Is it possible to find tranquility etched in stone and flowing in a river’s reflection? Here in Xinping, you will. Xinping Ancient Town is located in northeast Yangshuo County. It is about 25 kilometers from the county town. This historic town is a blend of culture and nature.
Xinping stands apart from the Xingping Town in Shaanxi Province. Xinping offers a serene escape. It has abundant historic relics and the essence of karst views.
Once here, wander leisurely along the aged street. Appreciate the ancient buildings. Get to know the local people. Xinping has resemblances to the West Street in Yangshuo. However, Xinping is much less crowded.
Most of the ancient buildings are well preserved. They feature aged bricks and tiles. The southeast side of the ancient street marks the site of Xinping County Town. The city wall’s figure is still clear. Fragments of ancient tiles are almost everywhere. Once a bustling county town, Xinping now presents itself as a quaint and quiet village. It tells people about historical changes of more than 1,730 years.
The scene on the China 20 RMB note is the most famous attraction. It is known as Yellow Cloth Shoal. Some photographers come here especially for the remarkable view. Besides taking photos, try bamboo rafting from Yangdi to Xinping. Either the stunning photos or the exciting experience can be worthwhile. They can be memorable for your life.
When visiting Xinping, experience the local lifestyle. Watch fishermen fishing with cormorants. The fishermen of the Li River use cormorants to catch fish. The well-trained cormorants used to be the fishermen’s tools of the trade. Now, they showcase ancestral culture. This dates back generations ago. You can definitely get a unique shoot. Reveal the harmonious relationship between man and nature.
If you visit during the Spring Festival, dragon and lion dances happen. There are two kinds of dragon performance in Xinping. These are the straw dragon and the bench dragon. The straw dragon is tied up with straw. The dragon’s body is about 15 sections. Each section is inserted with burning incense. When the straw dragon body is dancing, the burning incenses flutter with the wind.
Whenever a straw dragon passes by a family, the family will insert incenses. They will set off firecrackers. They pray for a peaceful and wealthy new year. The bench dragon is divided into three parts. They are dragon head, body and tail. Three dancers hold them. The dragon head and tail are made of bamboos and colored paper. The dragon body is mounted on a two-person bench. The people who hold the dragon under the bench usually wear folk-featured masks. They dance with traditional Chinese musical instruments. These are Erhu and Sanxian.
There is a temple fair on the 19th day of every September of the Chinese lunar calendar. It is said that the day relates to worshiping Guanyin. This is a Buddha. The Xingping Temple Fair has a strong folk color. It also has local opera performances. This history stretches back over 400 years.
The bamboo rafting from Yangdi to Xinping is a top-recommended activity. These small rafts are more adorable and special than the large cruise ships. They are far cheaper too.
The Yellow Cloth Shoal is the essence of the Li River. It’s in the ancient town of Xinping. It is close by the Li River. The cruise ship passes through Yangdi and Nine-Horse Fresco Hill. The Li River gradually broadens. It reflects the wavy mountains on the mirror-like surface. Not far from Nine-Horse Fresco Hill lies the Yellow Cloth Shoal. The picturesque reflection is famous in Guilin.
Here, the river is so clear that you can see a large beige stone slab. It lies at the bottom of the river. It is so big like a piece of yellow cloth lying on the riverbed. Yellow Cloth Shoal is named after it.
To appreciate the reflection, the timing must be right. In rainy days, the raindrops break the reflection. In foggy days, thick fog swallows the reflection. Only on sunny and windless days will you see the clearest reflection. It seems that the beautiful reflections of mountains are painted on the yellow cloth. People from far away can hardly distinguish which one is real. Thus, the scene of yellow cloth reflection is formed.
The scenery is so famous that it’s printed on the China 20 RMB note. Here, you can find a perfect blend of historical charm and natural beauty. Xinping offers a unique glimpse into China’s past and present.