I was determined to explore the best places for photography in Yangshuo so I sought the help of tour guide and local photography expert Jack Zhou. Together we explored some of the region’s best hikes, viewpoints, and iconic peaks. Below is a list of my personal highlights from the tour and the places I recommend you visit if you’re looking for show-stopping Instagram shots of Yangshuo.
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Things to know before visiting Yangshuo
- To visit Yangshuo you will likely fly into Guilin airport. Many people spend a day or two in Guilin but I was eager to head straight to the Karst Mountains. There is a direct airport shuttle from Guilin Airport to Yangshuo daily between 09:30 and 22:30. The journey takes 80 minutes and costs £3.
- The Karst Mountains are most prominent between the towns of Yangshuo and Xingping so you’ll want to base yourself at one of these locations. Xingping has retained more of its traditional roots whereas Yangshuo has developed into a bustling mini-city. Out of location convenience for my itinerary, I chose to stay in Yangshuo. I explored my first day by car with Jack, then by myself on the second day by motorbike. While there are regular buses that run between Yangshuo and Xingping, you will need a driver or motorbike to get to most hiking trails (more on this later!).
- Please note: The hikes and views listed below are not in close proximity, some are over an hour drive away from each other. Because I only had two days in Yangshuo, Jack’s Tour was an absolute must. My day with Jack started at 8 AM and didn’t finish until 7 PM. I collapsed in bed at the end of the day but was so grateful he had managed to organize so much into one day.
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Best places for Photography in Yangshuo and Xingping
1. Da Mian Hill
This is the only place in Guangxi you can see the entire horseshoe bend of the Li River. It was a 45-minute steep incline to the peak that required scrambling and scaling ladders. I am not a fan of heights, so there were a few times along the cliff I had to stop and take a breather. Remember to wear appropriate shoes and pack plenty of water.
Da Mian hike did not have a clear starting point. We parked on the side of the road and made our way through the valley at an unmarked spot… I would never have found it alone. Because of this, I highly recommend booking a tour for this peak.
2. Xiang Gong Mountain
Xiang Gong mountain is a lot more friendly on the muscles! It is a steep but short 15-minute climb from the car park. It has an incredible view of the forked river and benches where you can sit and take it all in. Because it is easily accessible there are a lot more tourists at this peak and it draws huge crowds at sunrise.
3. Wuzhi Hill (Cuiping Hill)
About an hour away from the previous locations, Wuzhi Hill overlooks the gorgeous blue Yulong River. It was a medium intensity 20-minute hike to the top and is really popular for sunset.
5. Canola Fields
Without planning it, I arrived in Yangshuo during peak canola bloom season. I could not resist the opportunity to fly my drone over the fields. We drove through the fields on my first day with Jack, I then visited again the following day on my motorbike… they were spectacular.
How to book a photography tour with Jack’s Private Tours
You guys know I usually travel independently but this was a destination I was really grateful to have a guide.
Why you should book a tour in Yangshuo:
- As mentioned previously, there is no way I would have been able to see so much in so little time without Jack’s Private Photography Tour. The trails are far away from each other and Da Mian and Wuzhi, in particular, were difficult to find.
- Jack’s local photography knowledge of the best vantage points was invaluable. Make sure to check out his incredible photography portfolio here.
- Born and raised in Guilin, Jack was able to share the history and culture of the region. From the kumquat boom that brought prosperity to farmers, to the local cuisine and customs – his stories were very interesting (and a welcome distraction from the sometimes grueling hike!)
- Most importantly, Jack absolutely loves what he does and is passionate about sharing the beauty of Yangshuo. For me, this is priceless. Jack’s enthusiasm and joy was contagious, I didn’t stop smiling all day. Don’t just take my word for it, check out his impressive 270+ 5 star TripAdvisor reviews. Out of all the amazing places we visited it was the inquisitive, charismatic joy of Jack that I’ll remember most from my time in Yangshuo – I wish him and his young family the absolute best in the future 🙂
Follow this link to book a Yangshuo Tour with Jack or email him directly at [email protected].
Guangxi Province is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Every corner revealed a new and incredible perspective of the iconic Karst Mountains. I am extremely grateful to Jack for making my stay so seamless. If you have any questions about my time in Yangshuo feel free to comment below.
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