'''Xingping''' is a town within Guangxi Province, China. It is located approximately 27 kilometers upstream from Yangshuo on the Li River. The town was initially settled in 265 AD, and was the regional centre for Yangshuo County until Yangshuo was settled in 590 AD. Like Yangshuo, Xingping is surrounded by great examples of Karst scenery, with one particularly prominent peak overlooking the village from the southern end of the shoreline against the Yi River, which is topped with a lookout which can be climbed too with relative ease by those with an adventurous spirit and a head for heights.

Get in

By bus

  • Minibuses from Yangshuo can take you into Xingping for __5.50. These buses leave the main bus terminal in Yangshuo up until 7PM.
  • Tourist boats visit Xingping from Yangshuo regularly, and passage can be arranged on one of these boats, if you'd prefer a more scenic route.
  • Get around

    The majority of Xingping is relatively flat, with the exception of the peaks surrounding, and can be easily accessed on foot. Alternately, some stores in town can arrange bicycle hire if you would prefer to cycle around and see the area.

    See

  • Bird's View Pavilion. rom the Southern end of the waterfront, walk towards the Japanese Gardens and then follow the walkway. ree. This pavilion, perched on the Karst peak on the Southern end of the waterfront on the Yi River gives a spectacular view of both the town of Xingping and the distinctive surrounding scenery. The climb is a bit challenging in sections, and comprises of 1159 steps taking you to an altitude of 220 metres above the town. The small pavilion at the end of the climb is a welcome spot to relax, although the habitual dropping of rubbish is quite noticeable in the immediate area surrounding it. Views further south on the river are possible by scrambling over the rocks behind the pavilion near the telephone tower, but this can be quite slick and risky and is not recommended unless you are quite at home on rocks and at heights.
  • \20 Point. 0 minutes walk. The landscape on the \20 note is just outside Xingping, You may think that the Chinese are looking for money from you when really they are pointing this out. You can take a photo from the exact same spot as this picture. Free

    Do

  • Li River Boat Trip. 80 for 2 people. Take a boat trip along the most famous parts of the Li River for an hour and a half. These small boats are much more enjoyable that the large cruise ships that cruise by and far cheaper. Bargin hard.

    Buy

    There are a number of semi-permanent market stalls near the waterfront, all selling quite similar goods - pashmina scarfs, jade sculptures, books with photos from the Yi River, etc. As tourist traffic from Yangshuo increases, expect these savvy marketeers to start inflating their prices to match. Good bargains can be had, as with most of China, but only by those who educate themselves on the real value of the goods, and who have the skill and experience to haggle for the right price.

    Eat

  • This Old Place Cafe. alk up the main street from the waterfront until the first intersection - take the left and then the first right. This cafe, which is linked to the Hostel by the same name, offers a good range of Chinese traditional dishes, as well as some more Westernised versions (like Sweet & Sour Chicken without bones!). The staff are extremely attentive, lovely and go out of their way to make you comfortable and welcome. And interesting feature of this restaurant is the pond and washbasin between the bar and the bathrooms which is open to the sky - very unique and cool.

    Drink

    Sleep

  • This Old Place Hostel. Rongtan St. rom the waterfront, head up the main street (Rongtan St) - it is located on the left after the small rise. 86 773 8702887. opxingping@gmail.com. ttp://www.topxingping.com/. 2 Midday. rom __30 for Dormitory beds. This hostel, located a short distance from the Yi River, is a great find. The staff are amazing, and speak great English, are very personable, friendly and welcoming. The rooms are a little small (at least the dorms), but are quite comfortable. Larger double rooms, with river or mountain views, are available for a higher rate. A small kitchen offers wood-fired pizzas (__38) for dinner, which both warms the room on cool nights and is a welcome bit of comfort food when so far from home. This hostel is a member of Hostelling International, and discounts are available for members.

    Contact

    Get out

  • Yangshuo - A very popular town on the Li River, full of forign and Chinese tourists, bars, restaurants and in the middle of some beautiful karst scenery.