Yangshuo Warnings Or Dangers

When you go to Xinping to take the boats along the river, you will find first some big boats. These go SOUTH towards Yangshuo and this part of the river is not so interesting.
Keep alking to the right, cross the little river you will find and look for the small bamboo boats. These go up NORTH where the nice landscapes are.

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Security in China seems not to match western standards everywhere: In a river, a bridge less than two meters wide has no lateral protection.

I saw no car crossing it, but motorbikes and people shared the narrow space, obliging to additional precautions.

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At first look China seems to be calm and peaceful, everywhere we see organization and progress, while the guides congratulate the government, that "started to fight hunger, and now is opening to free initiatives". Is it really true?

It's impossible to hide the tensions growing between the progressive sectors of the population, and the poor rural areas. The strong regime disguises it, but... how long?

In Yangshuo we faced the hidden China.

In a paradisiac place hundreds of policemen were... controlling the population. It was difficult to get an explanation, but we got it:

The inhabitants wanted to take profit of tourism, renting their rafts to tourists, selling food, drinks and crafts, as in any place where tourism is an opportunity. But not there.

It seems that the government has plans to explore the site, so, the locals must stay out of it. The faces revealed the rebellion, and the proportion of forces (3 or 4 policemen for each civilian) showed that they where not easing things.

We were not disturbed, but the pleasure of the best sights in China was "stained" by the tension around us.

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We were alerted to the danger of mosquitoes in China, specially in the night trip to see cormorants fishing.

Well, we had some mosquitoes, but were not seriously bothered by them, maybe because, in this trip, following suggestions, we used too much repellent. But they were there, yes they were!

Clouds of them, by the lights!

Everyone knows Chinese eat cats and dogs. Hearing it one thing, but to see the butchery of it is another matter.....I wasn't prepared by this gruesome visual challenge until I innocently ventured into their wet markets to check out what the locals eat! If you are a pet lover, you will be most upset and disgusted by this scenery. It is hard to believe outside the market, Yangshuo looks like a perfect picture of heaven on earth, but inside the wet markets, a pure hell awaits those innocent and defenseless cats and dogs. I am not going to argue whether it's right or wrong to do so, as this is the culture in that region. But you are out to enjoy a good holiday, and frankly does not need this picture to remind you of your holiday, better believe me on that, absolutely X rated and not for the faint-hearted and kind at hearts.

I just want to call the attention of all VT members that, when visiting the busy Western street in Yangshuo, which you will no doubt go there as most people do. Be very wary of pickpockets! They usually worked in pairs, wearing similar color shirts as some kind of identifications amongst their own pack. Usually are men, looking lost and out of place in the street, they usually tried to be near you she you are shopping and looking at things. Carry your bad in front of you and always have your hand on the opening of your bag to protect from them. U do not need to know how troublesome it is if you lose your travel documents when in China, especially in a small city where your embassy does not have an office there.

My friend warned me about it. Lonely Planet warned me about it. But I was a seasoned traveler, cautious and cynical. And they still got me.

If you are coming by crossing the border from Hong Kong to Shenzen and then taking the overnight bus to Yangshuo, be very careful. There are skilled pickpockets working the train and bus station.

I had my passport and a case of DVD's taken out of my backpack. Luckily, the passport had no value to them and they threw it away. Less than five minutes after I discovered the theft, a policeman came running up to me with my passport. I was VERY lucky.

Cycling is meant to be a big thing to do on a Sunday in China and it was a Sunday when I did my cycle trip out of Yangshuo as to see the sights. I cycled out of town along with a whole load of other cyclists in their teens and early 20's riding tandems and more basic bikes. I reached the bridge over the Yulong River where dozens of teens were gathered at.