May 2008
This time it is the Guangxi region with the spectacular city of Guilin, reputed home of the most beautiful landscape and magical surroundings in the world
Tradition meets modernity in the Yulong River Valley
Guilin-Yangshuo is an exciting and rapidly modernizing city in China. Far removed from the provincial and rural life of just a generation ago, this port town on the west bank of the Li River is no longer a sleepy fishing village where fisherman dock bamboo rafts and fishing boats along the wide waterway. Discovered by tourists in the 1980s, the town, due in part to its odd geological formations, has earned a reputation as a “pure nature destination.” Limestone pinnacles found in the stunning countryside surrounding Guilin, were created over 200 million years ago when sea waters that covered the region receded and left the rocks exposed to erosive winds and rain. Named after the fragrance of the Osmanthus tree, the city is often cited as the most picturesque in China.
The Yulong River, a tributary of the Li River, follows the
limestone formations that pepper the alluvial plain. The valley
through which the river flows is a patchwork of paddy fields,
yellow rape flower meadows, and lush fruit groves. A boat
trip along the Yulong is a distinct and unforgettable experience
that includes remarkable scenery including the Monk-Nun Hill.
April, the start of the tourist season, is the ideal time
for a sight-seeing boat trip as the weather is usually misty,
but not hot and humid as the summer months tend to be (Link).
The region provides an array of unique opportunities for visitors.
In addition to boat tours on the Yulong, tourists enjoy daily
excursions to sights where fresh water oysters are cultured
and harvested (Link).
Fishermen and their Komoran birds offer another impressive sight for visitors to Guilin. The winged creatures put on an impressive show when they dive into the water and score a catch in less than thirty seconds. The Komoran then return to the fishermen’s boats so the fish can be removed from their throats and placed in baskets. The secret behind this bird and man cooperative effort is a cord that fishermen place around the birds’ necks to keep them from swallowing the fish they have caught.
Another must-see attraction is the Reed Flute Cave on the highway of the Guanming Hill. Just a few hours drive from there, at the Longji Terraces in Longsheng, visitors have an opportunity to observe minority tribes engaged in their daily routines in spots such as the Yao Village. Beyond the village, a suspension bridge leads to a narrow valley where a local hotel near natural hot springs can be found. Twenty-seven romantic hot springs gush from the stratum twelve-hundred meters underground. With a temperature between 45 -48 degrees Celsius, the water contains more than ten trace elements.
Scenic Yangshuo, an unexpected paradise, is a prime location
for hikers and cyclists. On excursions to this area, tourists
are able to explore villages and experience rural China (Link).
The cuisine of the area is as extraordinary as the landscape
and lifestyle. Local delicacies include river snails, fresh
bamboo shoots, sticky rice that is cooked in natural bamboo
sticks, and wild chicken that is slaughtered and cooked “a
la minute.” The bamboo sticks pair well with a variety of
young blossoms and ferns known as “wild forest vegetables.”
These local dishes are elements of “Shangri-La,” described
by the English writer James Hilton in his legendary novel,
Lost Horizon (Link).
After experiencing the many natural wonders of the area, visitors may wish to attend a play entitled Impressions that is performed by Sanjie Liu in the world’s largest natural theater. Utilizing local resources such as the water of the Li River and a backdrop of limestone formations, well-rehearsed local actors perform the drama that depicts the reality of life in their hometown. This primitive and intriguing story is punctuated by contemporary, color-changing lasers and spotlights that illuminate the natural rocks in the background. Like Guilin itself, the production beautifully balances the life-enhancing elements of modern technology with uncompromised reverence for the timeless, spectacular landscape that surrounds it.
Reservations are recommended for the one hour show (Link).
For further info you may contact me in the heart of Beijing
at jtextor@regenthotels.com
Written By: Joachim Textor
Edited By: Jane Boaz
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