Li River----Natural Gallery
For thousands of years, Li River has attracted countless people and has been praised by large amounts of writers and poets. They left numerous literary works to record and marveled at the beauty of Li River. Being the largest and most beautiful scenery spot of karst terrain, Li River was prestigious in very early periods. It is a pearl embedded on the vast silk ribbon of China, and it is also the spirit of Guilin.
Gorgeous Karst peaks give you surprises at each end of the limpid river under the blue sky. Water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River become one of China's top tourist destinations. The 83-km-long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is like an artist's masterpiece. The landscape is decorated with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and is lined with bamboo. A poem says: "The river is a green silk ribbon, and the hills are jade hair-pins".
Situated in Guangxi Province, China, Li River originates in the Mao'er Mountains in Xing'an County and flows through Guilin, Yangshuo and Pingle, down into the XiJiang, the western tributary of the Pearl River in Wuzhou, its course of 437 kilometers is flanked by green hills. Cormorant fishing is often associated with the Lijiang.
The city where Li River situated is a place with a long history of more than 2000 years. In ancient times, it belonged to the Chu Country. Afterwards, the emperor of China dig an artificial river between Xiang River of Hunan and Li River, and making Guilin became an important city. Since Song Dynasty, Guilin is the political, economical and cultural center of Guangxi Province. In the long history of development, Li River has attracted numerous famous writers and scholars. At present, travelers can see many carving in the scenery area. In 1985, Li River was enrolled as the key tourist attractions of China.
Elephant Trunk Hill
Situated majestically on the western bank of Li River, the hill resembles an elephant sucking water from the river with its long trunk. It is supposed to be the landmark of Guilin landscape, which you can find on travel brochures or books. The most impressive is said to be the water reflection of a moon-like cave when the moonlight sprinkles over the river, hence the name “Moon over the Water”.
A few minutes down from the Elephant Hill on the west bank is a small hill topped with a pagoda. The hexagonal pagoda is called Longevity Buddha Pagoda (Shoufo Ta) dating from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is said the second floor has stone Buddha figurines on display and the hill is compassed in Chuanshan Park. In autumn, the hill illuminated with red maples is very charming.
Perching on the northern bank of Li River, the ancient town keeps in its antique style from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). A flagging street, lined with old residences, shops and stalls, runs two kilometers along the river bank through the town. Some well-preserved residences hidden behind the street door may give you surprises you when you occasionally explore further into a shop. These are quarters for businessmen in the past times. Have a try on various dumping snacks on the stalls or peddle cars along the street. Some will surprise you with both its taste and cheap price. People in the town are very kind to tourists. Further to south, there is a single-arched bridge in the town named Longevity Bridge.
Admission fee: Free
Opening hours: All day
Hot Travel Routes of Li River