Yangshuo Favorites

Favorite thing: Some translations are really way out - it's not that it is grammatically not right or the spelling is wrong - it's that you totally cannot understand what it's trying to say, unless you know the Chinese version of it. Here's one which don't jive at all...

It says :
"The days aren't pass" - i bet you don't get what it means.

This sign was taken at the entrance to the performance of the "Impression of Liu Sanjie" near East Street. I was kind of surprised that no proper translation is given at such a renowed place where so much of publicity has been done on this performance.

After reading the Chinese words - well, it actually means that "There are no performances during the day"

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Favorite thing: You can find bicycles for rental in various places in Yangshuo but most can be found along West Street. There are different prices for the different types of bikes. Prices range from 10yuan to 50yuan per bike for a day's use (to return before 7pm same day). You can rent the bicycles as early as 6.30am.

If you are renting it on your own, normally you will need to pay a refundable deposit of 100yuan. If you are getting it through the hotel (where you stay), deposit is not required. Those normal bikes will only cost you 10yuan while mountain bikes are slightly more expensive. We got hold of 2 pretty good bikes, the pink one for 20yuan and the yellow one for 30yuan. Test your bikes for brakes and stability before riding off. You can request the operator to adjust the saddle level to fit your comfort.

See anothe pic attached.

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Favorite thing: If you want to get something really unique, this is what you should buy. The little bottles are hand painted - not on the outside, but painted from the inside. The artist skilfully, using a fine brush, draws and paints the picture inside the bottle. Now, can you imagine ... how unique the art is..... whatever that you draw has to be a "reverse" so that when the picture is seen from the outside, reflects the correct form of the picture. You can either buy the ready painted bottles on display or request the artist to paint whatever you desire on the chosen bottles. Prices vary and you can bargain for a price. Here, you can see that she has completed the "inside job" of painting the little panda .... Beautiful, isn't it?

Attached another picture to show the artist in full concentration when she's doing the "inside job"

Favorite thing: Lotus seeds, young and old, are sold along the streets of West Street, Pantao area or along any streets in Yangshuo. The young lotus seeds are packed in little leave cones while the old ones are sold together with the stalk of lotus pod. Eating the lotus seeds is said to be nutritious and good for the complexion. For the young lotus seeds, all you need to do is peel off the outer skin of the seed, split the seed into half and remove the stem that is inside (as this is slightly bitter) and pop it into your mouth. For older ones, which are still inside the pod, you just remove them from the pod, and do likewise. The older ones are crunchier and stronger in taste while the young ones are sweeter and of course, more tender. Can't remember how much they cost but it''s pretty cheap.

Favorite thing: Most of the roofs of the houses and shops along West Street and other areas in Yangshuo are tiled. They looked so typical of the olden days Chinese houses. Most of the tiles are of grey colour while some are of brick red.

Favorite thing: Oranges - sometimes you can get them real sweet and sometimes it slightly sourish. Its about 2yuan for a kati (about 4 oranges)
Turnip - You will see lots of stalls selling tiny looking turnips which are really crunchy and sweet. The flesh is white and you can just peel the skin off by pulling it from the top to the base of the fruit (you don't need a knife to peel it).
Groundnuts - we bought them in a "little net" for 2yuan. It's not roasted but it tastes fine - slightly raw but i guess it's really nutritious since it's almost like "fresh from the ground"

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Favorite thing: Yangshuo Quay is nearer to the town centre. This is the place where most raft rides are stationed. It has a nice arch gate and if you are on the upper portion, you can have a good view of the activities along the Li Jiang river. There are also some steps where you can sit and relax. Oh yes, there's a small waterfall nearby too. The Quay is near to the Green Lotus Hill and the Mountain View Garden Restaurant .

See more pics of Yangshuo Quay and its surroundings.

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Favorite thing: This Quay is on the upper part of the Li Jiang river where passengers disembarked when they arrived at Yangshuo from their river cruise of Li Jiang from Guilin. The road leading to this Quay is heavily trafficed and lots of stalls are lined along the road as you move in/out of the Quay. You can be having a shopping spree here as there are really many many things to buy. Near to this Quay is the tram/electric bus station where you can board little pink trams or electric buses to the town so that you do not have to lug your heavy luggage.

See more pics on stalls along road leading to the Quay.