Guangxi is the China you picture: karst mountains rising out of rivers, bamboo rafts, and towns that look like a scroll painting. We covered Yangshuo, Guilin, Nanning, and where to actually stay.

The best hotels in Yangshuo, China for every budget: from riverside boutiques on West Street to mountain villas deep in the karst countryside.

Where to Stay in Yangshuo: Best Hotels for Every Budget 🇨🇳

The Guilin to Yangshuo cruise is stunning... once you figure out how to actually get on the boat. Here’s the easy, foreigner-friendly guide with real tips, what the trip is like, and the best way to book your tickets.

Guilin to Yangshuo Cruise Guide: Book Your 2026 Trip

13 things to do in Nanning, China: Qingxiu Mountain, Nanhu Park, the Sanjie Liangxiang ancient block, night markets, and the Detian Waterfall day trip. Practical tips from people who actually spent time here.

13 Things to Do in Nanning, China: Parks, Night Markets & Day Trips

Looking for the best things to do in Yangshuo? This 3-day itinerary reveals how to explore China's iconic karst landscape by scooter, find the secret viewpoints, and live the slow river life. Includes where to stay, eat, and our personal tips.

Yangshuo: A 3-Day Itinerary in China's Iconic Landscape

The Fabryk

We recently tried an experiment in China.

🏨 RECOMMENDED PLACES TO STAY
00:47 - Upper House Shanghai: https://go.stay22.com/jqwJNHKoFc
00:48 - IM Shanghai: https://go.stay22.com/pnxwfdxKEb

For one day, we bought everything through Meituan… coffee, food, even a gym pass.
By the end of the day we had saved almost €40.
The crazy part? Almost no foreign travelers seem to be using it, even though it’s one of the most powerful apps in China.
It’s basically China’s version of Groupon… but built into daily life. Restaurants, cafés, gyms, spas, attractions. Locals use it constantly to get discounts.
The problem is that figuring out how to use it as a foreigner is… not exactly obvious.
So we made a step-by-step guide showing:
• how to access it inside WeChat
• how to translate the app
• how to actually purchase deals
• and how to redeem them in person
Here is a guide on how to use Meituan as a foreigner:
https://thefabryk.com/blog/how-to-use-meituan
#chinatravel
#travelhacks
#travelchina
#budgettravel
#travelapp

How to Use Meituan as a Foreigner in China

Meituan in China is kind of insane.

📍 RECOMMENDED PLACES TO VISIT
00:05 - China: https://go.stay22.com/qd2LWu9168

We were in Shenzhen and our normal day would’ve cost us around €40 each.
Coffee. Lunch. Gym. Cheeky desserts.
Instead?
We paid about €10 each using Meituan discounts.
Here’s how foreigners can actually use it:
1. Get a Chinese phone number
Ideally at the airport. eSIMs usually won’t work for this.
2. Download Meituan (美团) or Dianping (大众点评)
Same ecosystem. If you don’t read Chinese, open it through the Meituan mini-program inside WeChat so you can translate directly in the app (prepare for some UI shifts hehe, but it works)
3. Find the deals you want
Look for bundles, discounts, and group deals.
4. Pay with WeChat Pay
5. Go to the vendor and claim your deal
They’ll scan your code and you’re done.
It’s not always intuitive.
You will press the wrong button at least once.
But once you figure it out, it changes the game.
China basically runs on apps and this is one of the big ones.
Save this for your next trip
or send it to someone going to China.
#chinatravel
#shenzhentravel
#chinaapps
#budgettravel

China's Biggest Hack: Meituan 🇨🇳

This river cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo might be one of the most beautiful journeys in china 🇨🇳 .

📍 RECOMMENDED PLACES TO VISIT
01:14 - Yangshuo, Guangxi, China: https://go.stay22.com/2hnWXWLpFj

Our journey continued with a serene boat trip down the Li River, offering breathtaking river views amidst the iconic karst scenery. This segment of our china travel experience showcased the natural beauty of Guilin and Yangshuo, making it an unforgettable part of our Guangxi travel. The scenic cruises provided a peaceful escape, allowing us to fully appreciate the dramatic landscapes.
if you’re planning a trip to guilin or yangshuo, this is one experience you don’t want to miss.
Here is our guide for more info: https://thefabryk.com/blog/guilin-to-yangshuo-cruise-guide
#lirivercruise
#guilinchina
#yangshuotravel
#chinatravel
#offthebeatenpath

If You Do One Thing in China… 🇨🇳

After crossing back into China from Vietnam, we didn’t head to another megacity… we discovered Guangxi instead.

🏨 RECOMMENDED PLACES TO STAY
06:58 - Yushan Xiushui Hotel: https://go.stay22.com/kPA5sbZUWL
13:16 - Huishan Guesthouse: https://go.stay22.com/Ks50vpgQ3B

Our journey started in Nanning, China’s “Green City”, where parks, lakes, and subtropical nature blend with modern life. From Qingxiu Mountain and the Longxiang Pagoda to the Guangxi Museum of Nationalities, this first stop revealed a quieter and lesser-known side of the country.
Then came Guilin — a short stop before boarding one of China’s most iconic experiences: the Li River cruise.
Sailing through dramatic karst mountains felt surreal, and arriving in Yangshuo opened the door to slow countryside travel, scooter rides through rice fields, hidden villages like Jiuxian, and unforgettable evenings with friends.
This episode is not about big attractions, but about rhythm, landscapes, and learning to travel China slower.
If you enjoy travel that mixes real experiences, landscapes, and honest storytelling, you’re in the right place.
📍 PLACES FEATURED:
Nanning, Qingxiu Mountain, Longxiang Pagoda, Guangxi Museum of Nationalities, Guilin, Li River Cruise, Yangshuo, Jiuxian Village, Guandi Governor Mansion
Have you explored Guangxi? Tell us your favorite places below.
MENTIONED VIDEOS:
Hanoi: Noisy but We Loved It 🇻🇳 
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sdVmptB8fY
First Time in China's Southwest – All the Way to Chongqing 🇨🇳 
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RafXwJ8P0g&list=PLQicIMb8HUwOj7FGUQNjJbuDJnxYgyoDI
Exploring Yunnan – So Many Hidden Gems 🏞️ 
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpfhDX6jjho&list=PLQicIMb8HUwOWHAutEjKvHp8trvSi2dY5
 Hidden Gem: Euganean Hills in Veneto's Countryside 🇮🇹
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XGqhc6WOuI
Our Most Recent Series – Cycling Around the Taiwan 🚴‍♂️ 
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sISQc05vWt8&list=PLQicIMb8HUwMluOH-fDlk8-3YK8R3Ew--
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 – Welcome to Nanning, the Green City 🌿
01:00 – Guangxi Museum of Nationalities & Zhuang Culture 🏛️
02:50 – Guilin & Starting the Cruise to Yangshuo 🚢
03:35 – The Spot Pictured on the 20 Yuan Note 💵
05:34 – We Made It to Yangshuo! 🎉
06:50 – E-Scootering Among Karst Hills 🛵
08:14 – Jiuxian Village & Guandi Governor Mansion 🏯
10:55 – Yulong River & Its Scenic Bridges 🌉
13:26 – Last Day: Beer Fish & Scootering Southeast 🍺🐟
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Follow along for more travel adventures:
Website: https://thefabryk.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefabryk/
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GIVE US A LITTLE LOVE 💗
Love our content as much as we love making it? We're passionate about what we do, but it's not yet sustainable. You can help us keep creating by supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thefabryk/ or with a one time donation on our BuyMeACoffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thefabryk
And support our channel through these affiliate links (at no extra cost to you):
🏨 Hotels We Personally Recommend:
Guandi Homestay https://trip.tpo.li/TEI7xFjy
Mount View Hotel https://trip.tpo.li/ZliV8PbJ
🩺 Travel Insurance:
Genki - http://www.genki.world/with/thefabryk
🗣️ Improve Your English (Just like Fabio!)
Boldvoice - https://start.boldvoice.com/YMIWUH?d=R10&z=1
🗣️ Learn Another Language with AI Conversation (Ryan is doing it for Italian)
Langua - https://languatalk.com/?via=thefabryk (FABRYK20 for 20% off a year long subscription)
🎧 Music in this video:
Epidemic Sound - https://share.epidemicsound.com/ao2ybc
✍️ How to Generate Subtitles Easily
HappyScribe: https://happyscribe.cello.so/gr1QGMCHiaT
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Where to Stay in Yangshuo: Best Hotels for Every Budget 🇨🇳

Guilin to Yangshuo Cruise Guide: Book Your 2026 Trip

13 Things to Do in Nanning, China: Parks, Night Markets & Day Trips

Yangshuo: A 3-Day Itinerary in China's Iconic Landscape

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