Xingping Ancient Town Travel Guide

Quick answer

• What it is: A small riverside town 25 km northeast of Yangshuo, famous as the backdrop of China's 20 RMB banknote.
• Best for: Photography, a slower half-day escape from Yangshuo, and a classic Li River viewpoint without a long cruise.
• How to get there: 40-minute bus or car from Yangshuo; 1.5-hour drive from Guilin; Li River cruise also passes nearby.
• Top things to do: 20 RMB viewpoint, Xingping old street walk, Laozhai Mountain sunset, cormorant fisherman photo at dusk.
• Cost: Free viewpoint; cormorant photos ¥20–100; ferry ¥5–15; old street free to walk.

Overview

Xingping (兴坪 / Xīngpíng) sits on the east bank of the Li River where the water slows and karst peaks rise straight from the farmland. It is smaller and quieter than Yangshuo town, and most travelers visit for three reasons: the iconic 20 RMB bill scenery, the compact old street, and the sunset view from Laozhai Mountain.

The town works well as a half-day trip from Yangshuo, a stop on the drive between Guilin and Yangshuo, or a place to spend one night if you want sunrise over the river without the Yangshuo crowds.

How to get there

From Yangshuo

• Bus: Regular buses run from Yangshuo Bus Station to Xingping. The journey takes 40–50 minutes and costs roughly ¥10–15.
• Car / DiDi: About 25 km via the main road. Driving takes 35–45 minutes depending on traffic.
• Self-drive parking: Navigate to 兴坪古镇 (Xingping Ancient Town). The official parking lots near the old street charge around ¥10 per visit (estimate, as of September 2026); the 20 RMB viewpoint is then a 15–20 minute walk along the river.
• Bicycle / e-scooter: Fit riders can cycle from Yangshuo in 1.5–2 hours. This is the route used in our Yangshuo e-scooter epic loop.

From Guilin

• High-speed train: Trains from Guilin (and Guilin North/West) reach Yangshuo Railway Station in about 30 minutes for roughly ¥20–40 – and the station sits right in the Xingping area, about 10 minutes from the old town by taxi or local shuttle. This is the fastest way from Guilin to Xingping specifically; for Yangshuo town itself the bus is more direct.
• Car: ~90 km, 1.5 hours. Many travelers combine Xingping with the scenic drive to Yangshuo. See our Guilin–Yangshuo scenic self-drive.
• Li River cruise: The classic Guilin-to-Yangshuo cruise passes the Xingping area. You can also take a shorter Xingping-focused cruise from Yangshuo or directly from the Xingping pier.

Navigation search terms

The 20 RMB Viewpoint: China's Most Famous River Bend

The view printed on the back of China's 20-yuan banknote is a bend of the Li River just downstream of Xingping, framed by the same karst peaks that made the town famous. It is the single most photographed spot in the region, and unlike most of them it is genuinely free to visit. For the wider self-guided route that connects this spot with other textbook landscapes around Guilin, see our Guilin Chinese textbook experience guide.

The scene works because of the river bend: the Li flows in from the left, loops around a small gravel beach, then exits between two rows of karst towers. The mountains are reflected in the calm morning water, and a few bamboo rafts or cormorant fishermen in the foreground add scale. The banknote image was shot from roughly the same angle as the modern viewing platform, so a 20-yuan note is the easiest prop to line up the shot.

• Where it is: on the riverbank a short walk south of Xingping wharf. Follow the path along the water and look for the small viewing platform where the river doubles back — the angle matches the note almost exactly.
• Best time for photos: roughly 8-10 am, when the light is soft, the peaks are not yet hazy, and the tour groups have not arrived. Late afternoon works too, but the view faces into brighter light.
• How to get there: about a 20-minute walk from Xingping old town; by bamboo raft from the wharf; or by e-bike from Yangshuo, which takes around an hour on flat roads.
• What it costs: there is no entrance fee for the riverbank itself. Bamboo raft rides on this stretch are priced per person or per raft depending on the operator and season — agree the figure before boarding.
• What to bring: a 20-yuan note if you want the comparison shot, and shoes with grip, since the bank path is uneven.

Riding here from Yangshuo is one of the best days out in the area — see the Yangshuo to Xingping cycling route for distance and road conditions.

What to expect

The 20 RMB viewpoint

The riverside view on China's 20 RMB note is just outside Xingping. Several spots along the bank offer the classic angle.

• Free angle: Walk along the river path near the official viewpoint. You do not need to pay to see the scenery.
• Best light: Morning for calm water reflections; late afternoon for warm sidelight on the peaks.
• Commercial photo setups: Cormorant fishermen with traditional lanterns and birds pose for photos at dusk. Prices range from ¥20 for a quick phone shot to ¥100+ for a staged scene with lighting.

Xingping old street

A short strip of old buildings, small restaurants, souvenir shops, and guesthouses. It is much smaller than Yangshuo's West Street and feels more local.

• Walking time: 30–60 minutes at a slow pace.
• Food: Local noodles, bamboo rice, fresh river fish. Prices are lower than Yangshuo center.
• Shopping: Handicrafts, postcards, and the usual tourist trinkets. Negotiate if buying.

Laozhai Mountain (老寨山 / Lǎozhài Shān)

A steep 30–40 minute hike above Xingping with one of the best sunset viewpoints over the Li River bend.

• Difficulty: Steep stone steps and rough paths. Not recommended after rain or in the dark.
• View: Panoramic view of the river, karst peaks, and town.
• Safety: The trail is unofficial in parts. Wear good shoes and take a phone with a charged battery.

Ferry to the other bank

A small ferry crosses the Li River from Xingping to the west bank, where you can walk to additional viewpoints and quieter farmland.

• Price: Around ¥5–15 one-way, depending on whether it is the local ferry or a tourist boat.
• Why go: Fewer crowds and a different angle of the river.

Cost breakdown

*USD estimates based on August 2026 exchange rates. Verify current prices before you go.

Tips for foreign visitors

• Payment: Small restaurants and ferry operators prefer cash or WeChat Pay/Alipay. Foreign cards are rarely accepted in Xingping. Set up mobile payment before arriving. See our digital setup guide →
• Language: English is limited outside the main photo spots. Write the Chinese names of your destinations and show them to drivers.
• Best time of day: Arrive by 8 AM to see the river in soft morning light and avoid tour groups. Sunset at Laozhai is popular but the trail can be crowded.
• Photography etiquette: The cormorant fishermen are local performers, not random fishermen. Agree on the price before taking close-up photos. See our cormorant fishing guide for the full picture.
• Safety: The 20 RMB viewpoint path runs close to the river. Watch your footing, especially after rain.
• Combine with a road trip: Xingping fits naturally into a Guilin–Yangshuo driving day. Park near the official lot and walk. See our Guilin to Yangshuo transport guide and scenic self-drive loop.