Original source
Russian and American in China | Train trip, nature gems and... being attacked
Train Trip and Rock Climbing in Yangshuo, China | Monkey Enc
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00:00 Train trip with an American comrade again!
02:30 Ni hao, Yangshuo!
03:44...
Train trip with an American comrade again! Ni hao, Yangshuo! Rock climbing paradise in the South of China. I was attacked... Xingping culture & food. Russia and China are so similar! Wisdom that I gained in China...
Eli from Russia and his American friend embark on an epic train journey through southern China. They arrive in Yangshuo, a paradise for rock climbers surrounded by the stunning karst landscapes that inspired the floating mountains in *Avatar*. But things take a wild turn when Eli is attacked—by a monkey! The adventure continues in Xingping, where they dive into local culture and food, marveling at how much Russia and China have in common. From train rides to climbing cliffs, Eli reflects on the wisdom he gained from traveling through this incredible country.
Train trip with an American comrade again! Ni hao, Yangshuo! Rock climbing paradise in the South of China. I was attacked... Xingping culture & food. Russia and China are so similar! Wisdom that I gained in China...
Eli from Russia hops on a high-speed train with his American comrade, bound for southern China's heart. They stop in Yangshuo, a 1,400-year-old town where bamboo rafts still drift along the Li River and limestone cliffs lure climbers from every continent. Eli tries the local train food—spicy, fishy, and surprisingly good—then goes for a climb that feels cinematic. An unfortunate drone strike tangles Ali's hair, nearly leading to a bald emergency, but they laugh it off and continue to Xingping, a 1,700-year-old town famous for its 20 yuan banknote landscape and ancient cormorant fishing tradition—now mostly a tourist show. Eli spots a rest stop with a hammer and sickle, reflecting on how Russia and China share communist symbols, internet censorship, and payment systems that shut out international cards. Few locals speak English; Chinese characters are a puzzle. He plugs his Patreon guide for navigating these hurdles. Amid the fun, Eli opens up: he lost half his savings to scammers, his Moscow storage base vanished, and even part of his hair. But he decides to trust the universe, seeing these losses as room for something better. That's the wisdom he found in China—between karst peaks and drone calamities.
When Russian traveler Eli from Russia and his American comrade board a high-speed train across southern China, they expect adventure—but not a drone attack that nearly scalps his companion. From Yangshuo's ancient bamboo rafts to Xingping's dying cormorant fishing traditions, their journey reveals the raw beauty and quirky chaos of modern China. Eli also shares a deeply personal moment about losing everything back home, finding unexpected wisdom in the Li River's karst peaks. A cinematic, humorous, and surprisingly heartfelt ride.
Eli from Russia and an American friend journey through southern China by train, exploring Yangshuo's rock climbing, Xingping's history, and surviving a drone t;
Southern China Train Trip Rock Climbing and Drone Attack Yangshuo
2:52 Yangshuo is an ancient town over 1400 years old with bamboo rafts on the Li River and world-class rock climbing on karst limestone cliffs.
7:37 Xingping is 1700 years old and home to the iconic 20 yuan banknote landscape. Cormorant fishing is a dying tradition but still staged for tourists.
10:02 China has strict internet censorship so Google, international apps and maps don't work. Install VPN and local apps before arrival to navigate and pay.
10:26 International cards are rarely accepted in China. You must install local payment systems like Alipay or WeChat Pay before the trip to pay for everything.
2:52 Yangshuo is an ancient town over 1400 years old with bamboo rafts on the Li River and world-class rock climbing on karst limestone cliffs.
7:37 Xingping is 1700 years old and home to the iconic 20 yuan banknote landscape. Cormorant fishing is a dying tradition but still staged for tourists.
10:02 China has strict internet censorship so Google, international apps and maps don't work. Install VPN and local apps before arrival to navigate and pay.
10:26 International cards are rarely accepted in China. You must install local payment systems like Alipay or WeChat Pay before the trip to pay for everything.
0:27 Russian and American train journey begins
1:52 High-speed train food review
2:52 Yangshuo ancient town and bamboo rafts
3:46 Rock climbing in Yangshuo karst landscape
6:03 Drone attack tangles Ali's hair
7:37 Arriving in Xingping 1700-year-old town
9:44 Hammer and sickle rest stop discovery
11:41 Personal loss and wisdom gained in China
00:00 Train trip with an American comrade again!
02:30 Ni hao, Yangshuo!
03:44 Rock climbing paradise in the South of China
06:02 I was attacked...
07:34 Xingping culture & food
09:41 Russia and China are so similar!
11:22 Wisdom that I gained in China...
What did the Chinese train food taste like?
It was spicy, with fish and rice. The texture was interesting—like a little granola package but actually fish or meat. I'd rate it good, but the spice was strong.
What happened with the drone and Ali's hair?
The drone hit her hair and twisted it badly. She thought we'd have to cut it all off and cried a lot. But I untangled it with patience and she kept her hair.
How is Russia similar to China according to the traveler?
Both have symbols from the communist past like the hammer and sickle. Also internet censorship, their own payment systems, and few people speak English. It's hard to navigate without local apps.
