West Street


Yangshuo is a county of Guilin, about 65 km from Guilin. It is very famous for the West Street in the town. Hundreds of shops with many amazing variety of local crafts, antiques and souvenirs make this a shoppers’ paradise. Or you can just wander through the many alleyways or along the river, people-watching. Many visitors prefer to stay the night in Yangshuo to enjoy it in a more leisurely way or take in some of the active nightlife.

West Street is the oldest street in Yangshuo with a history of more than 1,400 years. Situated at the center of Yangshuo County, the street has become, since the 1980's, a window of eastern and western culture and the biggest 'foreign language center' in China. It is the most prosperous district in Yangshuo, and, each year, approximately 100,000 foreigners come here on their travels or to attend advanced studies. Visitors are attracted to West Street by its unique mix of cultures.

The West Street is 517 meters (1,696 feet) long and 8 meters (26 feet) wide, meandering in an 'S' along its length. Being completely paved with marble it is a typical example of a southern China street. It is greatly admired by foreigners for its simple style and courtyard-like setting. There is a saying about it that 'half is village while the other half is stores'.

Because, at times, foreigners outnumber Chinese, this street is also called 'foreigners' street'. Don't be surprised if you hear English words spoken by elderly Chinese women, for this street is called 'the global village'. Besides the local accent of Yangshuo, English has become the language for daily use. West Street is modern and fashionable, nearly every store has bilingual shop signs, and more than 20 stores have been opened by foreigners who have settled here.

Chinese visiting there may think they are in a foreign country, while foreigners come here to search for the ancient civilization of China. However, whether you are Chinese or a foreigner, this is a terrific place to take a rest, both physical and psychological. West Street will drive all of your pressures and burdens away, and give you a calmer view of life. It shows different faces at different times: calm and peaceful in the morning, while trendy and modern in the evening. Traveling to that place is an experience to be with the landscape, with the people, with the soul, and with yourself.
 


Stall selling souvenir    

Visiting West Street, you will be surrounded by an array of traditional folk and amazing international elements. Various shops, craftworks shops, painting and calligraphy stores, backpack shops, cafes, and Chinese Kung Fu academies jostle for attention. You may see a multitude of items, from embroidered silk cloth, wax-painted weaving, to tiny shoes worn by women before the liberation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. In addition, elsewhere on the street you may find bars and cafes, some run by foreigners, decorated with bamboo rafts, fish baskets, wax-painted tablecloths, and so on.

West Street does not only satisfy you visually. You will be tempted by foods from all over the world: ciba (a kind of Chinese rice cake) and rice noodle of Yangshuo, authentic Italian coffee, banana cake, Western style food, etc. So now, choose a cafe, ask for a cup of coffee and let the pretty scenery and dulcet music take you to a fantastic world.


Client’s Reviews

  • S6802GNrobertb

    Reviewed 28thMay2018

    Nice piece of history with the bridge and local area. You can get some really weird food in here as well. A few street hawkers, but what’s unusual in China. A really nice place to visit and have a nice lunch.

  • rayedwil

    Reviewed 29thSeptember2017

    We encountered west street at the end of our cruise on the Li river. We enjoyed the Li river cruise with some spectacular scenery and some interesting chats with fellow cruisers Chinese, Taiwanese & Americans. But West street was purely tourist fare with some not...More

  • MwithP

    Reviewed 1stJuly2018

    Lots of bars, restaurants, stalls and shops - everything you could imagine from a tourist hotspot but plenty of space and a great vibe with the view of the mountains int he background. Worth a visit when in Yangshuo.

  • pieter111

    Reviewed 17thNovember2018

    Loud, noisy crowded street with street food, crowded restaurant and music bar, discotheques and more. Popular with youth for partying. Bars, drinks twice as expensive as other places in town. Food quality moderate to low

  • KodoDrummer

    Reviewed 11thFebruary2019

    Are we really in Yangshuo County? In sharp contrast to the peaceful surrounding mountain area and the slow flowing Yulong River, West Street, especially in the evening is busy. The street is jammed with shops, eateries, bars, and cafes. Good place to chill out and...More

  • JoeAndSally88

    Reviewed 19thMay2018

    Looks purpose built for tourists, but it’s pretty nice to walk about browsing the stalls. Lots of hustle and bustle in the evening with loads of places to eat. Night time is bar and club time. A bit of everything in one area all while...More

  • BurntWater

    Reviewed 8thJuly2019

    This place just ain’t what it used to be. This was my fifth visit, and it will be my last. Restaurants now hype “beer fish” but get angry if you order regular (and cheaper) food. Waitress scolded us for not ordering House specialties. 态度不好 👎...More

  • Y7734YGlucad

    Reviewed 10thMarch2018

    Has been kept some traditional Chinese architecture, transformed in a modern, commercial neighborhood. Worth really to be visited.

  • petitjenk

    Reviewed 21stSeptember2017

    Slightly different product to the markets in other providences. Started haggling at 40-50% their asking price and numerous items were purchased near that price. The next street over has a highly westernised shopping district with a starbucks, currently not recognised by google Maps but i...More

  • Sightsee321897

    Reviewed 2ndNovember2017

    This place is a great place to hang out, and shop and eat and drink. Tons of variety regarding meals, snacks, treats and ice scream. Lively at all times. People who are singing. Great shopping with stationery store, 99 percent silver items, Local minority items...More

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