April 2006
Mom came over for a visit and I took her to mainland China. We arranged a tour of Guilin and Yangshuo in GuangXi province. It was only a short one hour ten minute flight on Dragon Air.
However it was not without adventure - as our trips never are.
On the flight we had 3 forms to fill in. One was rather personal and wanted us to state if we had HIV/AIDS/Sexually transmitted diseases/cough/flu or even a "snivel". This we presumed was a sniffle! rather than a snivel. I had pictures of sobbing people trying to enter China and not being allowed to do so with a stern "Stop your snivelling!".The other forms wanted to know in detail our holiday plans and visa details!!! It took nearly the length of the flight to fill them all in. Upon arrival at Guilin airport we were told to hand in all newspapers that we had - Chinese and English as they were not permitted in Guilin. This we did. However I had brought two UK gossip magazines in the airport at HK and had them in a small plastic bag that I was carrying. The immigration officer asked me what was in my bag and then shouted that "magazine no in Guilin". I was escorted to a guard dressed in old style UK police uniform (black with shiny buttons) and had to hand over my magazines. The guard them proceeded to open the plastic packaging and shake each magazine and then go through them page by page checking I can only presume for naked images/anti Chinese material. After checking that I was not going to bring in illegal material to China I was allowed to go!!!!!! And that was all before even stepping foot in China.
Guilin and Yangshuo were both beautiful places with many amazing sights. They are well worth the visit.
Transport was basic! Views fantastic. Dragons back rice terraces - Ping An.
The Yao tribe are noted for their long hair. They cut it once at 18 when they become adults and they keep the bit they cut off and add it to their hat style hairdo. The hair that falls out when brushing is also saved for this purpose. This hair unravelling followed by folk singing cost us 20 yuan (around one pound 50!) They were quite amused by our lack of hair!!!! and the strange colour!
The rice terraces were amazing and the views breathtaking. It was good climb up all the steps on a particularly hot day (30degs) but worth it.
On the 3+ hour boat ride from Guilin to Yangshuo. The scenery was breathtaking.
We met Kate (newspaper smuggler) on the aeroplane and we shared the boat trip to Yangshuo and a beer one night
Our hotel, Guilin Park, was lovely and the scenery around it stunning.
The Glass Bridge/Crystal Bridge was something Mom had wanted to see. We were lucky enough to get to walk across it (it is usually closed) and watch the Chinese opera taking place on the other side.
Mom on the very spidery raft that took us out to the cave at Elephant Hill.
Inside Reed Flute cave there were spectacular reflections!
A scene from the Yangshuo open air musical performance "IMPRESSIONS OF THIRD SISTER LIU.
We can recommend using China Odyssey Tours - they were great. Safe, reliable and friendly. The trip was so much more enjoyable for having an English speaking guide who could order our food and sort out all our arrangements. There was little English spoken by the locals so a guide was needed.
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