Guilin and the Li River: boats, scams to skip, better angles
Karst peaks reflect best in morning calm; afternoon wind chops the mirror. Cruise tiers differ—some buses herd tourists into shopping arcs. Read recent reviews in Chinese and English; patterns repeat seasonally.
Yangshuo deserves an overnight if you cycle—day-trippers miss the golden light on fields. Bargain firmly but politely for taxis; ride-hailing apps work when data cooperates.