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Li River, originating from Mao’er Mountain, flows from Guilin to Yangshuo for 83 km
Li River Scenic Area is one of the largest and most beautiful karst landscape recreational area. It is always said that” Guilin's scenery is the best in the world”
Li River, situated in Guilin City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is a bright pearl on the list of China's tourist attractions and it is the highlight of sightseeing tour in Guilin. The 83-km-long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is the masterpiece of Li River, decorated with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and lined bamboos which is just like enjoying a melodious symphony. Hanyu vividly described the enchanting beauty of the Lijiang River in his poem: The River looks like a blue silk ribbon, and the mountains resemble emerald hairpins".
The poetic and picturesque Li River originates in Mountain Cat at Xing'an County in the northeast of Guilin. It winds and meanders its way for 170 kilometers, passing through Guilin, Yangshuo to the outlet of Gongchen River in Pingle County. Li River, according to its different scenes, may be divided into three sections: Mopanshan wharf-yangdi, Yangdi-Xingping, and Xingping-Yangshuo.
Along the river, the rolling peaks, steep cliffs, green hills and clear water constitute a fascinating hundred-mile pictures gallery. The crystal clear Li River is located amid precipitous peaks hung with waterfalls. Among poems singing the praise of its beauty are these tow lines: "He who travels in Guilin hills finds himself in a fairyland", and "He who sails along the Li River finds himself boating in a sweet dream."
The most beautiful scenes of Guilin scenery are found along the Li River. The hills beyond hills with their reflections in the crystal water are like fairy land, the green bamboo greets you all the way along the river in the breeze; the water buffaloes eating grass casually; the ducks swimming along the river; the fisherman fishing or catnapping on the bamboo rafts with his cormorants resting peacefully next to him, it's God dotted landscape. "Serenity" is a word poet tried to describe, "story-book-mountains" is kids say about the hills. Chinese traditional paintings are what Chinese artists have being trying to depict the scenery for thousands of years. But the natural beauty of the Li River is indeed beyond any descriptions, you have to be there to see with your own eyes and to feel with your own heart.
The Li River is famous for its beauty of four unique: green hills, clear water, fantastic caves and charming rocks. Along the river, there are deep pools, dangerous shoals, murmuring springs, and roaring waterfalls.
Nine Horse Fresco Hill
Nine Horse Fresco Hill(九马画山) is one of the famous landscapes of Lijiang River in Guilin, and it is also a wonder of nature. Located 4 kilometers northwest of Xingping Town, Nine Horse Fresco Hill is more than 400 meters high and 200 meters wide. It stands by the Li River, and the massive cliff face of the mountain appears to have natural rock patterns resembling nine horses in different postures. Looking from afar, it looks like a huge painting. If you look carefully, there are only a group of horses in the painting, some stand, some lie, some scream with their heads held high, some run, some turn its head and some leisurely forage.
Yellow Cloth Shoal
Yellow Cloth Shoal(黄布倒影) is one of the most iconic and captivating sections of Li River. Huangbu Shoal(Yellow Cloth Shoal) is located in the upper reaches of Xingping, Li River. In this section, the water is calm and clear. And you can see a big beige slate at the bottom of the river, which is just like a yellow cloth laid flat on the riverbed, hence the name of Huangbu Beach.
The beauty of the mountains of Li River lies in the reflections. And the Huangbu reflections are most intoxicating. Huangbu Shoal is the most intoxicating reflection of Lijiang River. The image of Yellow Cloth Shoal is printed on the back of the 20 Yuan Banknote, and it is the shooting place of many tourists here.
Xingping Ancient Town
Xingping Ancient Town is located in the northeast of Yangshuo, 25 kilometers away from Yangshuo county, where the Li River makes a big bend. Xingping is the most beautiful ancient town along the Li River, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with beautiful scenery and white walls and stone alleys.
Xingping Town has a history of more than 1,700 years. It is a famous historical and cultural town in China and a famous scenic tourist town with national characteristics. With the integration of traditional and modernity, there are cafes and other stores on the streets in the town, and you can walk around.
At the time of sunset, you can see the boats near the Li River, the golden or purple sky will be reflected on the clam surface of the river, which is romantic and impressive.
3 star Li River Cruise: Mopanshan Pier-Yangshuo Pier
4 star/5 star Li River Cruise: Zhujiang Pier-Yangshuo Pier
Duration: About 4 hours
Daily Departures:
3 star Li River Cruise: 9:00-11:00, 12:30-13:30
4 star Li River Cruise: 8:50-9:40
5 star Li River Cruise: 9:30-10:00
Taking Li River Cruise is the best way to experience the beauty of the scenery of Li River. There are 3 star, 4 star and 5 star cruises for Li River Cruises. Generally speaking, the trip of Li River Cruise will be about 4 hours in total, and the actual time will be longer or shorter according to the real situation at that day.
To board on the Li River Cruise, you need to get to the Mopanshan Pier or Zhujiang Pier from Guilin downtown. Please leave enough time for yourselves from your hotel to the piers in Guilin. You can take taxi from your hotel in Guilin Downtown to the pier.
Li River Cruise starts from Guilin and ends in Yangshuo, which means that you need to reach or stay in Guilin in advance.
Li River Cruise is one-way trip, and there are no cruises from Yangshuo to Guilin.
Li River Cruise will departure on time, and you’d better get to the Mopanshan Pier or Zhujiang Pier in advance. The ticket is needed for boarding on the cruise.
The best time to take Li River cruise depends on what kind of experience you're looking for: clear skies, misty mountain vibes or lush scenery. In spring, the landscapes are green and lush. And there are rains in spring, you can see the misty Li River during the foggy and rainy time. There are many sunny and clear days in summer in Guilin, please pay attention to the blood in June and hot weather in summer in Guilin, which will be very hot outside. Autumn in Guilin provides clear skies and comfortable temperature, which is ideal for photography. Winter in Guilin is cold and dry with less crowds.
Overall, it is much recommended that you take the Li River Cruise in autumn(September to November) with pleasant weather.
To plan a Yangshuo trip with Li River Cruise will depend on how long you plan to stay in Yangshuo. If you want to stay in Yangshuo for 2 days, you may need to stay in Yangshuo for a night.
One Day Trip in Yangshuo with Li River Cruise
After you get off the Li River Cruise, you can have lunch at the West Street and stroll around. Then you can take a trip to Xianggongshan Hill and enjoy the stunning view of scenery and sunset at the top of the mountain. After that, you will get back to Guilin.
2 Days Trip in Yangshuo with Li River Cruise
After you get off the Li River Cruise, you can have lunch at the West Street and stroll around. Then you can take a trip to Xianggongshan Hill and enjoy the stunning view of scenery and sunset at the top of the mountain. You will stay in Yangshuo for this night.
At the second day, you will go to the Ruyi Peak in the morning. At the afternoon, you can cycle in the countryside of Yangshuo and experience the bamboo rafting on the Yulong River. After that, you will get back to Guilin for your next destination in China.
Traveling in Yangshuo, a driver and a guide is needed for foreign tourists. A driver can greatly save your time on the transportation and waiting. And a guide can help you better experience the beauty in Guilin and Yangshuo. Top China Travel can be your best partner in your China travel including itinerary arranging, hotels and flights reservation, train tickets reservation and guides arranging. Choose us and you will have an ideal trip in China.
Our clients on Li River Cruise
【Time for a Visit】 It is recommended to take a cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the sides of the river, which takes about 4 hrs
【Best Time to Visit】 April to October
From $ 245
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