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Published: April 16th 2010
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Day 138: Wednesday, April 14th, 2010.
Ping An (Longji Terraces) to Yangshuo, China.
Per Intrepid Notes, "Days 20-22 Yangshuo
Leaving the village behind us on foot, we catch a bus and travel via Longsheng and Guilin to Yangshuo (approx. 6 hours). The region around Yangshuo is probably the most well known scenic attraction in China, where the Li River winds its way around thousands of limestone karst mountains. Each peak is impressively named, in true Chinese tradition!
We have free time to explore the shops of West Street, take a calligraphy lesson or a water painting class. Later, we take to the surrounding countryside with a local guide on bicycles, stopping at markets and picturesque villages along the way. This is a region well-worth exploring, as every turn in the road brings you to another picture-postcard location.
After checking into our guesthouse your leader will accompany you on an orientation walk pointing out where to grab the best local noodles and best shopping in Yangshuo.
Our guesthouse in Yangshuo is clean, twin-share and centrally located with laundry facilities available." Absolutely froze last night, slept in all the many layers I had on the previous day so I imagine I'm starting to
smell great (sooooo need to do laundry.) We start walking around 8:15 am back down one of the many staired paths to the main gate of the Terraces. There, we're to get on a bus that will take us to another bus which will take us to another bus that will take us to Yangshuo. Doesn't sound exhausting at all. Luckily, while we were waiting, a man in a mini van pulled up and started talking to Ling. He was going to Yungshuo that day and would be willing to drop us off. It was only going to cost us 10 Yuan each more (about $1.40 each) so we said "hell yeah!" Then we looked inside his van and wondered where we were going to put our luggage when we picked it up int he neighboring town.
We started driving (Ling and I were in the back seat which was right up against the hatch on the back, Rita and Judy in the middle seats and Dick in the front passenger seat- cramped!) and Ling and I both commented about 10 minutes in as to the oil burning smell we were picking up. The guy got out, looked at
his engine and deemed all was well. Ok, fingers crossed. We get into the town where our luggage is and somehow get it all into the already cramped van. Ling and I are sharing the back seat with our two big backpacks, but it works.
Finger crossing must have also worked because 3 hours later we pulled into Yangshuo and got to our hotel, the
Explorer. First up for me was a very hot shower- I was so cold I was shaking. Sorry Western New York, I know I've let you down. I've become wimpy. Then we ate at
MC Blues which is a restaurant attached to the hotel and I caved and had an American cheesburger. It was good, not great. Still, should get rid of that craving for a bit. Only 27 days 'til I go back to the States- I can make it! 😊
We did a quick orientation walk, but it was cold and rainy and none of us were in the mood to explore further. We crashed at the hotel for a few hours, had dinner at bar that was a few blocks away, and that was the exciting end to our day.
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