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

  • 95andyp

    Reviewed 22ndJuly2019

    What used to be a charming and interesting street has been turned in a raucous, excessively loud experience with pushy vendors selling fake/ super low quality tat.

  • YPDChan

    Reviewed 25thJuly2019

    Assault on the senses visiting West Street at night with competing amateur singers blasting their lungs out in bars, discos and karaoke pubs. Strolling along West Street is much more peaceful in the afternoon, enjoying the food offerings in numerous restaurants with various cuisines.

  • RUBEN F

    Reviewed 25thApril2018

    A great place to visit with friends and family. Full of bars with live music and plenty of restaurants. The scinery is superb worth a visit.

  • travelling-model

    Reviewed 13thMay2019

    This street is very busy . Be really careful not to come here during Chinese long holiday or big holiday . I saw many videos that it can be unbelievably crowded like all those Five A Levels Chinese attraction- like sardines inside a can. We...More

  • talia679

    Reviewed 12thOctober2017

    Our hostel (Hostel 11) was right off of West Street which was the best thing we could have done!! I would recommend going at night because that is when the party starts and the street food comes out. We went every night of our trip...More

  • Tantiko

    Reviewed 15thJuly2018

    Yangshuo is a small town by Chinese standards so there is not very much to do in the evenings. Tourists will flock to West Street which accounts for the crowds and very lively atmosphere where one can find some buskers alongside the variety of shops...More

  • TravelingCat22

    Reviewed 7thApril2019

    We have visited many busy streets in China but this one tops it all. Half the shops make as much noise as possible to be noticed. An attraction by the lake is asking participants to scream as long as possible to operate the fountain. Cacophony...More

  • Hobo86

    Reviewed 19thOctober2017

    This 1400 year old has a lot of culture but thats been perverted by buskers and entrepreneuring con artists. Things are heavily overpriced and tricks at western tourists. There are also bag snatchers and thieves everywhere DO NOT leave your things unattended not for a...More

  • yeonghaur

    Reviewed 8thSeptember2018

    Visited as our hotel was 5-10 min walk away. Basically a shopping, eating and entertainment area. Loud and noisy at night. Neon lights, fancy restaurants, loads of tourists (mostly Chinese). There are even discotheques. I guess most foreign visitors would prefer the much quieter rural...More

  • VIPofHotels

    Reviewed 3rdOctober2018

    We visited the West Street 3 times during our visit to Yangshuo. At night, this place is full of energetic people. The whole area is decorated with beautiful lights. People sell food and souvenir which are worth buying. During day time, it is very quiet....More

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