Due to popular demand, (actually there was only one request from Jessica, see the comment for this post), I have decided to pen down my travel experience in Guilin and Yangshuo. Wanted to write earlier but then I got a bit lazy but well thanks for that little push Jess! Hahaha.
To begin with, we really did not plan for the trip because the whole thing was sorta unplanned. It was because Mr Choe had the tickets to Guilin, and somehow his trip was canceled, and so he said why not I buy another pair of tickets and let's go. We did not know where we were supposed to visit when, how and what to expect. And because we wanted cheap fare and this is the first time we are traveling without the need to apply for annual leaves, we felt really flexible (like, Merdeka!) and just chose the cheapest ticket to and fro and ended up spending seven freaking days in CHINA. -.-' We were like cheapskates desperate for a getaway. Hahahhaa.
But China? I have come to realise that although it looks very green, very scenic, and looks like a peaceful getaway, it was not! It was like, we had to be on our toes all the time, we had to be real alert trying to spot and stop scams from coming our way, we had to be so observant when we walk to avoid stepping on spit, or avoiding one when we hear that dreaded phlegm-producing noise which goes like karrgghhkk, ahhaha, I am getting really disgusting here. So I experienced for myself first-hand, why some people tell me they hate China. Just the fact that there are so many people everywhere you go suffocates me. Phew. And the way they drive, and the way they cross the roads, and the way they talk loudly..... Ok enough!
Though some friends advised us against going to China on our own, we went ahead, without joining a tour group. But this is a decision I did not regret. I always think that if we were going to experience a new place, the best way was to be on our own feet, walking, and finding our own way throughout. And through that, we actually made new friends with two university students, one waitress, one cab driver and a couple of other less significant encounters but it was good! The two university students even created a QQ account for Mr Choe on the spot and kept in touch with us through QQ all throughout our journey, making sure that we enjoy our stay. So, not all Chinese people are rude, uncivilised, cheaters, scammers, and all other negative labels we put on them la. One thing I learnt, they do not understand our English because they pronounce everything differently. Hahaha.
Ok now if you want to know our actual itinerary, here goes! This post is gonna be real lonnggg, I assure you. Hahaha. I think I found what to blog about if I ever run out of topic. I will just open my iPhoto and blog about all the vacations that I have not blogged about, back to 1990. Hahahaha. Just kidding, I was only "about" 3 at that time I wouldn't remember. The keyword here is "about". LOL
DAY ONE: GUILIN
Arrive - Yao Mountain - Two-River-Four-Lake Scenic Cruise
From the top of Yao Mountain, you can see mountains after mountains. Not only that, there is a unique formation of the mountains which looks like Sleeping Buddha. Yes China is that good with that, they can pick upon anything that looks like anything, and commercialise it to make it something.
Mountains and mountains and mountains.
Can you see the Sleeping Buddha?
On top of Yao Mountain, there is a little temple, supposedly sacred and holy but I think we were scammed, our first and last scam, because after one scam we are smart enough already. Hahha. TIP: Do not take anything given to you at "holy" places because once you take what they give you, you will need to PAY. In this case we were given candles to light, but before we could light it, one lady came to us with the donation book and literally forced us into giving a couple hundreds of RMB. That was the first time we got "conned" in China and luckily since we are not that dumb, this was the last time in the entire trip. Haha.
We were given red lucky ribbons to tie to trees after being forced to give donations.
It's like consolation wtf.
There is only one way up Yao Mountain but two ways down. Cable cars to go up, cable to go down. Or, cable cars to go up, sliding down the mountain to go down. Hahah. You'll see what I meant.
We took the cable car up...
And then slid down the mountain in this!
Oh ya, Yao Mountain was named after a person called Yao Di who apparently invented or calculated the seasons, festivals celebrated in China. Not sure if he single handedly did everything though haha. But I figured he was probably an important part of the Chinese history.
Yao Di, the man. LOL
Next we went on a river boat cruise along two rivers and four lakes hence the name of this attraction. But, I forgot exactly what were the names of these rivers and lakes. Haha. It was quite nice how they light up the buildings and structures by the rivers and lakes. Again, making something out of nothing. Basically just fix lights on buildings and hire a few boatmen and yay, you have another tourist attraction. Haha. Malaysia tourism board please learn!
And they had performers singing and dancing to entertain us while we cruise along the waters.
And we ended the first day with Chinese opera-like performance. haha.
DAY TWO: YANGSHUO
Big Banyan Tree - Li River Cruise
Big Banyan Tree is a very huge tree (duhh). You have to buy entrance ticket to see this tree. Don't play play. I think it's a thousand years old or sth.
See how the branches turned to roots to support other branches. Haha.
Then, off to Li River Cruise! This is supposed to be the highlight for anyone that visits Guilin. But we found it quite boring... Like, apart from the mountains, there are more mountains. Hahhaa. Ok la, the mountains are quite special. They are karst mountains, made of limestone, which gave them these unique shapes. Ipoh has some but not so many that's why Ipoh-ian like Mr Choe also had to visit the mountains of Guilin. Hahhaa.
See? Like what I said, apart from mountains, there are more mountains. Haha.
But no doubt, they are special in their own way. :)
But what I found even more interesting than the mountains are these trees.
I wonder why they all grow to the left. Or right. Depends on how you see it. Lol.
DAY THREE: LONGSHENG
Long Ji Rice Terraces - Yi Jiang Yuan Scenic Park
This day is the day of natives. In the Long Ji Rice Terraces, we met with Yao people, Zhuang people and Tao people (if I am not mistaken). Even though they live only few rice fields apart, they speak different languages, they have totally different cultures and they dress differently from each other. The tour guide told us that, in the olden days, if they met with each other, they will fight, but now, they have come to a peaceful understanding that they should not be fighting in front of tourists. Hahahah. And since tourists visit them everyday, they do not fight anymore. Hahahaha.
Village of Yao people.
The notice says, not more than 15 people on the bridge.
They sell their crafts in their village.
The followed us all the way so we had to buy some purses from them.
Then we hiked...
To eat this. Haha. Bamboo rice + bamboo chicken.
Then, after a nice lunch, time to marvel at the beauty of the rice fields! To do that, we had to climb, climb and climb the stairs.
Stalls on the way up..
Finally reach the top!
Village in the mountains.
Honestly, I enjoy the rice fields more than the mountains, I don't know why.
Yi Jiang Yuan Scenic Park is just like a mock village with fake natives. Hahah. Well maybe they are real natives but I doubt they really live in that place, as claimed.
They showcased their traditional performance....
And their traditional music instruments.
Again, the rice fields are beautiful.
DAY FOUR: GUILIN
Reed Flute Cave - Jin Jiang King's Palace - Night Strolls
Reed Flute Cave is the best cave in Guilin. Throughout our trip, we actually entered more than 3 caves, and some are really ignorable. You know how limestone mountains always have caves, and since there are so many mountains in Guilin, there are many caves too. So if you are planning a trip there, just make sure you visit Reed Flute Cave, others can be visited if you have time and have nothing to do. Haha.
It is so cool that there is such a large space within the cave that they could have a mini light-and-sound show.
See the bubbles? They are part of the show. Hehe.
Crystal water reflecting the cave like a perfect mirror.
DAY FIVE: YANGSHUO
Yu Long River - Impression Liu San Jie
If you ever visit Yu Long River, my best advice is to take the road not taken, which is to walk along the river, amidst the paddy fields. Tourists are all encouraged to take the bamboo raft and they even sort of forced us but we insisted that we walk. Taking the bamboo raft will not give you the opportunity to take nice shots like these.
The main highlight of Day Five is the Impression Liu San Jie show. It is show about the life story of a Guilin legend, Liu San Jie, a famous songstress. The impressive thing about this show is the entire show was on performed by several thousands performers on water, with the hills and the river as the natural background.
From where we sit. Hehe.
I just love this part where they light up the hills.
The fishermen, in a day's work.
Scene depicting the village where Liu San Jie grew up in.
An interpretation of the love story between Liu San Jie and Ah Niu Ge.
Love under the moon.
Liu San Jie getting all ready as a bride to Ah Niu Ge.
And they lived happily ever after.
Cool LED costumes.
I enjoyed this show very very much, it was so theatrical, so artsy, so abstract but it tells a story. And how can you not love the fact that they sang, danced and performed while balancing themselves on water? Rehearsals also on water ok. Cool!
DAY SIX: GUILIN
Liu San Jie Landscape Garden
After watching Impression Liu San Jie, we decided to learn more about this lady who captured so many hearts through her voice and songs, generations after generations.
However, this garden proved to be a little disappointing. They showcased too many unnecessary stuffs. Only the boards with illustrations of the Liu San Jie story made the trip here worthwhile.
One of the boards of Liu San Jie story.
DAY SEVEN: GUILIN
Seven Star Park
This is where you can visit for a stroll, away from the hustle bustel of the city. Here is where you can just relax and sit and walk and eat and picnic, just to pass time. Life was so good, that day. Hahahha.
Not much description about this park, I'll just show pictures la ok.
What animal does this look like?
The big Gui Tree, from which the name Guilin was derived from.
And this was also where I did my KFC advertisement. Hahahha. KFC was kind to me throughout my entire trip so I did this commercial to thank them. Hahahhaaa. You see, KFC was my comfort food everytime I am sick of Guilin food, which was, everyday. Hahahah. I had KFC for almost everyday when I was there. And KFC was also where I could use clean toilets. So you see how KFC made me feel like home. Haha.
Enjoy a cup of KFC soya today! -.-'
Ok I know this has been a longgg post. I'm wondering, if I ever go on a vacation for one month, am I supposed to write from Day ONE till Day THIRTY? OMG. I did enjoy writing this though so hope you enjoy it! ;D
