Li River Cruise

Nothing showcases the beauty of the landscapes of the Li, and the Guangxi region, better than a voyage down the river. Drifting from the city of Guilin down to the vibrant resort town of Yangshuo, which takes about four hours, your way is lined with striking jagged karst peaks and lush, pastoral scenes. This scenery has long inspired artists and poets, becoming the epitome of Chinese landscapes – the Li even appears on the 20 yuan bank note!

Your final destination, the charming Yangshuo, sits in the midst of some of the area’s most incredible countryside. In the town’s surroundings you can take part in all manner of activities from cycling and rock climbing to walking and bamboo rafting. The most famous residents of the Li River are the cormorant fishermen. With their conical hats, bamboo rafts and glossy, black winged companions, this traditional technique gives you a glimpse of a China of times-gone-by.

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Six Facts About The Li River

The source of the Li River is the Mao’er Shan (Cat Mountain) and it runs for 270 miles towards to South China Sea.

One Chinese poem spoke of the area thus, “The river is a green silk ribbon, and the hills are jade hairpins”.

The 50-mile section of the river between Yangshuo and Guilin is acclaimed the most beautiful.

The upper part of the Li is connected by an ancient canal (the Linqu, dug in 214 BC) to the Xiang River which flows into the Yangtze – in the past the Li has been part of an important connection between the Yangtze and the Pearl River Delta.

A number of ethnic minority tribes live around the Li and Yangshuo, including the Yao, Hui and Zhuang.

This rich agricultural area is famous for its fruits, particularly citrus such as oranges, tangerines, pomelo and kumquat.