CHINA - SHANGRI-LA PARK, GUILIN

BY HJ. ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

27 MARCH 2024

From Bamboo Unlimited Shop in Yangshuo, we left for our next destination, which is Shangri-La Park on Guilin-Yangshuo Road, approximately 49 km from Guilin and 16 km from Yangshuo.

Everyone has probably heard the name "Shangri-La" at least once in their life. The name Shangri-La became famous when an English writer named James Hilton wrote about it in his novel titled "Last Horizon" in 1933. The novel describes a paradise on earth, the most ideal place to live, with vast grasslands, beautiful lakes, and green mountains and hills. Shangri-La, or "Shi Wai Tao Yuan" in Chinese, means "Land of Peach Blossom" and is an ethnic theme park featuring beautiful and incredibly scenic landscapes.

Tha ancient Tibetan Buddhist myth of the spiritual Kingdom of Shambala is thought by some to have informed Hilton's of the fictional Shangri-La. Shambala is said to be located somewhere north of Tibet, surrounded by high mountain peak. 

Notice board in Chinese. Why don't they have English? It's easy for foreign tourists to understand. There should be an English bulletin board in the tourist center.

Taking a boat ride down the river that passes through some traditional huts built on the banks of the river. In every hut, there are several ethnic groups in Guilin who dance and wave at the passing boats. Among the ethnic groups found here are the Dong ethnic group, the Miao ethnic group, the Zhuang ethnic group, and the Yao ethnic group. Actually, in China, there are more than 58 ethnic groups throughout the Chinese Mainland.

ZHUANG ETHNIC 

The Zhuang Ethnic Group is one of China's ethnic minorities and has the largest total population among the 55 ethnic groups in China, with almost 18 million people. Most of them live in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in Southern China, as well as in the provinces of Yunnan, Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou, and Sichuan.

Buddhism and Taoism were spread in the Zhuang ethnic area during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

ZHUANG ETHNIC HOUSE

YAO ETHNIC 

Until now, there are 2.6 million ethnic Yao tribes living in several regions in China, including Hunan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Guizhou, and Yunnan. Most of this ethnic group lives by farming, primarily in mountainous areas, with a significant population residing in Longsheng. The existence of the Yao Ethnicity can be traced back to 221 to 207 BC, during the Qin Dynasty. When the government of Feudal China declared war on the Yao ethnic group, many of them fled to Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand. In fact, some of them were given the opportunity to migrate to Canada, France, and the United States in the 1970s.

MIAO ETHNIC 

The Miao ethnic minority lives in several provinces in China, including Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hainan in Southern China. Guizhou Province is often referred to as the Homeland of the Miao Ethnicity. The largest number of Miao ethnicities is found in Tai County, with 97% of the total population in the county. The majority of the Miao ethnic group lives in mountainous areas far from the city because they prefer to live with their own people rather than mixing with others.

DONG ETHNIC 

The Dong ethnic tribe is found in several provinces in China, such as Guizhou, Hunan, and Hubei provinces. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), this ethnic group separated from the Bai Yue mixed ethnic minority and named their ethnic group "Dong".

The province of Guangxi, where Guilin is located, is actually situated on the border with the northern part of Vietnam. That is why the scenery here is sometimes reminiscent of North Vietnam.

Entering the cave.

Once out of the cave, there is a view of blooming Peach Blossom trees. However, we were surprised to learn that these Peach Blossom trees are not real, but rather artificial trees made of plastic.

This Shangri La garden was actually built based on the concept of a Chinese garden called "Shi Wai Tao Yuan," which means "Land Of Peach Blossoms." The Chinese believe that the Peach Blossom flower always blooms in the garden of heaven. So, to ensure that the Peach Blossom always blooms here regardless of the season, the park management has placed fake flowers that look very real.

At the end of Peach Blossom Park, there are traditional houses built from bamboo. These houses reflect the Yao ethnic culture.

Unlike other ethnic groups that live by the river, the Yao people live on top of the mountains. So their culture is quite traditional compared to other cultures.

Cruise ends at the traditional house of the Dong people. Here, the passengers are treated with rice wine to welcome their arrival. Mr. Alex had early on warned us not to drink because it contained alcohol.

In this Dong House, we were introduced to some aspects of their culture.

Then, we went to a traditional weaving center. There were weaving demonstrations here, in addition to the sale of weaving products and other fine art crafts. What is interesting here is that the weaving is also done by men, not just women.

After visiting the entire park, we were asked to gather at a bridge near the Exit called the Wind Rain Bridge.

Three sisters in our group who are very friendly.

After the tour at Shangri-La Park, we boarded the bus for dinner and then returned to the hotel to rest before we start our Night Tour tonight.

Shangrila Theme Park is an invitation to marvel, the place to where to enjoy the best natural landscapes made of old tress, ancient Dong architecture buildings and folk habits.... Shangrila gives you a great photography session opportunity. 

Next:

NIGHT TOUR GUILIN

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

28 March 2024 > 17 Ramadan 1445H: 4.14 p.m