Post by Dr. Gonzo on Apr 14, 2006 6:19:36 GMT 7
This little town south of Guilin is the most hyped tourist trap in China, but is not without its charms.
You get there from Guilin [but can come from Guangdong] usually by minibus - the usual crowded, dirty, dangerous 6Y kind - leaving from Guilin's railway square, or the under the bridge and around the corner South Bus Station.
The big aircon jobs depart from the main bus station on Zhongshan Lu, north of the railway station.
Boat is the other option. You need to book at a travel agent and, unless you know someone, you'll get put on a white mans tourist boat, about double the price of the identical Chinese tourist boat! Some great scenery, but it takes around 4 hours. Bus is around one.
Once there, the scenery will stun you. This is what makes the visit worthwhile. You are surrounded by green pinnacles on 3 sides, with the Li River on the other. The number of English signs for hotels, eateries, bike hire places, internet cafes, book shops, etc will welcome those of you starved of these comforts.
Hotel prices, from dorm to "luxury" rooms with E/S and A/c were quite reasonable at my last visit. I thought Lisa's led the pack then, but apparently many of the former "Chinese Only" places up on the main road have taken up the challenge.
Most of the town is standard. Little shops, a market [dog is a specialty], rub and tug shops, etc.
The foreigner haunt, Xi Jie, is popular and lively. However, expect to get the crap harrased out of you. Best idea, come evening, is to find a little place selling food that appeals [there's a big choice of various cuisines and qualities], sink a few beers, then watch either a new release movie on a wide screen, or the passing foot traffic: gawking laowai, "been there, done that" FT's, hawkers, hookers [another kind of hawker], and the Chinese tourists come to visit a kind of Disney China plus gawking at the laowai.
Guides speaking self taught passable English abound [which begs a certain question]. Mostly middle aged women who seem decent enough, they carry notebooks with recommendations from satisfied customers. Probably not a bad deal if you want to get on a bike and explore.
The other attractions are covered in LP. Caves, Moon Hill, small boats and inner tubes on the river. 2-3 easy days.
BTW, some say there is work available teaching Engrish.
It is certainly the home of the Owen Buckland Empire, and you're likely to see Roger and ChinaMovieMagic from the Spoon enjoying a latte and congratulating themselves. On what, I don't know.
You get there from Guilin [but can come from Guangdong] usually by minibus - the usual crowded, dirty, dangerous 6Y kind - leaving from Guilin's railway square, or the under the bridge and around the corner South Bus Station.
The big aircon jobs depart from the main bus station on Zhongshan Lu, north of the railway station.
Boat is the other option. You need to book at a travel agent and, unless you know someone, you'll get put on a white mans tourist boat, about double the price of the identical Chinese tourist boat! Some great scenery, but it takes around 4 hours. Bus is around one.
Once there, the scenery will stun you. This is what makes the visit worthwhile. You are surrounded by green pinnacles on 3 sides, with the Li River on the other. The number of English signs for hotels, eateries, bike hire places, internet cafes, book shops, etc will welcome those of you starved of these comforts.
Hotel prices, from dorm to "luxury" rooms with E/S and A/c were quite reasonable at my last visit. I thought Lisa's led the pack then, but apparently many of the former "Chinese Only" places up on the main road have taken up the challenge.
Most of the town is standard. Little shops, a market [dog is a specialty], rub and tug shops, etc.
The foreigner haunt, Xi Jie, is popular and lively. However, expect to get the crap harrased out of you. Best idea, come evening, is to find a little place selling food that appeals [there's a big choice of various cuisines and qualities], sink a few beers, then watch either a new release movie on a wide screen, or the passing foot traffic: gawking laowai, "been there, done that" FT's, hawkers, hookers [another kind of hawker], and the Chinese tourists come to visit a kind of Disney China plus gawking at the laowai.
Guides speaking self taught passable English abound [which begs a certain question]. Mostly middle aged women who seem decent enough, they carry notebooks with recommendations from satisfied customers. Probably not a bad deal if you want to get on a bike and explore.
The other attractions are covered in LP. Caves, Moon Hill, small boats and inner tubes on the river. 2-3 easy days.
BTW, some say there is work available teaching Engrish.
It is certainly the home of the Owen Buckland Empire, and you're likely to see Roger and ChinaMovieMagic from the Spoon enjoying a latte and congratulating themselves. On what, I don't know.
