HJ ZULHEIMY - SEPANJANG JALAN KENANGAN: CHINA

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

25 MARCH 2024

The next day, after breakfast, we were taken to a village called Lipu for rafting activities. Our journey to Lipu would pass through some beautiful villages and scenery with green mountains and hills.

On the way, we also passed a hill called Moon Hill. According to Alex, when viewed from different angles, Moon Hill would resemble both a full moon and a crescent moon. Alex also mentioned that to reach the top of Moon Hill, one would have to climb 800 steps. However, we did not stop at Moon Hill as it was not included in our tour program.

It is said that the former American President, Bill Clinton, once climbed this hill just to confirm that the moon-shaped formation was natural and not man-made. After reaching the top of the hill, he was satisfied and acknowledged its natural origin. Jokingly, he expressed his envy that God had placed Moon Hill in Guilin instead of America...haha...

The journey from Yangshuo to Lipu River is 46 km

Moon Hill, which is clearly visible from our bus on our way to Lipu River.

BAMBOO RAFTING ON LIPU RIVER

The journey from our hotel to Lipu Village is approximately 46.1 km and takes 1 hour 30 minutes.

Lipu Village has been promoted by the Chinese Government as a bamboo rafting area in Guilin.

Lipu River also known as Changtan River and Xiuren River is a tributary of the Li River in northern Guangxi, China. It is 121 km long and drains an area of 2,038 sq km.

Each group of visitors is also provided with a singer in traditional Zhuang clothing to entertain them while rafting. Apart from Zhuang folk songs, our lady singer, also sings songs in various languages. Because we are from Malaysia, she also sang the song Rasa Sayang Eh for us, but the verse was in Mandarin. Her voice is really good because she is also from the Zhuang tribe.

Along the Lipu River, we can also observe the daily activities of the people living by the river.

CORMORANT FISHING

Along the Lipu River, we can see fishing activities using a trained bird known as the Cormorant.

Cormorants have been trained to catch fish, their necks will be tied with bracelets so that they cannot swallow the fish they catch. The fish caught by this bird will get stuck in the Cormorant's neck, and the master will massage the bird's neck to remove the caught fish. Interestingly, this bird is very obedient to its master.

Cormorant fishing primary use today is to serve the tourism industry.

As a result of scientists' study, it was found that these birds are able to dive to the bottom of the sea with a depth of 46 meters, and they dive for 80 seconds.