Monthly Archives: March 2013

lotus flower. It is believed that Green Lotus Fairly lived in the heaven but often felt caged in and one day she met with Chang Er who was a Chinese fair liking on the moon and asked here for the help. Chang Er showed the sympathy for her and she turned the fairy into a piece of paper and took her out of heavenly palace to the Li River.

One day, when Nanji Xianweng which is the God of Longevity traveled here and on the discovery of the green lotus he palled to take it to the heavenly pool. The green Lotus becomes very upset as she had fallen in love with a carp of the river. So, she tuned into a stone hill which is now known as the Green Lotus Peak by the Nanji Xianweng. He also turned the carp into what it is called as Carp Shoal now days.

 

 

Green Lotus Peak or the Bilian Peak which was also known as Jian (mirror) Shan is situated on the west bank of Li River which is towards the southeast of Yangshuo Country. This peak is the landmark of the city and resembles with the budding lotus bloom in contrast to the other kind of peaks found in this area. There are many pavilions, moya or stone statues/characters carved on the cliffs and steles. One of the most famous and impressive Chinese character “dai” is written here in the cursive script. In Chinese, the words generation and area are pronounced as ‘dai’. Therefore the dai which is on the cliff has a dual meaning and refers to both beautiful scenic area as well as indicating the young generation. The worked is about 19.7 feet high and 9.7 feet wide and composed of eight Chinese characters i.e. yi dai shan he, shao nian nu li which means that the young generation should work very hard to maintain the beauty of that area and work hard and contribute to the country.

Yellow Cloth Shoal is situated about 0.5 kilometers from the Hills while travelling down along the Li River. There is a large cream colored flagstone which lies under the water and look like the piece of new yellow cloth which is extended on the riverbed. That is why this river has got it name like this.

There is a stone which is situated on the east bank of the hill resembling a monkey which is holding a watermelon and the next being bear which is lying on its back. You will also see a stone on the west bank which looks like the women holding a baby in her arms and this scene is called Lady-in-waiting Holding the Crown Prince.

There are seven elegant peaks which stand on the both of the side of the shoal stand and they are having different size and height. They were known as the Seven Fairy Maidens Descending to the World. It is a legend that seven fairy maidens have travelled to the Li River and they were very much attracted by the unique scenery. They lingered to stay here and even though the Jade emperor had ordered them to return to the heaven. They however, preferred to turn themselves into the mountain peak for obeying his order.

On a windless and fine day, you can see the reflections of these seven peaks into the water. It is so much vivid that you will not believe that these are the real peaks and you will experience that you are sailing on the top of these peaks. The best time to enjoy the reflection of by traveling through the bends of the Leech Shoal. The background design of CN 20 bank notes have originated from this place. You will love to see the beauty of this place.

Mural Hill is located at the west bank of the Li River at a distance about 60 km from Guilin. It faces the banks of River Li and is a big stone cliff which is blazoned with white, black, grey, yellow and green colors. The face of the cliff resembles with the natural mural having image of what it appears to be having nine horses in different poses from a distance.

 

There is a legend that there was a time when nine horses have been raised in the heaven and attended by Sun Wukong, who was also famous as the Monkey King. However, this king was not happy with his job and was often backing to the mountain of Huaguoshan and had left the heavenly horses unattended. One of the occasions when they were not being able to attended to , nine of them have escaped to this world wandering in the verdurous mountains where they enjoyed blooming flowers and fresh clean water and never returned back. At that time, they were forced to hide in the cave to escape from one god of the heaven which was sent for looking them and to make them return to the heaven when they were found. These horses were unfortunately discovered by the god taking bath Li River at the dawn and in hurry to escape and ran to the cliff side where their images had turned into the stones as the punishment for not getting back to heaven.

The gestures o the horses are different from one another. One image of horse is running wild while others are standing still, browsing, neighing and drinking water. It is not also possible to recognize all the images of these all nine horses. Most of the people are able to recognize three or four images only. It is also believed that if a person can identify all the nine horses then he will be a number one scholar. It needs rich imagination and keen eyesight for identifying these horses.

 

Mural hill is also popular for the scholars, painters, poets and travelers. The famous scholar Ruan Yuan had visited this hill five times in the Qing Dynasty. Enlai has also visited this palace and able to recognize all the horses.

 

Two Rivers and Four Lakes is located in picturesque of Guilin city and is a Scenic Sport refered to the landscape which is located around the city including Li river, Taohua River, Guihu Lake, Mulong lake, Shanhu Lake and Ronghu Lake. After several years of the development, it can also be classified into Mulong ancient water way scenic area which reflects the culture of city. Guihu Lake Scenic Area is featured by the natural beauty as well as the rustic charm. Ronghu-Shanhu lake Scenic Area shows the elegant landscape ecology city’s demeanor. You can really enjoy the natural as well as manmade sights from this place and feel the deep culture as well as born beauty details of Guilin City.

 

Guihu Lake Scenic Area has the Guihu Lake which was originally the western Guilin City’s city moat in the period of Song Dynasty. It stretches from north to south and measures about one mileand about 110 meters wide. A good number of flowers and precious arbors are planted along the lake like banyan tree garden, white pines garden, gingko garden, magnolia garden, redwood garden and palm garden. It is also having a large number of bridges such as Baoxian Bridge, Xiqing Bridge, Yingbin Bridge, Guanyin Bridge and Lize Bridge where you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes as well as take beautiful pictures. It would not be an exaggerating to call it an expo having famous trees, gardens, flowers and bridges at one place. You will feel comfortable and fresh while walking and feel like attaining a perfection of harmony between nature and man.

 

The history of Ronghu- Shanhu Lake Scenic area can be traced back to the Dynasty of Tang and Song. Originally known as Nanyang River, it was a man made city moat of southern Guilin at that time. It was called as Jianhu Lake by the people of Yuan Dynasty. After its enlargement during the Ming Dynasty it became an inner lake and since then many public officers and local government installed the lake. The Famous and rich made their house by side the lake one after another. Many intellectuals and poets have writ

ten lot of literary and poems describing the charm and beauty of this lake.

 

 

The Longji Terraced Rice Fields are situated at about 23 KM or 14 miles from the city of Longsheng. They are very popular rice terraces of china. These fields were constructed in the period of Yuan dynasty and they cover an area about 64 square kilometers. Its highest point is 3600 feet (1100 meters) high.

 

Dragon’s backbone or Longji Terraced Rice fields have been named like this because they resemble the scales of a dragon and the summit of this mountain range looks like the backbone of dragon. Standing on the top of this mountain, you can easily see the twisting off of the dragon backbone into the distance. If the weather is fine, in early morning, you can enjoy the beautiful sunrise from the summit of the Longji Rice Terraces.

 

The terraced rice fields have made Longji a paradise for the people who are interested in the minority cultures of china as well as for the photographers. You would like to enjoy the sunrise above the terraced peaks in the morning. You will also love to see the women working in the fields in the daytime wearing the colorful costumes.

 

Longi is wonderful in every season and the best time to visit there is totally up to your travel interest. However, autumn and spring is most recommended. In spring, after the rain irrigates the fields, each field looks like the mirror reflecting the fluffy clouds and the blue sky. In summer, the terraces look like the small forest due to the bright green plants of rice which begin to grow mature.

In the fall, mountains are covered with gold as the rice plants ripe and ready for harvesting. In winter season, the mountain is covered with the snow and look like the giant sleeping with the dragon although this season is short.

 

The Longji’s Terraced fields have mystical quality to them. If you are climbing or walking along the mountain peaks, you can view wonderful sceneries and each one having a beautiful view than before. It is good mixture of beauty of nature and splash of color. This destination is a worth to visit.

The Longji Dragon’s Back Rice Terraces have an almost mystical quality to them. As visitors climb walk along the mountain paths, each view that opens up is more beautiful than the one before. The mixture of nature’s beauty, the splash of color from the local women, and scattered villages make Longji a destination not to be missed.

 

Fubo Hill or the Wave-Subduing Hill is about 120 meters long, 213 meters in height and 60 meters wide. It stands to the northeast of the city and located on the west bank of Li River having the half of this hill stretched into the river. Waves run back when they meet the blocks and thus the name was given as wave-subduing Hill. There is one tale that Ma Yuan who was the General Fubo of the Han Dynasty once passed by the Guilin on the southern expedition. He has poured all the pearls which he was carrying into the river and therefore the name of this river was given after his name.

 

Pearl-Returning cave or Huangzhu dong is situated on the southern slope of this hill. There is a legend that once a fisherman has entered the cave and has saw an old man who was sleeping with the pearly by his side. It is believed that the fisherman has stolen the pearl and took it to his home. After that, someone told him that these pearls belong to the Dragon king and if not returned, he will get angry. That is why this cave is called as Return the Pearly Cave.

 

There is a rock inside the Pearl-Returning Cave called as Sword-Testing Rock, which hangs from the ceiling and nearly touching the ground. It is said that General Fubo has tested his sword by cutting what was known as the stone pillar and left the crevice at the bottom since then. There is Thousand-Buddha Cave at the end of this cave. This cave is having 250 statues of Buddha and more than hundred carved inscription of different periods. Most of these statues are the works of Tang and Song dynasty. At the western side of this cave, there is a flight of steps leading to Kuishui Pavilion. You can have the bird eye view of Li River from this place.

 

There is a rock by the side of the river. It is a legend saying that the emperor has tested his swords there for the sharpness and the rock is called as cleft rock. On the eastern side there is a winding corridor, a Tingtao Pavillion and a tea house which is build on the cliff of this hill.

 

 

Elephant Trunk Hill is situated on the western bank of the river Li in Guilin. The shape of this hill is like a huge elephant which is drawing the water from any river from its trunk. That is why this hill has been named as the Elephant Trunk Hill. This is one of the most interesting tourist places of Guilin.

 

There is Shui Yue Cave which is also known as the Water Moon cave which lies between the trunk and the legs which is the semi-round cave and penetrated by the water. The inverted reflection of the cave in the water and the part in the above forms a shape like a full moon. This phenomenon is quite unique and various laudatory inscriptions can be found on walls which are inside the cave. There is the facility of boats for travelling through the caves down to the river.

Another cave which is regarded as the eye of the elephant also lies in the hillside.

 

This site provides the tourist with an ideal position for enjoying the panoramic views of the Guilin City. On the top of the hill, you can find a tow storey pagoda which was build during the reign of the Ming Dynasty and is surrounded by many green trees. The north seat of the second floor is having an inlaid having an image of the Bodhisattva Puxian. This pagoda looks like the precious vase which is on the back of an elephant, if seen from distance. There are also a lot of beautiful legends about the pagoda and man good wishes which are told by the people.

 

The Elephant Trunk Hill is known as the symbol of Guilin and this hill is among the main scenic spot. Other spots are Yunfeng Monastery which is a building having ancient style, Aiging Dao or Love Island.

 

Reed Flute Cave is located at about five kilometers to the northwest of the downtown of city Guilin. It is a brilliant cave which is marked on almost all of the travel itineraries. The name of this cave has derived from the reeds growing outside it which is used by the people to make the flutes.

Inside the water-eroded cave there is a spectacular world of many stalactites, rock formation and stone pillars which are formed by the deposition of carbonate. It is also illuminated by the colored lighting as well as the fantastic spectacle which is found in the variations along the 240 meter long cave. When you will walk on the serried stone pillars your eyes will rest on the changing spots and feel that you are in the paradise where God lives.

You can enter the cave and then take the U-turn for sightseeing route to view different spots. After that you can exit from another cave which is near to the entrance one. Your trip might be about one hour long. It is the Chinese habit for giving each formation a poetic or a legendary name like Crystal Palace, Virgin Forest, Dragon Pagoda, Flower and Fruit Mountain, etc.

For you these names require some imagination but it will be quite fun to know the story behind each of these names. You will also love to listen to the fairy and romantic tales and appreciate the fantastic formation of the stones. These stories as well as the lightning add mystery to the scenery there. There are different types of lighting inside but if you are not a professional photographer you cannot take the pictures as the light is not sufficient for the exposure.

At few spots like Flower and Fruit Mountain or Crystal palace you can have special photography at 20 yuan per picture. The inscriptions on the cave wall which are said to be poems and travelogues have derived from the Tang Dynasty and make this cave a famous tourist place. A park is also build for the cave having elegant pavilions, zigzag path, plants, bridges and ponds.