China Trip: Days 9 & 10 - Guilin

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Guilin

We flew to Guilin today, arriving late day, and made our way to the hotel, the Sheraton.

Guilin is an interesting area. One of the reasons I picked this tour over other China tours, is because it featured a visit to Guilin, which is known for it's unique landscape. I had read where some people had considered it one of the more unique or scenic landscapes on the planet.

Li River Cruise

The next morning, we went up the road and boarded a boat for a 4 1/2 hour cruise down the Li River to Yangshao. I was surprised to see how many boats there were. There was a caravan of something like 70 boats chugging down the river. There were seats and tables on the first and second floors of the boat, and a viewing deck on top. I spent a large part of the trip on top looking at the spectacular scenery. The mountains are very unique looking. It was a little hazy and cloudy, but it didn't rain and the temperatures were comfortable. Along the river, you could see villages, and people on bamboo rafts. When I was looking around at all this, it gave me a glimpse of what life has been like here for centuries. Lunch was served on the boat. I sat with some nice Chinese folks. I could only speak a little Chinese and they couldn't speak English, but our local Guilin tour guide interpreted some for us.

We got off the boat in Yangshao. We stumbled around there for a while looking at booths filled with merchandise that people were trying to get us to buy. If you even so much as stop or look at a particular item, they are on you aggressively. They are relentless. I broke down and bought a book. We got on a bus and drove to a nearby rice farm. We toured their home and looked at their garden.

We then went back up to Guilin, and visited Elephant Trunk Hill park, then went back to the hotel.

Later that night, I walked around the area near the hotel, a shopping and eating area with a fair amount of people walking around. I briefly talked to a group of girls. I said something to them in Chinese ("zhu ni shen ti jian kang wan shi ru yi"). It's a wish of good health and good fortune. They liked it. To anyone reading this, I wish it for you, too.

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Photos

Li River Cruise
This scene is depicted on the back of the 20 yuan note.

Li River Cruise
Yes, I was quite happy to be there.

Trying to sell stuff
People on bamboo rafts would hook up to the boat, and try to sell stuff to the passengers.

Li River Cruise
Sign on the boat.

People hanging out
Near the farm in Yangshao.

Man with bamboo raft and cormorants.
At Elephant Trunk Hill.

Me and a dressed up lady
At Elephant Trunk Hill.