Li River Cruise
The Li River is undisputedly the best that China has to offer, shining like a pearl on top of a country that is rich in scenic masterpieces and natural beauty and charm at its best. The river Li stretches from the picturesque Guilin to the breath taking Wulin, and passes through the varying landscapes at Yangshou, Pingle and Zhaoping. Li river is acclaimed the world over for being one of the best river cruising experiences, complete with the stunning beauty of natural limestone peaks, rustic bamboo shoots, green canopies lining the banks, eerie caves along the waters ready to be explored and dozens of vales and hills that invite every individual sailing through it s deep gushing waters.
The Li river cruise is a journey through the best of nature that commences form the lush green countryside at Guilin and ends at the picturesque Yangshou. Thousands of poets have composed couplets and poems praising the breathtaking scenes that you can witness through the journey; however, as you start sailing through these heartwarming sights, you will be startled to discover that no words are enough to fully describe the beauty and appeal of this area.
The Li river cruise may last for a period of 4-5 hours, and these few hours will prove to be some of the best of your life due to their relaxing and utterly satisfying nature.
Spectacular waterfalls, clear sparkling lakes, eye-feasting karstic peaks, lush green flora and fauna, lazily strolling cattle and of course shining water stretching to great lengths are some of the highlights of the cruise that make it a truly memorable and intensifying experience. Visit the area in mid March and April to find a clear blue sky and a landscape laden with natural beauty at every corner.
Highlights and Attractions
The attractions throughout the Li river journey are too many to put into words, with every turn and step bringing with it a spellbinding tale of enchanting beauty with it. While some of the places are famed for their unique appeal and aura, some are revered for their artistic charm or for the mystical stories associated with them for centuries.
Nine Horses Mural Hill
The Chinese tradition boasts of not only a rich cultural heritage but also an attention to creativity, detail and wit translating to modern technology. The Nine Horse Mural Hill is a similar depiction of the fact that the history of the region is not only based on fantasy and royalty but also on the power of nature and understanding.
The towering high rock formation with a natural pattern depicting several horses, the landscape serves as a figure of merit for the imperial examination of the ancients, and announces the person who manages to find all the nine horses hidden in the structure as the winner of the test. This beautiful structure is a must see for anybody who wishes to experience and get enthralled by the ways in which nature can transform form ordinary to extra ordinary!
Li River Scenery
Yellow Cloth Shoal
The Yellow Cloth Shoal not only is famed for its mighty and unique yellow flagstone structure, but also because of the beauty with which the surrounding green peaks enhance its aura and appeal and make it a structure that is truly out of this world in every sense of the word. This structure stands tall over the murky green waters of the Li and looks strikingly like a structure from the heaven above.
Even legends tell the tale that the seven peaks surrounding the structure were actually seven sisters that came down one day from the heavens and got so enthralled and mystified by the beauty of the landscape that decide to immerse into the landscape themselves and became a part of the glorious and scenic location of the Li banks. Thus, this mystical appeal and spellbinding nature of the structure has been a source of bliss and awe for scores of tourists and visitors that sail through the Li for centuries.
Guanyan
he Guanyan, also termed as the Crown Caves because of their royal appeal and structure are one of the many reasons that set apart Guilin from the rest of the world when it comes to the beauty and mystique of natural formations. The entire structure is a strikingly beautiful and unique combination of stalactites, stalagmites, limestone peaks and caves that pose a different dimension of mystery and beauty at every step that you take.
The stone pillars present at each turn you take and the natural rock formations separated by green canopies are a beautiful and spellbinding image that you will find difficult to forget for the rest of your life! Apart from the traditional cruises, bamboo rafts also carry the passengers from the foot of these caves which give them a better chance to explore and experience the natural charm of the region.
Snail hills
If you thought that you had seen enough of the fact that how nature can play with the human mind and present images through landscapes that are enchanting yet unbelievable, think again. The Snail hills are a uniquely enticing structure that consists of natural rock formations, caves lined with stalactites and rough hills that altogether pose a structure similar to a giant snail resting on the water banks. The Snail Cave is also a unique naturally constructed cave within its boundaries that has been known to surprise visitors for years because of its simple yet artistic landscape.
Ban Bian Du
The ever changing nature of the landscape throughout your cruise journey from Guilin to Yangshou along the Li river is what that will define the beauty and appeal of the cruise trip in its truest sense. The Ban Bian Du speaks for the fact that the journey through the Li river is a quest full of twists and turns on its own and offers not only a chance to experience but also to explore to the casual visitor. A huge rock cuts across the river when you move beyond the crown caves, and thus the view of the other side is restricted. This rare yet natural occurrence shows just how beautifully Mother Nature ahs elaborated the scenic charm of this region with intricate detail and craftsmanship.
Catering a unique half-side ferry, this area lets the visitor view only one half of the bank while sailing and makes way for an experience that is unlike any other you can have around the globe on a river cruise. The breathtaking countryside and lush green lands starching far across the banks of the Li are a mesmerizing and relaxing experience that cannot be put into words.
Yangshuo Fishman
Yucun Village
The Yucun village is a small yet significant fishing village that is located on the left bank of the river Li, and is a unique mix of natural charm and historical heritage. With structures, courtyards and buildings dating back to the sixteenth century, the architecture is reminiscent of the Ming and Qing dynasties and offers a lot to ponder to the visitors coming in to explore the small region.
The striking beauty of the region is so mesmerizing and beautiful that it will be forever etched in your mind as one of the most amazing experiences of your lifetime. Make sure you pay a visit to Yucun if you are yearning to learn more about the rich history of the Chinese royalty while enjoying the artistic and scenic landscapes that the region is famous for.
Xingping Village
Marking a kind of central stop between the diverse and unique Guilin city and Yangshou, the village of Xingping stands as a cultural melting pot of diverse cultures and scenic charm of nature. The village is unique in the perspective because not only it gives its visitors a chance to experience and explore the amazing scenery of the region, but also interact and gel-in with the local crowd to learn their true customs and traditions.
China is a country that is renowned for centuries because of its friendly people and fraternizing bonds, and this hospitality and love is evident once you look at the local fishermen sailing the region on intricately and beautifully crafted bamboo rafts. The aura and mystique of this village is intensified because of the fact that it is one of the oldest and most ancient villages throughout China, and the traditions of the region speak with a royal and traditional approach. The village is located in a picturesque location which marks the slender turn of the Li River, and is a location that will be the highlight for your photo album and also your memories because of its rich and artistic colors and hauntingly beautiful aura.
Biking along Yangshuo Countryside
Shutong Hill
The mesmerizing journey through the Li is full of ancient mysteries and tales of a mystical nature that surround the visitor into an out-worldly charm at every instant. The Shutong Hills are one such example of the legendary tales associated with the Li River that will make you a believer because of its spell binding and truly enchanting nature.
The legend holds that the Shutong Hill pays homage to a brave and daring school boy that taught a lesson to an evil dragon through his wit and cleverness. Although it is one of the narrowest rock formations across the Li, it still attracts a massive crowd because of its simple yet mesmerizing natural beauty.
Yangshuo
They say that a beautiful ending makes for the overall appeal and charm of a mesmerizing tale. The same hold true for Yangshou – no other place on the world could pose as a better ending to the Li river cruise other than this mystical and beautiful city which has a distinct appeal and aura when it comes to picturesque locations and enchanting land. Not only is Yangshou a true paradise on earth, the city also brings to life the fact that China is not only a place that looks beautiful but also a place that feels beautiful.
From diverse locations, artistic scenery, historical significance, traditional color, modern architecture and culinary perfection – you can get anything and everything that you wish for in the mesmerizing city of Yangshou. Visit it to experience for yourself the depth of beauty, art and entertainment all present at a single breathtaking and amazing destination!