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Photo Essay: Inspirational Beauty of Yangshuo, China

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My most recent trip to China was a month long visit to Yangshuo, a small town surrounded by karst mountains in Guangxi Province.

The dramatic landscapes and beautiful scenery in the area has inspired the works of countless Chinese artists throughout history.

Here's a small collection of my favorite photos from Yangshuo, China.

Yangshuo China from the top of TV Tower
Yangshuo from the top of TV Tower

It's a grueling 30 minute vertical hike to the top of TV Tower, but the view of Yangshuo town and the surrounding area is absolutely gorgeous!

West Street, Yangshuo, China
West Street, Yangshuo, China

Yangshuo is one of the most popular destinations for Chinese tourists. Every weekend the population of the town swells with locals getting away from the big city and coming to the countryside.

Rice Fields in Yangshuo, China
Rice Fields in Yangshuo, China

Just moments from the city center is the rural countryside where farms of rice exist in the midst of the kast mountains.

Ancient Chinese Village near Yangshuo, China
Ancient Chinese Village near Yangshuo, China

Biking in Yangshuo is one of the most entertaining activities around, and there are countless ancient farming villages to discover.

Husband and Wife at a Village in Yangshuo
Husband and Wife at a Village in Yangshuo

In some of the ancient villages around Yangshuo there are still plenty of people living in nearly the same way as generations of their ancestors did. It's fantastic to see the traditional rural side of China as contrasted from the high paced modern life in China's major industrial cities.

Bamboo Raft in Yangshuo, China
Bamboo Raft in Yangshuo, China

One of the many outdoor things to do in Yangshuo includes taking a traditional bamboo raft down the Yulong River. Pictured above is a crew of Chinese tourists riding bamboo rafts and shooting each other with water guns!

Lotus Farm, Yangshuo, China
Lotus Farm, Yangshuo, China

Just a few kilometers from the center of town is a famous lotus patch. I stopped at the lotus farm to eat a few of the shower head looking flowers and drink a cool beverage made from lotus nuts and peanuts.

Rice Farming in Yangshuo, China
Rice Farming in Yangshuo, China

Rice is still life in Guangxi Province, and many people from the area are farmers. This lady loaded a huge amount of rice chaff on her cart before she rolled it off down the road.

Bowl of Guilin Noodles
Bowl of Guilin Noodles

One of the most famous things to eat in Yangshuo is Guilin noodles. This colorful medley of rice noodles is topped with a variety of tasty toppings and spiced up with a spoon full of dry chili flakes.

Sunset in Yangshuo, China
Sunset in Yangshuo, China

When the sun begin to decline it casts spectacular shadows and shades of light on the jagged karst mountains of Yangshuo, China. It's a perfect place to sit back with a cup of Chinese tea and enjoy the beauty. [gbicon]

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About Mark Wiens

Mark was raised in central Africa before migrating back to the US for University. After graduating, he decided to continue traveling the world. On Migrationology, he shares the cultural side of travel from a slow paced local perspective that often revolves around his love for eating all forms of food. Join him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @migrationology, and add him on Google Plus.

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Comments

  1. Turtle says

    November 10, 2011 at 3:14 pm

    You’re right – Yangshuo is a beautiful part of China! I went there a few years ago and it was one of the highlights of my trip to the country.
    Great photos too – they’ve really captured the place!

  2. Dean says

    November 11, 2011 at 3:23 am

    Nice photos Mark. I’ve read a few of your posts about Yangshuo and it seems like such an interesting and beautiful place.

    • Mark Wiens says

      November 11, 2011 at 11:45 am

      Great to hear that Stephen – you’ll have a great time, and make sure to climb up to TV Tower for a great view of the city.

  5. Priyank says

    November 19, 2011 at 5:27 pm

    Hi Mark, I really like the first picture, the city hidden in a valley and surrounded by mountains on all sides. Beautiful!

  6. Deb says

    November 20, 2011 at 11:06 am

    Great captures of Yangshuo Mark. It was one of our favourite places in China and I could see myself just chilling out there for months at a time. There is no place quite so beautiful on earth.

  8. Sandy says

    January 12, 2012 at 5:56 am

    Yangshou is a phtotographers paradise…as is Xingping (similar place not far away but without the tourists). I enjoyed the pics…we’ll be heading back there for sure.

  10. David @ That Gay Backpacker says

    June 21, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    This place is totally on my bucket list. Incredible photos! The last snap is just “WOAH, is this real?”.

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