| China Destination Guide: Guilin |
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Main Tour Attractions in
Guilin
Li River
The Li River (Li Jiang) originates in the mountains of northeastern Guangxi Autonomous Region. As the river makes way southward, it traverses through a gorgeous scenic area. Topographically this is limestone Karst landscape and features astonishingly shaped green hills and calm, clear rivers and lakes that seem to be always hiding behind a thin veil of fog and cloud. The section of the Li River from the city of Guilin to the town Yangshuo, 80 kilometers in length, is the core of the scenic area, and a cruise down the river here is the best way to take in the remarkable views of what has been called a “natural gallery” – lovely peaks, vast rice paddies, quite towns and villages, fishermen at work, and local people traveling up and down the river on their sampans and rafts. Notable sights include Elephant-Trunk Hill, Pagoda Hill, Rooster Fighting Hill, Gaoping Village, Embroidery Hill, Green Lotus Peak and Schoolboy Hill.
Months from March through October make better time for a Li River cruise, since in winter months river level tends to drop and cruise route may have to be shortened due to this reason However, in summer it rains frequently and tourists should be prepared accordingly.
Duxiu Hill, Fubo Hill and Diecai Hill
These are thee scenic hills in Guilin. None of these hills are particularly high – their elevations are about 250 meters above sea-leavel – but as being part of the Karst terrain typical of the region these hills rise abruptly above the flat ground nearby and along with the waters and greens around them make some spectacular sights. Duxiu Hill (Hill of Singular Beauty) stands in the center of Guilin. At the foot of the hill is the remains of Jingjiang Palace, which is a palace for a prince of the Ming dynasty and was originally constructed in 1372. On the southwestern side of the hill there are stone stairs by which visitors can climb to the top of the peak. Fubo Hill (Hill of Pacified Waves) was named after a general who, close to two thousand years ago, governed the local area. This hill is located north of Duxiu Hill, with half of it connected to land and half standing in the Li River. In a cave on the eastern side of the hill one finds several hundred historical engravings, the earliest which date from the Tang dynasty (618 – 907). Farther north of Fubo Hill stand Diecai Hill. Diecai means “Folded Brocades;” this refers to the fact that this hill is actually consisted of several peaks which are connected at their base and which together give a wavy look. One of the peaks has a “wind hole” in its body, a cave that extends from one side of its body to the other. Diecai Hill is a good spot to take an overall bird’s view of Guilin City.
Reed-Flute Cave and Seven-Star Cave
These are two of the better known caves in the Guilin area, famous for the spectacular speleothems found in them. Located five-kilometers northwest of downtown Guilin, Reed-Flute Cave was created by water erosion over 600,000 years ago. The cave got its name for the reeds that grow around its entrance and were used to make flutes. Inscriptions in the cave indicate that at the latest the cave became known to local residents in the 8th century, although for a long time it was a carefully guarded secret since local people used it as a hide-out place in times of war. The cave is approximately 240 meters in length, with a tour route of 500 meters. The Seven-Star Cave is an attraction in the Seven-Star Park, located in eastern Guilin. In this park there stand seven peaks, which together made people to liken them to the stars that form the Big Dipper. Seven-Star Cave has a 1,000-meter-long tour-path. The cave contains a number of spacious chambers; it is 27 meters at its highest point and 49 meters at its widest.
Yangshuo
Yangshuo is a county that is administratively part of Guilin City. It has a total area of 1,400 square kilometers. The county town by the same name is located south of Guilin, 65 kilometers by road or 80 kilometers by the Li River. Yangshuo attracts many foreign visitors not only because it is the end point of the Li River cruises that start at Guilin but also due to its own rural appeal and small-town atmosphere. Some of the tourists enjoying hanging out at West Street, which is about one kilometer in length and is lined with dozens of restaurants, bars and small shops. Some other visitors choose to bike around Yangshuo to bathe in the fresh air and take in beautiful country views. Local scenic spots include Green Lotus Peak (Bilianfeng), Moon Hill (Yueliangshan), Schoolboy Hill (Shutongshan), and Banyan Ferry (Yongyin Gudu).
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