Guilin Lijiang River
Synopsis
The landscape of Guilin is the finest under heaven, and the Li River is the essence of Guilin's scenery. The 83-kilometer waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo along the Li River is adorned with fantastical peaks reflected in the water, emerald streams, and verdant hills. The background image on the 20-yuan banknote is taken from the Yellow Cloth Shoal reflection scenic area of the Li River.
Overview
"Guilin's landscape is the finest under heaven." This timeless saying captures the irreplaceable status of Guilin in China's landscape painting. The Li River is the very soul and essence of Guilin's scenery. Originating from Mao'er Mountain in the northeast of Guilin City, the Li River flows through the urban area of Guilin, meandering southward to Yangshuo, covering a total length of approximately 160 kilometers. The 83-kilometer waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is hailed as the "Hundred-Mile Gallery," featuring towering karst peaks, winding emerald waters, and picturesque reflections, forming China's most classic landscape.
The Li River Scenic Area is one of China's first national key scenic areas and a National 5A Tourist Attraction. The Guilin Karst was inscribed on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List in 2014, with the Li River being a core component of this heritage.
Core Attractions
Countless breathtaking natural landscapes are scattered along the Li River. Here are the most essential parts:
| Attraction | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Cloth Reflection | Xingping Section | The scene featured on the back of the 20 Yuan RMB note, the essence of the Li River's beauty |
| Nine-Horse Fresco Hill | Xingping Section | Natural patterns on the riverside cliff resembling nine galloping horses |
| Xingping Scenic Area | Xingping Section | One of the Eight Scenes of Yangshuo, where green hills and clear waters complement each other |
| Millstone Hill | Mid-section between Guilin & Yangshuo | Resembling a giant millstone, a landmark of the Li River |
| Yangdi Scenery | Yangdi Section | Idyllic pastoral and rural scenery |
| Xialong Scenery | Yangshuo Outskirts | Surrounded by peculiar peaks, with water as clear as a mirror |
The 20 Yuan RMB Background
The reverse side pattern of the 20 Yuan note from the fifth series of Renminbi is taken from the Yellow Cloth Reflection scenic area in the Xingping section of the Li River. The image depicts the reflection of Yuanbao Hill on the emerald green waters of the Li River, with dark green hills on both banks and distant misty haze, perfectly presenting the classic imagery of Guilin's landscape.
A dedicated viewing platform is set up by the Li River in Xingping Ancient Town, where tourists can hold a 20 Yuan note to take photos with the actual scenery. This photo spot has become an iconic experience for Guilin tourism. The viewing platform is free for visitors and is located behind Dahebei Village near Xingping Pier, in the area from Chaoban Hill to Yuanbao Hill.
Li River Bamboo Rafting
Li River bamboo rafting is one of the most classic ways to explore the river. The rafts are motorized bamboo rafts for four people, departing when full, allowing visitors to experience the landscape up close.
The most popular rafting route is the round trip from Xingping to Nine-Horse Fresco Hill, taking about 40 minutes. Along the way, you can admire four of the Li River's core scenic highlights: Yellow Cloth Reflection, Xingping Scenic Area, and Nine-Horse Fresco Hill. The section from Yangdi to Nine-Horse Fresco Hill is also a popular choice, offering more pristine and natural scenery.
Besides motorized rafts, the non-motorized bamboo rafting on the Yulong River in Yangshuo is also worth experiencing. Known as the "Little Li River," the Yulong River has clear water and picturesque pastoral scenery on both banks. The raftsman slowly poles the raft, offering a more tranquil and leisurely experience.
Yangshuo and Ten-Mile Gallery
The endpoint of the Li River is Yangshuo, a small town world-famous for the Guilin landscape. Yangshuo West Street is the most distinctive tourist and commercial street, where Chinese and Western cultures converge, lined with various specialty restaurants, bars, and handicraft shops.
The Ten-Mile Gallery is a classic driving or cycling route in Yangshuo, approximately 10 kilometers long, featuring attractions like Moon Hill, Big Banyan Tree, and Butterfly Spring along the way. Renting a bicycle or electric scooter to travel through the Ten-Mile Gallery, flanked by peculiar karst peaks and pastoral scenery, is one of Yangshuo's most popular leisure experiences.
Xingping Ancient Town is located 25 kilometers northeast of Yangshuo County and is one of the most historically rich ancient villages along the Li River. Founded during the Three Kingdoms period, the town has a history of over 1,700 years. Its bluestone-paved streets, Ming and Qing dynasty architecture, and simple folk customs make Xingping an unmissable cultural stop on any Li River journey.
Practical Information
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Season | April to October; scenery is best during spring and summer when water levels are high |
| Suggested Visit Duration | 2 to 3 days |
| Transportation | Guilin Liangjiang Airport has direct flights to major cities nationwide; Guilin Railway Station connects to the national high-speed rail network |
| Li River Cruise | Guilin to Yangshuo cruise takes about 4 hours; bamboo rafting about 40 minutes |
| Tickets | Li River Scenic Area ticket includes cruise fees; bamboo rafting requires separate purchase |
| Local Cuisine | Guilin Rice Noodles, Beer Fish, Stuffed River Snails, Li River Shrimp |
Cultural Significance
The aesthetic value of Guilin's landscape has had a profound influence on Chinese culture. Since ancient times, countless literati and artists have left immortal poems and paintings inspired by the Li River scenery. Han Yu praised Guilin's landscape as "the river a green silk ribbon, the hills like jade hairpins," a timeless masterpiece describing the Li River's beauty.
The Li River landscape is also an important subject in Chinese painting; many classic compositions in traditional Chinese landscape painting find their prototypes along the Li River. The aesthetic of the Li River's landscape is not only a model of Chinese natural beauty appreciation but has also profoundly influenced garden art and landscape design concepts in East Asia.
References
- Guilin Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau: https://www.gltour.gov.cn/
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1335/
- Wikipedia: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/%E6%BC%93%E6%B1%9F
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