Xingping Ancient Town and Yellow Cloth Shoal

Xingping Ancient Town sits on the Li River in Xingping Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin, Guangxi, China, about halfway between Guilin and Yangshuo. It is a riverside town of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, with stone-paved lanes, old shopfronts and a waterfront pier, and it has more than 1,700 years of recorded history. The town is best known as the gateway to the scenery shown on the back of the old 20-yuan note, which can be seen from the viewpoint on Laozhai Hill, and as a stop for bamboo-raft trips on the Yellow Cloth Shoal. The Laozhai Hill viewpoint costs about 30 yuan, and a short climb of stone steps leads to a platform with a wide view of the river and peaks. Bamboo raft rides cost about 100 to 200 yuan and should be confirmed locally. Entry to the ancient town itself is free, and the hours run from about 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. A visit takes about half a day, with time for the old street, the viewpoint and a raft trip. Many Li River cruises end at or pass Xingping, and visitors who arrive by cruise often stay only briefly, so the town is calmer early in the morning and in the late afternoon after tour boats leave. Autumn, from September to November, offers the clearest views, while mist can add atmosphere but hide the peaks. The town has small restaurants serving river fish and beer fish, and guesthouses for overnight stays. Intercity buses run from Guilin in about 1.5 hours for 30 to 50 yuan, and Didi from Yangshuo costs about 60 to 90 yuan. The lanes are mostly flat, but the viewpoint climb is steep.