Guilin Yangshuo: A Poetic Abode on the Ink-Wash Li River, a Thousand-Year Ballad of Karst Landscapes

Attraction Information Located in the northeastern part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin Yangshuo boasts an 83-kilometer stretch of the prime Li River waterway and over 2,000 karst peaks. It has been hailed by National Geographic as one of the "Top 10 Most Beautiful Karst Landscapes in the World." The core scenic area encompasses the section of the Li River from Yangdi to Xingping, the Yulong River, the Ten Mile Gallery, and West Street. The best time to visit is from April to October. Opening Hours: Li River cruise 7:30–17:30, Yulong River bamboo raft 8:00–18:00, West Street open all day 🎫Tickets: Li River three-star cruise ¥215/person, Yulong River two-person bamboo raft ¥160/raft, Ten Mile Gallery cycling free 🚉Transportation: High-speed rail to Yangshuo Station (40 minutes from the county seat), Guilin Liangjiang International Airport transfer to express bus (1.5 hours) Tour Guide Natural Wonders 1. Li River Landscape Gallery The recommended route is the essence section from Yangdi to Nine Horses Fresco Hill and Xingping. The reflection of Yellow Cloth Shoal in the morning mist is the scene depicted on the ¥20 RMB banknote. As the bamboo raft passes "Carp Hanging on the Cliff," the boatman will sing Zhuang welcome songs. The mountain songs and the sound of oars startle egrets into graceful flight. 2. Yulong River Traditional Rafting Experience the wild fun of manually punting a raft through 28 weirs on the 6-kilometer river course from Fuli Bridge to Gongnong Bridge. The "Chongba" section at Jinlong Bridge has a drop of 3 meters. The moment the splashing water wets your clothes, the rustling of the bamboo on both banks sounds like a natural symphony. 3. Karst Exploration The 800 stone steps of Moon Hill lead directly to Moon Cave. At noon, the sunlight penetrates the cave, creating a spectacle of the "waxing and waning of the moon." The "Yaochi Wonderland" stalactites in the Silver Cave change color with the light. It is recommended to enter after 16:00 to avoid tour groups. Cultural Experiences 1. West Street Nightlife Along the Ming and Qing Dynasty bluestone paved road, the aroma of Yangshuo beer fish and Guilin rice noodles mingles with the sound of hand drums. "Master Fu Gold Medal Beer Fish" main restaurant is recommended. It uses Li River spinefish simmered with local Liquan beer, resulting in tender fish with a malty aftertaste. 2. Thousand-Year Totem Code At the "Painting Fan Festival" in Fuli Ancient Town, you can experience fish skin painting. Zhuang grandmothers will teach you how to use Miscanthus grass juice to paint the totem of the "Frog God Holding a Bronze Drum" on the fan. Each line corresponds to the ancient Zhuang rice farming calendar. 📖Historical and Cultural Background Yangshuo's landscape aesthetics can be traced back to the retreat of the ancient Tethys Sea 370 million years ago. Marine sedimentary rocks were eroded by flowing water, forming the karst landscape of "green silk ribbons around a jade hairpin." After Qin Shi Huang opened the Lingqu Canal, this area became an important route from central China to Lingnan. The ruins of Guiyi Ancient City on the banks of the Yulong River still show traces of Tang Dynasty stone sluices. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the prosperity of the "Western Guangdong trading port" gave rise to a unique fishing and farming culture. The custom of "Li River Fishing Fires," where fishermen trained cormorants to fish, continues to this day. The annual Mid-Autumn Festival river lantern ceremony recreates the grand scene of "countless stars falling into the river" described by Xu Xiake. During the Anti-Japanese War, Li Zongren established a command post in Baisha Town. More than 40 existing cliff carvings record the landscape sentiments and patriotic worries of literati and patriots. Experience Review Three Major Thrills 👀Visual Feast: Take a hot air balloon to overlook the sunrise over the peaks. Over 300 solitary peaks appear and disappear in the morning mist, like the freehand brushstrokes of Xu Beihong's "Spring Rain on the Li River." 🍲Taste Sensation: "Liquan 1998" beer brewed with karst spring water paired with stuffed snails. The aroma of purple perilla and the chewy texture of the snail meat create a burst of wild flavors in the mouth. ✋🏻Tactile Memory: Rock climbing the "Half Moon Hanging Wall" route on Moon Hill. Your fingertips touch the rough texture of Jurassic limestone, and dew from the ferns in the crevices drips onto your neck. Avoidance Guide ❗️Avoid ordinary seats for "Impression Sanjie Liu" (the view is blocked by trees). Prioritize VIP seats in area B2. For cycling the Ten Mile Gallery, it is recommended to rent an electric bicycle (¥30/day). Traditional bicycles are strenuous for uphill climbs. 📷Photography enthusiasts can stay at "Huashan Yunshe" in Xingping Ancient Town. The terrace directly faces the panoramic view of Yuanbao Mountain. Travel Notes At the hour of the tiger, the Li River was still immersed in the dark blue light of dawn. I sat alone in the Lao Zhai Shan viewing pavilion. Below, the cruise ships cut through the silk-like river surface, the ripples shattering the reflected peaks into dots of emerald. The moment the fisherman on the opposite bank lit his pipe, the orange spark illuminated the fish hawk on his bamboo raft—these black spirits stood still as sculptures, only spreading their wings to pierce the water's surface at their master's call. As the setting sun dyed the Yulong River amber, I waded barefoot through the shallows of Chaoyang Wharf. The coolness of the river water around my ankles brought to mind the imagery of Shen Congwen's "water, all turquoise, a thousand feet deep." The swaying water plants at the bottom of the river resembled the swirling skirts of Zhuang girls dancing the bronze drum dance. 🌟Hidden Gem: Under the ancient banyan tree behind the Sangu Temple in Fuli Town lies the resting stone where Xu Xiake stopped during his expedition in 1637. The inscription on the stone, "mountains and rivers like a cross-section, heaven and earth as my dwelling," is still clearly visible.