Xingping

Xingping (兴坪) is a town in North Guangxi, China. It is on the Li River, about 27 km upstream from Yangshuo and 60 km downstream from Guilin. 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 to with relative ease by those with an adventurous spirit and a head for heights. Certainly, not as clean or developed as neighboring touristy Yangshuo, it nonetheless has a nice authentic feel to it, complete with a few intact historical buildings and easy access to 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.

By train
There is now a high speed train station called Yangshuo but it is actually very near to Xingping. From there you can get a bus for ¥5 to Xingping.

By bus
Even though it is in between Yangshuo and Guilin, buses to Guilin always go to Yangshuo first. There are no buses that go directly to Guilin from Xingping. Bus fare to Guilin via Yangshuo is ¥28.
 * Minibuses from Yangshuo can take you into Xingping for ¥10 (Oct. 2018). These buses leave the south bus terminal in Yangshuo up until 6PM. There is a good bus service within Yangshuo (green and yellow buses) and they take you for ¥1 from main (west) to the south bus station.


 * Tourist boats visit Xingping from Yangshuo regularly, and passage can be arranged on one of these boats, if you 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. This is the preferred option within the town itself, and it can be transversed in about fifteen minutes.

Alternately, some stores in town can arrange bicycle hire if you would prefer to cycle around and see the area. However, the few places to rent bicycles (there is one place across the street from the bus station, and a few hotels, and the hostel, This Old Place), often rent out bikes in bad shape. All bikes should be checked before renting. Beware of wild driving habits in the countryside!

Trails and country roads are difficult to navigate on the measly land cruisers offered.

See






A peninsula in the other side of Xingping town. Take a ferry to cross the river at the Xingping pier, ¥1. It is a small angler village, with the charming of the countryside in China. Walk around the orchards, vegetables gardens and the trails around the village. Listen nature she have something to tell you. Enjoy the countryside, expend some time with the local people. The local people make life by planting fruits, driving bamboo boat.

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.

Drink
Local Guangxi Liquan beer should cost ¥4-5 in local stores.



Go next

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