Lijiang River (or Li River) originates from the Mao'er Mountain (Cat Mountain) in Xing'an County in the north of Guilin. It flows 437 km down passing through Guilin, Yangshuo, Pingle and Wuzhou into the West River.
The cruise I was on covers only 83km, which was the middle part of the river starting from Mo Pang Pier (which is 23 km from Guilin) to Yangshuo. However, this is the section of the river that had fascinated travelers and people from all over the world for centuries!
It had inspired poets and artists since ancient times. In fact, a great poet from the Tang Dynasty called Han Yu had likened the river to a blue silk ribbon winding among green jade hairpins! What a description!
If you remember The Elephant Trunk Hill in one of my previous posts, you may be wondering what is so great about the Li River. The scenes along the river there was nothing to shout about, right? Well, that's because The Elephant Trunk Hill was located at a slightly upper part of the Li River. Aha! But things are different when you travel further down the river. Only then, will you see the Li River reveals its beauty in its full magnificence!
During my cruise, I could see limestone hills literally lining up along both sides of the Li River.
I am not even sure if my photos can do justice to the beautiful scenery there! I guess to fully appreciate what Li River has to offer, you just got to be there and see it for yourselves!
Did you know that this Li River cruise has been compared to the famous cruises in Milford Sound, New Zealand and Halong Bay, Vietnam? In fact, some people said that it is on par with Milford Sound and better than Halong Bay!
Since I have not been to these two places, I would not be able to judge. Anyone of you been there?
It was a hot and sunny day during our cruise. I do not know if this was the perfect weather to enjoy the scenery, but from where I stood, it all looked like a bright landscape painting with clear water reflecting the green hills.
I would love to go for a second round during rainy days. It was said that during rainy or foggy days, the hills and mountains would be shrouded in mist and would appear mysterious and magical. The mists would hide the peaks and then expose them in moments of surprise!
During our 4-hour journey, there were always something interesting to see at almost every bend of the river. If the sight of those elegant hills and grotesque peaks did not already make my jaw drop in awe, there were graceful bamboo groves and waterfalls and even water buffaloes to feast our eyes on!
Now is that a lighthouse I just saw?
I guess not. Why would you need a lighthouse beside the river?
Oh! And what were these two kayakers doing in the middle of the river?
Looks like they were trying to approach our boat!
Oops! I did not capture any shots of how they managed to get to the side of our boat, but they did, and it was done rather skillfully. So what were they up to? Well, they were trying to sell fruits to passengers on board!
Of course, they could only sell to those at the lower deck. I did not bother to go to the lower deck to buy any!
Look! Here's another two fruit sellers attempting to get near to our boat. How did they do that? I don't remember our boat slowing down for them!
If you were to go on this cruise, there is one thing you must not miss! At the very beginning of the cruise, we were already being told not to miss out on this very important landmark.
So, when it was announced over the speaker that we were approaching it, everyone ran out to the open deck to catch a glimpse of this "thing".
Luckily, I was already standing rooted to my spot, so that no one could be in front of me when I took photos of that landmark!
Now do you see it? That towering hill in front?
As we approached it, there were murmurs all around. One person exclaimed, "I see three!". Another said, "Wait! I think I see four!". Still another shouted, "Hey! Do you see one over there? I think I can see five!"
What did they see? Horses, of course!
This hill is known as the Nine Painted Horses Hill or Jiu Ma Hua Shan in Chinese.
I'm not sure if I captured it at the correct angle, but how many horses can you see? It seemed that the number of horses you can see on that hill really depends on your own imagination.
Some of the horses were running, some were playing and some were simply lying there. These horses had been there for centuries and had attracted lots of attention from poets, scholars and tourists!
And according to legend, if you can see nine horses there, you are destined for great things!
Unfortunately for me, I only managed to see 4 horses and I think I can actually spot a bull! Does that count? Haha! So I guess I won't be a tycoon, a famous movie star or the next Prime Minister!
Did I mention in my last post that every unique formation of the hills along Li River has a name to it?
Both me and Jam tried to locate them but I think we were not very successful. Well, maybe he did locate some and did not tell me about it! Actually, we were informed of these unique structures via the boat's speakers, but as they were spoken in Mandarin, I did not catch most of the names.
In any case, we were told to look out for the spectacular view that was featured in the 20 yuan bill.
I think this was the closest I could capture that resembles that landmark.
I hope Jam managed to capture a better photo that reflect that 20 yuan bill!
But I really like these hills formation. Beautiful!
Now is this the River Snail Hill they mentioned? I'm not too sure!
Or maybe that hill jutting out on the right side is the snail hill?
Whatever, I just love the view of this beautiful hill up close!
If I'm not mistaken, this must be the Five Fingers Hill!
Wait! I think I can see more than five fingers! Can you see the five fingers? Identifying the thumb or the little finger can be a little tricky, though!
Here's a nearer view of the Five Fingers Hill. Lovely view, don't you agree?
There were lots more like Yearning For Husband Rock, A Child Worships Guanyin Rock, Apple Hill, Pen Holder Hill and Writing Brush Peak but I guess I missed them all!
I am not sure if they have a name for this one, but it sure looks funny right, with that two peaks?
Maybe we should give a name for it. What name do you suggest?
I believe if the the cruise was during the evening or during sunset, I would be getting an entirely different mood and scenery.
Maybe if I were to go on the cruise during spring or autumn, it would look totally different!
Look at those people on top of the boat!
That's how crowded it was! Most of the passengers went up to the top deck to catch the beautiful scenery.
And can you see the kitchen at the back? Cooks busy preparing food for our lunch?
We had set lunch but I did not even bother to take pictures of them as they were, in my opinion, quite lousy. I even had my one and only egg stolen from my plate just because I came in late!
Well, I was busy taking photos of the scenery outside. With the kind of scenery like this photo below, who cares about lunch right?
Of course I knew who took my egg! There was a Chinese couple sitting at the same table as us and they brought along their two little daughters. Now I did not know how they could bring in both daughters as there were not enough seats for them! I doubt they bought a ticket for each of them! And I noticed both their daughters have one egg each. And both parents also had an egg each!
Well, I guess that's how things work in China!
But you know, I was not really bothered about the missing egg. The beautiful and stunning scenery more than made up for it. I was really grateful to be able to go on this cruise!
After 4 hours cruising along the amazing Li River, we finally reached Yangshuo.
I was looking forward to visiting the famous tourist spots in Yangshuo. And that will be in my next post, so stay tuned!
FIRST COMMENTER
wow, such wonderful landscapes, the Li River is truly spectacular.
woohoo, finally I'm FC here.
there are 9 horses? i could barely see any of them.
Morning Foong!
The view is magnificent! And I like the 6th photos.
I bet during foggy/misty days, it'll look ethereal.
Kesian foong, his telur got stolen. LOL
Wow, congrats to LR for being FC here! It is hard to be foong's FC. I haven't had that chance yet haha.
The pictures are all gorgeous! Reminds me of those Flying swordsmen chinese shows hahaha.
wow, the hills are indeed unique.
They cook on the boat o_o! Eeee so dangerous!
Aiyar your egg got stolen... eeee this person whom stole your egg so greedy. You so kesian, lost your Vit E that day.
What amazing pictures and such beauty!!! You go to the most wonderful places and I am so glad you share your adventures!!
OMG.... nice cruise you had on Li river =p
i would say it's different among milford sound, halong bay and li river, of course we cant find any snow on top of the mountains in new zealand =p that totally give different view of the picture =p
I fear river... worry jatuh..
wow..looking at these pics remind me of those old mountain chinese movies.. where one sampan girl sings to another sampan boy... hahha.. really lots of greens... even the river looks so greenish...
Halong Bay is sometimes referred to as 'Guilin of the Sea' by the Chinese.
Is Guilin (or Li River) better than Halong Bay? The author(s) of Lonely Planet Vietnam guide think(s) otherwise. Different people have different taste. Of course, as far as the patriotic Chinese are concerned, their motherland comes top in every aspect.
initially i wanted to vote pic no 6 as the best but as i read on, every pic is damn good, of course i mean those mountains shots lar minus the one with ppl on little rafts :)
life ramblings, congrats! You are finally FC here! : )
You can't see the horses? Not even one?
Yes, the landscape is truly spectacular! : )
life ramblings, it must be your lucky day today to be my FC! Cos Mei Teng is no where around to be seen here! If she's around, I doubt you'll stand a chance. Haha!
Mei Teng, where are you? : )
lina, morning! oops! Good afternoon! Haha!
The 6th photo is nice - one of my favourites too. Yes, I think it'll look ethereal during foggy days.
No need to kesian me lah. I didn't even bother about the missing egg. Just surprised that it could go missing and ended up in another person's plate!! : )
ladyviral, don't worry. You'll get the chance to be FC here one fine day!
My pictures remind you of flying sowrdsmen in Chinese shows? Haha! Yeah, reminds me about a lot of Chinese movies!
Why dangerous to cook on the boat? It's OK lah.
Ya lah, lack of Vit E that day because no egg! Luckily I brought along my supplements! LOL!
wenn, yes unique and stunning! : )
heidi, thanks! Glad you enjoy reading about my adventure! : )
fufu, if this is OMG, then I would have to say countless of OMGs at your blog! LOL!
Well, I guess you can't really compare all the different places, can you?
So did my post make you want to visit Guilin next? : )
T.H, worry jatuh? Cannot jatuh one lah, unless you jump! You know, like you jump, I jump kinda thing? LOL!
reanaclaire, haha! You have really good imagination! I can just picture it! A sampan girl sings to a sampan boy on Li River! How romantic!! LOL!
khengsiong, I agree different people have different taste. I hope to visit Halong Bay too and compare for myself! : )
manglish, oh, you are the second person who like picture no.6!
You don't like those pictures of people on rafts? Why?
Ah Foong,
So nice la the rive .The river is surrounded by mountains, which is rare in Malaysia. I'm sure it was cold there. And the river is green. Magnificent!
Wah, very majestic... You lucky bastard! I am sure the feel is so much different seeing the view through your very own eyes.
But still, thank you for the post. We bloggers can still savor it from the camera lens. No fish, prawn also good mah.
Wow! 437KM? It did fascinate me in a lot of ways. The view from here is simple breathtaking. OMG! I wish I can be there too.
I thing the awesome scene could inspire any mortals. The sight of it is enough to make one feel so alive! :D
Yupe! The elephant who was punished by Jade Emperor right? LOL :D
These limestone hills are simply mesmerizing! And there are so many of them there. Wohoo!
Milford Sound, New Zealand and Halong Bay, Vietnam? Never heard of it. hahaha :D But from your picture...I believe this river is truly a beautiful place. =)
Wow! So if you go view them during the rainy days...the whole place will be surreal and magical?
4 hours journey? That is really long huh! I can go to KL and back in the same day. LOL :D Buy I believe it is time well spent right?
Wow! There were even water buffaloes to greet you guys? Not bad what! Ha :D
Perhaps that was a feng shui light house? For decoration only. :p
Fuyooh! Both the kayakers looks like they know martial arts huh! Very dangerous right?
War...trying to sell fruits on the river while the boar is cruising? These two people must be kung fu people o.
War...what a sight. The towering hill is indeed spellbinding. Thank goodness your kiasu-ness enables you to snap this shot right? LOL :D
I thing I saw a trapper dragon? Hahaha :D And the horses were eaten by the dragons. Just kidding.
All I can say is that the 2nd and 3rd last photos are truly amazing. I wish I can wash it and keep it in my photo album. LOL :D
Mr Kiasu who stood rooted to the spot..hehhe, I enjoyed reading this post and I managed to spot 7 horses. Not bad eh?
I have been to the Milford Sound cruise. I prefer the landscape of the Milford Sound.
Gosh, I'm late. This is comment #38 already. Let me go back now to read the post and admire the pictures and then I'll come back.
Oops! I took a while. I was gallivanting on other blogs.
Such beauty, at times surreal. Each picture has its own element of beauty.
What I like about the third picture is the cluster of trees on the left. They remind me of pretty bonsai plants.
Yes, picture #6 is awesome - almost unreal which you only see in paintings.
Buffaloes by the banks - what a sight. Too bad the boats don't stop to let you off to at least have a feel of being on a riverbank of the Lijiang River.
How deep is the river, do you know?
I think it is a lighthouse. Like all lighthouses, they are there to warn passing ships of rocks nearby and I see rocks there.
What a hard life, having to paddle to the passing boats to peddle their goods. What fruits were they selling?
You know I was wondering, did the boat become lopsided when everyone headed to one side of the boat to admire the scenery? Scary thought..
I could see nine horses in different poses and more if I wanted to but you are right, it's really what one can see. No right or wrong answer here.
It's really nice that the scenery is even featured on a currency note. Your photo is close - very prominent twin peaks. Oops!
I too like three other shots - the 3rd, 8th and 11th from the bottom up. Very pleasing and great composition.
I did not enjoy my visit to Milford Sound. Maybe because it was cold and drizzling then in Sept. However, the scenery on the way there was very nice and green though a bit too long - and once is enough. Actually, I don't think I'd advise making a trip there. Go to Mount Cook National Park instead, which I also did, but some itineraries do not include that. And if you go in Winter, you could pick the dry flowers that are all over the ground. All sorts of flowers, all dry and clean ready for flower decorations. Sorry, but I digress.
So comparing Lijiang River scenery to Milford Sound, I'd say the former is nicer.
However, from what I've seen on tv about Halong Bay, I think Halong Bay wins this round. Perhaps the true feel can only be grasped with a personal visit. So, shall we? LOL!
Thank you for the tour. I have enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to our onward journey.
Gosh! I'm as spammy as Tekkaus - but not quite. I apologise, Foong.
Poor guys, have to risk life to sell fruits and stuff!
nice cruise.. i always love to see greens under the clear blue sky, somehow makes me feel brighter and happier.. :)
and the shapes of the rocks and mountains are so special.. at least it's not bored looking at them along the cruise yeah??
Ohhhh wonderfuLI said and done on the pictures of Guiling. Have not been to Milford Sound or Halong Bay myself guess beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder..anyway majority wins:)
Imagine working so hard for a livelihood, risking their lives just to sell fruits.
I hope they got a decent sale for all their efforts, rowing from boats to boats.
Very picturesque indeed. :)
foong i managed to see a horse...but need more time looking to see more i guess...hehhe
the snail hill looks like it, it must be the one.
the one with funny 2 peaks... it kind of reminded me of monsater's inc., hahaha
that kind of river cruise is very relaxing and fun, it reminds me of my el nido adventure lloking at those magnificent stone formations too.
too bad for your lunch egg...some people can really be so abusive =P
Good thing the cook onboard don't throw rubbish to the river. But the water they used to clean the dishes seem to flow back to the river. Don't that will cause pollution?
The place and your pictures are sooo green. Very nice place.. You have nice photos.. I'll definitely be trigger-happy if I were there. :D
lots of nice scenery to catch! lijiang is indeed one of the most beautiful places to visit. :)
nine horse hill.. five finger hill.. haha.. nice names huh?
i cant see any horse laa.. how???
so im destined for nothing! =(
kenwooi.com
i would prefer to go on that cruise during a rainy day too.. sure nice =P
kenwooi.com
foong, you should try the kayak! it looks fun and thrilling haha!
we try next time ok?
so many photos my connection cant support... cant see all :(
amazing view!
hmmm where are the horses Foong?! :-D
I see more than five fingers too! LOL!
wah the scenery is so nice. Looks exactly like the ones in the movies! how many more posts on china you still have?
Nice pics! It puts the Little Guilin in Singapore to shame.
Wow they're SO SO SO beautiful. Wish I can go there. :)
Ya, I still remember this Chinese couple. They stole your egg? Are you sure it is not Anthony? He sat with you right? I don't know whether I managed to shoot the landscape that is featuring at the back of 20 Yuan notes, have to check through my album.
wow, i wonder how they can balance their selves in a very stiff bamboo raft...
willie, oh it's hot there! It's summer time! I would love to go there during autumn or spring! : )
a common singaporean, you also can go what! : )
tekkaus, yes the scenery is amazing! I wish I can go there again during rainy days or different season like spring or autumn.
Feng shui lighthouse? haha! Never heard of such a thing!
You see dragons eating the horses? Haha! You are too imaginative. Dragons do not exist, even in China : )
mei teng, wow! Not bad! Can see 7 horses. Almost destined for great things! Haha!
I hope to visit Milford Sound one day : )
happysurfer, I'm not sure how deep the river is!
So you think it's a lighthouse? Hmm, interesting.
Not sure what fruits those kayakers were selling cos I didn't go down to look. If I go down, I might lose my spot! LOL!
Haha! No the boat did not become lopsided! It's a big and stable boat!
Wow! You can see more than 9 horses? So you are destined for really great things!
So you think my photo looks like that picture on the 20 yuan bill? I'm not sure about that! But I like those hills! : )
Glad you like the photos! I snapped so many I had a tough time selecting the good ones for the blog : )
You've been to Milford Sound? Wow! I hope to visit there one day. So it's not as nice as Li River? But Halong Bay is nicer? I hope to go Halong Bay too! Gosh! So many places want to go!
Keep the spam coming - I really don't mind! No need to apologize! : )
pete, I don't think they are risking their lives. It's their way of life I guess.
SK, you feel happy seeing greens under a blue sky? Then you should go Guilin! Haha!
It's not boring at all, but I think if you were to live there for many years, maybe one day you will be bored with the scenery. Who knows? : )
cheahs@n, yeah I guess beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder! : )
lina, yes it's a hard life for them. Yeah, hope they can make a decent living from selling fruits to tourists.
day-dreamer, yes I cannot agree more : )
ayie, do you mean Monsters Inc? Haha!
Only see one horse? Well, better than some people who can see none!
El Nido must be very nice place to visit too, right? Hope can visit it one day! : )
borneo falcon, I'm not sure really. But I guess if the dirty water flows back to the river, it will definitely pollute the river.
cashmere, I am sure you will be trigger happy there! : )
levian, yes, indeed it is! : )
kenwooi, yes very nice and interesting names. You can't see even one horse? Really? Try again and open up your imagination!
Yes, going on a rainy day would be swell! : )
faisal, but I don't know how to swim. How?
medie007, sorry you can't see all the photos! Maybe go get a better Internet connection? : )
dolly, indeed they are amazing! : )
monica, you also can't see any horses? Try again and open up your imagination!
You also see more than 5 fingers right? haha!
eiling, yeah just like in the movies right? I have many, many more posts on China coming up cos I spent 10 days there and I've barely scratched 2 days : )
shingo T, where is Little Guilin in Singapore? I have not heard about that!
che-cheh, yes very beautiful. Well, you can always plan for a holiday there, can't you?
jam, haha! Cannot be Anthony who stole my egg! I'll wait for you to blog about Li River Cruise : )
bluedreamer27, I guess they have the skills! I would have fallen into the water! : )
After seeing all your nice photos in detail, I think I can skip this place and head to Silk Road instead in Spring.
twilight zone, haha! I'm not sure if my photos can do justice to the beautiful scenery there, it's better you see the place with your own eyes! : )
What a beautiful place !
It's a very nice place foong, you'll enjoy there. Nothing to do in an island but eat, swim and relax. hehehe
i still want to take another look to find more horses =P
chay, indeed it is! : )
ayie, wow! Sounds like paradise to me! Let me know how many horses you can see after you're done looking at the photo! : )
the place really looks amazing foongpc, i wish i could go there someday, and by the way sorry for dropping by here so late!!!
bluedreamer27, yes it's really beautiful and you should go there one day. No problem for dropping by late. Better late than never! Haha!
still didn't see much! hahaha! maybe looking at the real one will make you see more !
ayie, not even one? Hmmm, that's strange! Yeah, maybe you need to go there and have a look! : )
just one like before foong =P
happy weekend!
you have the most beautiful pictures.