The area around the Li River by Yangshou has some of the most beautiful picture-perfect scenery in the world, let alone China. But, as with all things in China, it is usually extremely busy. It’s hard to avoid the crowds and boats on the river itself, but the two ways I’d suggest to feel a bit more a serene experience away from the thousands of fellow tourists are:
- Jump on a bike – head off to cycle around the surrounding areas of Yangshou and through some of the dreamy valleys. You can rent in various places, but Bike Asia was good.
- Stay in a place either on the outskirts or outside of Yangshou – the town itself is very commercialised and busy in places.
Don’t let the crowded town put you off though. The combination of cycling the valleys and drifting down the river is one of the premier experiences in all of China.
Extra tip – see if you can start your trip in Guilin as it is one of the prettier Chinese cities. There is also the day trip from here to the beguiling Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces (travel entry here –The Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces), which is definitely worth a visit.