MY TRAVEL INFO: LI RIVER & XINGPING VILLAGE IN GUILIN, CHINA

The Li River in Guilin, in the Guangzi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China,  is often described as a "living Chinese scroll painting" and is world-renowned for its dramatic karst limestone mountains, emerald waters, and mist-covered peaks.

My 2017 visit likely captured the classic scenery that has inspired artists for centuries. Here is a look at what makes the Li River so iconic:

Iconic Landmarks & Scenic Highlights

• Elephant Trunk Hill: The symbol of Guilin, this hill looks like a giant elephant drinking water from the river.
• Nine-Horse Fresco Hill: A massive, vertical cliff face where the weathered rock and plants are said to resemble the shapes of nine galloping horses.
• Yellow Cloth Shoal: This specific stretch of the river is so famous for its beauty that it is featured on the back of the China 20-yuan banknote.
• Xingping Ancient Town: A historic village along the river that serves as the gateway to the most scenic section of the karst landscape.

Ways to Experience the River

• The Luxury Cruise: A 4-hour journey from Guilin to Yangshuo is the most popular way to see the "83-kilometer gallery" of scenery.
• Bamboo Rafting: For a closer look at the water, many travelers take traditional-style rafts (often around the Yangdi to Xingping section) to feel the river's flow and see the local cormorant fishermen.
• Xianggong Hill: A short, steep hike that offers the most famous "bird's-eye view" of the river winding through the mountain peaks.

The "Misty" Atmosphere

If my 2017 trip was in the spring, you likely saw the "Misty Li River." In Guilin, light rain and fog are considered a blessing because they drape the peaks in a soft, ethereal veil, creating the moody, dreamlike aesthetic found in traditional ink-wash paintings.

XINGPING VILLAGE, GUILIN

Xingping is often described as the "soul" of the Li River, and visiting in 2017 would have been a great time—it was popular then, but still retained much of its quiet, fishing-village charm compared to the more bustling Yangshuo.

Since you mentioned your visit, here is a bit of a "nostalgia trip" regarding what makes that village so special:

The Iconic "20 Yuan" View

The most famous landmark in Xingping is the Yellow Cloth Shoal. If you stood at the riverbank with a 20 RMB note in your hand, you likely captured that classic photo where the real karst peaks perfectly match the illustration on the back of the currency.

Highlights of Xingping Village

• The Ancient Street: You probably walked down the narrow, 1,000-meter-long stone street lined with Ming and Qing Dynasty architecture. In 2017, many of these were still traditional residences or small workshops selling hand-crafted bamboo items.

• Laozhai Mountain: If you were feeling adventurous, you might have climbed the steep, rocky steps of Laozhai Mountain (right next to the pier) to see the dramatic "First Bend" of the Li River from above.

• Cormorant Fishermen: Xingping is one of the last places where you can still see the traditional fishermen using trained cormorant birds to catch fish on bamboo rafts—a scene that looks like a living ink painting.

Why 2017 was a Great Year to Visit

By 2017, the high-speed railway station (Yangshuo Station) had just opened nearby (late 2016), making it much easier to reach, yet the village hadn't yet reached the peak "social media" commercialization seen in more recent years. It likely felt like a peaceful escape into the heart of Guangxi's landscape.

Reference:

Wikipedia : Guilin

21/12/2025: 3.32 p.m