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Yangshuo
Yangshuo, located in northeastern
par of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,
lies south of Guilin and is under the jurisdiction
of the city of Guilin. Yangshuo County covers
an area of 1,428 square km and has 20,000
hectares of land used for agricultural cultivation.
It has a population about 300,000, making
up of different ethnic groups such as Han,
Zhuang, Yao, Hui, etc. The weather in Yangshuo
is subtropical, with sufficient rainfall,
sunlight, and heat around the whole year.
On average each year the temperature is
19 centigrade, the amount of sunlight is
1,465 hours, the rainfall is 1,640mm. There
are about 300 days per year without frost.
In general, the weather is neither too hot
in summer nor too cold in winter.
YangShuo has a long history
of 1400 year in which the people there have
created their own culture, such as long
drum dance, song gathering Cai Diao opera,
dragon and lion dance, the natural scenery
there are gardens mrelics and sites in the
history, ancient bridge and other architectures
and stone carvings.
As the old saying goes , "Guilin's
scenery is the most beautiful in the world,
Yangshuo 's scenery is far more superior
to that of Guilin's". From this, one
can know that the natural scenery of Yangshuo
is unique and like none other in the world.
In Yangshuo County alone, there are over
20,000 hill and over 250 scenic spits. The
clean and clear Li River winds through Yangshuo
for 56km. On both sides of the river, magical
peaks and push green bamboo trees reflect
off the mirror like surface of the water
to paint beautiful mountain and water murals.
The most notable scenic spots of Guilin
are in Yangshuo, i.e, Nine-Horse Painted
Hill, Yellow Reflection Point, Xingping
Village, Lotus Cave, Young Scholar Hill,
Snow Lion Ridge, the Big Banyan Tree, Moon
Hill, and Dragon River. Moreover, many consider
the land scape of the plains and the villages
to be like a beautiful picturesque poem.
Amongst the mountains and waters are old
buildings and old bridges that reflect the
rich cultural heritage of Yangshuo. Just
by observing these, One can learn much about
Yangshuo's history. Yangshuo was one of
the first counties to be appointed as a
national tourism area. Each year 1.5 million
visitors come to Yang shuo.
Sceneries in Yangshuo
Baisha Town: Bridge the Centuries
on the Yulong River
The "Meet the Dragon" or Yulong
River, which begins in Zouzai Village, is
the largest tributary running into the Li
Rive. The excellent composition of water,
ancient bridges and mountains along this
waterway is one of the favorite choices
of photographers and artists coming to the
area. For those who are looking for a fabulous
hike, start at Baisha's Yulong Bridge and
stay on the path down river to Gao Tian.
You'll pass six unforgettable ancient bridges
during the 5-hour walk.
Fuli: Home to the "Third
Sister"
Those who know Chinese cinema, will immediately
recognize Fuli's distinctive wharf as the
backdrop for shooting parts of the now famous
film, "The Liu Family's Third Sister".
Like Xing Ping, travelers can
experience the lovely "mountain-water"
scenery of the area by taking the 50-minute
boat ride on the lower reaches of the Li
River down to this quaint spot. In the town,
visit some of the best local artists and
their shops or just sip some tea on the
wharf at "Three-Sister's" Restaurant.
Gao Tian: Retreat to the
Country
The most popular route for 1-2 day biking
trips is the road to Gao Tian. Gao Tian,
a predominantly Zhuang minority area, offers
some of the most memorable sights and experiences
for those who want to encounter China "off
the road" Moonhill, a large mountain
with a cavity that appears to "change
phases" as travelers pass by , is the
centerpiece of the area. On a day trip,
bikers will usually go first to the Big
BanYan Tree, and perhaps do some caving.
Many then opt to stay overnight in the county
at a farmer's home or better yet, rent a
room at the "Riverside Retreat",
a very welcoming bed and breakfast run in
a renovated mill house beside the "Meet
the Dragon"
Xingping: Take me home country
roads
The cruise form Yangshuo to Xingping is
a "must do" for many adventurous
travelers who want to see the mountains
and Li River from another vantage point.
The fascinating shapes and coloration of
the limestone mountains sometimes tell a
story. River men eagerly point out such
sights as "Nine Horses Painted Cliff",
"Monk and Nun's Peak", and "Snail
Hill". With bikes loaded onto small
riverboats, energetic tourists travel up,
enjoy the serenity of the magnificent hills
surrounding the town, and then bike back
by way of winding country roads.
The "Fish Village"
of Yangshuo County-a "time capsule"
you shouldn't miss
During the boat cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo,
travelers often stop near the halfway point
to visit the famous "Fish Village".
From the start, visitors notice the authentic
and well-preserved structures, which reflect
a way of life that has continued for nearly
500 years. What is striking as well, is
that this is not a museum, locals still
eat, sleep, and work out their lives there.
Historically, the village has
enjoyed its moments. Kang Youwei, a Qing
Dynasty reformist, publicized his progressive
ideas of reform there. Sun Yat Sun visited
Fish Village when he made preparations for
the war against the warlords of the north.
Elegant, sloping rooftops,
ornamental eaves, and narrow lanes set among
the famous mountains of Yangshuo, have attracted
scholars and notable persons for years.
On July 2,1998,American President Clinton
and delegation visited Fish Village to enjoy
its history and architecture.
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