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Guilin
Karst LandscapeLi RiverZhuang CultureCormorant Fishing

Guilin

桂林

“The Most Beautiful Landscape Under Heaven”

4.9rating
10cultural spots
Guangxi Province
240h Transit· Yunnan–Guizhou Zone
Cultural Essence

The Chinese saying goes: 'Guilin's landscape is the finest under heaven.' The karst mountains and emerald rivers of Guilin have inspired Chinese painters and poets for 1,000 years. This is the landscape that defines the Chinese aesthetic of natural beauty.

Cultural Spots in Guilin

Insider knowledge, must-do experiences, and the stories behind each place.

Li River Cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo)
UNESCO Geopark
4–5 hours (one way)Apr–Oct (avoid winter fog)
Li River Cruise (Guilin to Yangshuo)
漓江游船

About This Place

The 83km cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo passes through the most spectacular karst landscape on earth. The scene of fishermen on bamboo rafts with trained cormorant birds against a backdrop of misty peaks is one of the most iconic images in Chinese art. The Li River has been a UNESCO Global Geopark since 2012.

Insider Tip

Book the official cruise boat (not the tourist speedboats). The 4-hour journey is best in morning mist. The 20 RMB note features the Xingping section of the river — visit this exact spot. Cormorant fishing demonstrations happen at dusk near Yangshuo. The Yulong River is a quieter alternative for bamboo raft rides.

Must Do

Find the scene depicted on the 20 RMB note near Xingping village. Watch the cormorant fishing demonstration at dusk. Take a bamboo raft on the smaller Yulong River for a more intimate experience.

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