Stone bridges
Over the streams.
Diego Robayo — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Rutger van der Maar — CC BY 2.0 · tak.wing — CC BY-SA 2.0 · tak.wing — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Yumeto — CC BY-SA 4.0 · tak.wing — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Rutger van der Maar — CC BY 2.0 · Rutger van der Maar — CC BY 2.0
An old town nearly a thousand years old, ringed by green limestone peaks and crossed by streams; settlement began under the Song, and it takes its name from the two most common families among its people, Huang and Yao. It grew under the Ming and prospered under the Qing, leaving more than three hundred buildings from the two dynasties. Its slate-paved lanes run between two-storey houses of brick and black tile, arched stone bridges cross its streams and are reflected in the water, it holds more than thirty old halls and pavilions, and karst peaks like those of Guilin rise all around. In 2006 it was named among the fifty places in China most worth visiting. The town stays open into the evening, so visitors can see it quiet in the early-morning mist and lit by lanterns at night. Tickets cost CNY 88, free for children under 1.2 metres and over-65s, and it is open from 7.30 am to 10 pm, per visitor guides.
Over the streams.
Between old houses.
Among the peaks.
Zhaoping County, west of Hezhou city, Guangxi
Yes, the town is a few hours by car from Yangshuo and Guilin, and it is worth a night's stay to see it quiet in the morning.
Choices are few in the town and local cooking uses pork, so bring snacks and look in Guilin or Hezhou for restaurants under the halal sign.