Biking in Yangshou, China

If you want to see spectacular karst scenery without the hordes of tourists, I recommend skipping Guilin and heading an hour straight to Yangshou, which is less commercial and much more quaint. Don't get me wrong, Yangshou is touristy but the village is small and the architecture is meant to resemble an ancient chinese town. This place is a backpacker's paradise. You can walk everywhere and get lost in the maze of cobblestone streets. Cute restaurants and cafes abound. The best way to explore the countryside is by bike. You can take a guided tour and be forced to make small talk with your guide or if you can read a map that's even better. We did both but preferred going solo at our own pace as our best experiences are the ones we stumble upon by accident. The bike ride is adventurous, challenging and unforgettable. Being on a two-wheeler allowed us to get close to nature. We were also able to stop and meet local villagers and even shared a meal with them. Money Saving Tip: If flying from Hong Kong, save yourself $ by crossing over to Shenzhen by train and then booking an internal flight to Guilin as opposed to booking direct from Hong Kong.