If the hordes of tourists laying siege to Guilin have you scaling the towering limestone peaks, hop on a boat and escape 80 km south down the Li River to Yangshuo. Shouldered by the Li River, surrounded by limestone pinnacles, rice paddy fields and tiny villages nestled in the countryside, Yangshuo is a popular place to spend a few days biking the meandering paths, hiking through caves, rock climbing, fishing, bamboo rafting, kayaking and chilling in the cafes.

With a population of fewer than 300,000 souls, Yangshuo became a popular spot to live in the 1980s and has really taken off since then. Diecui and Xi Jie are the two main roads that form the central part of town. Xi Jie, probably better known as West Street, is a pedestrian only street catering to most travelers' needs of accommodation, food and travel companies. Some of the scenic highlights of Yangshuo area are Green Lotus Peak, Moon Hill and Yangdi Village.

Although Guilin is famous for having some of China's most spectacular scenery, many travelers prefer Yangshuo for its laid-back atmosphere, cafes, cheap accommodation and local flavor. Yangshuo is easily accessible by boat (5 hrs) or bus (1.5 hrs) from Guilin.

A visit to Yangshuo should be accompanied by warning—prices of just about everything are horribly inflated. As tedious as it may be, you'll need to haggle for most things, but restaurant, bar and cafe prices are fixed.

There seems to be an "old saying" for just about every place you might visit in China, but often in translation they appear sentimental or nonsensical. Guilin and Yangshuo are no exception: "Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven, Yangshuo's scenery is the best in Guilin". So there you have it.

Yangshuo's history runs over a span of over 1,400 years, supporting a culture of traditional dance and Cai Diao opera and the evidence of this history is spread through the countryside in the architecture, old stone carvings and ancient bridges. And, just so you are warned, 1.5 million tourists converge on Yangshuo each year. So sharpen your elbows, because it can get crowded, especially on public holidays.

The best time of year to be in Yangshuo is between April and October. The subtropical climate makes for rain and humidity all year round; summers are generally the wettest and lushest. Summers are also usually quite hot (averaging 28 ˚C (83 ˚F)). Expect frequent afternoon showers. Winter brings moderate temperatures (8 ˚C (46 ˚F)) and rain. Towards the end of the spring, through summer and into early fall are when Yangshuo is at its greenest and when the Li River waters run highest and clearest. Keep in mind when exploring the area that heavy rains can fall at any time, causing flash flooding and loosening soil, making things slippery and unstable.