The Li River, which divides Guilin and Yangshuo, resembles a green silk scarf flowing between karst hills with a unique and stunning panorama, often regarded as the most beautiful in the world. This is what I encountered during my visit to Guilin and Yangshuo, China. The scenery here is vastly different from Hong Kong. I arrived in the city after an overnight train journey from Shenzhen.
Guilin has long been known for its unique natural landscapes. It’s no surprise that Guilin is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world, with spectacular karst hills, stunning caves, and crystal-clear rivers. The views will leave you in awe.
Guilin is a city in Guangxi Province, People’s Republic of China, located in the northeastern part of the Guangxi Autonomous Region. It is classified as a county-level city. Its total area is 27,800 square kilometers, covering 12 counties, including the tourist city of Yangshuo, Xingan, and Gongcheng. The urban district of Guilin itself spans 565 square kilometers.
Located on the banks of the Li River, the name Guilin means “forest of Osmanthus fragrans” (tea olive), referring to the abundance of this plant in the city. Guilin is equipped with an international airport, rail networks, and highways connecting it to various regions. The city boasts 2 five-star hotels, 3 four-star hotels, and dozens of three-star hotels. Travel agencies, restaurants, recreational spots, and shopping centers are scattered throughout the city, making Guilin a well-supported tourist destination that attracts visitors from China and abroad, especially on weekends and during holidays.
In late February, I visited this city and the small town of Yangshuo. Guilin is easily accessible via its international airport, but I traveled overland from Hong Kong, passing through Shenzhen and Guangzhou first. The journey, on a sleeper train, took 12 hours. I departed at 5:50 PM China time and arrived at 8:00 AM the next day. Guilin, located farther north, has a cooler climate despite being at the tail end of winter. The morning temperature was around 10 degrees Celsius with fog. Despite wearing three layers of clothes, I couldn’t quite warm up, as I am used to the tropical climate.
My journey in this city began in the morning. With a history of around 2,000 years, Guilin has long been a tourist destination due to its historical landmarks and civilization, preserving nearly 200 million years of ancient geological history. Famous attractions within the city include Xiangbishan, Luotuoshan, Chuanshan, Ludi Cave, Qixing Cave, Reed Flute Cave, Four Lakes, the Ming Dynasty King’s Palace, You Mountain, and the spectacular karst hills. The most famous karst hill is Elephant Trunk Hill on the banks of the Li River, whose shape resembles the trunk of an elephant.
As one of the world’s most renowned tourist cities, Guilin is often said to have the most beautiful natural scenery in all of China, especially with its world-famous karst topography and other unique panoramas. The Guilin area is fed by numerous clear rivers. The water, like a mirror, reflects the beautiful karst hills. The main river is the Li River.
The Li River stretches through this region, winding all the way to the beautiful town of Yangshuo. The river is 437 kilometers long, with 84 kilometers flowing from Guilin to Yangshuo. Originating from the Lijiang River, the Li River is the heart of Guilin’s natural beauty. It can be said that the Li River is the essence of the picturesque landscapes in Guilin. So inspiring was its beauty that the great Tang Dynasty poet Han Yu (768–824) wrote famous lines after sailing the Li River from Guilin: “The wind of the river is like a green silk ribbon, while the hills resemble jade hairpins.” Because of its renowned beauty, the Chinese government promotes Guilin by featuring images of its karst peaks on the 20 Yuan banknote.
The Li River, like a green silk scarf, winds through the karst hills, creating a long and beautiful painting that constantly captivates both domestic and international tourists. This breathtaking scenery can be enjoyed by taking a cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. For a shorter trip, you can rent a bamboo boat for two hours. However, even without a cruise, the amazing views can be admired from the riverbanks.
After marveling at the beauty of the Li River, I discovered even more stunning landscapes when I visited the Four Lakes. These lakes, not far from the Li River, are called Four Lakes because they are made up of four distinct parts: Shahu Lake, Ronghu Lake, Guihu Lake, and Mulong Lake. Despite the foggy weather due to the cold, the beauty of these lakes was undiminished. Next to the lakes is a walking street that becomes a hub for tourism at night, crowded with bars, cafes, pubs, boutiques, and branded stores.