DIY Xingping Day Trip from Yangshuo (+ Map)

If you’re planning a trip to the Guilin area, you’ve probably come across Xingping and Yangshuo. Both are surrounded by the dramatic karst landscapes that make this part of China so famous, but they offer quite different experiences. So, which one should you visit?

Our answer: stay in Yangshuo and take a day trip to Xingping. Yangshuo has more accommodation, restaurants and infrastructure, making it the easier base for backpackers. But Xingping’s historic old town and spectacular Li River scenery are absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.

In our Xingping travel guide, we’ll show you how to get there from Yangshuo, what to do in Xingping in one day, where to find the famous 20 Yuan View Point, whether Laozhai Hill is worth the climb, and what you need to know about food, cash and getting around. We’ve also included our map and plenty of practical tips from our own visit to help you plan your trip without wasting time or money.

• Xingping Travel Guide
  • Xingping Map
  • Is Xingping Worth Visiting
  • How to Get to Xingping from Yangshuo
  • How to Get Around Xingping
  • What to Do in Xingping in 1 Day
  • What to Eat in Xingping
  • Are there Public Toilets in Xingping
  • Are there ATMs in Xingping

Xingping Travel Guide

Xingping Map

Is Xingping Worth Visiting

Xingping is absolutely worth a visit for two reasons:

1. The old town which was the largest town along the Li River in ancient times.
2. The stunning scenery with picturesque karst mountains along the Li River.

How to Get to Xingping from Yangshuo

We took the bus from Yangshuo bus station to Xingping bus station (we have marked both spots on the map). The ride took around 45 minutes and cost 15 RMB. We could pay with WeChat/Alipay or cash either at the ticket counter in the station or on the bus.

The signs in Yangshuo were in English and Chinese and the bus station staff spoke enough English to communicate.

Buses leave super frequently. We didn’t find any schedule so we just rocked up to the bus station and could immediately board a bus.

Xingping bus station was a bit less straightforward. Fortunately, the bus attendant spotted us and directed us to the right bus.

How to Get Around Xingping

Xingping is a small town. You can easily walk to all the main sights.

If you want to head further out, you can also rent a bicycle.

What to Do in Xingping in 1 Day

Xingping Ancient Town

The old street in the town centre is a major tourist draw. It is a 1 km ( 0.6 mi) long stone street lined with old brick buildings and assembly halls. Nowadays, it’s filled with restaurants and shops.

You can also find the Xingping Treasures Museum which is a nice little pit stop with free entry.

20 Yuan View Point

Visiting the landscape which inspired the 20 RMB note is a must-do in Xingping.

Don’t be like us and expect a scenic riverside walk though. You’ll find several viewpoints along the narrow but busy road.

Xingping Photo Shooting

Everybody and their mom seem to do a photo shoot in Xingping. You can either rent a traditional Chinese outfit and model yourself or hire a guy to be the model for you.

Laozhai Hill

If you want to do a hike, Laozhai Hill is a great choice. It’s located near the centre of town. You can see the curve of the Li River in the foreground and the karst mountains in the background.

The hike takes around 45 minutes and is mostly steps. Towards the end, it gets steeper and you have to climb a ladder.

To get to the highest point, you have to climb over some rather sketchy rocks.

What to Eat in Xingping

There are countless food places in the old town area of Xingping.

We think that when you’re in the Guilin area, you must eat Guilin rice noodles. We had them at Shanwei Rice Noodle (marked on the map). Value for money was great and you can add your own broth and toppings.

Are there Public Toilets in Xingping

Yes, there are public toilets in Xingping. We have marked one on our map.

Are there ATMs in Xingping

At the time of our visit, there were no ATMs in Xingping. Like everywhere in China, WeChat and Alipay are accepted everywhere. We still recommend you bring some cash just in case.

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