Some travelers claimed that Guilin and Yangshuo are getting more and more touristy. But on the beautiful land, there are some exotic places and activities, which allow you to escape the noises and flows of visitors. You can leave your footprint in somewhere other tourists can never step in and see something others may neglect.

Highlights of the region:

Yangshuo Ballooning

Ballooning in Yangshuo is an absolutely new experience for a traveler. The company has three huge hot-air balloons of international standard. Approved and certified by the government, it offers the short-way flight service with professional pilots. Standing in the basket half way up in the sky, you will be rewarded by a fantastic view of the area, which has been eulogized for hundreds of years.

Yuzi Paradise

Guilin Yuzi Paradise, founded by Taiwanese entrepreneur Mr. Rhy-Chang Tsao in 1996, is a large-scale international park of land art projects mainly engaged in cavern art and contemporary sculpture. It is located in the unique and unspoiled natural surroundings of Guilin. With the joined efforts of global eminent artists, it is to be built as a living museum and leave a fine cultural heritage for future generations. It is a world heritage in progress shared and possessed by the world.

To reach this ultimate goal, the construction of the park is to protect nature and create new culture by displaying contemporary art in various languages and styles. With the perfect combination of sheer natural beauty and peerless art glamour, Guilin Yuzi Paradise is to be a fairyland for all the people to experience the eternal power of art and culture.

Since 1997, it has held 8 International Sculpture Symposia with 114 artists of 25 countries involved and created 114 outdoor monumental sculptures. Staying here (even camping) for a couple of nights, visitors can not only appreciate the masterpieces of contemporary artists, but also try your own artwork of pottery, kite or painting under the guidance of specialists.  

Giant Salamander:

The Chinese Giant Salamander can be found in the north of Guilin. The undisturbed mountainous areas like Longsheng and Xing an offer an ideal habitat to the vulnerable creatures. They often find their homes in mountain streams at elevations below 3281 feet (1000m) with plentiful vegetation and shallow water surrounded with caves and pools.

The Chinese Giant Salamander is a Giant; it measures 3.3 feet (1m) and is one of the world's largest salamanders. It has a broad head and mouth. It is usually dark colored with light colors underneath and black patches on its upper side. Its four limbs are short and its tail accounts for more than half of its measure. It has a smooth and thick skin.

This salamander eats crabs, shrimps, aquatic insects, fish and frogs. It hunts at night.

Bajiao Village and Wupai River Drifting

107 km north of Guilin, Ziyuan County offers a great view of red sandstone formation at Bajiao Village, and a thrilling drift down the Wupai River. Quite different from what you have seen in Guilin, the mountains here are endowed with grandeur and hazard. A zigzagging path chiseled by the local people hundreds of years ago made the only access to their residence. Another highlight is to drift down the Wupai River on the rubber boat. There are 48 shoals and 31 bends on the 22.5 km excursion. It has been considered by some specialists as one of the best place in China to sponsor the contest for canoe slalom and wild water racing.

During the traditional Zhongyuan Festival (the 14^th day of the seventh lunar month), it is a custom that Han, Miao, Yao and other minorities in town will leave lanterns made of bamboo and paper into the river and pray for the blessing in the future.

About 13 miles (20 km) northeast of Sanjiang, Chengyang Wind & Rain Bridge and the surrounding Dong villages are so peaceful and attractive. The bridge is more than 80 years old, this elegantly-covered bridge is considered by the Dong to be the finest of the 108 such structures in Sanjiang county, and took the local villagers 12 years to build. If we have a panoramic view of this area, it looks out over a lush valley dotted with Dong villages and water wheels. Staying one night in the traditional wooden houses is an absolutely terrific experience!