China Popular Itineraries |
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The Scenery of Guilin City |
Guilin City is located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The beautiful mountains and rivers and the unique terrain in which it is situated attracts visitors from both China and abroad.
The peak Duxiu Feng rises from the center of Guilin City. Standing straight, the isolated peak seems to be a huge post holding up the sky. It originally called "the Post of the South Heaven. " At the south foot of the peak there is a trail of 306 stone steps, which, across the Jiuqu Qiao Bridge, leads up to Yangzhi Pavilion. Many stone inscriptions are carved into the precipice.
Mount Fubo stands to the northeast of Guilin City. This high, graceful mountain rests half on the land but plunges on the other side deep into a lake. Whenever there is a flood in spring and summer, the foot of the mountain provides a barrier to the turbulent waves, causing the water to turn back. Hence, it gets the name Fubo, meaning in Chinese "conquering waves. " At the foot of the mountain there is a hole named Huanzhu Dong. Inside the hole there are more than 200 various sizes of Buddha figures, which were dated from the Tang Dynasty. Two relics are also kept there. One is Big Iron Clock that weighs more than 2,500 kilos, and the other is Thousand People's Pot that is large enough to provide food for over a thousand people.
Mount Xiangbi is located at the confluence of the Yangiiang River in Guilin and the Lijiang River. The shape of the mountain resembles an elephant standing by the river with its nose stretched to drink. So the mountain is named Mount Xiangbi, meaning in Chinese, the nose of an elephant.
At the upper part is a rock named Xiangyan Yan. It is pierced through, exactly like the elephant's eyes. There are flights of stone steps up to the top at both the east and the west foot. The top is open and flat, edged with trees. A brick tower of 3 stories built in the Ming Dynasty is situated there. Seen from a distance it resembles a sword sticking into the back of the elephant or an old elegant precious vase -- hence two nicknames: Jianbing Tower and Baoping Tower.
The famous hole Shuiyue Dong is at the foot of the mountain. It is a big round hole between the "elephant's body" and its "nose." The hole is one meter high and two meters long. Whenever the moon has risen, the Shuiyue Dong is reflected in the water. It is an extraordinary sight.
Mount Diecai consists of Mount Siwang, Mount Yuyue, the Mingyue Peak and the Xianhe Peak. On these mountains, stones and rocks compete each other in height. Steps lead from the south to Diecai Pavilion and Wangjiang Pavilion, which offer a good view of the Lijiang River.
Feng Dong is a small tunnel to the main peak. At the top of Ming Yue Peak stands a pavilion named Nayun Ting. During the Five Dynasties, Mayin, the monarch of Chu State, ordered a platform to be built there, so it is also called Mawang Tai. It provides a view of all Guilin City. Hundreds of stone inscriptions are carved into Mount Diecai.
Longyin Yan is located to the east of the Lijiang River in Guilin City. It is said to be the home of an old dragon. Because the shape of the grotto looks like a bag, its other name is Budai Yan. Inside the grotto the stone inscriptions number more than a hundred. On the southwest wall of the grotto there is a figure of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, which was engraved during Emperor Kangxi's rule in the Qing Dynasty.
The Lijiang River is a tributary of the Zhujiang River. It covers all the areas from Xing'an in the north to Wuchang in the south. From Guilin to Yangshuo it flows past spectacular landscapes. Clear and beautiful Lijiang River, like a jade ribbon, winds through the green and uniquely shaped mountains. In some places the river surges over shoals and through rapids. In other places the stream is slow and clear, and fish can be seen swimming in the calm water. Boating on the Lijiang River is like touring fairyland. Strange peaks, giant cliffs, waterfalls, bamboo groves and houses on the banks are all reflected in the river. One is easily carried away by the sight. |
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