MY TRAVEL INFO: SHANGRI-LA PARK, GUILIN

Shangri-La Park (also known as Shi Wai Tao Yuan or "Land of Peach Blossoms") in Yangshuo, Guilin, during the late autumn of 2017.

This park is a famous "cultural theme park" designed to recreate the idyllic, utopian world described by the ancient Chinese poet Tao Yuanming.

In November, you likely experienced mild, crisp weather. While the "Peach Blossoms" the park is named for bloom in the spring (March/April), the autumn offers clear views of the karst mountains reflecting in the Swallow Lake.

A highlight of this park is the small boat cruise that takes you through a narrow, dark cave (Swallow Cave) before opening up into a hidden valley of minority villages.

Board a wooden boat for a scenic ride on Swallow Lake, where you can see natural landscapes, ancient bridges and local people performing traditional dances and music along the riverbanks. 

You also captured glimpses of traditional rural life, such as a person working in a garden plot by the riverbank and a man carrying a heavy load of straw near a thatched hut.

You likely saw performances by the Dong, Zhuang, and Miao people. The park features traditional "Wind and Rain" bridges and Drum Towers, and you might have seen the "Love Ball" throwing ceremony where girls in colorful costumes throw silk balls to visitors.

Some of my  photos document women in traditional dress, including a group sitting in a room decorated with traditional instruments and dried peppers, and another group posing by the water.

Guilin is a multi-ethnic city, although the Han Chinese are the predominant group, accounting for over 84% of the population. The region is also home to at least 12 recognized ethnic minorities, with the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, and Dong peoples being the most notable and culturally distinct groups.

Major Ethnic Groups in the Guilin Region

• Zhuang: The Zhuang are the largest minority group in all of China, and over 90% of them live in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, where Guilin is located. They have a rich culture that includes a unique language (part of the Tai-Kadai family), colorful traditional clothing, a strong respect for nature, and festivals like the "San Yue San".
• Yao: The Yao people are primarily concentrated in mountainous districts. A well-known subgroup is the Red Yao, found in the villages around the Longji Rice Terraces (Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces). The women of the Red Yao are famous for their extremely long hair, which they cut only once in their lives as teenagers and arrange in different styles to signify their marital status.
• Miao: Known for their love of silver, Miao women often wear elaborate silver jewelry and clothes during festivals. They are a fiercely independent people with a strong emphasis on hospitality and etiquette, and they are also known for their mastery of batik fabric-making.
• Dong (Kam): The Dong ethnic minority is celebrated for its unique architecture, particularly the intricate, multi-story wooden "wind and rain bridges" and "drum towers" that are found in their villages in the northern parts of the Guilin area, such as Sanjiang County.

Shangri-La Park is worth it to visit, it offers a blend of natural karst scenery and staged ethnic cultural performances. 

In conclusion, if you are looking for a convenient, entertaining, and visually pleasing attraction as part of a guided tour, Shangri-La Park is a decent, quick stop. However, if you are seeking an authentic, tranquil, or off-the-beaten-path experience, you might find it disappointing and should prioritize other natural wonders in the region like the Yulong River or the Longji Rice Terraces.

Reference:

1. Travel China Guide: Shangri-Park
2. Visit Guilin : Shangri-La Park

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

22/12/2025: 3.37 p.m