YANGSHUO (Day 14 - part 3)

Loaded into several small golf carts, we made our away into the Yangshuo countryside, filled with tiny villages and expansive rice fields.


Our golf cart caravan


Vendors attempted to make a living at every turn.


A popular item was a carved and painted sandalwood fan.


The giant karsts created a magical setting.

Currently, 70% of China's 1.4 billion population are still farmers. Before the 1960's, that number was 90%. The government, which is pushing for more industrialization, hopes to have that number down to 50% by 2010. Rice has also become too expensive and the fields are being replaced with fruit orchards. As a result, the scenes below are quickly becoming a thing of the past.


On average, each farmer gets about one-third of an acre of land. The farms can be rented out but not bought or sold. This prevents large industry farming.


All of the work is done by hand. This yields 30% more harvest than if done by machine.


Separating the new rice. The seedlings were covered with plastic until they got large enough to be transplanted.


The crops are planted in neat rows so that weeds can be easily spotted.


Back-breaking work...


... but still very friendly and happy to see us. We did give her a nice tip though.


The soil must be plowed many times until it becomes very fine, soft and level. Water is added when needed from the canals.


Taro is another crop that this hard-working woman grows.


Work in the fields is never done.

We passed through many small villages.


A group of men playing some kind of game


Our golf carts bump and jolt over the dirt roads.

Eventually we pulled into one to have a look around.


The tall ceilings help keep the buildings cool in summer and warm in winter.


A fish pond


The awning above the pond serves as a shelter for the fish during the heat of the day.


Making our way through the narrow streets


A giant wall


The forest wants its land back!


A basin and rock for washing laundry


The sides of the well are carved with rope burns after many years of use.

We then stopped inside a small house to visit with the family. Huang served as our translator so we could ask what life was like out here. The woman is 82 years old and moved into this house when she was 16. She lives here with her 84-year-old husband. They no longer raise chickens or grow rice, but have their children bring them the food they need.


The woman of the house is only just slightly taller standing than Paul is seated. Huang also finds this amusing.


A large screen separates the rooms.


The kitchen is separate from the main house.