One place I cannot get out of my head - Yangshou, China

My little family has had one Summer holiday that ticked all our boxes, 

we had scenery, relaxation, history, adventure, great food and fun all wrapped up in one.

We spent two glorious weeks in Yangshou, China.

We stayed in Aishanmen village, about a 20 minute bike ride from Yangshou. 

So peaceful and quiet, the gentle ways of the village a perfect antidote to the high energy, 

fast paced life in Shanghai. We felt the stresses melt away as we

were driven from the airport in Guilin, through the glorious countryside to our home for two weeks.

This is the view that greeted us on arrival at our guest house, rural and picturesque

amongst rice paddies and Karst mountains.

We walked into the Chinese Moongate of our home for two weeks, the converted farmhouses 

of "The Giggling Tree"

The views were beautiful, embraced by the branches of "The Giggling tree"...this was going 

to be a holiday to remember!

We spent days cycling around local villages, watching local farmers work the fields.

The farmers manned the bamboo rafts for the tourists in the Summer months.

Went about their daily chores...

Taking produce to market!

We meandered along the Li river on a boat, cruised by countless Karst mountains

and marvelled at the scenery.

We did a few cheesy touristy things, held a pole of cormorant fishing birds...

Held a 20RMB note above the mountains on the Li river pictured on the note!

The scenery breathtaking and relaxing.

We cycled by villages, farmlands and markets, had water pistol fights 

as we headed down the Yulong River on bamboo rafts with friends.
We swam in the clean water, ate delicious fresh fish at restaurants on barges
set up in the middle of the river. Glorious summer days!

We stopped to take in the beauty surrounding us.

Floated by areas of outstanding beauty.

We sat back and relaxed, enjoyed the ride as the boatmen steered us down the river.

We went to a cooking school, visited a local wet market and learnt to prepare and cook
five new dishes, then got to sit down with friends, old and new to enjoy our creations. 

We walked through the local villages, discovered a small lotus farm and thoroughly

enjoyed strolling among the beautiful lotus blooms!

There was always a cold beer in beautiful surroundings at the end of every fun filled day.

The Giggling Tree, serves great value Chinese and western meals and is open all day.

We travelled into Guilin for the spectacular Light Show "Impression Liu Sanjie" 

directed by Zhang Yimou, whose work was featured in the opening ceremony 

of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

A breathtaking performance highlighted by the backdrop of the river and Karst mountain setting.

We went on a boat trip at night to see the fishermen and their cormorants at work, 

I was a little worried at first that it might have been a little cruel as the birds have a 

noose around their necks to prevent them from swallowing the fish that they catch.

After watching the relationship between the bird and it's owner, my fears were allayed.

The fisherman usually hand rears the birds from when they hatch and the bond is strong.

The birds get rewarded with a large fish each at the end of each fishing trip.

There are only a handful of these fishermen and their birds still fishing in this traditional manner.

This is only a sample of the many and diverse things we did and adventures we

went on in our two glorious weeks in Yangshou. 

Yet it was still the most relaxing family holiday we have ever been on, time spent together 

and with friends. So many things to do and a place to chill and refresh at the end of each day.

Two weeks was not enough to fit it all in that the area has to offer. 

We cannot get it out of our head, even four years later...plans are afoot to return in 2016.

The Giggling Tree now has a pool...watch this space!