The Giggling Tree

Alice manages this ancient hotel in the middle of the magical Guilin mountains, and the kindness and service from the staff were simply overwhelming. It's much more than just a hotel. I'd advise everyone to include it in their travels to Yangshuo China. Thanks for the magical experience. See you again, no doubt!

It's a peaceful, clean hotel with old-style buildings and friendly staff. Though a little outside Yangshuo, the staff can book a car into the center for 40¥. The hotel is very close to the Yuelong river, which is lovely for cycling. Bikes can be borrowed for 30¥ a day, and they have some nice little guides with cycling routes.

That's how to do a hostel. The building is a carefully renovated Chinese countryside home, quaint and rustic, with some modern comforts like hip Western bathrooms, a swimming pool and useful furniture in the rooms, including wardrobes and mosquito nets. Those nets are rare in Chinese hostels. The staff are attentive and nice, and some speak passable English. The owners, who are fluent, are super kind. They have a proper manual with clearly explained activities, hikes and rides that make sense and help you get to know the surroundings before settling in. The restaurant is casual, with tables indoors and out in the yard. There's a surprisingly wide choice of Chinese and Western meals. The food may not be stellar, but it did the job for us, and both food and drinks are reasonably priced. You can rent a bike, have the staff arrange kayaking or rafting, get your clothes washed, or borrow an umbrella. All that pampering makes sense when you realize the owners are backpackers at heart, and know what a worn-out traveler in southern China is looking for. Recommended. By the way, Google Maps shows the hostel at the bus station in west Yangshuo, but that's wrong. The street address seems right.

Yangshuo town is only 5km away, so renting a bike from the hotel and riding there is a good tip. The scenery is beautiful, the rooms are comfortable, and the staff are friendly. The restaurant was nice too. Very much recommended.