Xingping Ancient Town, renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich culture, attracts numerous tourists seeking an authentic experience in southern China. However, as with many popular travel destinations, visitors should be cautious of potential scams and misleading offers. This guide provides essential tips to help you navigate Xingping Ancient Town, ensuring you enjoy your visit while avoiding common pitfalls.
Transportation Tips
When arriving at Xingping Ancient Town, you can easily access it from Yangshuo High-Speed Train Station. A bus is available on the left side of the station, costing just 5 RMB per person. If you’re traveling in a small group, consider taking a taxi instead; during our visit, we found a Didi taxi for only 10 RMB, which was a convenient choice. Be wary of aggressive taxi drivers at the station who may quote inflated fares of 20-30 RMB; it’s best to ignore these offers.
Luggage Storage
If you need to store your luggage while exploring the town, you’ll find several options at the entrance of Xingping Ancient Town. Most places charge around 10 RMB per suitcase, regardless of its size. However, don’t hesitate to negotiate the price; we managed to store three suitcases for only 10 RMB in total.
Visiting the 20 Yuan Scenic Spot
At the entrance of the ancient town, you’ll encounter numerous offers to rent electric bikes to visit the famous 20 Yuan scenic spot, claiming it’s a lengthy journey of 7-8 kilometers. Don’t be fooled! Instead, follow the navigation to “Wang Wang Seafood Restaurant (旺旺美食鱼庄),” located across the street from the scenic spot. It’s just a 10-minute walk, and there’s no need to rent a bike or take a bamboo raft.
After visiting the scenic spot, head back to the bus station at the entrance of Xingping Ancient Town, where you can catch a bus to Yangshuo West Street for 15 RMB per person. Buses run frequently and will depart as soon as they’re full.
Avoiding Bamboo Raft Scams
You’ll find many locals trying to attract tourists to the “Three Thousand Li” bamboo raft rides (兴坪“三千漓”竹筏). They will claim these rafts take you to the 20 Yuan background view, but the fees range from 80 to 100 RMB. The reality is that these rafts just circle around a small river, not the breathtaking Li River you expect. This is a common scam that many unsuspecting tourists fall for.
Alternative Crossing the River
Instead of the bamboo rafts, consider taking a ferry across the river to Dahebei (大河背). While you may still encounter offers to take photos of the 20 Yuan view, the perspective is not great. The main attraction, “Yuanbao Mountain,” is located in Dahebei Village, and to appreciate its beauty, you need to view it from across the river.
Visit the Ancient Theatre
Don’t miss the ancient theatre in Xingping, which is free to enter. However, be cautious of individuals at the exit offering to read your fortune or provide “blessings” in exchange for donations. These people often employ psychological tactics to solicit money, and it’s easy to feel pressured to give.