The Quanjiazhou–Lengshui riverside trail is now reopend. There is a 11-km (6½-mile) or around 3½-hour hike from Quanjiazhou to Xingping: From Guilin, it’s about 1½ hours by road to Quanjiazhou village. From there, hike about 2 hours (7 km or 4 miles) on a winding road/track between hills and the river to the Lengshui village pier opposite Jiumahua Shan (九马画山 ‘Nine Horse Painting Hill’). Then take a bamboo/pipe raft ferry across the Li River. Continue on the riverside walk downriver for about 1½ hours (5 km or 3 miles) to reach Xingping Ancient Town. You can also take a tuktuk (10 minutes) to Xingping from Jiumahua Shan. Tuktuk fee is included.

Once, in ancient times, Xingping was the largest town along the Li River, and is 63 km (39 miles) from Guilin and 25 km (15.5 miles) from Yangshuo, on the east bank of the river. The historic sites here can be found in Xingping Old Street. The old street is a one-kilometer long stone street lined with old brick buildings and assembly halls like those of many different provinces. Xingping is one of the best photographic locations in Guilin. Photographers go there to take photos of the best-known attractions on the Li River, the sunset and sunrise over the Li River and cormorant fishing. The ironic image of Guilin – an old fisherman in his coir raincoat on a bamboo raft with his cormorants – is taken in Xingping.

Locate nearby the Putao Town, 28km north of Yangshuo, Xianggong Hill is one of the best place for photos of the breathtaking views especially the sunrise over the bend in the Li River. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes to peak. You’ll have opportunity to watch the Li River running round a right-angled bend and the fantastic Karst scenery.