Yangshuo Travel Forum

Does anyone know what time they leave Yangshou and where I can book a ticket for the night sleeper ?

I took an overnight VIP bus from Shenzhen and it dropped me off in Yangshuo on it's way to final destination of Guilin another 30 minutes+ away. I would assume, but don't know for sure that you could book the bus going in the opposite direction TO Shenzhen from a travel agency in Yanghuo BUT make sure it's a reputable company. And make sure they tell you exactly where you'll get picked up because it will be night time.

Thanks for the advise. i will also chat with other travellers and hopefully find out. My alternative is to catch the K625/638 train.

May I ask why you are travelling by bus and not train or plane?

To avoid backtracking into Guilin.

Planes are more expensive and I want to experience the Chinese way of travelling. Trains do not go to yangshou but the bus does, so it seems the best way

Interested in your posting as I've found detailed info re. overnight bus from Shenzhen to Yangshou, but want to know if return is an overnight or a day bus. (Even found photo of overnight bus which looks a great 'sleeper'- also faster than train - and like you want a more direct route). As I've been 'stuck' in China around national holidays (queued for 3 days in a row for train tickets at Oct holiday, to find all sold out- usually via agencies - in advance)- I am keen to book tickets in advance, rather than when I get there (I'll be in Feb 2008, nr New Year).

So- if anyone has any ideas be grateful - otherwise, if you travel before I do- please let me know how things go - Happy travels!
Regards, Rose

Hi Rose

I am arriving in HK on the 11th October, missing the public holidays. I have a choice of bussing it during the day to Yangshou and see the scenery (but 10 hours might be a tad too much !!!) or do an overnighter bus from Shenzhen on a Sunday night (better i think)

I know where the bus station is in Shenzhen and hope I can get a ticket on the day of travel. If you have any more info let me know.

Where are you travelling to in feb ?

There are more than one sleeper bus company departing from Yangshuo for Shenzhen. (The buses originate daily from Guilin and stop at Yangshuo enroute to pick up the passengers bound for Shenzhen).

I bought my ticket at the HI Int'l Youth Hostel travel agency on West Street, Yangshuo. Cost $220 Yuan for Volvo bus. Chinese sleeper bus is cheaper at about $175 yuan. We waited at the Youth Hostel and around 8:00pm someone walked us to the bus embarkation point which is in a parking lot on the main road not too far from Yangshuo bus station. The bus departed at 9:30pm.

The sleeper bus made one pee stop during the night and arrived at Tongguan (1 hour from Shenzhen) at about 8:00am the next morning. Everybody disembarked and the bus driver gave us a bus ticket to board another bus for the 1 hour journey Tongguan to Shenzhen.

The Volvo bus we used was very quiet and clean with nice oriental carpet (no shoes on board). No TV, no music, lights out, everybody went to sleep. One word of caution, if you're big and tall, you might not be comfortable because the berth is narrow and not enough room to stretch out your legs.

Hope this helps.

excellent detailed post above. Thanks!

Yes it is a great detailed answer thank you. I am surprised you mentiuon a toilet stop as I thought here would be toilets on board. Anyway I appreciate your answer

Thankfully there're no toilets on most Chinese buses or you'll be sitting in the foul odour for the entire trip.

Thanks Ellyse for letting me know this !!! On some English buses they have small toilets which do not smell bad, but there again they travel smaller distances than in China. From everything else I have read the word TOILET seems synominous (have I spelt that right ?) with bad smells and disgusting places. I cannot understand why this is as hygeine should be top priority for the people of China. Maybe the Olympics will change things for everyone.

Most importantly i shall make sure I stay off the coffee and beer before a long journey !!!

Out of interest I have had good communication with a lady who has a lot of videos of China on YOUTUBE. Wen88 has been very helpful especially regarding my planned stay in Xiamen. Although many things bad happen in this world, and there are many bad people, my experience in planning my holiday in a lifetime (or was it the Mid-life crisis holiday ???!!) has been one of great joy. So many people from VT and Youtube have been happy helping out, and that has included offering to book hotels and buses .

When my trip finished and I go back to my normal twice a year trip to my villa in Turkey, which is all very safe and cosy, I shall miss the adventure that is VT in itself.

End of rabble !!