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Guilin Attractions
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- Sep 18, 2009;
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- China Highlights;
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Guilin has long been renowned for its unique scenery. The representative of natural enthralling landscapes include: Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, Piled Silk Hill, Seven Star Cave and Reed Flute Cave. And Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill and Piled Silk Hill are regarded as three shinning pearl stringed by Li River. Here will we brief you on some famous scenic spots.
Reed Flute Cave
Reed Flute Cave (Ludi Yan) is a fascinating gallery of natural sculpture (limestone cave formations), now enhanced by multicolored lighting, which has been one of Guilin’s many interesting attractions for over 1200 years. It rates as one of the top four tourist sites in the city.
Reed Flute Cave is situated in the northwest suburbs of Guilin City (only about 4km from the center). The entrance is situated by Ludi (Reed Flute) Road on the south side of Guangming (Bright Light) Hill. The cave got its name from a type of reed growing outside, which can be made into melodious flutes. The cave is filled with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites and rock formations in weird and wonderful shapes.
The cave is about 240 meters long and a tour lasts about one hour. Along the u-shaped route, visitors will have ample time see the oddly shaped rocks and stone pillars while the guide narrates interesting stories about them. Illuminated by the colored lights, the cave looks like a dazzling underground palace. That’s why the cave is also known as the Nature’s Art Palace.
Inside the cave there are more than 70 inscriptions written in ink, which can be dated back as far as 792 AD in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). These aged inscriptions tell us that it has been an attraction in Guilin since ancient times. Since the cave opened to the public in 1962 millions of tourists have visited it.
Seven Star Cave
Seven Star Cave got its for the seven peaks supposed to resemble the star pattern of the Big Dipper constellation nearby - four peaks in the north are called Putuo Hill, three in the south are called Lunar Hill. The famous Seven Star cave is just located at the halfway the Putuo Hill. The cave is famous for its stalactites of various shapes inside. The cave is divided into three parts. The upper part is so high and steep that one can hardly reach while the lower part is an underground river channel. The middle part, an 814-meter-long tunnel, with the widest place of 49 meters and the highest of 27 meters, serves as the main touring area. the temperature in this cave remains 20 degrees all the year round, providing a comfortable condition for visitors. Since Sui and Tang dynasties, the cave has been a favorite tour resort, and many visiting poets, writers, scholars and nobles once left their inscriptions on the wall.
Taking the shapes of stone column, curtain, stalagmite and animals, the cave leads visitors into a marvelous world. Now, artificial lighting system was equipped in this cave to fully display the enchanting scenes to visitors.
Fubo Hill
Fubo (wave-subduing) Hill to the northeast of downtown Guilin by the Li River has the Xinxi Marquis Temple built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The title of Xinxi Marquis was given to Fubo General Ma Yuan, so the name of the mountain. Half of the graceful lone peak of the hill is in the river and the other half is on land. During flood season turbulent currents explode against the hill rocks. On top of the hill one sees an exquisite scenery like a traditional Chinese painting. Inside the "Return the Pearl" Cave, also known as Fubo Cave in the mountain side, there are the "Try the Sword" Rock, the 1,000-Buddha Crag (Buddha images carved on stone), and many carvings on the cave walls. Among the best carvings is a self-portrait of Mi Fu, a famous painter, and a poem by Fan Dacheng, a famous poet, both from the Song Dynasty (960-1279).
Elephant Trunk Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill, also known as Elephant Hill, is located at the confluence of the Li River and Peach Blossom River in the south central area of Guilin City. It looks like a huge elephant stretching its trunk and drinking water, hence the name. Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of Guilin and its karst landscape.
Water Moon Cave
Between the elephant’s trunk and its body is a round cave which resembles a full moon drifting on the water, which is called Water Moon Cave. On a moonlit night, the glittering lunar light on the river wavelets forms a fantastic scene, which has been highly honored by poets and painters over Guilin’s history. In and around the cave are many carvings and inscriptions, the most well known of which is a poem by Lu You, one of the four great poets of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279).
Elephant Eye Cave
Climbing the snaking stone path up the hill, visitors will see another cave going through the hill: Elephant Eye Cave. With a height of around two meters, the cave is five to 10 meters in width and about 52 meters in length. It’s so called as the cave is located right where the eye of the elephant-shaped hill should be. Standing at the cave affords a good view of the surroundings.
Puxian Pagoda
On top of the hill stands Puxian Pagoda. Built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the cylinder-shaped pagoda looks like the handle of a sword.
Elephant Eye Cave
Climbing through the snaking stone path highway up to the hill, visitor will see another cave going through the hill, the Elephant Eye Cave. With a height of around 2 meters, the cave spans 5 to 10 meters in width, about 52 meters in length. it’s so called for the cave located right at the site for eyes. A look through the cave affords a good view of the surroundings.
Puxian Pagoda
On top of the hill stands the Puxian Pagoda. Built in the Ming Dynasty, the cylinder shaped pagoda looks like the handle of a sword.
Seven Star Park
Seven Star Park takes its name from its seven peaks which are laid out like the Big Dipper constellation (with its handle bent forward). The park is on the eastern side of the Li River in central Guilin City. Attractions in the park include: Seven Star Cave, Dragon Hiding Cave, Flower Bridge, the Zoo, Maping Mosque, Guihai Forest of Steles and much more. Covering an area of 1.34 square kilometers, it is the largest park in Guilin, and contains some of the finest sights in the city.
Flower Bridge
Flower Bridge was first built in Song Dynasty (960-1279). It is so named because in ancient times, the area surrounding the bridge was planted with various flowers. In late spring and early summer, when the flowers bloomed, the bridge was covered with flowers. However, in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the flowers gradually declined, and today visitors cannot see any flowers surrounding the bridge. Flower Bridge is just inside the main entrance to the park.
Camel Hill
Camel Hill is one of the features of Seven Star Park. With a bit of imagination, you will find that all the limestone hills in Guilin look like somebody or something. This hill looks incredibly like a huge camel standing in a vast grassland. At the foot of the hill there is a grassy lawn, which offers a pleasant place for a stroll. The place is very popular with locals, and many can be seen leisurely walking around in the early mooning or late afternoon. Nearby you will find a zoo, which has pandas, monkeys, camels and reptiles. Animal lovers who don’t like to see creatures in small and dreary enclosures are advised to avoid it as it may be upsetting. However, if they are up and about, which is not often you may get to see a panda.
Seven Star Cave
Seven Star Cave lies in the belly of Putuo Hill, the mass of limestone that forms the four northern peaks of Seven Star Park. The cave is well-known for its dazzling array of stalagmites and stalactites. The cave passageways stretch for about 1,100 meters. The route is 50 meters across at the widest point and 20 meters to the roof at the highest point. The cave has been a place of interest for hundreds of years. As early as the Song Dynasty, some explorers made an expedition into the cave and left their marks inside. With its huge variety of oddly shaped karst formations, the cave is indeed overwhelming and well worth your time and money (30 yuan on top of the park entrance fee of 30 yuan).
Guihai Stele Forest
Guihai Stele Forest is a collection of 218 well-preserved upright stone tablets with various ancient engravings. Most of these painstaking works of engraving were from the Tang (618-907) and Song Dynasties, which are of great significance to the development of Chinese calligraphy. The ‘forest’ of inscribed stones is located south of Crescent Hill, which holds the park’s three southerly peaks. If you don’t have time to visit the famous Forest of Steles in Xi’an, this one will provide an ideal alternative.
Seven Star Cave
Nestling at the belly of the Putuo Hill, the cave is well-known for the dazzling stalagmites and stalactites within it. The cave stretches around 1,100 meters, with 50 meters at the widest point and 20 meters at the highest point. The cave has been a tourist attraction for hundreds of years. As early as song dynasty, some explorers adventured the cave and left their marks inside. With various oddly shaped karst formations, the cave is indeed overwhelming and well values your time and money.
Daxu Ancient Town
Located to the southwest of Guilin, on shore of the tourist-beaten Li River. Daxu is a time-honored town with well preserved traditional Chinese architecture and shiny stone-paved streets. First built in the Qin Dynasty, over 2,000 years ago, Daxu Town began to flourish during the Ming Dynasty when it became the commercial center of the area.
Main sights here include stone-paved streets, Wanshou Bridge (Longevity Bridge), many ancient buildings and the century-old dock. A main street measuring 2.5 kilometers in length and 2 meters in width stretches through the town. This narrow street, with its stones worn smooth by time and footsteps, is full of character. Wanshou Bridge is a single-arched bridge built in the Ming Dynasty. Along the river stands many well-preserved buildings from the Ming and Qing Dynasties. These wooden structures, with colorfully decorated eaves and elegantly carved doors and window frames, are still homes for many locals. A stroll around will afford a leisurely glimpse into the traditional courtyard where grandmothers are sometimes seen telling stories to a huddle of small kids. Thirteen docks remain from the Ming Dynasty, among which five well-preserved ones still function.
Shangri-la
The English writer, James Hilton’s legendary novel” Last Horizon” wow readers with a paradise, characterized by snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, lush vegetation, gorgeous gorges and idyllic lakes. Shangri-la has been a dream for many while you will find a real Shangri-la not far from Guilin. A place showcases a natural paradise to you, which may not be reprehensive but surely impressive.
The first sight visitors will encounter is a pavilion named Peach Pavilion. It’s a five storyed building with a scenery view platform on the top. A willows shaded narrow trail will lead to a idyllic lake, called Swallow lake, which is the largest tributary of the Yu Long River, a ideal drifting place. the narrow lake can be divided into three parts, the Outer Lake, Inner Lake and the Back Lake. the river features crystal water and impressive natural scenery along it. Cruise boat are available and many visitors rather board a boat to sail on the gentle water and enjoy the breath-taking natural beauty along.
On the lake stands a traditional building complex, actually a roofed bridge, called Wind-and-rain Bridge which is the symbolic architecture of the Dong Minority people living in this area. It’s a wooden architecture, elegantly erected without even one snail. Through the bridge and along a path, you will see three larger Totem Pillars.
Totem Pillars are symbolic architectures of the ethnical groups living in the southwest remote regions. These oddly carved stone pillars represent the primitive local religions and culture which now are still practiced by the minority peoples in the area.
If you are a folk art lover, you should not miss the Folk Customs in the Grand-view Garden. Various of art crafts, local souvenirs are displayed here. Performance featuring the ethical dances and songs are presented. Visitor can also experience the throwing-love-ball tradition. Throwing love ball is a traditional custom of the Zhuang people, who mainly live in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The gracefully embroidered ball is considered a symbol of love by the Zhuang people. In the Zhuang community, when a girl falls in love with some boy, she will give her beloved one an embroidered ball as a token of her love. In the park, a girl in traditional Zhuang costume will throw embroidered ball from a building to express her welcome to visitors from afar.
The Mausoleums of Jing Jiang
The Mausoleums of Jing Jiang are tombs of generations of Ming princes who were dispatched by the emperor to govern today’s Guilin region. The tombs are located at the foot of the grand Yao Mountain in the eastern suburbs, some 5 kilometers from the city.
The mausoleums are set amidst lush pine trees and surrounded by the hills and mountains. A babbling stream runs gently through them. The site was circled by an oblong-shaped wall, which divides the complex into the outer garden and the inner palace. Over 300 tombs scatters around over 100 square kilometers. A sacred way in the outer garden leads to the inner palace. Along the way lines stone statues of animals and government officials which were believed to guard the tombs. In the inner palace lay the tombs themselves. The Mausoleum of Princes Zhuangjian is the only one here that opens to the public. Some valuable relics excavated from his tomb including a vase, some silver and golden wares are now displayed in the Alter Palace.
The Crown Cave
The Crown Cave is a giant subterranean river cavern by the Li River. Taking the shape of an gold crown of ancient emperor, the cave is 12 km long and consists of three parts. Views inside were fantastic, stalactites and stalagmites in all strangle shape illuminated by lights glittering a golden glow. An underground stream passes through the cave and then joins the Li River. The cave has been set with modern sightseeing facilities, including an elevator, small train, yachts and sightseeing roller coaster.
Banyan Lake and Cedar Lake
Banyan Lake (Rong Hu) and Chinese Fir Lake (Shan Hu) are the two largest and most famous of the lakes on the Two Rivers and Four Lakes cruise. They are located in the very center of Guilin City, either side of Zhongshan Zhonglu (Sun Yatsen Middle Road). The origin of both parks dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when they were part of a city moat. As Guilin expanded in all directions, the moat became a lake within the city area.
Chinese Fir Lake was named after the Chinese fir trees growing on the shore. Standing in the water of Shan Hu are the Sun Tower and the Moon Tower. The Sun Tower is painted gold and the taller of the two. In the night it is lit with bright yellow lights. The Moon Tower has deep brown beams and aqua eaves. It outshines the moon at night, with its artificial white lights. The two towers are open to the public and there is an underground aquarium-like viewing tunnel linking the pair. The towers are in the style of Buddhist pagodas and Buddhist music can sometimes be heard emanating from them during the day.
Banyan Lake got its name from a large banyan tree standing on the lake shore near the 1,000-year-old South City Gate. A zigzag bridge leads to Mid-lake Isle, which is dotted with long open-sided corridors, waterside pavilions and ancient buildings. Built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Blue Ribbon Bridge, now called Sun Bridge, separates the lakes. The two lakes together were often referred to as Round Lake.
Longji Terraced Field
Longji's terraced fields offer some of the most fantastic scenery in Guilin or indeed China. Beautiful when the sun reflects in the water of the paddy fields and glowing with yellow ears when the harvest is ripe, Longji (Dragon's Back) is a feast for the eyes.
The Longji Terraced Fields are located in Longsheng County about two hours from Guilin. The rice terraces are built into the hillsides, and look like great chains or ribbons as they wind round the contours in tiered bands. In some places there are terraces from the bottom to the top of the hillside.
This ingenious irrigation method makes the best use of the scarce arable land and water resources in this mountainous area. There are about 66 square kilometers of terraced fields in southeast Longsheng.
The Terraces were first built in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and were completed in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) by the Zhuang people and Yao people.
China Highlights has prepared a spring promotion tour including a visit to Longji Terraced Fields: Longsheng Terraced Field & Yangshuo Combo, a 4-day trip from only $415 USD.
Tips:
Sedan chairs are available from the parking lot to the top of the mountain for tourists who would like to see the great views but fail to climb all the way up to the top. It takes about 350 Yuan per person for a round trip.
Merryland World
Guilin Merry Land World is a project built by Mr. Ma Zhi Lin. This project was planned in 1992 and built in 1997. It is situated in Xin’an about an hour from Guilin and covers an area of more than 70 square kilometers.
Merry Land includes a high-tech amusement park, 5-star Hotel and Golf Course Complex
Merryland Theme Park
The theme park covers 90 hectares and has five sections: Merry Town, American Wild West, Dream World, Pirate Village, South Pacific Area and Forest Area. All the dress, food, sights, shows and entertainment facilities in each section are themed and very realistic.
Holiday Hotel
Merry Land has a 5-star holiday hotel adjoining the theme park and golf course.
The ceiling of the hotel's hall is made of wood and decorated in the style of Guangxi minorities. The whole ceiling is made up of six wooden sections with traditional architecture and craftsmanship.
The hotel provides 368 guest rooms, designed by famous designers. The guest-rooms are a combination of Chinese poetic sentiment and western romanticism.
Forest Resort Village
Merry Land also has 30 wooden Cabins built near the mountains. Each cabin has two floors: the first floor is a double room and the second floor is suitable for couples. The cabins have been designed by a European designer in styles from Europe and Japan. High quality timber finishes are used and all cabins have the same facilities as the hotel so you can enjoy the environment in comfort.
Merry Land also offers campsites in the forest village. One hundred sixty campsites are available with 5 big campfires. They can provide you with tent, sleeping bags and sunshade as well.
The Cat Mountain
Located to the northeast of Xin’an Town, about 110 kilometers north of Guilin, Cat Mountain is the highest mountain in South China. It got the name Cat Mountain because its stony peak looks like a huge cat. The main peak of the mountain is about 2,141 meters above sea level and is renowned as the “Summit of South China”.
The Zi River, Xun River and the best-known Li River have their sources high in this mountain. Climate differs dramatically at different altitudes within the mountain. Depending on when you journey there, you will see azaleas blanketing its slopes, clouds enshrouding its peaks, breathtaking red leaves or the memorable snow scenes of winter.
The Ling Canal
The Ling Canal is one of Guilin’s hidden gems. The most unfortunate aspect about the Ling Canal is that it is situated about 70 klms north of Guilin City in an area that does not attract many foreign tourists because of its isolation from other tourist destinations. The other tourist attraction in this area is Merryland Theme Park and Golf Resort but by its nature it attracts a different kind of tourist.
The Canal is a wonderful example of the engineering and architectural skill that existed in Chinese society more that 2000 years ago. The Canal was built in the year 214BC by Qinshihuang, first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty. The canal system connects two rivers, Guilin’s Li River and the Xiang River but as these rivers are tributaries of the Pearl and Yangtze Rivers the connection linked two of the largest river systems in China thereby opening a huge area to allow travel and commerce to flourish. It was also an important political move as it unified north and south and allowed the Emperor to consolidate his power.
The complexity of the project is more easily understood when we see the difference in water levels between the two rivers which in some planes is around 6 meters. The project required a complex system of locks and dams to allow the two water systems to merge. At one point the two rivers are only separated by about 20 meters. It is fascinating to watch as the rivers flow in different directions.
It is possible to take a boat ride down the south canal to Xing'an Town which is well worth the money. The wooden punt is poled along the canal by two boatmen who are happy to point out the points of interest and answer questions if you have someone along who speaks Chinese. They are happy to stop at the most significant spots on the canal for photos or to allow you to get a better look. The ride finishes in the town. The canal continues through Xing'an. The walk along the waterway is very interesting. It is lined with old traditional style building where the residents go about their daily life. I do believe that it would be very crowded with domestic tourists at holiday time, but our visit was free of any congestion and we were the only western tourist in the place. We not hassled by anybody wanting to sell souvenirs or continually assaulted by “hello, lookie” venders.
A Chinese guide or Chinese speaker is almost a necessity to get the most out of the experience. The ticket office at the entrance advertises a boat ride but this is just across a small lagoon and is not worth the RMB 20 per person for a 50 meter ride. The boat ride down the canal is purchased from the boat operators at the start of the south canal. You can’t miss it. The park that surrounds the start of the canal also contains a small museum displaying he wreckage of one of the legendary “flying tigers” squadron that operated in the area during W W 2. We found it interesting but not riveting.
The Yueling Village
Yueling Village is over 700 years old, and home to around 400 households. Their 28 generations all developed from one family, Family Tang, and the villagers still maintain this surname today. The six compounds in the village are very well kept. They were built at the end of Ming Dynasty and the beginning of Qing Dynasty in a unique local style. Each compound is composed of six buildings, and includes courtyards, storehouses, an opera stage, wells and gardens. At the entrance of the village stands a grand paifang (Chinese ceremonial archway) which was built in 1839 to honor the chastity of one of the village women, the foster mother of the great town scholar Tang Jing-Tao. The paifang, 10.2 meters high, is made of marble with exquisite and vivid reliefs, as well as statues of unicorns, dragons and other mythological creatures.
Yueling Village is a village of over 700 years history, where live around 400 households whose 28 generations all developed from one family, Family Tang, and all maintain this surname still. Six compounds in the village are kept very well. They were all built at the end of Ming dynasty and the beginning of Qing dynasty in a unique local style. Every compound is composed of six buildings, including major and minor sitting rooms, two dooryards, bedrooms, kitchens, guest rooms, storehouses, an opera stage, wells and gardens. At the entrance of the village stands a paifang (Chinese torii) which was built in 1839 to honor Mr. Tang Jing-tao's, the number one scholar of the village, foster mother's chastity. The paifang, 10.2 meters high, is made of marble with exquisite and vivid reliefs, some of which are out of an entire stone, of unicorns, dragons and legendary figures.
Longmen Water Cave, Guilin
Longmen Water Cave was a recently opened sight, in Longmen village, 3 km from Moon Hill. It is the largest and one of the most exciting natural caves to explore in Yangshuo. Running through 3 mountains, the cave is about 3km long. The water 0.5m deep flows gently through.
Used as refuge by the local villagers from the invading Japanese army during WW II , the cave draws its name from a tiny stalagmite resembling the Maitreya, located a short distance inside the cave. It's easy to see why the locals thought the cave secure from the Japanese and why portions are still off-limits to visitors. The cave is full of narrow, maze-like, and sometimes dangerous passages. Be warned, even in the areas open to the public there have been injuries during the cave's 10 years as a tourist attraction. A guide and a flashlight are necessary, and it is necessary to crawl through muddy holes, climb up and down stalagmites, and sidle in between stalactites with the aid of ropes and ladders. The cave is the most extensive, unaltered subterranean micro cosmos in the area. Complete with stalactite “drums” and an underground waterfall pool you can bathe and swim. Bring your swimsuit and towel.
Stone Forest in Wenshi Town
The Stone Forest occupies 5 square kilometers in Wenshi Town 130 km away from Guilin city. Weathered by wind and rain water, limestones on the ground were "engraved" into various grotesque shapes and stand together like a forest of stones. Unlike the stone forest in Kunming which is internationally well-known and has been visited by thousands of visitors, the one in Wenshi is more a typical gladiate-shaped karst landscape and is less visited. A stream flows by the forest and then runs through a large area of rice fields, which unfolds you a tranquil rural scenery.
The Two Rivers and the Four Lakes
The Two Rivers and the Four Lakes (Liang Jiang Si Hu) form a continuous picturesque waterway through the centre of Guilin City. Cruise boats carry sightseers around the route daytime and evening. The 1.5-hour cruise is well worth the price as it offers a chance to view Guilin’s tranquil mountain and water scenery, along with traditional Chinese architecture, ancient inscriptions on the bridge arches and well-maintained park-style lake frontage, from the best vantage point: on the water itself.
The Two Rivers and Four Lakes consist of the Li River (Li Jiang), the Peach Blossom River (Taohua Jiang), Chinese Fir Lake (Shan Hu), Banyan Lake (Rong Hu), Osmanthus Lake (Gui Hu) and Wooden Dragon Lake (Mulong Hu).
The cruise usually begins from a pier near Liberation Bridge (Jiefang Qiao) opposite Seven Star Park. The cruise boat headsup the crystal clear Li River past a verdant green island to Folded Brocade Hill (Diecai Shan). Round the back of the hill there is a system of lock gates, which lift the boat up to the level of the city lakes. The cruise then proceeds round the movie set quality recreated Chinese architecture of Wooden Dragon Lake. If the tour is taken at night this and all the other lakes are beautifully lit to bring out the shapes of the trees and architecture. On a good day, under the light of the sub-tropical Guilin sun, the tour is a chance to go sightseeing from the coolest place in the city: on the water.
Next is Osmanthus Lake, where one can appreciate the luxuriant and well-tended osmanthus foliage surrounding the water. On the boat goes, under bridges decorated with pictures and Chinese script telling stories of long ago, to Banyan Lake. Here one can see a musical, spotlit (at night) show of fountains, rising and falling from the lake itself.
The boats then make a circuit of Chinese Fir Lake, which is not only surrounded by Chinese Firs, but also bamboo, osmanthus and many other trees and flowers. The main attractions of Chinese Fir Lake are the Sun Tower and the Moon Tower, twin pagoda-style towers that are majestic in the day and iridescent at night. Looking up from the lake one can see the CITS building where we at China Highlights Travel are housed. Opposite is the looming shape and red neon letters of Guilin’s exclusive Waterfall Hotel. The whole other side of the hotel becomes a manmade waterfall, lasting for about half an hour from 8:00pm.
From Shan Hu the cruise continues to the Peach Blossom River, via a return to Rong Hu. Most cruises finish at the lock gates by Elephant Trunk Hill (Xiangbi Shan), where one branch of the Peach Blossom River joins the Li River. However, the boat could descend in the lock gates with passengers and return to the Liberation Bridge pier past the front of Elephant Trunk Hill.
Li River Cruise
Originating from Maoer Shan (Cat Mountain) in Xing'an county, north of Guilin, the Li River winds its way south for about 437 km, passing through Guilin, Yangshuo, Pingle and Zhaoping, and finally meets the Xi (West) River at Wuzhou. It boasts the largest and most beautiful scenic area in China and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The 83-kilometer-long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is like an artist's masterpiece. The landscape is decorated with startling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves and farming villages, and is lined with bamboo. In a Chinese poem it is written: "The river is a green silk ribbon, and the hills are jade hairpins".
Most cruises starts from Zhujiang Wharf. It is about 40 minutes' drive from Guilin city. Then a 4 to 5-hour cruise will take you to the beautiful and fasciniating county town of Yangshuo.
The Li River cruise is included in all of the featured tour packages below, where you can choose the best one for you, or simple let us design a trip for you.
Li River Facts
The Li River is the main river system of Northeast Guangxi. The 83-kilometer section between Guilin and Yangshuo is the most beautiful part. It enjoys the reputation of being a “River Art Gallery”.
Chinese Pinyin: Lí Jiāng, pronounced Lee Jyang
Source: Maoer Shan (Cat Mountain), North Guilin
Length: 437 kilometers
Location: The Li River flows from the northern border of Guilin Prefecture south to Wuzhou, on Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region’s eastern border with Guangdong Province.
Li River Cruises : Cruising on the Li River is enjoyable no matter what the weather is like. During sunny days, tourists can see the inverted reflection of the hills on both sides clearly in the water. During cloudy days, the hills are surrounded by mist and tourists may feel they are cruising in a mystical paradise. And when the rain comes, drizzle is like a vale, which covers the hills and river, and tourists may feel the poetic connotations of this too.
Qin Family's Courtyard
Many foreign visitors come to China seeking examples of tradition but never find them. Too many people leave the country disappointed that the China they were looking for has been replaced by blocks full of skyscrapers and eight-lane highways. The Qin Family’s Courtyard may be the place that they seek.
Located some 90 kilometers northwest of Guilin, Qin Family’s Courtyard is an ancient village dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The village was built by descendants of a dismissed Ming official who was exiled to the area with his family. Over the years, generations of the families lived here and expanded the complex of buildings.
The village is filled with original Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings with huge stone foundations, brick walls, well-decorated tiles and elegantly carved window frames and doors. The complex consists of 23 buildings, covering an area of 15,000 square kilometers. Architecture here mainly uses the quadrangle, a traditional Chinese architectural form which can be seen around the country.
In the middle is a courtyard, around which rooms are symmetrically arranged. The largest building in the village was said to have been built at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, three fires in ancient times consumed it and left behind a few darkened pillars. The stele in front, however, has survived though it is worn by rain and arrayed with small holes.
This village has kept so many of the features from the Ming and Qing eras that many films have been shot here.
Xingping Villiage in Yangshuo
Located 27 km from Yangshuo, on the eastern bank of the Li River, Xingping is an ancient town with a history of more than 1300 years. Apart from the well-preserved Ming Dynasty architecture which dominates the town, and the fine woodwork dating back more than five hundred years, Xingping also boasts some of the best natural scenery in the area, somewhat better than that of Yangshuo. The seven mountains surrounding the village keep the place a spiritual sanctuary from the modern world. These towering and rugged hills are an iconic image of the heart of China.
This area includes such enchanting scenes as "Pretty Woman Looking in the Mirror", "General Drawing His Sword" and "Carp Drinking from the River".
Huangyao Ancient Town
Huangyao ancient town is situated in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on the lower reaches of Li River and 200km (around 3.5 hours drive) from Guilin.
It has a 900-year history and the culture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Most people in the town have the family name Huang or Yao, and therefore. the town is named Huangyao.
The town is rich with both natural and historical attractions. The old flagstone-paved streets, the ancient but well-preserved buildings, and the local people's traditional life styles are all distinctive features of the town.
In ancient times, because of its convenient access to water transportation, Huangyao was a prosperous business center.
The local people mostly engaged in commercial activities and enjoyed a fairly affluent life, so many of them spent much money on their homes to honor their families and benefit the future generations.
(The town is also dotted with many elegantly built towers and pavilions. )
The 20 plus ancestral halls and temples were built by the wealthiest families to pay tribute to the gods and their ancestors, and are much grander than the residential houses and hold a great attraction to visitors.
Just a decade ago, Huangyao ancient Town was relatively unknown to the outside world, but today. this picturesque and poetic location has become a popular tourist destination for travelers from both home and abroad.
Every corner of the town presents a typically Chinese scene and presents many marvelous photo opportunities.
A small river snakes through as to bring life. The stone bridges have met the test of time as they have stood guard from many centuries.
It is quite an amazing boat ride!
Nowadays, many local families live in small laneways as they have done for generations.
The outside world changes fast, but they stick with their traditional lifestyle and the ways of their ancestors.
Lobsters sauce is a famous local dish. The local people process the soy bean to make the lobster sauce as they have done for years,, but now it is a favorite with tourists.
The Big Banyan Tree
At the village of Gaotian to the south of the town of Yangshuo, where the most typical pastoral scenery is to be found, there is a big banyan tree over 1000 years old. The braches of the three spread out in all directions and its roots twisting crisscrossed. The tree trunk takes six men to circle with their arms stretched out. The well-known film” Ms Liu San Jie” , one secen of which was shot here, makes the old tree even more popular throughout China and internationally.
The Moon Hill
One kilometer to the south of the Big Banyan Tree, 50 minutes’ bike from Yangshuo, there lies the Moon Hill. Named for the crescent shaped cave running through the moon, Moon Hill is one of the highlights in Yangshuo. The journey up to the summit is an arduous one which covers 800 steep steps. The scenery overlooking the countryside through the half moon, however, is well worth the trek, which is probably the best you will get in the area.
At foot of the hill lies a tiny village called Moon Hill Village. The village offers a haven for those who would like to stay off the touristy places and around Yangshuo. It is a tranquil village free from the pollution, stress and turmoil that plague most of the cities we live. The traditional life style continues as time stands still here.
