The high-speed rail hub named Yangshuo Station (阳朔站) is physically situated in Xingping, roughly 6.5 kilometers from the 20 RMB banknote bend and 28 kilometers from Yangshuo West Street.
If your bullet train arrives from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, or Hong Kong West Kowloon, do not immediately rush to Yangshuo Town. Stop in Xingping first with a private driver holding your luggage, capture the 20 RMB sunset, and transfer to your Yangshuo resort in the evening to save 2 hours of backtracking!
1. The 20 RMB Banknote Viewpoint: Exact Field Logistics
The scenery printed on the reverse side of the fifth series of China’s 20 Renminbi (RMB) paper currency depicts the Li River’s Yellow Cloth Shoal (黄布倒影) looking downstream from the riverbank just north of Xingping Town.
How to Reach the Official Viewing Platform (观景台)
- Exact Location: Chaobanshan Pier (朝板山码头), approximately 1.2 kilometers southwest of Xingping Bus Station.
- On Foot (Recommended): A scenic, flat 15-minute walk along the pedestrian river embankment paved path. You pass local fruit stands and bamboo groves with continuous mountain views.
- By Electric Cart (观光车): Local operators aggressively promote ¥20 RMB golf cart rides. It only saves 10 minutes of walking—walking is far more pleasant for photography.
- The Photo Cue: Bring a crisp, uncreased ¥20 note. Position yourself on the lower stone terrace facing downstream. Hold the note at eye level so the carved limestone spires match the mountain peaks in the distance.
2. The Traditional Cormorant Fishermen (鸬鹚捕鱼)
At dusk, local elderly fishermen in traditional coir raincoats and conical bamboo hats position their bamboo rafts along the sandbars.
- The Cultural Tradition: Historically, fishermen trained aquatic cormorant birds to dive for river carp, using a hemp ring around their necks to prevent swallowing larger fish.
- The Photo Reality: Today, this is primarily a preserved photographic performance. Fishermen light kerosene lanterns on their rafts at twilight, cast nylon fishing nets into the air, and allow travelers to photograph them.
- Cost Benchmark: Photographing from the shore during public demonstrations is free. If you want a private staged session with cormorants perched on your arm or special net casts, expect to pay ¥50–¥100 RMB negotiated in cash directly with the boatman.
3. Exploring Xingping Old Street (兴坪古街)
Dating back to the Three Kingdoms period (approx. 265 AD), Xingping Old Street preserves Qing Dynasty brick residences, carved timber doorways, and stone flagstone alleys far quieter than the neon commercialism of Yangshuo West Street.
- Ancient Stage (古戏台): An ornate Ming-Qing guildhall stage where traveling opera troupes once performed for river merchants.
- Local Delicacies: Try freshly pressed sweet sugarcane juice, grilled Li River snails (tiánluó / 田螺) stuffed with minced pork and mint, and hand-rolled ginger candy.
- Coffee & Riverside Cafés: Several quiet courtyard cafés near the northern alley offer excellent cold brew with second-floor karst rooftop views.
4. Connecting Routes from Xingping
| Route | Distance & Transit Mode | Practical Advice |
|---|---|---|
| To Yangshuo West Street | ~28 km · 45 mins by private car | Scenic highway through Gaotian and Fuli; avoid night cycling due to lack of streetlights |
| To Yangshuo High-Speed Station | ~6.5 km · 12 mins by car / bus | Shuttle buses run every 20 mins (¥5 RMB), but luggage space is tight; private transfer recommended |
| To Xianggong Mountain (相公山) | ~18 km · 35 mins by car | Located across the river; requires crossing via Baisha bridge or chartered river vehicle |
| To Nine Horses Fresco Hill | ~4 km · 40-min easy hike | Flat riverside trekking trail along the western Li River bank, highly recommended for hikers |