Guilin is in the North East of Guangxi province and an ancient cultural city. The scenery is stunning with its green steep hills, fantastic caves and rock formations along the Li river. It has been a subject for poets and artists.
Day 1
In the evening of our arrival we were taken for a two hour cruise along the Le River in Guilin
The two rivers and four lakes included Li river, Peach Blossom river, Rong lake,San lake, Gui lake and Mulong lake. They are connected and linked-up each making the city water loop which has been present for the last 1000 yrs. The lanterns and lights were lit in the trees and plants. We passed small pavilions with performances by local people of Guilin Opera, minority songs, traditional Chinese music. The river seemed alive with colour. We also saw Cormorant fishing. This is a tradition that dates back hundreds of years in China. The cormorants catch the fish with lightning speed and immediately return to the bamboo raft when their throat is full. This was only done for show and not practised as much now.
Day 2
We were taken to Bamboo wharf (Zhujiang wharf) where, surprising enough, bamboo rafts could be hired. These consisted of about a dozen tubes of bamboo lashed together with a garden seat strapped upon the top.
The Li river trip was a 52 mile trip along the river that took most of the day. We passed stunning karst peaks and scenery, water buffalo, bamboo rafts, ancient towns and rice paddies.
During the first section we passed Elephant Trunk Hill, Chuanshan Park, Daxu Ancient Town, and Ox Gorge. On the second section: Wangfu Rock (Yearning-for-Husband's-Return Rock), Crown Cave, Half-Side Ferry, Yangdi Village, Mural Hill, Xianggong Mountain, Yellow Cloth Shoal, and Xingping Town. The third section went from Water-Dropping Village to Yangshuo where you can see Snail Hill, Green Lotus Peak (Bilian Peak), and Shutong Hill (Schoolboy Hill). The scenery is equally beautiful.
We were offered a drink along the way. Snake wine. A large gallon bottle filled with snakes and topped up with alcohol. We didn't try it!
We were taken to our next venue, the Li River Retreat at Yanshuo.
2025-02-08