Mountains and Waters Meet Again [Guilin Yangshuo] Let's Rock the Boat of Friendship

The verse 'Guilin's scenery is the best under heaven' has been passed down for 800 years as an immortal line praising Guilin's landscapes. Its typical karst landforms have been deeply imprinted in our hearts since childhood. In 2015, a chance opportunity led to a 3-night, 4-day trip to Guilin. Though the trip was short, the memories lingered, sparking the idea of hiking along the Li River. The Spring Festival trip in 2018 was tiring but joyful. Since it's a journey, bring a beautiful mood to encounter the unexpected surprises.

The Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of Guilin, shaped like a giant elephant drinking water, famous far and wide. Seen from a boat on the Li River, at night we only viewed it from the riverbank, illuminated by colorful lights under the glow of lamps. The 2020 Guilin trip involved viewing the city emblem and the Li River from Zizhou Island on the opposite bank. After several visits to Guilin, I still haven't entered Elephant Trunk Hill (heard it's free during the New Year). For traveling in Guilin, especially independent travel, it's recommended to spend most of your time in Yangshuo. 'Yangshuo's scenery tops Guilin, and Xingping's scenery tops Yangshuo.' Famous spots like Nine Horses Fresco Hill, Yellow Cloth Reflection, and the 20-yuan bill background have attracted countless literati to linger and write. Spring or autumn is the best time to visit Xingping for good water levels. Simple and unadorned words, yet a powerful advertisement. In the fishing village, there is a shop claiming 'Clinton came to my house,' a celebrity effect that has drawn many tourists from home and abroad. During public holidays, it's hard to find a bamboo raft on the Li River.

Speaking of Xingping Ancient Town, I'll also mention Laozhai Mountain. The entrance is to the left of the memorial archway. Be cautious when climbing, as there are almost no guardrails along the mountain. Without some outdoor experience, it's not recommended to go up. Of course, the feeling of overlooking all the smaller hills is great, offering a 180-degree view of Xingping.

The Yulong River is the longest tributary of the Li River in Yangshuo, with the reputation of being 'not the Li River but surpassing it.' Rafting on the Yulong River is one of the popular activities in Yangshuo. Two people per raft, very pleasant. Hiking from Jima Village to Yulong Bridge along the Yulong River is about 14 kilometers, taking over 4 hours with stops along the way. The path weaves through countryside trails, as much as possible following the river upstream with beautiful scenery. You can also rent a bicycle or electric scooter in Yangshuo for cycling. Most tourists explore the Ten-mile Gallery in Yangshuo as a cycling route, featuring attractions like Totem Ancient Path, Moon Hill, Julong Cave, and Butterfly Spring. If time is limited, just go to Butterfly Spring: walk through the karst cave, cross the cable bridge, climb the hill, and if the timing is right, enjoy a song and dance performance (at 11:00 and 13:00). My second visit to the Ten-mile Gallery was solely for the joy of cycling; actually, the road was a bit boring, so I turned off the main road onto side paths. You can try the glider or hot air balloon. Sometimes I wonder why 'romantic encounter' is tagged here—is it describing the beauty of meeting, or highlighting a lively and colorful scene? Yangshuo West Street inevitably falls into clichés, an 'Foreigner's Street' full of Western colors and Chinese style. I wonder how crowded it is during the Spring Festival under the pandemic? Amidst the mountains and waters, if there were a few thatched cottages, I could gather with a few close friends in leisure, drink tea, chat, and enjoy wine.

What else can you visit in the city? Zhengyang Pedestrian Food Street, Chuan Shan Park... and various other hills. From the airport to the city, take the airport bus to the Civil Aviation Building downtown, 20 yuan/person, operating from 6:00-21:00 every half hour, about 45 minutes. By train, there are Guilin Station and Guilin North Station. From Guilin to Yangshuo: bus from Guilin South Station, 30 yuan/person, about 1.5 hours, departing every half hour; there is also direct bus from Guilin Bus Station. By cruise: third-class boat about 300 yuan/person (including box lunch), luxury boat about 450 yuan/person (including simple lunch). You can book a package from travel agencies or hotels that includes transfer from city hotel to the cruise terminal. The terminal is about 30 km from the city, about 40 minutes via Guimo Highway. The cruise takes about 4 hours, boarding at Mopanshan Dock and disembarking at Longtoushan Dock. Taxi: from airport to Yangshuo about 170 yuan, from city to Yangshuo about 150 yuan. Airport: there is a bus to Yangshuo from 9:30 to 15:00 every half hour, then from 15:00 to 22:30 every 1.5 hours, 58 yuan/person. High-speed rail: Yangshuo High-Speed Rail Station is in Xingping. Exit left, there are buses to Yangshuo town (20 yuan/person) and Xingping Ancient Town (5 yuan/person), running from 9 am to 8 pm. City Li River cruise: 88 yuan/person, boarding at Longchuanping Dock, going north past Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, to Diecai Hill then return the same way. Night cruise on Two Rivers and Four Lakes: 160 yuan/person on air-conditioned boat, with three docks: Riyue, Wenchang, and Jiefang Bridge. The route covers the Li River, Taohua River, and Ronghu, Shanhu, Guihu, and Mulong Lakes, forming a city waterway, about one hour.

Yangshuo bamboo rafting: From Yulong Bridge to Gongnong Bridge, 15 km of waterway, with three options: walking, cycling, or rafting. From Jinlong Bridge to Jiuxian: 280 yuan/raft for 2 people. Tour groups usually start from Yulong Bridge. Chaoyang Dock to Gongnong Dock (lower half). From Jiuxian to Jima: 160 yuan/raft/2 people. From Jima to Gongnong Bridge: 320 yuan/raft/2 people. From Baisha Town to Yulong Bridge: take the Jinbao minibus and get off at Jinlong Bridge. Self-drive or charter car.

Guilin → (land) Yadi → (water) Xingping. Times: morning 07:00-10:30, afternoon 12:30-18:00. 110 yuan/person. Motorized bamboo rafts with four seats. Empty seat surcharge: 30 yuan/seat. From Yadi to Nine Horses Fresco Hill dock, life jackets must be worn throughout. It is said that children under 7 and seniors over 70 are not allowed. After reaching Nine Horses Fresco Hill, present your raft ticket to take a free electric cart to Xingping.

Guan Yan to Xingping bamboo rafting: 115 yuan/person. Guilin city to Guan Yan dock is about 35 km.

Xingping to Nine Horses Fresco Hill round-trip bamboo raft: about 50 minutes, 80 yuan/person.

At night, only a few shops in Xingping are open; empty alleys, pitch black, silent.

Longjing River inflatable rafting: full ticket 140 yuan/person. You will get wet. Times: 10:30, 13:30, 16:30. Each ride lasts about 1 hour. Total drop of 268 meters, with more than 10 exciting drops of 3-6 meters, 189 bends. (There is a shuttle from the right parking lot of Yangshuo Park to Longjing River, round-trip 40 yuan/person, one-way about 1 hour; boarding at 9:00, 11:30, 14:30.)

Silver Cave: 55 yuan/person. Xingping to Silver Cave is about 50 km, passing through Yangshuo Ten-mile Gallery.

Impression Liu Sanjie: 160 yuan/person (B seat). Performance about 1 hour. Beautiful visuals, an open-air landscape performance combining classic folk songs, natural scenery along the river, fishermen's daily life, and ethnic minority customs through artistic visual effects. The audience has over 2,000 seats.

I heard the 'Shangri-La' scenic spot is also good.

Gudong Waterfall: 60 yuan/person. Climb multiple waterfalls. You will get wet. Rental sets include straw sandals, raincoats, waterproof bags, helmets, etc. Located in Gudong Village, Daxu Town, 25 km from Guilin. Total drop of 90 meters. A series of waterfalls formed by an underground spring, with travertine deposition gradually raising the height and changing the scenery.

Longji Rice Terraces: through ticket 90 yuan/person. In May-June, the terraces are filled with water for irrigation; before October, golden harvest. From the ticket gate to Jinkeng is more than ten kilometers. Drive through Longji Ancient Zhuang Village, Ping'an Village, and finally arrive at Jinkeng Terraces. Viewpoint 1: Xishan Shaole (sunrise), about 2 hours hike from the parking lot. Viewpoint 2: Qianceng Tianti, about 40 minutes hike from the parking lot. Viewpoint 3: Qianfo Ding (sunset), accessible by cable car. Tiantou Village is a good place to view the terraces. Ping'an Terraces are more concentrated and were developed earliest.

[Xingping to Daxu] 20-yuan scenic spot: leisurely walk on the flagstone path along the river under the shade of trees. Boats pass by on the river. Hiking has its joy, and river cruises have their scenery. Slowly reach Huashan (Cold Water Ferry) (one-way 10 yuan/person, round-trip 15 yuan/person). Find the nine horses on the cliff (Xianggong Mountain motorcycle: single trip 8 km, round-trip 50 yuan for pick-up and drop-off; absolutely beautiful Chinese landscape paintings). Along the way, pass through villages to reach the riverside. Downstream is 'scenery best under heaven'; upstream is Xialong Village. This section is less traveled after leaving the village, a bit desolate. Xialong Scenery → Quanjiazhou Ferry (motorcycle to Yadi costs 80 yuan; may not be able to cross the river if no ferry). → Donglangshi Village on the east bank of the Li River. Walk close to the riverside cliffs; some areas are completely covered by weeds and fallen trees. Once you reach the riverside, you can see the former hiking greenway, with signs for Langshi and Quanjiazhou ferries. → Shuiyantou Ferry → Yadi Township. Follow the riverside path upward, do not cross the bridge (you will go to an island in the river). Follow the left side of the grassland upward, climb the slope. There is a hidden dirt path in the woods. Through the bamboo forest to farm paths (near Fenghuang Middle School). Follow the road to the end. There is a section called Tandong Boardwalk, which is the Bandaobian Ferry to Shangtaoyuan. Originally there were ferries directly to Guan Yan Ferry (negotiate with four people for 100 yuan to go directly to Guan Yan Ferry). Now you can only go to Langzhou on the opposite bank (some say bus 30 yuan to Guan Yan). Hiking to Guan Yan requires crossing a mountain; the winding mountain road goes around and down. At the foot of the mountain, a village path leads to Guan Yan Scenic Area. Walk along the riverside to the parking lot, where the road splits into two. Continue along the riverside greenway to the ferry (negotiate 60 yuan to go directly to Caoping Township Ferry). Ferry to the opposite village, then walk along the river for a while, then ferry back to this side. From Caoping Hui Township to Daxu Ancient Town, it's mostly greenway. After disembarking at the ferry, enter the riverside bamboo forest, where there are stone benches for resting.

[Yadi to Xingping] Get off at Yadi Bridge → Nancun → Dazhou Ao (Shenbi Peak viewpoint). Climb over Dazhou Ao; this section is overgrown with weeds. Follow the path east through the woods, cross the ridge, take a fork, then follow the river path to Quanjiazhou Village. Follow the village road all the way to the 'Best Under Heaven' point → Xialong Village → Lengshui Ferry → 20-yuan scenic spot → Xingping.

It would be nice to take a bamboo raft from Xingping to Quanjiazhou, then hike back to Xingping, or go round trip between Xingping and Quanjiazhou. The whole experience can be summed up in two words: 'sour and refreshing'—endurance and perseverance.

Hiking can be a carnival for a group or a feast for one.

Helicopter overlooking the Li River: Yangshuo Gaotian Air Tour Base, about 25 minutes, 2500 yuan. The helicopter can carry up to three people; if the number is insufficient, an empty seat fee may apply.

Tickets: 20 yuan/person. Watch sea of clouds and sunrise, located between Xingping Huangbu Beach and Nine Horses Fresco Hill.

[Cui Ping Shan] In the southwest direction of Putao Town, Cui Ping Shan has hiking trails and viewing platforms; about 30 minutes to reach the top.

Food and accommodation are subjective, so not writing about them.

Little bamboo raft drifting in the river, let's rock the boat of friendship.