Posted 2016/10/18
- Cruise down the Li River, taking in the picturesque scenery, with limestone pinnacles towering over terraced fields and small villages tucked along the way
- Cycle along rural pastures and fields towards Moon Hill, and climb up to views of the surrounding hills and the "moon," an ancient underground river canal
From endless vistas of limestone karst peaks to the mesmerizing man-made tiers of the Dragon's Back Rice Terraces, the outdoor splendors of Guangxi are beloved by many far and wide. A hiking and cycling trip is the perfect way to get off the standard tourist path and explore this expansive terrain of enchanting backcountry, lush mountains and traditional villages.
We begin with a visit to the famous terraces, where we watch the picturesque views of terraced rice fields rising in mesmerizing concentric circles across a hilly landscape, one of the most stunning and quintessential scenes of all Southwest China. While hiking through this terrain, we also visit several charming Zhuang and Yao minority villages. In Yangshou, an ancient farming community and modern day backwater haunt, we follow the path of the river, gazing at unforgettable images of limestone peaks soaring out of an otherwise flat landscape of green paddy fields and lush foliage. In between our backcountry cycling exploration, we also take a relaxing cruise on the famous Li River, soaking in some of Guilin's most impressive panoramas that have served as a popular source of inspiration in Chinese traditional landscape paintings for centuries.
Featured Trip Plan:
Day 1: Arrival in Guilin, local city exploration
Day 2: Drive to Longsheng Rice Terraces, hike mountain trails, hike to minority villages; return to Guilin
Day 3: Boat ride on Li River; visit Xingping village; bike in the countryside; overnight in Yangshou
Day 4: Bike ride to Aishan and Yongcun village; Moon Hill climb; free explore on bicycle
Day 5: Return to Guilin, end of journey
