Spent the night in a “cheap hotel”, (Travelodge style) near the next station. Remarkably good £28 for double room. Bed comfortable (compared to hard cruise bed) and excellent shower. Breakfast was ok but bland Chinese food, rice, vegetables and congee
We have enjoyed trying to spot local dialects… This morning some domestic tourists swarmed the breakfast and packed their bags with “deep fried pastries” and tubs of yoghurt, then shouted at the staff who challenged them (attack being best form of defence!)
We also sat next to a table of people speaking “Cornish Chinese” lots of broad vowels “Ooh Aahs” and rolled “Rs” like they are ordering Pu Err tea constantly!
5hr train to Guilin area, Yangzhou for 4 nights. Quite pretty journey through similar Karst terrain, small hills and valleys with scattered settlements and padi fields and agriculture in the valleys
What probably count as towns periodically are almost entirely comprised of 10-15 storey tower blocks despite the potential land space. Cheaper,easier?
Lunch
It feels like 1/3 to 1/2 of this journey has been in tunnels I guess if you’re building a high speed line you want it straight horizontally and vertically
Arrived at Yangzhou, quite a backdrop for a station
The hotel is a bit remote which is rather nice contrast to the previous hustle and bustle. Very nice room with a view
Walked in to Yanzhuo along the Li River
The “cormorant fishing boats were all there but monopolised by influencers preening themselves in front of the backdrop of mountains…. A bit sad maybe, though redeemed by a group of three ?teenage girls in dressing up costumes practicing their dance in front of camera, laughing and seemingly very innocent…
We had locally famous Beer Fish dish, locally caught river fish in a beer and spicy tomato gravy/soup. Very nice (slightly surprisingly)
Walked back along the riverbank road to sound of very load firecrackers echoing around the valley