All information in this next section is advice taken from foreigners who call Yangshuo home who hear all the stories from travelers and may have also experienced it for themselves.

All taxi’s in Guilin charge an extra Y1 on top of the digitally tallied price. So don’t think you are getting ripped off when they tell you to add the extra. Whilst some will waive it off, but don’t count on it. In Yangshuo though, all taxis negotiate a price before you get in the taxi. For anywhere in town, you don’t need a taxi and they should be your last resort as they will charge sky high if they can get away with it (and they can). Take the electric buses when applicable. They only cost Y1 per trip.

Some local guides are simply savvy, street wise individuals trying to make some money, whilst others are registered and take government examinations. Whilst some of the unlicensed guides can be very good at what they do, be careful that you are not simply being taken on a 'shopping' tour where you feel pressured into spending money you do not wish to

Haggle over prices too. Tickets for the nightly Light Show can vary from Y150 - Y250 a head. When shopping, if you have the energy to do so, always start at about 10% of the first mentioned price. Stick to your guns and you may just get a bargain. When buying clothing, do the same thing but do not go over 30-40% of original or advertised price. Yangshuo is well accustomed to foreigners who think China is cheap. But they still want to get as much as they can out of you. Tourists are one-time-only buyers.

Travel in groups if you are taking the ferry from Guilin. 5 or more people will get a discount of up to 50-60%. Groups are also good safeguards against the pickpockets who work in the tourist filled streets. Never carry a wallet. Keep your money loosely in a front pocket or the inside pocket of your jacket. It is also a good idea to keep only a small amount in one pocket and the rest in another safe pocket, so you don’t flash all your ‘red notes’.

Small dumpling shops may look disgusting with the small wooden seats and tables half way up your chins. But most will serve you in dishes that are taken away to be sterilized in one central location and are returned sealed in plastic. The noodles and dumplings there are quite often better than big, fancy restaurants.

Yangshuo has many little alleys that connect West Street with other surrounding roads. Some of these even have small hotels. But do not take them of a night time, as some sneaky people will walk in behind you and you won’t even notice until you check for your wallet when you get to the bar. Stick to well lit streets.

Most bars and restaurants like to close before 1am. Whilst some are happy to stay open until 4 (as long as you keep buying). West Street only has a few places open so late and the surrounding off-roads may have some more. Talk to the people you meet at the restaurants who are not carrying backpacks and they will let you know how to find these places. There is always at least one local foreigner around.