Touring Guilin: Li River + Impression Sanjie Liu

By Jazz
In Guilin China, there is a popular saying “Guilin Shan Shui Jia Tian Xia” 桂林山水假天下 which means that Guilin’s mountain and water scenery is the best under heaven. That is indeed true, the air is fresh and earthy, and water clear and beautiful. It was good to get away from work, stress, pollution over the holidays to enjoy this picturesque scenery that money cannot buy. We were told that residents of Guilin generally live a longer life in the world.
This is one of those holidays which involve plenty of sightseeing, and walking. It may once be boring to me with thoughts of lack of food travels and shopping, however at a point of my life, I came to enjoy and appreciate these nature wonders. (am i getting old, am i am i?) We were there for 6 days touring around Gui Lin and another popular tourist spot call “Yang Shuo” In my opinion, 6 days is a way too long to explore these areas, ended up our travel schedule was a very relaxing one with plenty of free and easy time to ourselves. My say is 4-5 days is more than enough otherwise it’ll get draggy with them bringing you to unnecessary places.
Most popular tourist destination of Guilin includes the tranquil Li River, for it was listed as one of the World’s top ten Watery wonders by National Geographic Magazine. With landscape decorated with caves, hills, farming villages and water so serene that it creates a perfect reflection much like an artist masterpiece. Enough said, pictures should tell a thousand words
"take a deep breath, you'll feel your worries of life lessen by the dozen" =)

The weather was perfect, starting of winter season varies from 5-10 degrees Celsius on average. It was a low tide season, so you’ll see many rivers being unable to access due to lack of water, as a result our river cruise were cut short. God must have been with us during the trip as there were no rains until the day we left Guilin.

My little devils, too cute!!

Just look at those reflections, picture of wonders, no?


Generally, people are Guilin lives a very simple life. They depend greatly on Tourists, and in fact there are so many tour guide that a stone throw on the street, very possibly you might just hit one. They work very relaxing hours with travel agencies opens at 11pm and end work at 4-5pm. That being said, it was mentioned that these tour guides are very professional and well-trained and we were very happy with ours. P/s they practically earn peanuts, i.e. only commissions and no basic! L That's why you'll find tours bringing you to many "tourist" shopping spots- the boys got a bit annoyed but maybe it's the mentally of "must shopping and spend foreign money" because at the end of day, the women still came back with full loads of unnecessary things. *hehe*
Shopping places in the city closes pretty late, very similar to our Malaysia stores on average 11pm. So plenty of times to shop around though you might not want to since there are not many brands in sight, however their winter jackets are definitely worth a buy.
The duration of our trip, we've only shifted to two hotels (thank goodness), In Guilin we stayed in one of the best hotels in the area called the Lijiang Waterfall Hotel, strategically located and very closeby to major local attractions, behind the hotel is a pedestrian walk which includes some bars and restaurants, and shops. It is also where we spent out x'mas eve "countdown" (more about this later). The hotel shows an impressive artificial waterfall everyday at 8pm which was listed in the Guiness Book record for being one of the biggest of 45M heights.
At night, we headed to watch Impression Sanjie Liu, which is the most famous outdoor night show in YangShuo. Directed by Yimou Zhuong which was the one whom directed the 2008 Olympic opening ceremony. We were lucky to catch the last show of the winter season, as the actors are required to rest as the weather get too unbearably cold. 600 over actors are involved in creating this successful show on a natural stage formed by the Li River and mountain backdrops. (Including real fishermen part-timers) Everything was done on the Li River waters, I was very impress on the creativity and the explosive effect created by so many people.
Everything from lighting and sounds effect were amazing. And to reflect on those natural hills were a magnificient scene. I can sit here for hours just watching nature beauty.
Actual Minority Ethnic group which was recruited from their village came to perform

real fishermen by day and part-time fishermen performer by night. They earn about 20 yuan per show.

It was lucky we've got a pretty good seating right in the middle and not far from the front, =)

And the number just gets bigger

Finally here comes Liu San Jie and her Lover

Part 2: Our adventure with Bamboo Rafting, Culture experiences such as learning Folk Songs, keep tuned
And thereafter ... EAT !

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