Yangshuo Rated the Most Beautiful County in China in 2014

Recently, a list of "Top 10 Most Beautiful Counties in China 2014" was released by the Chinese Urban Competitiveness Seminar. Yangshuo, a picturesque county in Guilin, tops the list for its scenic beauty, followed by Fenghuang County in Hunan, Tonglu County in Zhejiang, Wuyuan Country in Jiangxi, Gyangze County in Tibet, etc.

The Panorama of Yangshuo

Yangshuo lies to the southeast of Guilin City and in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The astounding karst geography endows it with breathtaking scenery. In the 1980s, Yangshuo was brought to the world's attention and developed the first backpacking culture in China. Many foreigners are drawn here and even choose to settle down. Cheap hostels, restaurants and tea houses flourished. Today, the famous West Street in the town, lined with souvenir shops and coffee shops, is hailed as a "Global Village".

The real treasure of Yangshuo lies in the countryside, which is dotted with limestone peaks of different sizes and postures. The scenery across Yangshuo includes rice paddies, green hills, bamboo grottoes and tiny villages. The most beautiful stretch of Li River traverses the county and brings out a fairy-tale landscape of conical limestone peaks and clear water. Its biggest tributary, the Yulong River, flows through some of the most beautiful Karst (limestone) scenery near Yangshuo. A diverse of ethnic groups residing in Yangshuo including Zhuang, Yao and Hui, add a mysterious color to the county. There's really no other place like Yangshuo.

The scenery of the Yulong River in Yangshuo

While in Yangshuo, travelers can explore the countryside by bike, relax along the Li River or Yulong River, and do a multitude of different activities that deliver a truly authentic Chinese experience. 

Whole List of Top 10 Most Beautiful Counties in China 2014:

Yangshuo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Fenghuang County, Hunan Province

Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province

Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province

Gyangze County, Tibet

Daocheng County, Sichuan Province

Dunhuang County, Gansu Province

Burqin County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Libo County, Guizhou Province

Xunyang County, Shannxi Province