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Li River Cruise, Guilin
As most of the tourists who travel to China first, I do not know much about the Cruise Tour in China. Actually, there are two famous cruise routes, the Yangtze River and the Li River Cruise, which are characterized for the scenery beauty in the south part of China. Lucky, I took the Li River Cruise during my Guilin trip.
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Li River symbolizes the area, as this picturesque river is a major component of Guilin scenery. As it sparkles in the sunlight the river meanders through lush mountains like a liquid jade belt. A cruise along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is an unforgettable experience. As you take in the stunning scenery there's something interesting to see at almost every bend in the river. Between spectacular limestone peaks you'll see graceful bamboo groves, farmers tending rice paddies, and lumbering water buffaloes pulling carts or cooling off in the river. You may see fishermen gliding along on their narrow bamboo rafts, and if you're very lucky you might see one of the famous fishing cormorants. Boats depart from various wharves, according to the height of the river at different times of the year.
The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo is the centerpiece of any trip to northeastern Guangxi Province. Gorgeous Karst peaks give you surprises at each end of the limpid river under the blue sky. Water buffalo patrol the fields, peasants reap rice paddies, school kids and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts. With its breathtaking scenery and taste of a life far removed from the concrete metropolis, the scenery along the Li River become one of China's top tourist destinations.
I started in the morning from Guilin and arrive at Yangshuo after lunch. The entire journey lasts about four hours. Boats are air-conditioned. You can stay inside or enjoy the lovely river breezes on the open deck. The viewing platform on the open area might be even more crowded than the main cabin. Of course, you have better views and closer encounter with the beautiful nature. Besides, it is the opportunity to observe the daily activities of local people. During my journey, we saw the farmers and their water buffaloes work at the rice paddies. Fishermen glide on narrow bamboo rafts. Some of them have their working bird cormorant help catching fish. Duck herders watch over their flocks. Women do washing or cooking at the river bank.
As my experience, there are some notes which will be helpful to who want to take Li River Cruise.
Some people say that tourists do not need to worry about the change of weather, since the views of the Li River have different characteristics in sunny, cloudy, misty or even rainy days. Yes, that could be true if you do a Li River cruise once a quarter. But we are tourists and won’t come regularly. You certainly don’t want to see the Li River after heavy rain. I once came after a rainy day, the water was rocky and no inverted images at all, though hills and peaks remain charming.
Remember you come to Guilin to see the best hills and waters in China, if only the hills are beautiful but not the waters, you lost half of the fun. Therefore if you want to secure a best-of-the-best Li River cruise, please do avoid the rainy season (June, July, August). You are likely to take plenty of photos on this highly photogenic cruise. Make sure you have lots of memory cards and your camera battery fully charged.
Want to see the up date information, please visit Li River Cruise.
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