CHINA - LIPU RIVER, GUILIN

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.

After finishing the activity at Lipu River, we continued our journey to our next destination, which is Silver Cave in Guilin.

Next:

Silver Cave, Guilin & Bamboo Unlimited,Yangshuo

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

26 March 2024 > 15 Ramadan 1445H: 8.14 a.m

CHINA - XINGPING VILLAGE & LI RIVER CRUISE, GUILIN

By Hj Zulheimy Maamor

24 March 2024

On the morning of November 11, 2017, we were taken to a popular tourist destination in Yangshuo, Guilin, which is the Li River in Xingping Village. Guilin and Yangshuo are districts located in Guangxi Province.

XINGPING VILLAGE

Xingping Village is located 63 km from Guilin and 25 km from Yangshuo. The town is surrounded by interesting scenery.

The Xingping Ancient Town (Xingping Guzhen, 兴坪古镇) is a historic town located on the east bank of the Li River in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from Yangshuo County.

The village of Xingping has been mentioned in Chinese history since 265 BC. Many historical traces can be found here. Former President of the United States Bill Clinton and his wife once visited this village and praised its natural beauty.

Xingping has been designated as a Chinese Historical and Cultural City by the Ministry of Construction and State Bureau of China.

LI RIVER CRUISE

The Li River or Lijiang is a river located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This river flows for 83 km from Guilin to Yangshuo. The Li River originates from the Mao'er Mountains in Xing'an county and flows south through Guilin, Yangshuo, and Pingle, making it 437 km long. The Li River joins the Lipu River and the Gongcheng River and continues south to become the Gui River in Xi Jiang, Wuzhou.

Cruising down the Li River is a popular tourist activity in Guilin. The Li River was ranked by the American TV station CNN as one of the 14th out of 15 most beautiful rivers in the world.

The cruise down the Li River starts from an old village called Xingping Village. This village is said to have been built since the Ming Dynasty. According to Mr. Alex, our tour guide, American President Bill Clinton and his wife once came here and praised the beauty of the cities of YangShuo and Guilin.

"I heard of the name of Li River long ago. Today I visit Li River. It is more vivid and genuine than what I thought before. Nowhere is like Guilin. It makes me think of the traditional Chinese paintings."

(Bill Clinton)

Out boat with a good viewing upstairs

The photo is of the 20 Yuan Note View near Xingping Ancient Town, which is one of the most iconic and beautiful spots along the Li River. 

At times you sail past close to the karsts.

The beauty of River Cruise is that it's a picturesque and easy way to see towns and cities along a river. The Li River  renowned as being one of "the world's top 10 watery wonders" according to National Geographic. The Li River cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo boasts the most beautiful scenery. 

Next:

GUILIN : LIPU RIVER

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

25 March 2024 > 15 Ramadan 1445H: 11.41 p.m