Xingping is a small town located about 25km northeast of Yangshuo. We took a bus from Yangshuo after our breakfast. The ride took about 45 minutes and it cost us 5.50 yuan per person.
On reaching Xingping, we had to walk quite a distance to Xingping This Old Place International Youth Hostel where we were going to stay for the night. I noticed something wrong with both Jam and his friend. They were not their usual selves. Jam was complaining that he was tired and not feeling well. I hoped it was nothing serious!
This is the entrance to the hostel.
This is the lobby. I do not know why I didn't take more photos of the lobby - maybe I was not in the mood!
As it was early, my room was not ready yet. However, Jam and his friend could check into their room so I decided to place my luggage in their room first.
It was then I learnt that Jam was having fever and diarrhea! He had to go to the toilet every half an hour! Jam's friend also had diarrhea but he was not as severe as Jam. Surprisingly, I did not have any diarrhea although I did suffer from stomach discomfort the next day. Could it be that I have been taking my probiotics supplements almost daily since my first day in China?
Anyway, we believed the source of this food poisoning was the lunch we had at Yulong River the day before. Jam recalled that there was no tap water there so the people there must have relied on the river for their source of water. Well, with people washing clothes and maybe children shitting in the river upstream, you can imagine how clean the river water must be!
Jam's room was on the 2nd floor. This is the balcony outside his room.
I sat on that "cradle" or rocking chair and enjoyed the views from the balcony. I could see my next door balcony. They had a rocking chair too.
Facing the opposite side, I looked through the "grill". Do you see that building in the distance straight ahead with its unique looking roof?
The streets below the hostel.
Not exactly a very nice view, but it's not like Jam would be sitting out here looking down at the streets below when he had to be within short distance to the toilet! Haha!
We had actually planned to visit the fishing village here in Xingping. But with Jam and his friend not feeling well, I wondered if we would ever get to go! So while Jam and his friend were resting in the room, I spent some time out here in the balcony thinking what I should do next.
Siting on the comfortable rocking chair, I rocked myself and closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I saw this and thought why not snap a photo of it?
Can you make out what it is? Yes, I was looking up the ceiling and this is the top part of the rocking chair. Haha! I could not believe I was wasting my time like that!
I decided to go downstairs and enquire when my room would be ready. I found the staffs at the lobby to be very responsive and the girls were sweet and smiling all the time! Wow! Such nice people! A direct contrast to the lousy service we had at Backstreet Youth Hostel in Guilin!
Since my room would not be ready until past 1pm, I went out for a walk.
Xingping to me was like a small town with a few streets lined with shops and stalls. There was nothing really interesting here. I guess Xingping is famous for its beautiful landscape more than anything else.
Do you remember the Nine Painted Horses Hill I saw during my Li River Cruise? That hill is in located in Xingping!
Or the famous scenery depicted in the 20 yuan bill? That is in Xingping too!
This is another part of the street where the buildings looked more modern and new. I guess if you like a quiet and relaxing holiday, Xingping is the place to go.
When I returned to the hostel, my room was ready. I was given a room on the 3rd floor. When I entered the room, I was delighted to see how clean the place was!
This must be the cleanest place I have stayed during my entire 10 days in China! I was surprised because this hostel was in a small town and it was cleaner than those in the city like Guilin and Yangshuo.
The nice wooden carvings on the wall.
Of course to judge whether a room is really clean, one must check out the bathroom or the toilet! Yes, the toilet is the acid test in determining how clean a hostel is!
Guess what? I was amazed.
If you notice, this is my first time taking photos of a toilet in China and posting it on my blog. Because this bathroom/toilet simply deserves an A+ from me.
I can tell you it's cleaner than all the toilets I've been to in China, and it's cleaner than some of the 4 star hotels in Malaysia!
I was really impressed with This Old Place International Youth Hostel. At only 81 yuan (RM40), it was miles better than the lousy Backstreet Youth Hostel we stayed in Guilin which charged 108 yuan (RM54) a night!
Coupled with good service and ever smiling ladies at the counter, this hostel is a winner and I highly recommend it to all who visit Xingping.
Although my room did not have a balcony like Jam and his friend's, I realised that mine had a better view . Looking out my room's window, I was amazed with the scenery outside.
My room was actually facing the beautiful Xingping port which was just 50 metres from our hostel.
I like to stand beside the window and look up at the green mountain top!
The view outside changed as the evening drew closer.
Of course I did not stay inside my room the whole day and took these shots. I took them after I returned to my room later in the evening having 'survived' an adventure in the mountains of Xingping.
After checking into my room, I went out for lunch with Jam's friend. He was in a better condition and was able to have lunch with me. Thank goodness!
But he was not well enough to accompany me to the fishing village which we had planned to go. Besides, somebody was needed to take care of Jam and he might as well be the one.
So, that left me all alone. Well, I was not about to waste my holiday just because both my friends were down with diarrhea. Even though my Mandarin sucks, I was determined to go to the fishing village all by myself.
That involved trekking up the mountain and the forests to reach the fishing village on the other side. I did not know then that my solo trip would end up in disaster.
For the first time during my China trip, I was all alone and lost in the middle of the forests in Xingping.
To be continued ....
FIRST COMMENTER
hey Foongpc, agreed with u, the hostel is indeed very clean and comfy, with the "foong leong sui lang" scenery outside your window (and not forgetting the pleasant smiles at the lobby) this place for rm40 is very very worth checking into...
sorry to hear your frens having the most dreaded penyakit, diahroea is one I most fear when going outstation.. if u follow tour, habis lah! looking for the loo every half hour is out of the question, the tour guide will end up giving pampers! yucks!
Ah, a little too late for FC..
The entrance to the hostel looks nice, something like some of the multi-sotrey houses we have here in small towns.
Looking at the clean toilet, this must have been a new place. Did you find out?
Beautiful scenery no doubt but what about nightlife? Looking forward to your fishing village trip.
That 'rocking chair' is interesting. I think it's more of a hanging or swing chair, eh? It must have been comfortable since you fell asleep in it.
Golly about Jam and his friend's condition. Having a bout of diarrhea is much dreaded on a holiday. A colleague said everytime he went to China, he would have this problem. Must be the water, he said.
Clean toilet. Nice bed... better the rest huh?
than the rest* I mean hehehe
oooh looks like this is a really much better part of the trip.
lovely scenery too! Now make me want to go there :).
War...how come all the hostel have this very traditional look? :p
I thing this is one of their way to attract visitors? :)
So thank goodness you have the probiotics with you. :p
Ouh...poor jam and his friend. :( So it is not really safe huh!
War...you sat on the cradle. You such a big baby. Yeah...the scenery is really beautiful. ;)
Holy smoke! The room is so clean and beautiful. The bathroom is simplt stunning! :p
OMG! But thanks goodness you managed to survive it huh! :p Gonna wait for your post.
A room with clean toilet is a must for me! :D
Lucky you have a much stronger stomach to not have a bad case of diarrhea. So, your probiotics works.
lucky you didnt suffer from the same stroke of bad luck like the others.
awaiting your next post on the solo expedition! :)
daring lah, for I'm a banana myself, and to imagine walking out alone on the streets with minimal Mandarin speaking skills .....
I am impressed with the toilet! :)
wow. ur room's view is superb!
my father never let me or any of my family members to eat street food in china because we are simply not immune to the uncleanliness in china.
oh dear..can't imagine being lost..
wow, i am really amazed by the hostel too!!! at first i have no expectation looking from the outside, but the inside is just so clean and tidy, and the toilet, i love it~~
and for just RMB81, you got such a nice cosy room, PLUS excellent and magnificent views over the river and mountains.. this is really worth the money!!
i must remember this hostel if i happened to have a chance to go to Guilin.. :)
getting lost in a foreign country is scary!
kenwooi.com
*gapes at the scenery*
reanaclaire, yes I was really very pleased with this hostel! And RM40 is definitely worth it! : )
Luckily we were not following tours otherwise, Jam and his friend would have to stay in the hotel all day! Or wear pampers like you said, haha!
happysurfer, oops! Missed FC narrowly! Still you're 2nd - not too bad lah! : )
Yes, I think this is a fairly new hostel - if not mistaken, started in July 2008. Maybe that's why it's so clean!
I'm afraid there is no nightlife here. This is a small town and most people go to sleep early. So not suitable for you if you like nightlife. For me, I also like nightlife, but it's good to experience the small town once in a while.
Yes, it's a swing chair. I just called it rocking chair - don't know what word to use to describe it! : )
I think we are not used to the unhygienic condition in China so it's better to take probiotics supplement if you go there to prevent any food poisoning. I guess I have proven probiotics to be a good preventive measure! : )
ladyviral, well, if Jam and his friend did not suffer from diarrhea, this part of the trip would have been much better! : )
tekkaus, the traditional look makes it attractive and unique for visitors, I guess.
Yeah, thank goodness for the probiotics! Since I have sensitive stomach, I did not want to take any risks!
Big baby? maybe, haha! Very relaxing sitting on that rocking/cradle chair. I don't mind sleeping there!
Love the room and the view from my room. Yeah, survived my adventure and will post about it soon : )
lina, I know - you are so fussy with toilets! Haha!
Yeah, the probiotics works for me. I have sensitive stomach and easily get diarrhea so not taking any chances, but still want to try all the food in China! : )
J2Kfm, actually I was really afraid to go on my own cos I could not communicate with the locals there. But you know, when you got to go, you got to go! : )
mei teng, oh I think you will be pleased to stay in this hostel since it's really clean! : )
renaye, yeah most of us visitors to China are not immuned to the uncleanliness there. I guess probiotics will come in very handy in such a case. Cos I've traveled all the way there, I definitely would want to try the food there! : )
wenn, it's really scary to be lost actually. Will post about it soon : )
SK, yes, I didn't expect the hostel to be so nice and clean from the outside too! And yes, definitely worth the money! : )
kenwooi, yes, tell me about it! : )
day-dreamer, yeah very nice scenery there! : )
cheahs@n, haha! I did not talk my way out from being lost, because I was all alone in the forests and there was no one there I could talk to! Will post about that soon : )
Foong, the room got air-cond or not?
I love the scenery.. looks so peaceful there!
I oso have sensitive stomach. when i was staying in Indonesia for 1 mth, almost everyday got diarrhea :(
foong so much mischiefs! now you're lost in the forest?
i like that hotel! the bathroom's great and even the whole place itself. I just don't fancy the very colorful lobby....too festive for my eyes and i believe it doesn't match the architecture of the building.
by the way i can see more horses now, i saw 4 this time at first glance!
ahhahahah yeah first time u posted toilet pics....shud have posted those dirty ones to shake us up...and great views..especially during sunset eh....amazing....is there another word than amazing to describe china? i mean the landscape hahahhaha...:)
That hostel might be rated as 3 star hotel in Malaysia
Wondering what is the name of Jam's friend. Are you guys so secretive?
So brave ar you. Quick next post please.
I'm amazed by the sparkly clean toilet! Haha
eww. that's disgusting to think about the water resource! how could they do that? it's very frustrating if you get sick on vacation :(
the toilet really looks clean. pretty impressive :) i agree with you, toilet is the most important part of the room that we should check out first. i can't stand with dirty toilet (like my fucking office toilet)!
hey foongpc! thanks for dropping by my blog! haha! am curious, you're a travel blogger? haha! you have a very interesting blog. i like it! gonna link it now =)
PS: magic starts on this friday night. =P it's a secret
Hi foong! Getting sick while traveling sucks! Lucky break for you. I am amazed at the clean room and bathroom, good tourism! I enjoy your travel tales!
New hotel, that explains. Still the pleasant service too is commendable though the lobby leaves much to be desired, eh?
What kind of souvenirs do they market, if any?
I agree that it's good to once in a while experience small town environment. Keeps us grounded.
Teh-O (with or without sugar) is great for diarrhea if you ever get it. It works for me everytime.
Poor Jam and friend. I haven't had a diahorrea so far when travelling. Was very careful with what I eat, but I guess probably in China, the hygiene standards are so much different.
I like walking out alone myself to explore the vicinity when I travel. It's a mini adventure!
Looking forward to hear your story of getting lost. Must have been scary of getting lost alone in a foreign land.
hehe the toilet sure looks impressive. i take probiotics regularly too and not just during my travels.
and you're so fortunate to enjoy such beautiful landscapes from your room.
Very beautiful! :D
monica, yes there is air con in every room!
Almost everyday have diarrhea in Indonesia? Wow! That's really bad! How did you manage that?
ayie, the lobby too colourful? I really don't know. Yeah, maybe it does not really match the architecture. Oh, you can see 4 horses now? Good for you! Maybe if you spend more time looking, you might sight a few more! : )
manglish, no way I'm going to post dirty toilet photos on my blog! I think I will puke looking at them! Haha!
borneo falcon, maybe? : )
khengsiong, haha, we are indeed very secretive : )
che-cheh, sparkling clean toilet - I didn't expect that actually. Haha! Next post coming up soon : )
faisal admar, your office toilet is dirty? Well, why am I not surprised? Hehe
bro...no offence yeah...the first one...looks like haunted ler...maybe because it looks old...
AL, thanks for linking me! I'm linking you back. I'll look forward to your magic! : )
I love all these pictures! Simply majestic!
tes, glad you enjoy my travel tales. Yeah, lucky I didn't get sick during my travel : )
happysurfer, I find the lobby quite OK, it's really not too bad. The service is great!
Souvenirs? I didn't really look out for souvenirs here : )
Teh-O is good for diarrhea? Didn't know that!
shingo T, yeah I like to explore on my own too sometimes but it was indeed scary when I got lost in the middle of nowhere!
life ramblings, oh you take probiotics regularly? That's good. we do indeed need the good bacteria in our body : )
tony wan, thanks for dropping by! : )
vialentino, haunted? haha! Far from it : )
health nut wannabee mom, thanks! glad you like the photos : )
Tell you what, I miss Xingping a lot cause I spent most of my time there on the bed! We would have visited the fishing village, and many other places in Xingping if I were in good health back then!
Your first pix at the entrance of 'This Old Place' hostel the guy with the cowboy hat snapping photos was it you or Jam or the other friend? Recognised the hat that during the Li River Cruise?
i like the view from your hotel balcony, the street looks awesome, just like what we saw in the movies. :D
wah.. the toilet is very cute wor..
hahahaha.. lost in the forest.. how u manage to crawl out then.. XD
The room looks clean and tidy! Love the landscape pictures!
The mountainous seene looks lovely! And the toilets quite clean. But then again it's all about the adventure. Don't you agree!
the toilet is better than most of the hotels too! at that price, it's a steal! good choice of hostel i must say
uh oh. nothing more can spoil a fun adventure than a sickness like diarrhea. it's good you are taking precaustions but i am sad about what happened to your friends but nevertheless the place looks so much fun and i do hope to visit the place sometime soon.
Very nice pictures :)
wuah...now ur blog like travel blog adi.
~the Foong who won't be allowed onboard a plane now~
Wow the toilet is really impressive! I'm surprised :) And you're really daring, to venture all out by yourself even though you don't really know mandarin! Bravo! Hehe
(I just got back from travelling and busy with wedding preparations, hence the little updates on my blog!) :)
aduh, poor u lost . i would fare worse as i am not the adventurous type n my command of spoken Mandarin i assume mus b worse than yrs
wow the place is so amazing foongpc
and the bathroom.... hmmmm.... i always dreaming to have that kind of bathroom, it's so clean and relaxing,,,
jam, too bad you were sick with food poisoning! : (
cheahs@n, since I am the one taking the photos for this blog, I can't be the one appear in the photos,haha! That guy with the hat is Jam : )
levian, I won't be surprised if these places are actual locations for shooting a movie!
dolly, yeah cute and clean! How I managed to crawl out? Will be revealed in Part 2 : )
pete, yes it's clean and tidy - I love it! : )
asha letha,oh yeah it's all about the adventure! Thanks for dropping by! : )
eiling, it's definitely a good choice! : )
lawstude, yeah it's horrible to get sick during traveling. Lucky I took my probiotics and avoided serious food poisoning! : )
joanne chan, thanks! And thank you for dropping by! : )
foong speaks her mind, yeah now a travel blog! Haha! So are you planning to time your pregnancy so can go into labour during flight and get free flights for life? hehe
iamthewitch, I can't just sit in the hostel whole day right, so can speak mandarin or not, still have to go to the fishing village alone! Haha
Oh, so you went for holiday? Is it Macau?
bengbeng, are you sure your command of Mandarin is worse? You haven't hear me speak in Mandarin yet! Haha.
bluedreamer27, you dream to have such a bathroom? Hmmm, I think I want a better one, complete with a bath tub and jacuzzi! Haha!
wow..the scenery is amazing..hope to visit china one day also..hehe
and yeah, you should watch MJ's This Is It..but don't expect too much also ya, later you get disappointed..hehe
cheers~
khai ven, thanks for dropping by! Maybe I will watch MJ's This Is It : )
It's so inconvenient and uncomfortable when one is sick on a tour. Fortunately it was the common lao sai.
That's a pretty decent hostel you were staying. I like the decor.
eastcoastlife, yeah it's definitely inconvenient!
This is the best hostel we stayed in China! My favourite! : )
The mountains are just so beautiful and the bathroom sure is an A+.
Thanks for sharing!
jeannie, Glad you like the beautiful mountain and the bathroom as well. Haha!
Wow look at that! those photos are perfect, especially the mountain photos :D I definitely agree that seeing the bathroom is the deciding factor whether the place really is good or not haha! :D looking at the photos (especially the bathroom ones), the place really looks good and I'm amazed as well how the bathroom looks really good and clean.
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