Lijiang River Landscape [Guilin]

"One of Top Six Most Beautiful Peak Forests in China"
Ranked by China National Geoegraphy Magazin

Lijiang River Landscape in Guilin City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: A landscape gallery

The Lijiang River, part of the Zhujiang (Pearl River) system, originates in the Mao'er Mountain, the highest in southern China. Its course is 437 kilometers long. The river is internationally known for the 83 kilometers stretch between Xiangbi (Elephant Trunk) Hills in Guilin City to Bilian (Green Lotus) Peak in Yangshuo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

About 325 million years ago, today's Guilin and Yangshuo area was just a vast expanse of water.The Lijiang River area, which is typical of Karst landscape and Guangxi sub-tropical Karst topography, boasts diverse beautiful landscapes, peak forests, Karst caves, deep pools, dangerous shoals, precipitous crags and rushing waterfalls. The picturesque peak forests along the river were formed by limestone rising from the seabed and undergoing years of erosion by continual high temperature and rain. As their hardness and abruptness softened away, they merged with the life force of all creatures, composing an elegant picture of green towering peaks.

The beauty of the Lijiang River lies in its clear and graceful waters and its curious rock formations. In the sunshine, its water take all shades of green that keep on changing constantly---- one moment like emerald, the next the color of young leaves. Not only has the river created all creatures around it, it has also transformed water ----this colorless, ordinary material-----into a beautiful enchanting spirit. The peaks here are neither tall nor steep. Dotted along the Lijiang River, they form a smoothly meandering line of dark green. The peaks follow on one after another, each close upon the heel of the one before, but each has its own story and associations. They stand together, shoulder to shoulder, keeping watch over the area, bringing endless blessings, and witnessing its great change.

Best time to go
Spring and Autumn
An average annual temperature is 66.2F. In summer, the hottest temperature is to 83F. In winter, the coldest temperature is to 46.2F.

Ticket
Super Luxury Boat with Air-conditioner including lunch is RMB 450/person(high season from April to November), RMB 400/person (low season from December to March)
Luxury Boat with Air-conditioner including lunch RMB 305/person (high season from April to November), RMB 275/person (low season from December to March) General Boat with Air-conditioner including lunch RMB 219/person (high season from April to November), RMB 190/person (low season from December to March) The time of sightseeing on Lijiang River is about 4.5 hours.

Around Landscape
Longji Terraces, Ludi Yan (Reed Flute Cave), Seven Star Park, Diecai Park (Hill of Folded Brocade), Duxiu Feng (Solitary Beauty Peak), Xiangbi Shan (Elephant Trunk Hill),etc.

Local Snacks and Specialties
Guilin Golden Orange, Guilin Three-flower Wine, Preserved Bean curd, Capsicum Soy-sauce, Shatian Pomelo, Guilin Rice-noodles, etc.

Travel Tips
Be sure to respect local customs and traditions.
In Yangshuo County, renting bike is best way to sightseeing.

Distance
Beijing (2576 km) Nanning City (431 km) Guilin City
Beijing (2145 km) Guilin City (60 km) Yangshuo County