What local wildlife will I encounter?
Oh yes. Welcome to Yangshuo, where you won’t just meet Tai Chi masters — you’ll also meet the local insect population 🦟🦎.
Your New Roommates
🦟 Mosquitoes
Think of them as overly curious neighbors who want to know everything about you… especially your blood type. They’re most active in the hot and humid months (spring through early autumn). In summer, it’s practically a mosquito festival, so pack repellent unless you want to be the main attraction.
🦎 Geckos
These little wall-climbers are basically the unpaid security staff of your room. They look like tiny dinosaurs, but don’t worry — they only eat bugs. Some students even give them names.
🐜 Other Crawlers
Ants, spiders, and mystery bugs sometimes make an appearance. They’re harmless, but they like to remind you that this is not a five-star hotel in Shanghai — it’s a Tai Chi school in rural China. Nature comes included, free of charge.
🛡️ How to Keep the Peace
- Bring mosquito spray or buy the local heavy-duty stuff (Chinese brands mean business)
- In summer, long sleeves in the evening are your best friend
- Close your windows at night unless you’d like extra visitors
- Keep your room tidy, and let the geckos do their night shift
- Optional: practice Tai Chi patience if a bug wanders into your bathroom
Side Note: Master Kim has a collection of local mosquito repellents and treatments if you need them. And in the community room, you’ll find a treasure chest of leftover sprays and lotions from past students — perfect if you like to experiment or forgot your own.
So yes, you’ll meet a few critters — but most are harmless, and after a few days you might even find the geckos kind of cute.