Two years ago, my wife and I checked into an inn on West Street but were disappointed. The price was not outrageous, but we expected more than a small room with a small window opened to a noisy street. A local tour guide suggested that we try a new inn that would please us. After a little searching, we found it and rented a room immediately. It was a little piece of paradise for us.
The inn was a small three story house by the pristine Dragon River and had 10 rooms only. One side of the ground floor was the dining room, and the other side was a training room for rock climbing and team building excercises. We rented the best room in the center of the second floor. The large room was tastefully sparse, with the big picture windows curtained in thin white transluscent fabric. It had the feel of California.
 When we drew back the curtain and stepped out to the balcony, we were flabagasted. The pristine gurgling river was at our feet, then lush rice paddies and bamboo clusters extended to the horizon. We counted 27 karst peaks among the paddies, making the view a signature Guilin scene. We saw no motorcycles, smelled no pollution, and heard no blaring horns. Just a lone farmer and his ox working in a distant field. Ay night, we saw the faint lights of scattered farm houses a mile away.
This was the most beautiful inn we ever stayed in in China. To us, it was the definition of the word serendipity.
OK, I am giving you the particulars:
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat;
Address: Wang Gong Shan Jiao, Feng Lou Cun Wei, Gao Tian, Yangshou.
Our room costed 180 RMB a night, but we would have gladly paid 300 or more for the unique experience. And we had a memorable dish of stewed pumpkins. It was a simple dish, and yet we remember it fondly and vividly after two years.
 Best place for a photo is on the Fuli Bridge.
Fuli Bridge
It was first built in Ming Dynasty and it is the highest single curvature arch bridge in Yangshuo County. Most passengers visit there by bike. Starting from Yangshuo, after 30 minutes of bike ride, turn left from the express way Yangshuo-Guilin when you arrive at Baisha town, continue your ride until your arrive a muddy road on your right.
20 more minutes on the countryside road, pass endless rice paddies and an ancient stone bridge will come into your view. It is the bridge, everything nearby make you feel you have come here through a time machine.
Author: Albert Wu Date: August 6, 2007 More tour packages in Yangshuo |