I spent Labor Day weekend in Yangshuo instead of Beijing. Best decision I made.
My friend from Canada had 5 days off for China's Labor Day holiday (May 1-5, 2026). Everyone told him to go to Beijing. See the Wall. The Forbidden City.He looked at hotel prices. The ¥400 hotel was now ¥1,100. Train tickets: sold out.
So he went to Yangshuo instead.
Where is Yangshuo?
A small town in Guangxi province, 1.5 hours by bus from Guilin. Population: 300,000.
It's famous for the Li River, karst mountains, and a laid-back backpacker vibe that's disappearing from the rest of China.
His 5-day itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive & West Street
Walked down West Street (西街), the main pedestrian area. Stone buildings. Lanterns at night. Bars and cafes run by locals who've been there for decades.
Day 2: Li River & Xingping
Took a bamboo raft on the Li River. The mountains rise straight from the water like teeth. It's the landscape on the ¥20 RMB note.
Then went to Xingping, a village 30 minutes away. Fewer tourists. Old stone houses. A fisherman with cormorants posed for photos at sunset.
Day 3: Electric scooter & countryside
Rented an e-scooter from his hotel for ¥25/day. No Chinese license needed in Yangshuo — the rental shops are built for tourists.
He rode through rice paddies. Past buffalo. Through villages where children waved at him.
The Ten-Mile Gallery (十里画廊) is a flat road through the karst peaks. He stopped every 5 minutes to take photos.
Day 4: Rock climbing & caving
Yangshuo is China's rock climbing capital. He took a beginner lesson (¥200, half day). Climbed on real limestone with a British instructor who'd lived there for 10 years.
In the afternoon, he explored a water cave (水岩). Swam in an underground river. Mud bath included. ¥80.
Day 5: Sunrise & departure
Woke at 5 AM. Hiked to the top of a hill behind his hotel. Watched the sun rise over the karst mountains and the misty river.
No filter needed.
The numbers:
• Bus from Guilin: ¥25, 1.5 hours
• Hostel (private room): ¥150/night
• Bamboo raft (Li River): ¥120
• E-scooter rental: ¥25/day
• Rock climbing: ¥200
• Cave tour: ¥80
• Food per day: ¥80-100
• Total 5-day trip: ~¥1,500 ($210)
Why Yangshuo works for Labor Day:
It's spacious.
The countryside absorbs crowds. Even during holidays, you can find empty roads and quiet riverbanks 10 minutes from town.
It's cheap.
Compared to Beijing or Shanghai, everything is half price.
It's English-friendly.
20 years of backpacker tourism means many locals speak basic English. Signs are bilingual.
It's active.
Biking, climbing, hiking, kayaking, caving. Not just looking at things — doing things.
Getting there:
• Fly to Guilin (KWL) from Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou
• Bus from Guilin airport to Yangshuo: 1.5 hours, ¥50
• High-speed rail to Guilin West or Yangshuo station, then bus/taxi
Tips:
• Book accommodation 2-3 weeks ahead for Labor Day
• The bamboo raft is touristy but worth it — go early morning
• Bring insect repellent (mosquitoes are aggressive)
• Download offline maps — GPS signal can be patchy in the countryside
• The best food is on the side streets, not West Street itself
My Canadian friend's verdict: "I was supposed to see Beijing. Instead I climbed a mountain, rode a scooter through rice paddies, and watched the sun rise over the most beautiful landscape I've ever seen. For $210. Beijing can wait."
Anyone else skipped the big cities for a smaller spot during a Chinese holiday? Where did you go?
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