You’re not being harsh, just expressing your opinion and I respect that. But I find it interesting that you think that my perspective is typically western. You did brows though this blog, right? Because if you had, then you’d know that we’re far away from your average western traveller. But ok, that’s not up for discussion here. I’m talking about, our experience, our views and our opinion, which is just as allowed as any others.
Every local can do as they like. But you don’t honestly think, that every local benefits from this kind of mass tourism? Or that the local community is asked by the government whether or not the new bridge, that will allow thousands of buses to access the area easier, should be built? In 99% of the cases, they’re not asked. Whether in China, India, Austria or anywhere else on the planet. The ones who benefit, are only a hand full of people. And they’re not interested in for example improving the poor population’s living standard. Benefit is all that matters. And mass tourism is the best way to benefit. Who cares about nature, or the environment? Who cares if the rivers are polluted or forest are cut down for the next souvenir shop? The powerful and rich don’t, that’s for sure. The people living there do, but have no choice but to accept and adapt. This is what we’ve experienced throughout the last two decades of travelling around the world. We’ve talked to so many people – old, young, rich, poor, educated and uneducated. Many people simply don’t have a choice. And of course they will try to make the best out of it, which is just what they should. I could go on for ages, but I’ll leave it at that for now. I think that you get where we’re coming from :)

Let me know how your trip to Yangshuo was. Would really love to get your views and perspective on the place.

Take care!

Thanks for taking the time to write such a long comment. I really like the fact that this issue is an invitation for discussions :)

I’m not accusing anyone of anything. As you said, there are different opinions, and this one is ours. We’ve travelled all over China and in fact, most parts the world, therefore, we’re confident enough to say, that this mass tourism in Yangshuo (and many many other places in the world) have nothing to do with traditions. If it’s good for the locals, then sure, one could argue that it all goes into a positive direction. But mass tourism houses many dangers as well: pollution for example. But these issues don’t matter at the time being, because only the positive side is seen. I gut where you’re coming from and I agree with a lot of your points. I’ve spoken to many fellow travellers (international and Chinese as well) and this kind of tourism is the most normal thing in China. People used to these masses and therefore there’s no sort of negative touch. But for individual travellers like us, this is just nothing we want to promote.

For example, we’ve travelled to the Dragon’s Backbone Rice Terraces after we left Yangshuo. These rice terraces and the landscape was spectacular! Really absolutely amazing! But you know what they’re building there (I’m guessing that by now, it’s long been finished)? A gigantic cable car from the parking lot to viewpoint Nr. 3 (which is the most famous one)! So now you have the opportunity to chose between a ride with the cable car, or being carried up by four strong men on a palanquin. That’s can’t be good!?! Especially not in the long run. Not only for nature and the environment, but also for the locals there.

We accept and respect everyone’s opinion and views. We’re just not up for promoting this sort of tourism, because we believe that it’s not the right thing.

Take care & all the best!

When I visited Yangshuo, I too came from Guangzhou (where I was living) and I came by train, to Guilin. I spent a lovely, interesting afternoon in that city, spent the night, and went to Yangshuo by bus the next morning. I had booked a room in a budget hotel there. A friendly representative of the hotel met me at the bus station and walked me to my hotel, where my room was ready for me, nice, clean and a bargain for the price.

Yangshuo itself is only very touristy on West Street. If you wander from the tourist zone, you find many quiet streets with an authentic, Guangxi small town feel to them.

My hotel was not on West Street, so it was quiet and tranquil. I only walked down West Street once, and I enjoyed it for its lively kitsch value. However, that was my one and only time to go there becaaaauuuuussse……. one does not go to Yangshuo to see Yangshuo! It’s not, any more than one visits Siem Reap to see Siem Reap. The town is not the point. It’s just the place where you sleep, eat in the morning, and eat and have drinksat night. During the day you should be OUT of Yangshuo– on a rented bicycle, or on a riverboat, in the nearby countryside. I can’t imagine how anybody who does this could not have a heavenly stay there.

I went during China’s Golden Week, when tourism is at a fever pitch. Yet, once I got on my bike and rode out into the country paths, by the rice paddies, on the riverbanks, I hardly ever saw another tourist. What I saw were local farmers, rural villagers and children who lived there and happily posed for my camera. It was the realest China that I have ever seen– and I have traveled extensively throughout China.

Right now I am living in Shanghai, and I will take the train to Guilin tomorrow for a repeat visit to Yangshuo. I am because it is again Golden Week, and Yangshuo the only place in China that I have visited on Golden Week where I can get on a bike and easily escape the crowds in what is the most beautiful, exotic landscape that I have ever seen— in any of the 30 countries that I have visited.