Discover Yangshuo: Yulong River, West Street and culture

The Yulong River is the longest tributary of the Li River within Yangshuo County and flows through the city of Yangshuo. Known as the “Little Li River,” it is a distinctive landmark in the river landscape. The Yulong River National Tourism and Recreation Area includes, among other places, the city of Yangshuo and extends across four towns and townships in total. The river and the area bearing its name therefore do not refer to the same geographic unit. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the city and the larger area within the county.

Understanding the Yulong River area

In the wider Yulong River system in Yangshuo County, the stretch of water between Yulong Bridge and Gongnong Bridge is 18.8 kilometers long and has 28 weirs. These figures give the river area a sense of scale without limiting the entire stretch to the city. Bamboo raft rides over weirs are offered on the Yulong River, as well as more leisurely boat trips. This means there are different ways to experience the river: a ride where the weirs are part of the experience, and more tranquil boating.

Places in the city of Yangshuo

Yangshuo West Street is in the center of the old town and is 800 meters long. With its precise location and specific length, it is an easy-to-identify landmark in urban Yangshuo. Alongside the river landscape, it offers another point of reference as you consider which aspects of the area matter for your trip.

Another attraction explicitly located within the city is the Yangshuo Totem Ancient Trail–Julongtan Scenic Area. It is in Fengming San and is classified as a national 4A tourist attraction. This lets you distinguish between a central street area like West Street and a classified scenic area within the city as you find your bearings.

Culture and performances

“Guilin Qianguqing” combines a theme park with cultural performances and interactive entertainment. The production presents the history and ethnic customs of Guilin. The performances began in Jima Village in the city of Yangshuo. This brings together a performance venue in Yangshuo and a thematic perspective on Guilin.

In Yangshuo County, the China Li River Landscape Theatre is located at the confluence of the Li River and Tianjia River. It is the venue for “Impression·Liu San Jie.” In this production, the waters of the Li River, Shitong Mountain and twelve mountain peaks serve as the stage. The landscape is therefore part of the performance format described; at the same time, the theater's location is given at the county level.

A report from 2019 noted in retrospect that, since “Impression·Liu San Jie” officially premiered in 2004, more than 500 performances had been held each year, with near-full attendance. This figure describes the situation as reflected on at the time, not a current performance schedule. Check the current performance dates for your trip.

Choose Yangshuo as a destination

West Street and Fengming San are located within the city; the theater and parts of the Yulong River area are associated with Yangshuo County. Keeping these locations distinct can help you get a clearer sense of Yangshuo as a destination, from its river landscape and urban landmarks to its cultural offerings.

Discover more destinations: Fangchenggang, Guigang, Bose, Beihai, Laibin, Xing An, Chongzuo, Hechi

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