Lijiang River, Guilin – Hundred-Mile Art Gallery

Chuanshan is located on the eastern bank of Xiao Dongjiang, southeast of Guilin city center in Qixing District, about 3.5 kilometers from the city center. It has an elevation of 224 meters and covers an area of 25.25 hectares. The mountain consists of five peaks, resembling a majestic rooster with the west and east peaks forming the head and tail, the north and south peaks as wings, and the central peak as the back. The moon-shaped cave on the western peak represents the rooster’s eye. Chuanshan, along with Guishan (Turtle Mountain) across the river, vividly resembles two roosters fighting, earning it the name “Douji Mountain” (Fighting Rooster Mountain).

Wangfu Stone is situated on the west bank of the Lijiang River, in front of Doumi Beach, approximately 37 kilometers from Guilin. The mountain’s summit features an immortal-like stone figure facing north, while midway up the mountain is a stone resembling a woman carrying a baby on her back, gazing into the distance. This stone is named Wangfu Mountain, also known as Wangfu Stone, symbolizing a woman waiting for her husband.

Longtou Mountain serves as a natural barrier south of Dishui Cave, with its main peak standing at an elevation of 440 meters, making it the third highest peak in Shaoshan. The “Second Revision of the Mao Family Genealogy of Shaoshan” describes Longtou Mountain as rising steeply from the ground, standing tall among thousands of peaks and valleys. It has fertile land and sweet springs. According to legend, a giant dragon from the North Sea Dragon King’s palace submerged its tail into Dongting Lake and raised its head in Shaoshan, forming the Longtou Mountain of Dishui Cave.

Luoshan Mountain, located on the west bank of the Lijiang River, features a spiral rock formation that winds from the base to the summit, resembling a giant green snail. The poet Guo Moruo described it as “the green snail bearing rain pressing down on the long river.” At the foot of the mountain lies Luosiyan, a bright and open river mouth. During the Ming Dynasty, Tengjiao Temple was built here, comprising the Hall of Three Treasures and the Kuixing Tower, and it was renovated during the Qing Dynasty. In front of the cave is Xianglu Stone, which closely resembles an incense burner. Inside the cave are three snail-shaped stones, one white as snow, one green as jade, and one black as lacquer. The cave also features cliffside inscriptions that document the origin of the cave and the surrounding scenery.

Xingping Town is located in the northeast part of Yangshuo County, Guilin, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on both banks of the upper reaches of the Lijiang River, about 25 kilometers from the county seat. The Lijiang River flows through Xingping, forming an “S”-shaped bend, which is considered the essence of Lijiang River’s scenic beauty. Marshal Ye Jianying wrote a poem about the area, praising its spectacular views. The area is characterized by its dense, picturesque scenery with unique, dangerous, beautiful, and interesting features.

South of Huashan Mountain is a yellow rock several feet wide that looks like a yellow cloth laid flat at the bottom of the river, giving the area the name Yellow Cloth, with the beach named Yellow Cloth Beach. In 2000, the People’s Bank of China issued the fifth series of the renminbi, featuring the Lijiang River scenery on the back of the 20 yuan note, showcasing the reflection of Yellow Cloth.

Nine Horses Fresco Hill is located 4 kilometers northwest of Xingping Town. Standing over 400 meters high and 200 meters wide, the mountain features steep, colorful cliffs resembling a giant painted screen. The mountain comprises five peaks, with the stone walls along the river displaying a variety of colors, including green, yellow, and white, creating a vivid and vibrant scene. The patterns on the rock resemble nine horses, giving the mountain its name, Nine Horses Fresco Hill, or simply Fresco Hill.

Caoping is located 35 kilometers southeast of Guilin city, along the banks of the Lijiang River. It borders Chaotian Township in Lingchuan to the east and Daxu Town to the north, covering an area of 32 square kilometers, with three-quarters consisting of stone mountains. The Lijiang River flows from north to south through this area for a 10-kilometer stretch. The river meanders through a landscape of towering peaks and verdant mountains reflecting in the clear water, creating a picturesque and serene environment.

The Yangdi Scenic Area stretches from Guanyan Village in the north to Xingping Scenic Area, covering approximately 18 kilometers of the Lijiang River. This section is known as the golden waterway of the Lijiang River. The banks are lined with dense bamboo forests, forming a continuous green screen that sways among the green mountains, clear waters, waterfalls, and shallow beaches. This creates a peaceful and tranquil environment, highlighting the pristine beauty of the Lijiang River.

Along the riverbank, there is a series of jagged and overlapping reefs that resemble waves in the ocean, hence the name “Langshi” (Wave Stones). The village by the bank is called Langshi Village. The landscape here features towering peaks on both sides, with narrow and winding waterways. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, one can see the water flowing through the river gorge ahead and sailboats framed by the gorge beside.

After passing Xialong Village, you encounter Ximo Tianling and Chongtian Peak, which together form the “Sky Pillar Clamping the River.” Chongtian Peak, along with Yuwei Peak and Laoren Zuoji Peak, is collectively known as the “Three Peaks of Xialong.” The scenery in the Xialong area is picturesque, with reflections of peculiar peaks in the water and layers of mountains in the background. When former U.S. President Nixon visited this area, he compared one of the peaks on the right bank to a pyramid.

On the west bank of the Lijiang River, about 43 kilometers from Guilin city, stands Dutou Mountain with an elevation of 400 meters. The steep cliffs intercept the southward-flowing river, creating surging waves. On both sides of the mountain are two villages: Guanyan Village and Taoyuan Village. These villages are separated by high mountains and rely on ferries for transportation. The ferry here only crosses halfway from one side to the other, hence the name “Banbian Ferry” (Halfway Ferry).

Located 29 kilometers south of Guilin city, on the eastern bank of the Lijiang River in Caoping Township, Guanyan is named for its resemblance to an emperor’s golden crown. Guanyan is a massive underground river cave stretching 12 kilometers, originating from Haiyang Mountain east of Guilin. Officially opened to the public in 1995, it features a stunning landscape with competing peaks, clear waters, and beautiful cave formations. At night, visitors can enjoy ethnic song and dance performances, with vibrant folk songs echoing through the gorge.

Huangniu Gorge is located on the west bank of the Lijiang River, south of Mopan Mountain, opposite the green banks across the river, about 30 kilometers from Guilin. The gorge is filled with unique rocks resembling green lotuses, lions, tigers, bats, and herds of yellow cattle, giving it the name Huangniu Gorge. The clear waters of the Lijiang River make a sharp 90-degree turn here, splitting into two streams and crashing against three islets before continuing their journey southward.

Daxu Ancient Town is located 18 kilometers southeast of Guilin city and 30 kilometers from Lingchuan County. Positioned on the north bank of the Lijiang River, it stretches from west to east along the river. Covering an area of 193.78 square kilometers, Daxu Ancient Town serves as a key water and land transportation hub in northern Guangxi, connecting the north to Hunan and Jiangxi, and the south to Wuzhou and Guangzhou. It is a bustling center for the distribution of agricultural and imported goods in the eastern suburbs of Guilin.

Tower Hill is situated on the east bank of the Lijiang River, on the west side of Xiao Dongjiang, facing Chuanshan across the river. With an elevation of 194 meters and a relative height of 44 meters, it covers an area of 2.75 hectares. Tower Hill and Chuanshan were part of the same mountain body a million years ago. However, due to crustal uplift and a drop in the underground water table, the mountain was cut and separated into individual peaks.

Guilin’s picturesque environment and the clear waters of the Lijiang River contribute to the renowned Lijiang River mandarin fish. Known for its fattiness, tenderness, freshness, and smooth texture, this fish is a local delicacy. The traditional preparation method is steaming, which enhances its natural flavors. The fish is steamed with shredded pork, resulting in a dish with delicate, tender fish meat that is both flavorful and pleasingly smooth.

Using fresh river shrimp from the Lijiang River, this dish is stir-fried with a touch of Guilin Sanhua wine. The clear and pure waters of the Lijiang River produce shrimp with a tender and authentic taste. The result is a dish with a vibrant red color, a crispy yet tender texture, and a subtle aroma. The stir-fried shrimp offers a taste of the river’s purity and sweetness, showcasing the local flavor and freshness of the ingredients.

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