Xingping

Xingping also sometimes spelled as Xing Ping, is what Yangshuo used to be. Even now when more and more tourist find Yangshuo, it is still a quiet hideout with the exception when the tourist boats from Guilin arrive. Only when the tourist boats from Guilin arrive, the town changes into a small Yangshuo.

What's the village like? Why would you want to go there? And how do you go there?

As I have lived for awhile in Yangshuo, Xingping is not unknown to me. In fact, I have been there a few times. There are 4 ways to reach the town:

By boat from Guilin
By bus from Yangshuo
By bicycle from Guilin
By bicycle from Yangshuo

But lets start with the town itself.

The limestone mountains around the village from the river

The limestone mountains around Xingping from the river on a gloomy day

The Village Center

Xingping town is small, you can walk around in an hour or so. Although the town is small, it has a long history that goes back at least 500 years. Many of the buildings are traditional from Qing and Ming dynasty period. The market for the surrounding villages is held at every 3 days. Like in many other areas in China, it's a kind of circulating market in the area. On the market days the town is usually quite busy with villagers from the neighboring villages.

Xingping from the roof of This Old Place Hotel on an early rainy morning

The village is surrounded by many spectacular hills with imaginary names as "5 fingers hill" or Sengni Hill that resemble a monk and a nun are bickering with each other. South of town you can find Carp Hill and Snail Hill while in the west there lies Pen Holder Hill and Belle Peak. Around town you will find the village's own Camel Hill, the other Camel Hill is south of Yangshuo.

The local ferry from Guilin to Yangshuo

Getting there

There are two ways to reach Xingping, by road and by river.

Yangshuo is 22 km away and although it's not far, it's also not the nicest road to cycle. True, it's not tool bad too. So, follow the directions out of Yangshuo to Fuli and take the junction to Xingping. It's easy enough.

This leads directly to the second road, which leads from Xingping all the way to Guilin. Just cycle out of Xingping, a kilometer or two out of the town center you find a junction. Go left and follow the road all the way to Guilin. Here is a more extensive review of this road from Xingping to Guilin.

The road is not in top notch condition but it's fine to cycle. There are some spectacular sights on the way, a few hills to climb too and when you come closer to Guilin you will find some caves to visit. It's easy enough and much nicer then following the main road.

Xingping scenery, the mountain that is also visible on the Y20 note

Y20 banknote

Boats to Xingping originate from Zhujiang wharf, south of Guilin. There are no boats stream upwards but you may be able to get your bicycle on the boat. The river cruise takes about 5 hours. The start of the cruise is not very interesting but the closer you come to Xingping, the more beautiful the scenery becomes. I wrote a full page about the river cruise for the Yangshuo Travel Guide website. Click here to read more and if you need help for a booking, see that page.

Little street in Xingping The cruise is worth taking and although I really enjoy the scenery on the way, I still prefer a raft on the Yulong river, south of Yangshuo town. See my Moonhill page.

Walking around Xingping

These days more and more tourist leave the town and explore the area north of Xing Ping. You can do a great hike north of the village in a few hours but some decide to stay a night in the village. The hike basically goes out north of the village. There's a clear sign and you follow along the riverside. You can cross and walk further to Shanglong or simply continue to the tiny village Langshi. There are boats nearby to bring you Yangdi (entrance Y16) from where you can take a bus back to Yangshuo.

It's a pleasant and easy hike, which takes 3 to 4 hours depending how fast you walk and how many boats there are available to bring you over to the other riverbank.

The scenery seen from the boat to Xingping

Hotels and restaurants

Xingping has a few basic hotels and one really good one: This Old Place. This Old Place is associated with the International Youth Hostel Federation the hotel is an excellent option with clean rooms with bathroom and balcony. And Leo and his wife are sweet people who will make you feel at home.

Maps of Xingping

A map of village center I don't have. I am not even sure if it exists. As the village is so small, you don't need a map too. A map of Xingping's surrounding however, is very useful. I went digging into my archives and found a good overview map. Have a look here for the Li River, all the villages and the paths to Caoping town.

If you are going to stay in Xingping, Leo from This Old Place will be an excellent source of information and he is able to help you out organizing rock climbing, hiking, rafting and other adventures.

Click here for the map

Back to the top of Xingping

Back to the Bicycle Adventures.com homepage