Secret Garden

Top choice in Guangxi

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Middlesbrough-born South African designer Ian Hamlinton (nicknamed ‘Crazy One’ by the locals) has energetically and lovingly converted a cluster of Ming dynasty houses in the village of Jiuxian into a gorgeous western-style boutique hotel with a choice selection of classy rooms. Its restaurant does burgers and pizzas, along with local Guangxi cuisine and homemade wine made using seasonal fruits.

There's also an open-air platform used for yoga, taichi and tea ceremonies. A taxi to Yangshuo from here costs ¥50; it takes about 20 minutes to half an hour by electric scooter.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Damian Mountain

    Damian Mountain

    9.26 MILES

    For truly spectacular outlooks over the region's famed karst topography, take the sweaty 45-minute trek up to the top of this jungle-clad mountain…

  • Moon Hill

    Moon Hill

    5.14 MILES

    A 30-minute – extremely sweaty – climb up steps to the magnificent natural arch that adorns Moon Hill (380m) is rewarded with both lost calories and some…

  • Yulong River

    Yulong River

    3.12 MILES

    The scenery along this small river about 6km southwest of Yangshuo is breathtaking, and best enjoyed by bamboo raft. Though the set-up for the rafting has…

  • Longtan Village

    Longtan Village

    4.19 MILES

    This fascinating village about 1.5km beyond Moon Hill is a treasure trove of traditional Qing dynasty architecture. Beyond the initial, slightly cheesy…

  • Xingping Fishing Village

    Xingping Fishing Village

    9.63 MILES

    Miraculously untouched during the Sino-Japanese War and the Cultural Revolution, this 400-year-old village has friendly residents and vernacular houses…

  • Green Lotus Peak

    Green Lotus Peak

    4.16 MILES

    Located in the southeastern corner of town, this is Yangshuo's main peak; it's also the most accessible (it can be climbed in half an hour). Because it…

  • Li Riverside Path

    Li Riverside Path

    4.15 MILES

    When Xijie, the crowds and postcard hawkers get too much, head down the steps to the Li River. Unfolding before you is a beautiful panorama of karst peaks…

  • House of Xu Beihong

    House of Xu Beihong

    4.09 MILES

    This small shrine to the 20th-century artist Xu Beihong (famed chiefly for his pictures of galloping horses) – in a small one-storey house where he once…

View more attractions

Nearby Guangxi attractions

1. Yulong River

3.12 MILES

The scenery along this small river about 6km southwest of Yangshuo is breathtaking, and best enjoyed by bamboo raft. Though the set-up for the rafting has…

2. House of Xu Beihong

4.09 MILES

This small shrine to the 20th-century artist Xu Beihong (famed chiefly for his pictures of galloping horses) – in a small one-storey house where he once…

3. Li Riverside Path

4.15 MILES

When Xijie, the crowds and postcard hawkers get too much, head down the steps to the Li River. Unfolding before you is a beautiful panorama of karst peaks…

4. Green Lotus Peak

4.16 MILES

Located in the southeastern corner of town, this is Yangshuo's main peak; it's also the most accessible (it can be climbed in half an hour). Because it…

5. Longtan Village

4.19 MILES

This fascinating village about 1.5km beyond Moon Hill is a treasure trove of traditional Qing dynasty architecture. Beyond the initial, slightly cheesy…

6. Big Banyan Tree

5.01 MILES

This colossal banyan tree, its limbs propped up by wooden poles, is quite a sight set against the karst hills. It's also a major tourist magnet, so don't…

7. Moon Hill

5.14 MILES

A 30-minute – extremely sweaty – climb up steps to the magnificent natural arch that adorns Moon Hill (380m) is rewarded with both lost calories and some…

8. Yangshuo Water Caves

8.64 MILES

There are several caves open to tourists in the area around Yangshuo that are formed by underground rivers, and ornamented with an array of otherworldly…