to do it in the cool part of the day. It comprises 1159 steps taking you to an altitude of 220 metres above the town. The path as you get higher gets quite challenging as the steps are uneven, poorly maintained and steep. The small pavilion at the end of the climb is a welcome spot to relax, although the habitual dropping of rubbish is quite noticeable in the immediate area surrounding it. Views further south on the river are possible by scrambling over the rocks behind the pavilion near the telephone tower, but this can be quite slick and risky and is not recommended unless you are quite at home on rocks and at heights. Free.
• ¥20 Point. The landscape on the ¥20 note is just outside Xingping, You may think that the Chinese are looking for money from you when really they are pointing this out. You can take a photo from the exact same spot as this picture. Free
• Lotus Cave. While not a great cave to explore (any cave in the Yangshuo/Guilin area is much better), the bicycle ride to and from is quite pleasant. Relatively free of traffic, and well-paved by GuangXi standards, Lotus cave is locate on the southeastern edge of a beautiful valley. ¥45/person
• Dahebei Village.

A peninsula in the other side of Xingping town. Take a ferry to cross the river at the Xingping pier, ¥1. It is a small angler village, with the charming of the countryside in China. Walk around the orchards, vegetables gardens and the trails around the village. Listen nature she have something to tell you. Enjoy the countryside,expend some time with the local people. The local people make life by planting fruits, driving bamboo boat.

Bird's View Pavilion. This pavilion, perched on the Karst peak on the Southern end of the waterfront on the Yi River gives a spectacular view of both the town of Xingping and the distinctive surrounding scenery. The climb is a bit challenging in sections and you are advised to do it in the cool part of the day. It comprises 1159 steps taking you to an altitude of 220 metres above the town. The path as you get higher gets quite challenging as the steps are uneven, poorly maintained and steep. The small pavilion at the end of the climb is a welcome spot to relax, although the habitual dropping of rubbish is quite noticeable in the immediate area surrounding it. Views further south on the river are possible by scrambling over the rocks behind the pavilion near the telephone tower, but this can be quite slick and risky and is not recommended unless you are quite at home on rocks and at heights. Free.

¥20 Point. The landscape on the ¥20 note is just outside Xingping, You may think that the Chinese are looking for money from you when really they are pointing this out. You can take a photo from the exact same spot as this picture. Free

Lotus Cave. While not a great cave to explore (any cave in the Yangshuo/Guilin area is much better), the bicycle ride to and from is quite pleasant. Relatively free of traffic, and well-paved by GuangXi standards, Lotus cave is locate on the southeastern edge of a beautiful valley. ¥45/person

Dahebei Village.

• Li River Boat Trip. Take a boat trip along the most famous parts of the Li River for an hour and a half. These small boats are much more enjoyable that the large cruise ships that cruise by and far cheaper. Bargain hard. ¥80 for 2 people.
• Yangdi - Xingping. As of Aug 2013, this 18-24 km walk can be done both ways and it is a far more peaceful way to enjoy the Li river and mountain scenery than a loud noisy boat down the river. It takes you along the pebbly shores of the river, through many small villages, fields and bamboo forests. You will have to take three bamboo rafts across the river at about ¥10-30 each after bargaining. Just tell someone you want to go "walking". In the direction of Xingping the first ferry crossing can be difficult to negotiate as it appears to not be entirely legal. The other ferries however are not an issue. If you get tired during the walk, you can always rent a bamboo raft to float down the river; don't worry about availability -you will be turning down offers of 'Bamboo? Bamboo?' the whole way. There are plenty of people selling food and drinks along the way, ranging from single sellers to sit-down cafes. One can then take a bamboo raft back to the start ¥300-500 one way.
• Hike to Fisher village. This is a hour or so walk south of town. One can also reach the village by boat. Local will take you to the roof tops if you like for a panoramic view for ¥5. There are pictures of the Clinton's when they visited the spot on the walls. The youth hostel in town has a map with directions. Free.

Li River Boat Trip. Take a boat trip along the most famous parts of the Li River for an hour and a half. These small boats are much more enjoyable that the large cruise ships that cruise by and far cheaper. [[Bargain]] hard. ¥80 for 2 people.

Yangdi - Xingping. As of Aug 2013, this 18-24 km walk can be done both ways and it is a far more peaceful way to enjoy the Li river and mountain scenery than a loud noisy boat down the river. It takes you along the pebbly shores of the river, through many small villages, fields and bamboo forests. You will have to take three bamboo rafts across the river at about ¥10-30 each after bargaining. Just tell someone you want to go "walking". In the direction of Xingping the first ferry crossing can be difficult to negotiate as it appears to not be entirely legal. The other ferries however are not an issue. If you get tired during the walk, you can always rent a bamboo raft to float down the river; don't worry about availability -you will be turning down offers of 'Bamboo? Bamboo?' the whole way. There are plenty of people selling food and drinks along the way, ranging from single sellers to sit-down cafes. One can then take a bamboo raft back to the start ¥300-500 one way.

Hike to Fisher village. This is a hour or so walk south of town. One can also reach the village by boat. Local will take you to the roof tops if you like for a panoramic view for ¥5. There are pictures of the Clinton's when they visited the spot on the walls. The youth hostel in town has a map with directions. Free.

There are a number of semi-permanent market stalls near the waterfront, all selling quite similar goods - pashmina scarfs, jade sculptures, books with photos from the Yi River, etc. As tourist traffic from Yangshuo increases, expect these savvy marketeers to start inflating their prices to match. Good bargains can be had, as with most of China, but only by those who educate themselves on the real value of the goods, and who have the skill and experience to haggle for the right price.

• This Old Place Cafe. This cafe, which is linked to the Hostel by the same name, offers a good range of Chinese traditional dishes, as well as some more Westernised versions (like Sweet & Sour Chicken without bones!) The staff are extremely attentive, lovely and go out of their way to make you comfortable and welcome. And interesting feature of this restaurant is the pond and washbasin between the bar and the bathrooms which is open to the sky - very unique and cool.
• Love Landscape Restaurant, Rongtan St. (betwixt the bus station and This Old Place. An interesting little place with a limited English menu, LLR has very few vegetable dishes, but quite a few beef, chicken, or pork dishes. What is memorable about this place, though, is two-fold. Firstly, just in front of the restaurant on a little patio, the management keeps live animals for consumption, including Li Jiang fish, quail, chickens, ducks, and bamboo rats. Secondly, try their Snake wine, which is sitting in a huge jug also on the front porch, for just 5 yuan/glass.
• 7# Cafe, Old Street (Same street as TOP Cafe, just a little further towards the bus station. A lovely little place run by some very friendly staff, with good music playing, and heaters under the tables which are perfect when Xingping isn't being too kind weather-wise. The owners always brought out a game of Connect 4 to play while waiting for food, and it makes a nice cosy alternative to TOP Cafe down the road. The food is decent value. Food from ¥10.

This Old Place Cafe. This cafe, which is linked to the Hostel by the same name, offers a good range of Chinese traditional dishes, as well as some more Westernised versions (like Sweet & Sour Chicken without bones!) The staff are extremely attentive, lovely and go out of their way to make you comfortable and welcome. And interesting feature of this restaurant is the pond and washbasin between the bar and the bathrooms which is open to the sky - very unique and cool.

Love Landscape Restaurant, Rongtan St. (betwixt the bus station and This Old Place. An interesting little place with a limited English menu, LLR has very few vegetable dishes, but quite a few beef, chicken, or pork dishes. What is memorable about this place, though, is two-fold. Firstly, just in front of the restaurant on a little patio, the management keeps live animals for consumption, including Li Jiang fish, quail, chickens, ducks, and bamboo rats. Secondly, try their Snake wine, which is sitting in a huge jug also on the front porch, for just 5 yuan/glass.

7# Cafe, Old Street (Same street as TOP Cafe, just a little further towards the bus station. A lovely little place run by some very friendly staff, with good music playing, and heaters under the tables which are perfect when Xingping isn't being too kind weather-wise. The owners always brought out a game of Connect 4 to play while waiting for food, and it makes a nice cosy alternative to TOP Cafe down the road. The food is decent value. Food from ¥10.

Local Guangxi LiQuan beer should cost ¥4-5 in local stores.

• Local Jiu Place, Rongtan St (Literally 3 or 4 doors up the street from This Old Place. Sells local Osmanthus wine (of varying strengths) for very little money. The extremely nice sales girl even speaks a little English and offers a couple of free tastes from the large jugs.

Local Jiu Place, Rongtan St (Literally 3 or 4 doors up the street from This Old Place. Sells local Osmanthus wine (of varying strengths) for very little money. The extremely nice sales girl even speaks a little English and offers a couple of free tastes from the large jugs.

• Yangshuo - A very popular town on the Li River, full of foreign and Chinese tourists, bars, restaurants and in the middle of some beautiful karst scenery.