Guilin Verifiziert Aktualisiert am 14. August 2026

West Street, Yangshuo

阳朔西街 · Yángshuò Xījiē

Schnelle Antwort

Foreign passport not required to walk the street (it's public). Some shops may ask for ID for large purchases. Most vendors accept cash, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. Credit cards are accepted only at the larger restaurants and Western-owned cafes.

Warum besuchen

1 1,400-year-old pedestrian street — built in 590 AD during the Sui dynasty, the oldest commercial street in Guangxi
2 800 meters of red lanterns, shop fronts, restaurants, cafes, bars — the foreigner-friendliest street in southern China
3 200+ restaurants and cafes — from ¥5 street food to ¥200 Western restaurants, the widest range in Yangshuo
4 The original foreigner hub of southern China — backpackers have been coming here since the 1970s, which is why English is widely spoken
5 Beer fish (啤酒鱼) — the signature Yangshuo dish, only available here. Carp from the Li River cooked with beer, tomatoes, ginger
6 Surrounded by karst peaks — the most-photographed backdrop in southern China, especially at sunset

Wichtige Tipps für Ausländer

Visit twice — once in the afternoon, once in the evening — West Street has completely different atmospheres at different times. The afternoon is good for browsing shops and seeing the architecture; the evening is when the red lanterns come on, the night market starts, and the street comes alive.
Eat beer fish (啤酒鱼) at least once — it's the signature Yangshuo dish, made with fresh Li River carp cooked in beer, tomatoes, peppers, and ginger. Multiple restaurants on West Street specialize in it. ¥80-150/fish.
Bring a printout of your hotel address in Chinese — West Street is pedestrian-only, so your Didi needs to drop you at either end. Knowing your hotel's Chinese address saves 10 minutes of confused hand gestures.
The 'foreigner restaurants' are not scams — West Street has 20+ Western restaurants and cafes (pizza, pasta, burgers, craft beer). Some are tourist traps, but many are genuine. The trick: walk 50 meters off the main street. The side alleys have better quality at the same price.
Avoid the souvenir shops that aggressively call out 'Hello! Hello! Massage? T-shirt?' — these are tourist traps with inflated prices. The quieter shops deeper on the street have the same items at 50-70% of the price.
Watch for the 'tea ceremony' and 'art student' scams — these target foreign tourists throughout China, and West Street is a known hotspot. Polite but firm 'bu xie' / 不谢 / no thanks and walk on.

Vorgeschlagene Route

15:00 30 min Arrive at West Street from Guilin via the Li River cruise (4 hours) or shuttle bus (1.5 hours, ¥35). Drop off at the eastern end of the street (near the Li River bridge).
15:30 1.5 hours Walk West Street from east to west. Browse the souvenir shops, the calligraphy shops, the local craft stores. Allow 1.5 hours.
17:00 1.5 hours Stop at a beer fish restaurant for an early dinner. The signature Yangshuo dish. ¥80-150/fish, serves 2-3 people.
18:30 30 min Walk to Yangshuo Park (just north of West Street) for sunset. The karst peaks in the background are spectacular at golden hour.
19:00 1 hour Return to West Street for the evening atmosphere. The red lanterns come on, the night market starts, the street is at its liveliest.
20:00 1.5 hours Dinner at a different restaurant (try a different style than your early dinner — perhaps a Western rooftop cafe with karst views, or a local Guilin rice noodle shop for a quick second meal).
21:30 1 hour Walk the night market (Li River waterfront). Late-night snacks, craft beer, and people-watching.
22:30 30 min Return to your Yangshuo hotel (within walking distance of West Street). Most are ¥50-150/night.

The foreigner hub of southern China

West Street (西街, Xījiē) is an 800-meter pedestrian street in Yangshuo, 65 km south of Guilin. The street was built in 590 AD during the Sui dynasty, making it the oldest commercial street in Guangxi at 1,400 years old. For most of its history it was a quiet local market street — but in the 1970s, when foreign backpackers first came to China, Yangshuo became one of the first places they could visit independently, and West Street became the de facto foreigner hub of southern China.

Today, the street has 200+ restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops. The mix is unique in China: 200-year-old wooden Ming-dynasty shopfronts next to modern Western cafes, with red lanterns overhead and karst peaks in the background. The street is the most foreigner-friendly place in southern China — almost all vendors speak basic English, and the entire street has free WiFi.

For first-time visitors to southern China, West Street is the easiest place to start — a self-contained pedestrian zone where you can eat, drink, shop, and people-watch without needing to navigate or speak Chinese.

What to actually see

West Street is essentially a 30-minute walk stretched out to 2-3 hours. The pace is yours. Highlights:

The street itself — 800 meters of red lanterns, cobblestone (in sections), and a mix of 200-year-old wooden shopfronts and modern Western restaurants. Walking from one end to the other takes 15 minutes, but most visitors linger.

Yangshuo Park — just north of West Street, a small park with open views of the karst peaks. The classic ‘Yangshuo’ shot. Free entry, popular at sunset.

The night market — 19:00-24:00 along the Li River waterfront, just south of West Street. Late-night food stalls, craft beer stands, souvenir vendors, and people-watching.

Beer fish restaurants — 10+ restaurants on West Street specialize in beer fish (啤酒鱼), the signature Yangshuo dish. The smell of beer and tomatoes fills the air.

Rooftop bars and cafes — 20+ Western restaurants and bars on West Street have rooftop or balcony seating with views over the karst peaks. Order a craft beer, shoot the lanterns, and watch the sunset.

A brief history

The street was built in 590 AD during the Sui dynasty as a market for the local rice and silk trade. For 1,400 years, it was a quiet local market serving Yangshuo’s farmers and fishermen. The 1970s changed everything.

In 1973, after the Cultural Revolution, China began allowing small numbers of foreign tourists, and Yangshuo was one of the first places they could visit. Word spread among Western backpackers that Yangshuo was a hidden gem — beautiful karst landscape, cheap living, and a quiet local atmosphere. By the 1980s, West Street had Western restaurants, English-speaking guesthouse owners, and a small but dedicated foreigner community. The first Lonely Planet guidebook for China (1988) called Yangshuo “the most beautiful place in China” and the rest is history.

Today, West Street receives 5+ million visitors per year. The street has been paved with cobblestone (in sections), the shopfronts have been restored, and the lanterns are electric (still in the same red style). The atmosphere is a mix of authentic 200-year-old architecture and modern tourist infrastructure — sometimes touristy, but always with character.

Getting to West Street

West Street is in Yangshuo, 65 km south of Guilin. The transfer is part of the experience:

Li River cruise from Guilin (4 hours, ¥250-450): The classic route. The cruise starts at Zhujiang Wharf (桂林磨盘山码头) in Guilin and ends at Yangshuo Wharf, which is 5 minutes walk from West Street. The cruise passes the most-photographed karst landscape in China.

Shuttle bus from Guilin (1.5 hours, ¥35): The fast route. Buses leave from Guilin South Bus Station every 30 minutes 07:00-18:00. The bus drops you at Yangshuo bus station, 5 minutes walk from West Street.

High-speed train to Yangshuo Station (30 min from Guilin, ¥30-50): The newest route. From Yangshuo Station, West Street is 30 minutes by Didi (¥50-70).

Self-drive (1.5 hours via G65 expressway): The flexible option. Free parking at Yangshuo Park, 5 minutes walk from West Street.

Practicalities for foreign visitors

Payment: Most vendors accept Alipay (with international Visa/Mastercard) and WeChat Pay. Some accept cash. Credit cards are accepted only at the larger Western restaurants and Western-owned cafes. Most small shops require mobile payment.
Language: West Street is the most English-friendly place in southern China. Almost all vendors speak basic English. The street has free WiFi.
Hours: Shops and restaurants are open 09:00-23:00. The night market operates 19:00-24:00. The street itself is pedestrian 24/7.
Photography: Allowed throughout. The red lanterns and karst peaks make for great photos. The night market is best for atmospheric shots.
Pickpockets: Watch for pickpockets in the dense night-market crowds. Keep your bag zipped and in front of you.
Scams: Watch for the ‘tea ceremony’ and ‘art student’ scams (these target foreign tourists throughout China). Polite but firm ‘bu xie’ / 不谢 and walk on.

What to do nearby

Li River Cruise (漓江) — 65 km north, the classic Guilin-to-Yangshuo cruise. Most visitors do this on the way to Yangshuo.
Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山) — 65 km north in Guilin city, the symbol of Guilin city. Easy 1-2 hour visit.
Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田) — 100 km north of Guilin, the 700-year-old terraced rice paddies. Combine with Yangshuo for a 3-day Guilin-Yangshuo-Longji trip.
Reed Flute Cave (芦笛岩) — 65 km north, the 240-meter illuminated limestone cave. Combine with Yangshuo for a 2-day Guilin itinerary.

Beste Fotospots

The eastern entrance of West Street (looking down the full 800m) · 18:00-19:00 (golden hour, lanterns just on)

The most-photographed view in all of Yangshuo. From the eastern entrance near the Li River bridge, looking west down the full length of the street with red lanterns and karst peaks in the background. Best at golden hour when the lanterns are just turning on.
Yangshuo Park (north of West Street, looking at the karst peaks) · Sunset (18:30 in autumn, 19:30 in summer)

The Yangshuo Park has open views of the karst peaks across the Li River. The classic 'Yangshuo' shot with the karst peaks in the background, taken from the riverside just north of West Street. Best at sunset.
A West Street rooftop cafe or bar (any of the 20+ Western restaurants with rooftop seating) · Evening (20:00-22:00, when the lanterns are on)

Most of the Western restaurants on West Street have rooftop or balcony seating with views over the karst landscape. Order a beer and shoot the lanterns from above. ¥30-80/person minimum order.
The night market along the Li River waterfront (just south of West Street) · 21:00-23:00 (peak night market time)

The Yangshuo night market operates 19:00-24:00 along the Li River waterfront. The combination of lit-up food stalls, red lanterns, and karst peaks reflected in the river makes this the most atmospheric night shot in Yangshuo.

Wo in der Nähe essen

Beer fish (啤酒鱼) at any West Street restaurant

Carp from the Li River cooked in beer, tomatoes, peppers, ginger, and cilantro. The signature Yangshuo dish — only available here. Sweet, sour, savory, and aromatic. Order by the fish (¥80-150) and the restaurant will weigh it. · ¥80-150/fish · Multiple restaurants on West Street specialize in beer fish
Guilin rice noodles (桂林米粉) at any local shop

Rice noodles in clear broth with pickled beans, peanuts, chili, and your choice of meat (beef, pork, intestine). The signature Guilin dish — cheap, ubiquitous, and the local breakfast. · ¥10-25/bowl · Multiple shops on West Street and throughout Yangshuo
Snail rice noodles (螺蛳粉) at specialty shops

Guilin's famous strong-smelling snail broth rice noodles. The fermented bamboo shoots give a distinctive 'rotten' smell — locals love it, foreigners either love it or hate it. Acquired taste. · ¥15-30/bowl · Specialty shops on West Street
Yangshuo mooncakes (阳朔月饼) at bakery shops

Local specialty dessert — flaky pastry filled with sweet bean or lotus seed paste. Best fresh from the bakery. ¥5-15/each. · ¥5-15/each · Bakery shops on West Street
Western food at a rooftop restaurant (any of the 20+ on West Street)

Pizza, pasta, burgers, craft beer — most Western restaurants on West Street have rooftop or balcony seating with karst views. The quality varies; walk 50m off the main street for better value. · ¥80-200/person · Multiple Western restaurants on and near West Street

Häufig gestellte Fragen

How long does it take to visit West Street?

2-3 hours for a full visit. The street is 800 meters long, walkable in 15 minutes end to end, but most visitors linger in shops and restaurants. Many stay in Yangshuo for 2-3 days and walk West Street multiple times — it has a different atmosphere at different times of day (afternoon vs. evening vs. late night).

How much does West Street cost?

Free entry. The street itself is public. Individual shops and restaurants charge their own prices — ¥5-30 for street food, ¥40-80 for a Chinese restaurant meal, ¥80-200 for a Western restaurant meal, ¥15-40 for a craft beer. Most foreign visitors spend ¥100-300/person per visit.

Is West Street safe?

Yes — very. West Street is the safest part of Yangshuo for tourists, with constant police presence and CCTV. The main safety notes: (1) watch for pickpockets in the dense night-market crowds; (2) avoid the 'tea ceremony' and 'art student' scams (polite but firm 'bu xie' / 不谢 and walk on); (3) at very late hours (after 24:00) the crowds thin out, the area gets quieter — fine for walking but stick to main streets.

What is the best food on West Street?

Top 5 must-try: (1) Beer fish (啤酒鱼) — the signature Yangshuo dish, only available here. (2) Guilin rice noodles (桂林米粉) — cheap and ubiquitous. (3) Snail rice noodles (螺蛳粉) — strong smell, acquired taste. (4) Yangshuo mooncakes (阳朔月饼) — local specialty dessert. (5) Mango sticky rice (芒果糯米饭) — Thai-style, popular with the backpacker crowd. For Western food, try the rooftop restaurants with karst views.

How do I get to West Street?

From Guilin: Li River cruise to Yangshuo (4 hours, ¥250-450, the scenic route) or shuttle bus to Yangshuo (1.5 hours, ¥35, the fast route). From Yangshuo bus station, West Street is 5 minutes walk. The street is pedestrian-only — your Didi drops you at either end.

Is West Street touristy?

Yes — and that's the point. West Street has been a tourist hub since the 1970s, when foreign backpackers first came to Yangshuo via the Li River cruise. The street is unapologetically tourist-oriented, with souvenir shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. The charm is the atmosphere — the mix of 200-year-old wooden architecture with modern Western cafes, the red lanterns, the night market, the karst backdrop. If you want 'untouristy' China, this isn't it. If you want the most foreigner-friendly street in southern China with character, this is the place.

What is the difference between West Street and the Yangshuo night market?

West Street is the 800m pedestrian street with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Yangshuo night market is the late-evening food and souvenir market that operates 19:00-24:00 along the Li River waterfront just south of West Street. Many visitors combine both — browse West Street in the evening, then walk to the night market for late-night food.

Is West Street family-friendly?

Yes — very. The street is flat and pedestrian-only, perfect for strollers. The night market has street food kids love (sugar rolls, fried dough, candied fruits). The Western cafes have kid menus. The main safety note: the night market gets crowded after 20:00, keep small children close.