Yangshuo

Yangshuo (阳朔; Yáng shuò) is a small town (by Chinese standards) surrounded by karst mountains and beautiful scenery near Guilin. It has been a popular backpacker destination since the 1980s and the surrounding area has excellent rock climbing opportunities which attract another large group of tourists, As a result, it has seen much development and now gets many tour groups, mostly but by no means all Chinese. There is also a community of resident foreigners.

Yangshuo Town is the county seat for Yangshuo County; county population is about 300,000 with most of them in the town. eHalal Travel Guide concentrates on the town but also covers some expeditions into the nationside.

Yangshuo Halal Travel Guide

YangshuoFromTvTower - The town, seen from a nearby hill

Yangshuo is popular for its incredible karst scenery, beautiful mountains, rivers, caves, and temples as well as its laid back cafes and bars. However, as a result and there is no shortage of mainland Chinese tourists, expats and other foreigners.

Yangshuo is not a typical Chinese town and does not have the big-city feel of other Chinese cities. That means it is relatively air and noise pollution free, (provided you get away from major roadways), is very clean (by Chinese standards) and does not usually suffer from endless massive traffic chaos. It is much more like a vacation town, with wonderful restaurants and retail outlets and again quite developed by mainland Chinese standards. It is also a nice place to stop and explore the local countryside by bike or even try your hand on the world class rock-climbing sites.

Yangshuo has a reputation as a foreigners' village in Southern China and is a major stop for many independent travellers. It is on the Hong Kong to Kunming overland route and the Chinese offshoot of the backpakers' Banana Pancake Trail through Southeast Asia.

Orientation

Yangshuo - Looking up West Street from near the river

The main tourist area of Yangshuo is laid out roughly like a ladder. The two main tourist streets run more-or-less parallel up from the river and end at one of the town's larger streets. There are assorted smaller streets (rungs) crossing between the two larger streets. The street (ladder vertical) on the left seen from the River is West Street (西街 Xijie) and is the older more established tourist street and the real centre of things. The other long tourist street is Diecuilu (畳翠路).

There is a small creek that runs down the centre of the ladder; some of the prettiest restaurants in town are on balconies near it. The street there is called Guiha Lu. It has undergone heavy rebuilding and has many new shops, restaurants. Toward the river end, it curves to intersect Diecielu.

At the foot of the ladder by the river is an open area with a large number of vendors hawking all sorts of tourist stuff, both from shops and from handcarts. There are also a number of rather nice riverside hotels.

Across the top of the ladder is a major street (Pantao Rd) with many hotels. The town's main bus station is at the junction where that main street meets Die Cui Lu. The intersection has a large open area that becomes very busy at night, with dozens of restaurants and hundreds of diners. Do not expect English menus or non-Chinese dishes.

Travel as a Muslim to Yangshuo

Yangshuo has neither an airport nor a train station, though nearby Guilin has both and the new High-speed rail in China|high-speed trains have some stops that are closer.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Yangshuo

The nearest airport is Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (IATA Code: KWL) in Guilin, served by many Asian carriers with several daily Flights from Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. It is generally cheaper to fly to Guilin from Shenzhen than from Hong Kong, just across the border as Flights from Shenzhen are considered a domestic flight, whereas from Hong Kong is international. There is also a daily flight from Kuala Lumpur by Air Asia.

An airport shuttle operates non-stop between Guilin Airport and Yangshuo taking around 90 minutes. Tickets can be purchased in Guilin airport close to the arrivals exit. Buses leave from outside the airport and travel to the Yangshuo northern bus station. There are departures from Guilin Airport at 09:30, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30, 16:30, 18:00, 20:00 and 22:30. Tickets cost ¥70 per person.

An easy but comparatively costly way to get to Yangshuo is by taxi. It is far better to have your pick-up arranged by your hotel as waiting taxi drivers at Guilin will overcharge you and drivers generally do not know anything else in Yangshuo than the bus station where they will drop you off and you need to arrange transportation from there onwards. Expect to pay between ¥260-400 depending on the vehicle, and depending on whether you take the G65 Baomao highway (additional ¥70 for toll fees but saves about half an hour). Taking the highway is much faster, less bumpy and better for your blood pressure as you will not have to watch as your driver plays Chicken with oncoming traffic while passing all the transport trucks moving at 40 km/h on the regular road.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Yangshuo

Yangshuo has no train station, however there are train stations close by.

The nearest train station with the most train service is in Guilin. A direct overnight train from Shenzhen (on the Hong Kong border) operates to Guilin (12 hours). Some hotels will arrange pick up from the train station. Minibuses to Yangshuo conveniently depart from the square in front of Guilin train station (¥28, 80–90 minutes). These buses are untrustworthy, known to scam many tourists and take a long time to make the journey as they constantly stop to gather more passengers. The safest and more ideal method of getting to Yangshuo is to ignore the bus agents and turn north (left from the station) and walk the 300 m to the main bus terminal. Here buses are properly ticketed, safe and direct(¥25, 50–60 minutes).

• As of December 2018 this bus station is closed. Buses run from the new South station about 10km south.

GongCheng is a high speed train station that opened in 2014. Now offering high speed trains to and from Guizhou, Guangdong and Shenzhen, it is become the most popular method of travelling to and from the Guangdong/Hong Kong region. Trains to and from Shenzhen now only take 3 hours. To travel from GongCheng Railway Station to Yangshuo, take the public bus to the GongCheng Bus Station (10 minutes) and the bus to Yangshuo (40 minutes).

XingPing has a high speed train station and also operates trains to and from Guangdong.

Travel on a Bus in Yangshuo

From Guilin and there are frequent shuttle vanes and express buses to Yangshuo. There are two services, private and government run.

Private buses depart from the square in front of the Guilin Railway Station (80–90 minutes, ¥28, buy tickets on the bus once it is underway. Invariably agents will try to sell you a more expensive ticket before the bus departs, even coming onto the bus. The best approach is simply to ignore them. Be aware that if the bus is not full enough to the driver's liking and they will delay in order to get more passengers. This bus will stop to let on and take on passengers en route.

The government run service are express buses that depart every twenty minutes from the Guilin Bus Terminal off Zhongshan Zhong Lu and take about 1½ hours (¥22, buy tickets from counter inside terminal).

• North Bus station - The North Bus Station operates buses to and from north destinations such as Guilin, Guilin Airport and Yangdi. Service to Nanning also leave from here. From Nanning and there are 3 buses per day. The journey costs ¥220 and buses leave at 08:00, 10:00 and 12:30. Tickets can be purchased inside the bus terminal.

• South Bus station - The Sorth Bus Station operates buses to and from north destinations such as XingPing, GongCheng, JinBao and GaoTian (this service can be used to access southern tourist sites such as Moon Hill, Banyan Tree.

From Guangdong, overnight sleeper buses run direct to Yangshuo from Shenzhen (near Hong Kong]), from Zhuhai (near Macau), and from Guangzhou. These cost around ¥200-250 depending on which station in Shenzhen you want to depart from and how new of a bus you want to travel on. Some sleeping buses from Shenzhen are quite uncomfortable. The buses from the border in Shenzhen are the most expensive.

Buses from Guangdong really don't go to the bus station; they just let you off in town, a ten-minutes walk from the main tourist area following the signs to West Street.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Yangshuo

漓江山水 - Li River

There are also boats that travel down the Li River from Guilin, slower and more expensive (¥600+) than buses, but a very scenic journey. You may be able to travel for about ¥200 by joining a tour group. You will pass some of China's most famous scenic views, including a mountain view that can be seen on all ¥20 bills. Do check with your travel agent or hotel which boat you will be on as standards can vary a lot. Ask for a picture to be sure it is what you had in mind. Do not go with the CITS travel agents that approach you just when you get off the train and will either overcharge or sell you devalued trips in their office inside the train station.

In the winter time, which is the dry season and the boats often only travel starting halfway down the Li River from Guilin. A tour company should inform you of this. It is still worth taking the journey. You will then travel part of the way by bus or private taxi and then join the boat where the water is deep enough (this may vary).

In case you do not come on a Li River cruise, numerous boat trips on motorized rafts can be booked anywhere in Yangshuo. It is also very nice to hike the most scenic part between Yangdi and Xing Ping.

How to get around in Yangshuo

By bike

Renting a bike and taking off into the nationside, with or without a guide, is one popular strategy for adventuring the area. There are several places around the main street catering for short-term rentals charging ¥20-50.

Most times you get what you paid for. Be sure to check brakes and gears before you set off so not to get your day spoiled by mechanical problems that could be avoided. Generally the SPX, Giant's and Hunter's are the brands to go for. Expect to pay ¥70 for a Trek-bicycle and the best ones to be found here. If you want to play it safe, some places will get you a helmet for extra.

Beware of robbers who operate on a motorbike and will try to snatch your camera, rucksack or handbag from the basket behind if you leave it open. Try to one that closes and lock it with your bike lock.

By motorbike

There are a number of motorbike rental options available throughout Yanghsuo. Generally they can be found at the same locations as bike rentals, particularly at the top of West Street. It is illegal to operate any petrol-driven vehicle without a Chinese license. Police seem to turn a blind eye to scooters, but may stop you if riding a motorbike. Electric scooters do not require a license and typically get around 40 kilometers on a battery charge. Expect to pay around ¥200 for a day, petrol-driven vehicles often come with a empty tank. At least two guesthouses offer motorbike rent:

Best way to travel in Yangshuo by a Taxi

Taxis in Yangshuo are very few compared to other bigger cities, because they are limited by the government. They are more expensive than elsewhere in China, and they will all refuse to use the meter if they have any; thus you have to bargain and agree to a price before getting on. Taxi drivers will ask you ¥25-30 for a ride within the town (from 100 m to 3 km), but, after bargaining, you can easily achieve a price of ¥20 for that distance.

There are numerous open air three wheel style taxis and motorbike taxis. Agree to a price before getting on and bargain hard. If you are staying outside of the main town, try to arrange transport in advance if you want to avoid haggling or being ripped off. Some hotels offer free or low-price shuttle services, and it is often a good ideal to take advantage of these services. For a trip about 5 km outside of town the various taxis (normal, three wheel, motorbike) will ask at least ¥75, but the final price can be lower after bargaining.

By motorbike taxi

On many street corners there are men waiting on their motorbike. They will take you anywhere in town for a fee of ¥8-15 within town.

By foot

Yangshuo is a small place and the town can easily be covered on foot. There is an electric shuttle van network consisting five routes covering most parts of town. ¥2 per ride.

If you are planning on walking around the many streets and caves around Yangshuo, a map is recommended. Artistic tourist maps are available for sale for around ¥7-10 at tourist shops all over town, but the free maps are better for finding your way.

For those who want to wander a little further afield, or to check the attractions in the area and there are several options.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Yangshuo

There are boat tours up or down the river.

Travel on a Bus in Yangshuo

Local buses serve some locations. From Yangshuo's bus terminal, shuttle vanes (xiao mian bao, litt. little bread loaves) go to Gaotian (for Yueliang Shan/Moon Hill), Jinbao via Baisha (for Yulong Qiao/Dragon Bridge), Shazhi (for Fuli village), Xingping (for the Xingping-Yangdi scenic area) and further afield.

Climbers should look for the Gaotian minivan at the end of the row which leaves every 15 minutes - tell driver 'Banyan Tree' or 'Moon Hill' and they will stop for you. Get on bigger blue bus to Puyi (two buses down from Gaotian van) which leaves every half-hour for The Egg and White Mountain. The driver will know where to stop, don't sweat it. These rides are ¥7 each way, pay when getting off or when the girl comes around, and please have small bills or exact change. After climbing just go back to where you got dropped off and you'll be picked up shortly. Last returning bus picks up Egg climbers at 18:30.

By car

It is feasible to hire private cars for others.

Tour guides

Most hostels or hotels can arrange transportation and a guide if you want one. A guide may be very helpful for things like cycling tours. Guides can also be found at 'Expat Services' on Chenzhong Road, next to 7th Heaven.

Alternately, you can choose your own tourist guide by working out a deal with one of the many who will accost you on the street. Some local guides are simply savvy street wise individuals trying to make some money, whilst others are registered and take government examinations. Expect to pay around ¥100 a person per day. Whilst some of the unlicensed guides can be very good at what they do, be careful that you are not simply being taken on a 'shopping' tour where you feel pressured into spending money you do not wish to.

If you want to go and see a larger region or even start a tour to the rest of the province or the neighboring provinces, you can get in touch with one of the local foreigner-run travel services. They can give you good advice or organize an authentic-orientated private tour for you with your own vehicle and driver and experienced tour guide.

As elsewhere in Asia, many shops pay commissions to guides who bring in clients, such shops are usually overpriced, and some guides will take you only to those places. To get good prices, go shopping without a guide and be prepared to bargain hard. See the #Buy section below for more information.

What to see in Yangshuo

Moonrock - Moon Hill MoonHill2 - |Image taken from Moon Hill

Karst landscape

The area around Yangshuo is renowned throughout China, if not the whole world, (even making it into the backdrop of Star Wars Episode 3), for its karst landscape where there are hundreds upon hundreds of limestone hills dotting the nationside. The beautiful scenery here is a common subject of Chinese paintings and the inspiration for poetry. There are several popular areas for karst landscape sight-seeing which can be covered by river cruises, bamboo-raft cruises, cycling, trekking and combinations of the various modes.

• Yangdi-Xingping scenic area | This stretch along the Li River is probably the most renowned and popular. The traditional bamboo rafts along this stretch have been replaced by rafts made of plastic pipe with two stroke motors. The "raft experience" is now a boom industry and hundreds of these small rafts cruise this route when the big tour boats have passed. The rafts are safe and the better operators provide life jackets. There is also a 24 kilometers (5 to 6 hours) track for easy hiking along the Li river.

• Yulong River valley | The pretty valley is said to rival the Yangdi-Xingping stretch in terms of beauty. Besides rafting down the river on bamboo rafts, another popular way of seeing the valley is by cycling along riverside tracks. The journey will bring you through many farming villages and past several stone bridges across the river such as the Yulong Qiao and Fuli Qiao. Be warned though that the track is complicated and it is easy to get lost; using a local guide will ensure you stay on track.

• Moon Hill | Another popular scenic spot south of town. The major tourist attraction is a hill with a huge hole in the shape of a moon. The hills here can be climbed for spectacular vistas from the top. There is a ¥25 entry fee. (There is also another dirt trail to the right of the entrance; follow it left, hop over the barbed wire and follow the stone steps up to reach the main path for free.) It is not an incredibly long trek to the top but the gradient and strange angle of the steps can do something strange to your legs on the way down. The Moon Hill Cafe at the base of the hill sells fairly mediocre food at ridiculously high prices, and you may need something after the trek up and down. Alternatively there are a few other places to choose from in nearby Moon Hill Village, and plenty of hawkers selling cool drinks. If it is a slow day, don't be surprised if a hawker follows you up the mountain to make a sale when you are thirsty. The hawkers are mostly harmless old farm women, but they are aggressive. ¥7 is a fair price for two bottles of cold water. They will try to sell it for triple that price. On the road back to Yangshuo, not far from Moon Hill, is the 'Big Banyan Tree' scenic area. A ¥20 entry fee gets you into this popular park by the Yulong river, featuring a 1,400-year-old banyan tree. Be sure to use the official entrance (ticket offices at the front), as hawkers will attempt to lure you into an alternative entrance that is lined with dozens of souvenir stalls.

• Assembling Dragon Cave | The Karst cave was so named because the grotesque peaks outside the cave look like dragons among the clouds. Inside the Assembling Dragon Cave are beautiful sculptures of nature in the form of varied formations of stalactites and stalagmites. These formations are lit by colorful neon lights, together with sweet music in the background, making one feels like he/she is in the fairyland! The Magical Stone Palace is next to the exit of the Assembling Dragon Cave. The Magical Stone Palace is a big exhibition hall selling many kinds of stones to tourists.

Other

• Cormorant Fishing | Local tourism companies offer evening boat trips to watch fisherman using a traditional night fishing technique that employs cormorants.
• People's Park - 人民公园 | A great place to observe the local residents playing cards, a national pastime so it would seem. You’ll also see groups of women sitting around talking whilst doing their knitting, some even walk along the street whilst knitting and chatting.
• West Street - 西街
• Big Banyan Tree - 大榕树
• Green Lotus Peak
• Sanjie Liu Above-Water Park - 刘三姐水上公园
• Shutong Hill
• Fishing Village - 渔村
• Yangshuo Cultural Relic Landscape Garden - 阳朔文物景观花园
• Yuzi Paradise

What to do in Yangshuo

Rock climbing

Yangshuo has over 300 climbing routes ranging in difficulty from 5.6 to 5.13. There is a lively climbing scene in town, so experienced climbers will have no problem finding a partner, just ask in the climbing places and they should know other climbing travelers you can hook up with. The Climbers Inn is most common place to find beta or partners. For beginners and climbers traveling without their own equipment several climbing companies offer equipment rental, one/multi-day trips and places to hang out chatting about potential routes or to find a partner. The Yangshuo Climbing Guide, a guidebook showing route topos, grades, etc., can be purchased from any of the climbing companies. Climbing shops in Yangshuo:

• Blackrock | Claim focus on quality instructions, bilingual guides and safety. Offer other activities such as abseiling, kayaking and ziplining.

• Insight Adventures - 芙蓉路12号 | Insight Adventures are the largest operator in Yangshuo and offer climbing and many other activities such as kayaking, caving, biking and abseiling. They are the most expensive outfit in town and offer a large staff of foreign and Chinese guides.

• Karst Climber | the first cross street off West Street as you come up from the river marked with a conspicuous sign

• Sunny Sky - Has English speaking guides.

• Terratribes | They also do multi-day camping, biking tours, rafting, caving, etc., for school/family/corporate groups. Stop by after dinner for a slack-lining session.

• Yangshuo Basecamp | A relatively new family-run organization based in a beautiful village. Afa and his brothers provide friendly instructions with a strong emphasis on safety. Other activities include rock climbing, ziplining, abseiling, camping and BBQ.

Other outdoor activities

BridgeinYongShuo - |A Xiangui bridge crossing the Yulong river outside of Yangshuo

• Bike riding | Wandering through the nationside on a bike and getting lost is one of the best things about Yangshuo. The villages often have dramatic mountain backdrops, and the people are generally friendly. Another popular trip is to take a boat ride with a bike and then bicycle back to town. Bike hire starts at around ¥25-20 per day, and tandems are a bit more. The bikes tend to be poorly maintained, so be sure to check brakes and gears before you set out. For travelers craving reliability, Bike Asia (22 Guihua Road, across from Bar 98 and next to Kelly's Cafe) has well-maintained specialized mountain bikes for ¥70 a day, including a map, lock, helmet and advice on routes. Bike Asia also has good bike maps of the area, and can advise on where to cycle and help out with a reliable guide. Find an farmer woman for ¥200 per day to give you a guided tour of the local paths. This may include lunch at her place if you're lucky.

QiXitrail - The trail from Xingping to Yangdi

• Yangdi - Xingping - As of Aug 2022, this 18-24 kilometers 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 raft across the river at about ¥20-30 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 fruit drinks along the way, ranging from single sellers to sit-down cafes. One can then take a bamboo raft back to the start ¥700-500 one way.

• Swimming in the Li River | During the summer and the water and temperature is good for swimming. Locals swim from the docks on the Li Jiang (Li River) a short way upstream of the town centre. The water is generally clean and crystal clear but you may want to avoid a main waste drain near to the dock. Keep walking up to the north from the dock for around 20 minutes to find out a popular swimming spot, nicknamed "the secret beach". Pay extra attention on strong currents which can be experienced in many parts of the river, especially if you are not good enough at swimming. Also tour boats that travel the Li Jiang coming from Guilin are a hazard, but usually the time before 12:00 and after 15:00 is tour boat free. The Yulong River is also good for swimming, offering some quality swimming spots, e.g. near dragon bridge, although some parts of the river are crowded with bamboo rafts.

• Bamboo Rafting | Rafting along the Yulong river is particularly popular in summer, but travellers should take care not to go rafting if the water is brown and turbulent. In 2005 there was a fatality during high floods.

• Hot air ballooning | After a fatal accident with a Dutch family aboard, hot air ballooning trips are no longer available.

• Exploring caves | There are an abundance of caves riddling the limestone hills. Guided Tours in Yangshuo by ehalal.io (email for prices) are available. More serious cavers should talk to the staff at the various climbing shops (listed above) for information about feasible cave climbs.

• Water caves | Make sure which water cave you are visiting since there are at least two of them about 15 kilometers south of Yangshuo. The Moon Water Cave is 2 kilometers west of GaoTian town, but the ticket office is 2 kilometers north-east of GaoTian town, on the road to another cave called Water Cave. Both caves state on flyers that they have hot spring baths but the one in Moon Water Cave appears to be artificially heated (ticket price ¥90).

Shows

• Impression Liu Sanjie (印象·刘三姐 Yinxiang Liusanjie) | 70 minutes long. The show, set to the music from the movie of the same name and produced by famous Chinese director Zhang Yimou, who was also behind the Beijing Olympic games opening ceremony, is grand and impressive, though perhaps not particularly entertaining. It features a cast of 600+ wearing traditional Zhuang, Miao and Yao dress, and a highly impressive light show. Liu Sanjie translates as Third sister Liu and the heroine of an old Chinese story. You can see the show cheaply from a boat on the river, or even from across the river, but by far the best view is from the official seating area. Tickets only sell out in the very height of the summer tourist season. Seats are assigned.

Study in Yangshuo

Martial arts

Yangshuo is an excellent place to learn martial arts in China especially the internal styles known as Tai Chi. This is the set of slow movements that you may have seen people performing in parks across China. It can be trainingd for health or as a martial art and there are many schools in the area around Yangshuo. Each school has its own special qualities, but each will give you a really good foundation in the form no matter if you stay for a day or a year. Prices in Yangshuo tend to be much higher than those in the rest of China but even so you will find that you get value for money with all of the teachers here.

• Yangshuo Tai Chi and Kung Fu School - Master Fu Neng Bin has won 17 Gold medals in Tai Chi Chuan and was national push hands champion for five years. He is a 12th-generation successor of Chen family Tai Chi Chuan and preferred disciple of Grandmaster Chen Zhenglei. The school in Yangshuo has a team of English-speaking instructors and is the largest and best equipped in Yangshuo.

• Budizhen International Kung Fu, Tai Ji & Qi Gong School - Budizhen teaches classes in Taichi, Qigong, Kungfu, Taekwondo, and other martial arts.

• Carpe Diem Tai Chi & Kung Fu School | Master Kim is the current president of the Guangxi Chen Style Tai Chi Union and a favorite with long-term foreign tai chi students in Yangshuo. Also teaches Shaolin Kung Fu to a high level. One of the few masters who speaks fluent English

• Green Lotus Kung Fu Classes

• Long Tou Shan Martial Arts School | Chao Long village, 15 minutes bicycle from Yangshuo. Tai Chi and Qigong classes in a beautiful spot in the nationside near the Yulong River.

• Taiji with Master Huang | Sufi "Henry" Huang a deeply knowledgeable master deep into Taoist philosophy and able to teach all forms, from meditative Qi Gong through restorative Yang to the potentially deadly Quan.

• Wang Zhi Ping Tai Chi Training Centre | One-off lessons, weekly and monthly rates, plus professional training in various forms of Tai Chi

Cooking

• Cooking Classes Cloud 9 Restaurant | Run by Linda Liang and William Lu.

Language

• Chinese courses at Omeida Chinese Academy - Omeida Chinese Academy | Omeida is a Chinese school based in Yangshuo that provides a total-immersion program to Foreign Muslims interested in learning Chinese. The school provides the choice of 3 standard course types and a volunteer program: a comprehensive Chinese course that provides students with an all-encompassing approach to studying Chinese that accompanies all skill levels, an HSK prep course which prepares students for China’s standard Chinese fluency exam ( commonly a prerequisite companies operating in China), or a specialized Chinese course which provides students with 1-on-1 classes, flexibility to determine their own schedule, and the option of choosing specific areas of Chinese to base their curriculum. Volunteers can enroll in any of the above courses, and are not charged for room and board. Omeida's tuition also includes housing, meals, 1-on-1 tutoring, and invitation to all cultural activities. The school shares a very close proximity with its sister school (Omeida Language College) that teaches English to Chinese natives, so Chinese language students have daily opportunities (organized and unorganized) to training and improve their Chinese.

• Study Chinese in Yangshuo. Intensive Immersion courses for people who want to seriously improve their Chinese. Chinese Language and Culture camp for people wishing to combine their exploration of the language (survival chinese lessons) and the culture (cultural activities in and around Yangshuo). Survival Chinese in case you wish to spend a few hours learning useful sentences and expressions and have supervised real-life training with local residents to become more confident. Whether you are new to Chinese or have studied before and the fun and customized courses will teach you to comprehend and speak Chinese, or improve your current skill level.

• Mandacentre | Study Mandarin in small groups, with a private teacher or online. Specialized in long-term study programs through an efficient approach to achieve long-lasting results. Chinese and Western owners. Established in 2006.

• Yangshuo Cultural Centre | Study Mandarin or join a two-week Chinese Painting Holiday.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Yangshuo

On West Street there is the Bank of China, Agricultural Bank and ICBC. On Pantao Lu there are a few others, including the China Postal Bank and another near the fresh food markets. Some banks do not have ATMs, and not all ATMs will handle foreign card transactions.

The fresh market displays cages full of dogs waiting for the slaughter. There are plenty of stalls out on the streets where you can buy lots of fruits.

Tourist stuff

There is a huge amount of touristy stuff available:

• Pashmina scarves (Cashmere by a different name).
• Silk products: ties, kimonos, scarves, dresses.
• Pottery, bronze, stone carvings, bracelets, and knickknacks of all sorts.
• Scroll paintings, fans and embroidered cloths.

Much of this stuff is lovely, really very tempting. However, quite a bit of it is fake and nearly all of it is available all over China and affordableer outside of Yangshuo.

Asking prices for such stuff in Yangshuo are usually seriously inflated. Here is a table based on one traveller's experience:

Item	Asking price (¥)		Price paid(¥)
	elsewhere	Yangshuo	Yangshuo
silk ties	18-20	75-120	50 for 3
small silk scarves	unknown	80-100	20
large scarf/wrap	80	120-150	50

Getting the prices shown took hard bargaining, often based on knowledge of prices elsewhere. Of course, even those may not be the best feasible prices.

Many tourists, having no idea of the real Chinese price, are grossly overcharged. After all, even ¥220 (about $19 US) would be a great price for a nice pure silk tie back home.

Advice for tourists who have no idea what the Chinese price should be:

• Compare different offers first but don't haggle until you're ready to buy.
• Ignore the offered price and throw out the price you thought it is. You can usually get more price cut on clothing, silks and pottery, but don't expect much on ginger Candies.
• Walk away if the vendor will not meet your price. They often follow after you with better prices. Some vendors may be unwilling to give you a fair price, and will not follow you even if you walk away.

If you plan to travel to other Chinese cities, you might want to do your purchases elsewhere. Apart from a few specific items, most of what you see in Yangshuo may be found anywhere, with much better chances of paying a fair price.

Local goods

There are also a few things not usually available elsewhere:

• Postcards and picture books of the area, in stores or hawked by older women on the street.
• Chinese paintings of the local Karst scenery.
• T-shirts
• Chinese characters with different slogans, such as "I have no money", or "Foreigner coming" on the front and "Foreigner going" on the back.
• Hard Rock Cafe T-shirts are common. There has never been a real Hard Rock Cafe (part of the chain) in Yangshuo, though at least two now defunct places used the name.
• Silver and embroidery pieces by local minorities.
• Prices for large pieces are high, but some pieces may be worth them.
• Small pieces, such as embroidered Zhuang minority love balls, are also available.

You should also bargain on these, of course.

Other interesting things

• Nature House, on Die Cui Lu about half a block from the river. Sells various rocks, some are interesting geological specimens while others are carved and/or painted. Fascinating.
• The Chopstick Shop, on West Street. Their factory is in Guilin and they sell wonderfully gift wrapped chopstick sets.

CDs and DVDs - Available at several stores on West Street or nearby. Nearly all such products in China are unauthorised copies, but many in Yangshuo look real. General quality, especially the packaging, is far better than the usual. Many come with booklets of lyrics or artist biography. Some have full-colour advertising prinagents for the label's other offerings. Selection is also good and the English music is not all Backstreet Boys and the Carpenters. Prices are also higher, ¥25-25 versus ¥6-8 for the affordable copies all over China.

Halal Restaurants in Yangshuo

Yangshuo has a lot of restaurants but in this touristy place, prices tend to be more expensive. You can eat cheaply in the markets with the local residents or you can try comfort food in many cafes.

There is one Chinese Muslim restaurant directly facing the entrance to Yangshuo bus station. It can easily be identified by the headscarves worn by the women employees there. It serves a variety of halal Noodles and Rice dishes.

• Dosa U.K. | 110D Yang Guang ☎ +1 89-3480-9877 | Opening Hours: 11:00-14:30, 17:30-22:30 - Excellent, authentic home made South Indian food in brand new spot. Attentive service and very good prices. Kind of a hole in the wall and the decor is a bit over the top. Menu is limited but has the South Indian basics and a very good crispy dosa.

• Indian Restaurant | Guihua Lu - Great Indian food. Indian owned.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Yangshuo

Yangshuo - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Yangshuo, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Yangshuo. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Yangshuo and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Yangshuo. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Yangshuo. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inYangshuo: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Yangshuo.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Yangshuo: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Yangshuo, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Yangshuo.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Yangshuo, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Yangshuo, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Yangshuo and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Yangshuo, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Yangshuo, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Yangshuo without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Yangshuo is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Yangshuo.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Yangshuo is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Yangshuo, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Yangshuo Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Yangshuo

eHalal Group Yangshuo is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Yangshuo. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Yangshuo.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Yangshuo ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Yangshuo. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Yangshuo, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Yangshuo are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are .ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26276&currency=eur&Yangshuo&&.Zz82db5c5fd8c24c81a42192c-206204 many places to stay in Yangshuo] from ¥60/night for a dorm room through US$100/night for a luxury bungalow. Hotel agents are to be found around the main bus station but best avoided. Prices are very negotiable in the off season, and the asking price will be many times lower than that advertised on signs in the hotel lobby. Don't be afraid to negotiate. Know the name of your hotel in Chinese, and best also the name of the location in Chinese, e.g. name of the street. It will be helpful for non-Mandarin speakers, bear in mind even local Chinese may get the name wrong due to the sound in pronunciation, a writing is better than thousand words.

• .ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26276&currency=eur&Yangshuo&&.Zz82db5c5fd8c24c81a42192c-206204&locationId=26276&hotelId=50083418&searchId=a138668f-1c70-49e9-82a4-51e586 b42e96&hotelName=Climbers%20Inn%20Yangshuo Climbers Inn - A affordable room this close to Clay Pot.

• .ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26276&currency=eur&THE+YANGSHUO+MOON+RESORT&hotelId=146621&&.Zz3212e23d628844dd865111c-206204 Moon Resort | Great value with good local and International food, friendly and helpful staff, and a pleasant location with great views of the local karst scenery. Close to the Moon Hill, Big Banyan tree and the Yulong river, and several caves.

• .ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26276&currency=eur&Yangshuo+Rosewood+Hotel&hotelId=146591&&.Zzfd3a0a8b7a134b8186a7eca-206204 Rosewood Hotel - Nice hotel on West Street, sister hotel to Rosewood Inn but a more luxurious one. Beautiful and comfortable boutique style rooms with the most upscale designer bathrooms. Lots of toiletries and details with friendly staff.

• .ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26276&currency=eur&Yangshuo+Dragon+River+Retreat&hotelId=146554&&.Zz282b5cd0b8914c2ca72639f-206204 Dragon River Retreat | A hotel on the bank of the Yulong River surrounded by limestone peaks and bamboo forests.

Telecommunications in Yangshuo

The post office is on Pantao Lu, opposite the top end of West Street. It's open from 08:00-21:00.

Most .ehalal.io//2023-09-16&checkOut=2023-09-17&children=&cityId=26276&currency=eur&Yangshuo+Dragon+River+Retreat&hotelId=146554&&.Zz282b5cd0b8914c2ca72639f-206204 hotels, restaurants operate a free Wifi for their clients. Just ask for the Wifi password.

Stay Safe

Being the first backpackers' destination in China in the 1980s, Yangshuo is a well-developed touristy place which comes along with many annoyances that are not common in other places in China. Some travellers call Yangshuo the worst place in China for overcharging, persistent tour agents, and illegal occupancy of a route to extort money from tourists.

On the West street, besides annoying agents and taxi drivers, prices for clothing and souvenirs could be skyrocketing to up to 100-500%. Unlike other Chinese places that groceries items are usually sold at standard prices, Yangshuo has a two price system - one for local Chinese, another for non-local Chinese and Westerners.

From Yangshuo to Yulonghe, a popular route for biking, you may pass through a Longtan Village (龙潭村) where villagers are known to set up a checkpoint to request ¥20 for any entrance. Rock climbers have also experienced similar trainings on some hills.

pickpockets in the town are rare now, particularly as Yangshuo has installed security cameras in tourist areas. Be vigilant on buses, when travelling from or to Guilin and the government run non-stop bus service is safer than the private operations. Reports of bag snatching by motorbike are frequently heard and the most common form are thieves using motorbikes to snatch bags in rear baskets of bicycling tourists; keep your bags locked to the bike and if a cage cover is provided with the basket, close and lock it, or better yet, carry belongings in front of you. Thieves will take opportunities presented to them, so keep all your valuables in sight at all times.

Theft reports are frequently made from swimmers. Despite numerous reports of theft, particularly at the Secret Beach (Shuan Tan), petty theft continues to thrive almost to a daily occurrence, and police seem disinterested in targeting the criminals. Thieves will go for bags and valuables, but have also been known to take even petty objects of seemingly no value. Do yourself a favor and bring only the necessities for swimming.

Agents of bamboo rafts for Yangdi to Xingping, a route best known for its landscape printed on the background of a ¥20 banknote, are notorious for a system to "claim" the ownership of a tourist. Once you talk to the agents on the bus, no one else can discuss the price with you except the agents from their own team. If you want to hassle by yourself instead of reserving a bamboo raft from a travel agency, do not talk to any agents on the bus.

At nights, Yangshuo is safe but after 01:00 and the streets are dark and you better carry your torch. In some cafes popular with Muslim tourists, boozers can also be disturbing and aggressive. Noise pollution is a major problem in hotels and on streets as in most of China. Pick your location wisely or bring ear plugs if holed up in the entertainment neighborhood.

Traffic regulations, if any, are also trainingd half-heartedly. Pedestrians should not expect a driver to stop at a green cross-walk sign and motorbikes can come in any directions even on a pedestrian road. If in doubt, follow the lead of a local when crossing the street. However, Chinese traffic rules tend to protect the rights of pedestrians when accidents happen. When you get hit, a driver will have to cover all your medical expenses and any loss. The negotiation on compensation is often done in a police station.

Thanks to seriously enforced regulations on hotels and hostels, accommodation-related tourist traps practically do not exist but be aware of the sudden surge in prices during the Chinese National Day on 1st Oct and the Chinese New Year in Jan or Feb.

Lastly, Yangshuo Police have taken a proactive step towards being more approachable by tourists. A few designated police deal almost exclusively with foreigners and their English is extremely good. Yangshuo Police have tracked thieves down, caught culprits and managed to return stolen valuables. There is a small police box at the top of West Street or a larger police station on FuQian Xiang.

Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Yangshuo

Nearby

• Huangyao Ancient Town | Huangyao Ancient Town is just over an hour outside of Yangshuo by coach. It is a lovely, rustic old town where the film, "The Painted Veil" was shot.

Further outside of town

Because Yangshuo is popular with backpacking tourists, you'll find a range of services and agencies not commonly found in China. There are ample places that sell plane tickets to all other provincial capitals and some international destinations. There are also bus and sleeper bus services available towards Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Kunming]. Train tickets (which will depart from Guilin) are also available.

There are tickets available all the way to Hanoi in Vietnam. These aren't easily available elsewhere, and can save quite a bit of hassle at the China/Vietnam border. Vietnamese visas can also be obtained in Yangshuo in 2 days (14:00) or picked up in Nanning the next day (19:00). Call +86 (0)773-8822533 for more information. They also offer bus tours to Hanoi for a most convenient journey.

• Nanning - Buses leave Yangshuo at 08:00, 08:50, and 11:30. Tickets cost ¥220. In Nanning and the 08:00 bus stops in the Langdong bus terminal while the 08:50 bus goes to the Jiangnan bus terminal.
• Hong Kong - Getting a 10-hour direct bus to Shenzhen's border is the most popular way to go to Hong Kong. Tickets cost around ¥280-200, depending on which bus stations the buses arrive. For taking a flight, you will need to take a bus to Guilin, change a bus to the airport. When arriving in Shenzhen, you need to take another 1 hour to go to the Shenzhen-Hong Kong border.

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