Guilin and Yangshuo in 5 days

Four to five hours by open-decked boat over the 83 km from Guilin to Yangshuo, between limestone peaks of 100 to 200 metres.

Dirt tracks and lanes along a tributary of the Li, through rice fields and brick villages, usually starting from the Ming stone bridge of 1412.

An old paved street, now Yangshuo's commercial heart, where low grey-brick houses with wooden balconies hold restaurants, tea shops and bars.

A peak 8 km south of Yangshuo pierced by an arch over 50 metres wide, which turns from crescent to full moon as you move.

A 55-metre hill where the Li meets the Taohua, shaped like an elephant drinking; its arch and reflection form an almost perfect circle.

A 66-metre rock in the old town, climbed by 306 steps, inside the walled Jingjiang Princes' City built in 1372 for a Ming prince.

A limestone cave full of stalactites, columns and draperies, open to the public since 1962 but bearing ink inscriptions from the 8th century.

Terraces cut by the Zhuang and Yao from the 13th century onwards, rising from 300 to 1,100 metres around Longsheng, two hours north of Guilin.