Yangshuo has a variety of unusual activities to keep you busy if you get a bit of downtime and want to stick around for a while; from cormorant fishing, to martial arts, language classes, rock climbing, live music and even cooking classes.

Bars 

Most people tend to linger over drinks in the many restaurants and cafes, but if you are up for a bit more later on, there are a few places with live music. On Xi Jie, try Meiyou's and on Guihua Xiang, check out Bar 98.

Rock Climbing

Yanshuo is one of the best places for outdoor rock climbing in China. The limestone peaks bring out the inner monkey in many a traveler. The area has 50 established climbing routes with an average length of 30 meters. The best time of year to climb is October to February. A number of places in town rent gear.

Cormorant Fishing

Cormorant fishing is something you will have undoubtedly never have seen before. Trained cormorant birds dive for fish, fill their beaks and surface to deposit the contents of their beaks to their owners. This age-old practice continues in central and southern China, where birds are raised to dive, locate fish and bring them to their owners. A ring is slipped around the throat of each bird to prevent it from eating the fish, but every seventh fish caught, it is allowed to eat. The rule is necessary or the birds refuse to work. If you would like to watch the cormorants fish one evening, you can book a trip at a café or your hotel (25 RMB for 1.5 hours).

Courses in the Arts

Learn Shaolin and Wudang kungfu techniques at Budi Zhen Martial Arts School from old Mr Gao and his twin sons (who both speak English). Wu Wei Centre is another place where you can take classes in martial arts, yoga and meditation from teachers who speak English. Or you can take classes in taichi, Chinese medicine or Chinese language at Merry Planet Language Club on Xie Jie.