The traveler returns to a region in China once a popular hotspot that locals describe as the Vietnam of China. He visits for a few days to see how it has changed since it faded from the tourist spotlight and to sense what the area feels like now. The trip aims to uncover remnants of past popularity and the current pace of life, offering a snapshot of scenery, markets, and everyday moments that define a place trying to rediscover its footing. This is a quick, on‑the‑ground look at a region that once drew crowds but now moves at a different rhythm, inviting curiosity about future travel possibilities.
Backpacker Ben braves a cold Christmas in Yangshuo, China, exploring stunning scenery, bamboo rafts, and a bizarre medical market in Guangzhou.
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Backpacker Ben spent a frosty Christmas in Yangshuo, a once-booming backpacker hub in southern China that now feels like a hidden gem. He and his companion, Katarina, braved 2°C temperatures on e-bikes and bamboo rafts, discovering stunning karst landscapes, a chaotic local market, and a bizarre medical street in Guangzhou filled with scorpions and seahorses. Despite a disappointing sunrise tour, Ben found joy in cheap bamboo rice, spontaneous adventures, and the quiet charm of a place rediscovering its travel mojo.
Explore China’s Vietnam of China: A Hidden Region Revisited
I returned to China for just a few days to see a certain region that has hardly been explored by tourist in recent years, they call it the Vietnam of China. A few years ago this was the hotspot for foreign tourist however it all stopped...so we came here to see how it was! 🇨🇳
Christmas in Yangshuo, China: Bamboo Rafts & Medical Street Guide
Backpacker Ben returns to China for only a few days to chase a region spoken of in whispers as the Vietnam of China. Once a hotspot for foreign travelers, it fell off the radar years ago, and Ben sets out to see what remains and how life there has evolved since. The journey promises a blend of faded tourist footprints and stubborn local charm, offering a glimpse of mountains, rivers, and town life that still feels tucked away from the typical cross‑border rush. As Ben wanders through villages and markets, he pieces together how this region once drew crowds and why it stopped drawing them, all while keeping an eye out for the signs of renewal that might hint at a comeback. The video captures not just scenery, but the pulse of a place trying to redefine itself in a quieter era of travel. If you’re curious about lesser‑known corners of China that carry strong regional vibes, this quick visit has both nostalgia and hints of future possibilities. Fundamentally, it’s a travel vignette about
Attractions in this video: Li River, Yangshuo Karst Mountains, Chinese Medical Street Center, Bamboo Raft, Yangshuo Market
Experiencing Shanghai’s Worst Rated 1 Star Hotel in China
More about the current video:(Published on 2026-01-05)
Backpacker Ben and his travel companion, Katarina, spent an unforgettable Christmas in Yangshuo, China—a place that once buzzed with backpackers but now offers a quieter, more authentic experience. They rented e-bikes to explore the stunning limestone karst landscape, which reminded Ben of Vietnam, and braved near-freezing temperatures to buy gloves from a local shop. The cold didn’t dampen their spirits as they bargained for a bamboo raft tour, jokingly called the "cooking method," though no actual cooking occurred. The boat ride down the Li River was peaceful and affordable, costing only £20 for an hour-long cruise past scenery featured on Chinese currency.
The pair stayed in a luxurious hotel for just £40 a night, with a bathtub and a jaw-dropping view. They stumbled upon a second, smaller bamboo raft ride that hit exciting rapids, giving Ben a thrill reminiscent of a near-death experience in Uganda years ago. After warming up with traditional bamboo rice and chicken cooked over an open fire, they ended the day with a disappointing 4 a.m. sunrise tour, which was crowded with drones and obscured by clouds.
Ben’s journey continued to Guangzhou, where he explored the famous Chinese Medical Street Center. Here, he discovered bizarre medicinal ingredients like live scorpions, dried seahorses, and turtle parts, used for soups and remedies for arthritis, asthma, and infertility. The chaotic market was a sensory overload, but Ben found it fascinating. He teased a future video about Guangzhou’s "Little Africa" district, but for this trip, the highlights were the serene river rapids, the affordable luxury, and the unexpected warmth of local interactions, even on a freezing Christmas morning.
FAQs (From the traveler's perspective)
Q: What was the cooking method on the boat?
A: We paid for a 'cooking method' ticket but no cooking happened—it was just a confusing name for the bamboo raft ride.
Q: What were the scorpions used for in Guangzhou?
A: They’re used in soup for detoxification and to treat arthritis in Chinese medicine.
Q: How much did the hotel cost in Yangshuo?
A: £40 per night for a room with a bathtub and incredible mountain views—unbeatable value.
