Being the first backpackers' destination in China in the 1980s, Yangshuo is a well developed touristy place which, sadly, comes along with many annoyances that are not common in other places in China. Some wikitravelers call Yangshuo the worst place in China for overcharging, persistent touts and tour pimps, and illegal occupancy of a route to extort money from tourists.
On the West street, besides annoying pimps and taxi drivers, prices for clothing and souvenirs could be skyrocketing to up to 100-500%. Unlike other Chinese places that groceries items are usually sold at standard prices, Yangshuo has a two price system - one for local Chinese, another for non-local Chinese and Westerners.
From Yangshuo to Yulonghe, a popular route for biking, you may pass through a Longtan Village é¾æ½æ where villagers are known to set up an illegal checkpoint to request Y20 for any entrance. Rock climbers have also experienced similar practices on some hills.
Pickpockets are rare now, particularly as Yangshuo has installed security cameras in tourist areas. Reports of bag snatching by motorbike are frequently heard, the most common form are thieves using motorbikes to snatch bags in rear baskets of bicycling tourists; keep your bags locked to the bike and if a cage cover is provided with the basket, close and lock it, or better yet, carry belongings in front of you. Thieves will take opportunities presented to them, so keep all your valuables in sight at all times.
Theft reports are frequently made from swimmers. Despite numerous reports of theft, particularly at the Secret Beach Shuan Tan, petty theft continues to thrive almost to a daily occurence, and police seem disinterested in targeting the criminals. Thieves will go for bags and valuables, but have also been known to take even petty objects of seemingly no value. Do yourself a favor and bring only the necessities for swimming.
Touts of bamboo rafts for Yangdi to Xingping, a route best known for its landscape printed on the background of a 20-yuan banknote, are notorious for a system to "claim" the ownership of a tourist. Once you talk to the touts on the bus, no one else can discuss the price with you except the touts from their own team. If you want to hassle by yourself instead of reserving a bamboo raft from a travel agency, DO NOT talk to any touts on the bus.
At nights, Yangshuo is safe but after 1am, the streets are dark and you better carry your torch. In some bars popular with western tourists, boozers can also be disturbing and aggressive. Noise pollution is a major problem in hotels and on streets as in most of China. Pick your location wisely or bring ear plugs if holed up in the entertainment district.
Traffic regulations, if any, are also practiced half-heartedly. Pedestrians should not expect a driver to stop at a green cross-walk sign and motorbikes can come in any directions even on a pedestrian's road. If in doubt, follow the lead of a local when crossing the street. However, Chinese traffic rules tend to protect the rights of pedestrians when accidents happen. When you get hit, a driver will have to cover all your medical expenses and any loss. The negotiation on compensation is often done in a police station.
Thanks to seriously enforced regulations on hotels and hostels, accommodation-related tourist traps practically do not exist but be aware of the sudden surge in prices during the Chinese National Day on 1st Oct and the Chinese New Year in Jan or Feb.
contact
The post office is on Pantao Lu, opposite the top end of West Street. It's open from 8AM until 9PM.