Xingping to Guilin, the back road by bicycle

Few people ever take this road. Xingping to Guilin is however a good experience. It gives you the possibility to experience to go back in time. That was at least what I felt both times I took this road.

True, the main road, road 321 to Guilin is a better quality and an even shorter road. But if you have not a lot of time and you still want to do some more serious cycling, why not make a loop from Yangshuo to Xingping and Guilin. From Guilin you could cycle to Longsheng and Sanjiang and then cycle to Rong An and Luizhou before cycling back to Yangshuo. This trip would take you about 2 weeks including days to explore the areas in Guilin, Longsheng and Sanjiang.

Let's focus here on the road from Xingping to Guilin. Of course you first have to go to Xingping and stay here a night. It is quite a long way to cycle Yangshuo to Guilin through Xingping as this road is not as well paved as the main road and there are a few hills to climb.

I cycled out of Xingping and took the road north. There's plenty of beautiful sceneries to see. In the first few kilometers you will see for example the Nine Fresco Hill and Fish Tail Peak though they are a bit away from the road.

Scenery around Xingping

At kilometer 7 after Xingping you will cross a little bridge with a junction. This is a good moment to cool down a bit in the river. There's few people here except some working in the country side. The peace will only be disturbed by a tractor every once in a while of by the wind.

The further north you come now, the less the limestone mountains seem to be spectacular shaped. This doesn't mean it is therefore less interesting. By now the road is no longer a nice asphalt road but a local gravel road and only in use by local Chinese farmers. A few tourist do come here to visit Crown Cave but usually head back from here to Yangdi by ferry from Caoping. You will pass Embroidery Hill and then come in the village of Caoping.

Washing the vegetables at the riverside

Caoping is almost half way and now some more serious climbing starts. Other fantasy named rocks will pass: Frog Crossing The River and Happy Marriage At Biya Hill.

Again most of the road is now flat and in better condition. Some mini busses with tourists come here to visit The Wakening Frog and some caves. There's also a few more trucks driving on and off but in general this is a pleasant road.

Only the last 10km to Guilin, from Daxu on is on a busier road. Here's substantial more traffic but it's not a big problem as the road is now upgraded. While you come closer to Guilin, the scenery is here and there more spectacular.

Spectacular scenery on the way from to Guilin

If you want to take this road starting from Guilin, go to the railway station and go east on Shanghai Lu, which changes into Lijiang Road and then Guilin Plaza. Once at the circle, go right and follow the direction to Ying An. You are on the Qixing Road. From here it's about 8 km to Daxu. In Daxu, take the junction south following the signs for different caves.

The question of course is if this road is worth traveling. I think it is more then worth. In fact, in September 2007 I will go back to Yangshuo and have the plan to cycle this road again, now from Guilin to Xingping. If you travel by bicycle, this is the preferred road above the main road. Highly recommended, worth the experience.

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