Today started with a mad dash in the dark for the 7am bus from Yangshuo to Guilin. Our hybrid bags came into their own as we de-bussed in a raining Guilin and held out under a shelter with the locals.

Today is our first long haul train ride - 23 hours from Guilin to Kunming. Soft sleeper worth every penny and between food trolleys going past the carriage at regular intervals and watching Season 2 of Revenge who could ask for more!

Yangshuo lived up to the promise of rolling peaks and fun atmosphere. From watching the 600 strong cast perform "Impressions Liu Sanjie" on the Li River, getting hustled into a bamboo raft ride from Yangding to Xingping, exploring the Yulong river on dodgy bikes (bonus bright pink!), getting short-changed on lunch (which was none-the-less delicious), an epic 15km walk through the countryside to Moon Hill, and meeting some lovely couples on the way, Yangshuo is my favourite place so far!

Our stay coincided with the Lantern Festival (last day of Spring Festival celebrations) so we were treated to a spectacular 30 minute fireworks display, Chinese style i.e. cost knows no bounds.