The Li River is the soul of Guilin's landscape and one of China's most famous rivers. It is widely recognized as one of the world's largest and most beautiful karst landscape areas, and is the essence of Guilin tourism.
The most typical feature of the Li River is its karst landform. Millions of years of wind and rain erosion and water flow have sculpted uniquely shaped peaks rising abruptly from the banks.
Main attractions:
Yangdi Scenery: This marks the beginning of the most scenic section of the Li River, with lush bamboo forests and towering mountains on both banks.
Langshi Scenery: The river surface shimmers, reflecting the numerous peaks along the banks with clear images.
Nine Horses Painting Mountain: This is one of the most famous attractions on the Li River. A massive stone wall stands overlooking the river, its surface etched with colorful patterns by long-term weathering, resembling a giant mural from afar, with the faint outlines of galloping horses visible. A local folk song goes: "Look at the horses, look at the horses, how many pairs of horses do you see? If you see seven, you'll be a second-place scholar; if you see nine, you'll be a first-place scholar."
Huangbu Reflection: This is the most exquisite spot on the Li River. A large yellow stone slab lies at the bottom of the river; reflected in the clear water, the slab appears yellow, hence the name "Huangbu" (Yellow Cloth). The water here is calm, reflecting the mountain peaks on both banks (such as Yuanbao Mountain) clearly as a mirror. The landscape image on the back of the 20 RMB note is taken from this scene.
Xingping Scenic Spot: Beyond the Yellow Cloth Reflection lies Xingping Ancient Town, a place where the Li River scenery is most concentrated. The ancient village with its blue tiles and white walls is exceptionally tranquil amidst the mountains and water.
There are two main ways to cruise the Li River, offering completely different experiences:
1. Star-Rated Cruise (Guilin → Yangshuo)
Route: Departs from Mopanshan Wharf (or Zhujiang Wharf) in Guilin, directly to Yangshuo (Longtoushan Wharf).
Duration: Approximately 4-5 hours.
Features: Large, stable boats with roofs and cabins, suitable for the elderly and children. Catering and commentary are provided on board. This is the traditional way to cruise the Li River, offering a comprehensive view of the most scenic section in one trip.
2. Bamboo Rafting (Segmented Tour of the Most Scenic Section)
Route: Most bamboo rafts on the Li River are motorized (unlike the manned rafts on the Yulong River). The most classic route is the Yangdi-Xingping section (the core section containing Nine Horses Painting Mountain and the Yellow Cloth Reflection).
Duration: Approximately 1-1.5 hours.
Features: Closer to the water, faster speed, allowing for a closer experience of the landscape. However, it should be noted that for safety reasons, children under 7 years old or under 1.2 meters tall, as well as seniors over 70 years old, are generally not allowed to ride motorized bamboo rafts.
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
