Xingping Ancient Town and the 20-Yuan Banknote Viewpoint Guide

Where Are the Town and the Banknote Viewpoint?

Many international visitors first hear about Xingping because of the Landscape printed on the back of China's 20-yuan banknote.

There is an important distinction:

• Xingping Ancient Town: A historic riverside settlement that can be explored on foot
• The 20-yuan banknote landscape: A nearby section of the Li River
• Yuanbao Mountain, the Yellow Cloth Reflection area and Dabeibei: Important parts of the wider scenic setting

Local Guangxi sources identify the Dabeibei scenery as the source of the banknote image. The official Li River scenic area also presents the Yellow Cloth Reflection and the 20-yuan background as signature views along the scenic section.

This means that "the 20-yuan viewpoint" may refer to a riverside platform, a boat route or the wider Landscape around the town. It is not necessarily a single viewing platform inside the old streets.

Is It Worth Visiting?

It is a good choice if you enjoy:

• Li River scenery
• Historic villages
• Photography
• Short hikes
• Traditional streets and buildings
• Bamboo rafting
• Quieter travel

As a Chinese traveller, I think the best part isn't just the commercial street. It is the combination of old buildings, river water, karst peaks and rural life.

Choose Yangshuo town if you want more restaurants, bars and nightlife. Choose this riverside destination if you want photographs, scenery and a slower atmosphere.

What Can You See?

1. The Old Street and Traditional Buildings

The historic area is compact and easy to explore on foot. You can find old residences, local shops, small restaurants and historic structures.

Typical sights include:

• Stone lanes
• Old bridges
• Former docks
• Traditional stages
• Temples
• Courtyard houses
• Local markets

The old-town streets are generally free to enter. Boat rides, rafting, hiking and other activities require separate payment. Public travel information also lists the historic area as free admission.

2. The Riverside

The river is close to the old streets. A riverside walk offers views of karst peaks, boats, docks, and villages.

Early morning and late afternoon are usually better for photography. Strong midday light can create harsh shadows on the mountains.

3. Laozhai Hill

Laozhai Hill is a nearby hiking option. The trail includes stone steps and some steep sections, which may become slippery after rain.

From the higher viewpoints, you can see:

• The old town
• The Li River
• Karst peaks
• Villages and farmland

Wear shoes with good grip, carry water and avoid hiking in poor visibility or without proper lighting.

4. The Riverside Pier

The pier is used for short bamboo raft and boat trips. Routes differ in departure point, end point and duration.

Before booking, confirm:

• Exact pier
• Arrival point
• Return transfer
• Short or full river route
• Passport acceptance
• Weather and water-level restrictions

Where Exactly Is the 20-Yuan Landscape?

The back of China's 20-yuan banknote shows a famous karst landscape along the Li River near Xingping.

The broader scenery includes:

• Yuanbao Mountain
• The Li River
• Karst peaks
• The Yellow Cloth Reflection area
• Dabeibei and nearby riverside villages

It Is Not Just One Photo Booth

The banknote image is a carefully composed landscape design. The real view changes according to:

• Viewing angle
• Water level
• Weather
• Season
• Light
• Wind on the river

Treat the banknote as a representative composition of the Landscape, not as a photograph that can only be seen from one exact point.

How to Take the Classic Photo

Bring a 20-yuan banknote and hold it in front of the real mountains.

For better results:

• Go early or in the late afternoon
• Avoid harsh midday sunlight
• Use a wide or standard lens
• Keep the banknote from blocking the entire view
• Take several angles
• Hold the note securely in windy conditions

A short boat or raft trip may give you a more accurate river-level perspective than standing inside the old street area.

Walking Viewpoints vs Water Views

If you only want a photo of the banknote, the riverside may be enough. If you want to understand the entire Li River landscape, choose a longer boat route.

How to Get There

From Yangshuo Town by Bus

This is one of the most affordable and practical options.

Buses leave from Yangshuo Bus Station toward Xingping. The official Li River transport page currently lists a Yangshuo–Xingping passenger route, with reference service hours from 6:30 to 19:20 and departures approximately every 15 minutes. Check the latest schedule before leaving.

Public transport guides generally estimate the journey at around 30–60 minutes.

From Yangshuo Railway Station

Yangshuo Railway Station is near Xingping, not in central Yangshuo.

After leaving the station, take:

• A station shuttle
• Taxi
• Ride-hailing car
• Hotel transfer

The official scenic-area transport page lists a shuttle connection between Yangshuo Railway Station and Xingping.

From Other Chinese Cities

If you arrive by high-speed rail from Guangzhou, Shenzhen or another city, book a ticket to Yangshuo Railway Station.

Remember:

Yangshuo Railway Station is not near West Street. It is near Xingping.

You can visit the riverside town first, then continue to central Yangshuo.

From Guilin City

Options include:

• Train to Yangshuo Railway Station, then local transfer
• Coach to Yangshuo, followed by the Xingping bus
• A Li River cruise that passes the nearby scenery
• Private car or ride-hailing vehicle

If Xingping is your main destination, you do not necessarily need to travel through Yangshuo town first.

A Half-Day Itinerary

If you are staying in Yangshuo and have only half a day:

1. Take a bus from Yangshuo Bus Station
2. Walk through the old streets
3. Visit the riverside
4. Photograph the 20-yuan Landscape
5. Have lunch or a drink
6. Add a short raft trip if time allows
7. Return to Yangshuo

This is enough for visitors who do not plan to hike.

A Full-Day Itinerary

Morning: Old Town and Riverside

Arrive early, walk through the old streets and continue to the river. The light is softer, and the area is usually quieter.

Late Morning: Short Boat Experience

Take a short raft or boat route to see the karst peaks and the banknote landscape from the water.

Lunch: Local Food

Try:

• Rice noodles
• Li River fish
• Beer fish
• Bamboo rice
• Seasonal vegetables
• Simple rice dishes

Ask about the fish's weight, price per kilogram, and cooking fees before ordering.

Afternoon: Laozhai Hill or Riverside Walk

Hike if your fitness level allows. Otherwise, walk beside the river or relax in the old town.

Evening: Return or Stay Overnight

An overnight stay suits travellers who want to catch the sunrise or sunset, or enjoy a quieter evening after day-trippers have left.

Should You Stay Overnight?

Stay overnight if you:

• Enjoy photography
• Want sunrise or sunset
• Prefer quiet evenings
• Want to avoid the busier atmosphere of Yangshuo town
• Plan to hike Laozhai Hill

A day trip is enough if you:

• I only want the banknote photograph
• Have limited time
• Prefer restaurants and nightlife
• Want to keep your hotel in Yangshuo

Yangshuo is a better base for accommodation and activities. Xingping is better as a destination for focused photography and riverside scenery.

Best Time to Visit

Early morning

Good for:

• Mist over the river
• Quiet streets
• Softer mountain light
• Fewer visitors

Late afternoon

Good for:

• Warm light
• Reflections
• Riverside photography
• A calmer old-town atmosphere

Spring and autumn

Spring brings humid, green scenery. Autumn is often comfortable for walking and photography. Summer is lush but hot, and rain may affect boat trips. Winter is quieter and can be a good time for travellers who prefer fewer crowds.

Avoid major Chinese holidays whenever possible.

Practical Tips for International Visitors

Carry your passport

You may need it for train tickets, hotel registration and some real-name travel services.

Save the Chinese names

Save these destinations on your phone:

• 兴坪古镇 — Xingping Ancient Town
• 兴坪汽车站 — Xingping Bus Station
• 兴坪码头 — Xingping Pier
• 阳朔站 — Yangshuo Railway Station
• 元宝山 — Yuanbao Mountain
• 黄布倒影 — Yellow Cloth Reflection
• 老寨山 — Laozhai Hill

Travel light

Some streets and hotels require walking. A small backpack is easier than a large suitcase.

Wear shoes with good grip.

Stone lanes, riverside paths and mountain steps may be slippery after rain.

Use reliable boat services.

Boat and raft routes differ in price, duration and endpoint. Book through official channels, a recognised pier or a reliable hotel recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the old town have an entrance fee?

The historic street area is generally open to the public. Bamboo rafting, boat rides, hiking and other activities require separate payment. Confirm current arrangements before travel. Is the 20-yuan viewpoint inside the old town?

Not exactly. The banknote landscape comes from the nearby Li River area around Yuanbao Mountain, the Yellow Cloth Reflection section and Dabeibei. The old streets and river viewpoints should be treated as separate parts of the visit.

How long does it take from Yangshuo?

The bus generally takes around 30–60 minutes, depending on the departure point, traffic and the current service schedule.

Is Yangshuo Railway Station close?

It is relatively close but not within walking distance for most visitors. Use a shuttle, a taxi, or a ride-hailing car.

Is an overnight stay worthwhile?

Yes, if you enjoy photography, sunrise, sunset and quiet evenings. A half-day is enough if you only want the banknote photo and the old street.

Can a Li River cruise take me directly to the old town?

A full cruise passes the nearby scenic section, but whether you can disembark in Xingping depends on the specific route and ticket. Confirm the arrival point before booking.

Is Laozhai Hill suitable for everyone?

Not necessarily. The trail includes steps and steep sections and may be slippery after rain. Choose it based on your fitness level and the weather conditions.

Final Thoughts

A visit can be planned as a half-day or full-day trip.

The simplest route is:

Yangshuo → Xingping old streets → Riverside 20-yuan viewpoint → Short raft or Laozhai Hill → Return to Yangshuo.

If you enjoy photography, arrive early. If you prefer a quieter experience, stay overnight.

As a Chinese traveller, I recommend doing more than just taking a quick photograph of the banknote. Walk through the old streets, sit beside the river and observe the villages and mountains around you.

The real attraction is not only the image printed on a banknote. It is the river, the villages, the karst peaks and the everyday life behind that image.