Day 113 Yangshuo 15 October

Today we rent tandems again and decide to explore the beautiful and picture postcard China rural countryside again - this time towards Dragon Bridge following the Yulong River. Also called Little Li River, it is about 43 kilometeres long, with a drainage area of approximately 158 square kilometres (39,043 acres). The part of the river that stretches from Yulong Bridge in Baisha Town, to Gongnong Bridge near Big Banyan, is known as the Yulong River Scenic Area, and includes some spectacular scenic views along each river bank.

The Chinese word 'Yulong' refers to 'meeting a dragon'. Local legend has it that a dragon from the East Sea strolled across the Yulong River and, being deeply impressed by the attractive landscape, decided to stay there forever. The villagers living on the river bank saw the dragon several times, and hence named it the Yulong River. 

The Dragon Bridge is one of the 3 most ancient in Yangshuo and is the oldest single span arch bridge in the region. We heave our tandems over the bridge and take in the countryside around us.

On the other side we sit for a while in the shade and watch the bamboo rafting station while we enjoy our now familiar cucumber snack. - Easy peel, clean inside, doesnt bruise like a banana, doesnt melt and refreshing! Plus the girls will eat it and it's cheap - although it does draw some interesting looks from the locals at times! 

Mostly cycling on well worn tracks we turn back for home and cycle through some of the most amazing countryside again - the swish and smell of the almost ripe yellowing rice in the paddy fields, some had already been cut and piles of rice straw sat in fields drying out in little stacks.

 

We are passed by several locals walking their one or two cattle and there are chickens scratching around outside the houses that we pass...

 

 and cotton and rice laying out to dry in the heat of the day.

 

As we near the last section of the ride we turn back onto the road we see (for the girls - the ultimate sight!)of water buffalo cooling off in the canal. Watched carefully by the old lady who gratefully accept a few pennies for a photo opportunity!

 

The water buffalo calf was very muddy and took very tentative footsteps out into the centre of the channel-  the adults almost submerging fully to escape from the heat of the day. 

We cycle home content that we have seen a very different side to the China we have become used to in the chaos and noise of the city.