Yangshuo County, located in Guilin City in the Chinese mainland's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is unlocking a new kind of cultural exchange. Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, a growing number of foreigners are trading flashcards for farm visits and classroom drills for local festivals. All thanks to China's relaxed visa policies and Yangshuo's scenic beauty and open arms.
"I came here for Chinese class, but I stayed for the tea house chats and river valley homestays," says a Spanish learner. From weekend hikes along the Li River to cooking lessons with local families, students are diving headfirst into life in Yangshuo. This hands-on approach is rewriting the language-learning playbook.
Yangshuo's blend of karst peaks, riverside villages and year-round cultural events provides endless opportunities for people-to-people exchange. Local schools partner with farms and art studios, turning every lesson into a story. In town markets, learners bargain in Chinese; at night, they join mahjong games with residents of all ages.
Tourism here isn't about selfies in front of a postcard backdrop. It's about conversation over home-cooked rice noodles, sustainable bamboo rafting trips and volunteering to teach English in the same community where you practice your Mandarin. These experiences don't just build language skills—they foster global friendships.
As Yangshuo opens its doors wider, it's showing the world how openness – not isolation – drives connection. For travelers, changemakers and digital nomads alike, this county in Guangxi is proof that learning a language is just the first step toward understanding a culture.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
