Hostels in Xingping, China

Bouncing along the dirt road in a tiny bus stuffed with big bags of rice, packages, babies on knees, sweaty boys, and big-hatted ladies, you will feel the excitement of venturing slightly off the tourist track and into the calmer, more rural side of China that is Xingping. Xingping is a quaint yet beautiful town situated on the banks of the Li River and surrounded by a very unusual and stunning mountain range. It is the perfect spot if you want to be outside the busier tourist towns of nearby Yangshuo and Guilin but even closer to the river, hiking, and some fairly unspoiled natural scenery.

The town is not big and is fairly quiet at night when the day trippers move along down the river, but as the sun sets and shops close, you will notice a small glimpse of real life in the town. Down a stone alley, a few kids laugh and play hula hoop while others ride their bikes in circles; a few older people hunch over a table playing mahjong; and the sky illuminates orange over the jagged teeth of the mountains near the river as you sip your beer from a dimly lit restaurant.

If you do decide to stay the night, there are not many choices for hostels in Xingping. It’s most convenient and scenic to stay in a hostel near the river -- that way you are close to hiking and you can watch the sunset and find a place for dinner before the streets get too dark. It is a small town, though, and feels very safe and relaxed -- no matter what your hostel in Xingping, you will only be a few minutes' walk from the bus station, the river, and small shops. Hostels in Xingping can assist you in arranging boat trips, hikes, rock climbing, and other activities in the nearby areas. After (or before) all the hustle and chaos of big city China, Xingping is a peaceful and pleasant stop well deserving of an overnight stay.