The beauty of the Li River cannot be fully appreciated on a boat. Instead, hike slowly along the river, and immerse your feet in the water. Follow the trail through bamboo groves, treading between golden rice fields (in early autumn), and climbing the Xianggong Hill to have a panoramic view of Li River, which is highly recommended by photography enthusiasts, and even enjoy the countryside sunset on the return way. This is how to fully appreciate the beauty of the Li River and Yangshuo.
The hotel collection and drop-off areas will be within the urban areas of Guilin and Guilin: In Guilin city, the area is: the north side is Beijiguangchang/北极广场, the west side is West Hill Park/西山公园, the east side is Sanlidian Square/三里店广场 and the south side is Wonderful Plaza/万福广场. Most of the major hotels are located in these areas such as Sheraton Hotel Guilin, Shangri-la Hotel Guilin, Guilin Ljiang Waterfall Hotel and Guilin Bravo Hotel etc. In Yangshuo, the hotel collection and drop-off area should be within the urban area. For further distances, you need to hire a taxi to the Green Lotus Hotel (碧莲江景酒店). For further distances, you need to hire a taxi to the appointed hotel which your tour guide will tell you the day before the trip.
The Quanjiazhou–Lengshui riverside trail is now reopend. There is a 11-km (6½-mile) or around 3½-hour hike from Quanjiazhou to Xingping: From Guilin, it’s about 1½ hours by road to Quanjiazhou village. From there, hike about 2 hours (7 km or 4 miles) on a winding road/track between hills and the river to the Lengshui village pier opposite Jiumahua Shan (九马画山 ‘Nine Horse Painting Hill’). Then take a bamboo/pipe raft ferry across the Li River. Continue on the riverside walk downriver for about 1½ hours (5 km or 3 miles) to reach Xingping Ancient Town. You can also take a tuktuk (10 minutes) to Xingping from Jiumahua Shan. Tuktuk fee is included.
Once, in ancient times, Xingping was the largest town along the Li River, and is 63 km (39 miles) from Guilin and 25 km (15.5 miles) from Yangshuo, on the east bank of the river. The historic sites here can be found in Xingping Old Street. The old street is a one-kilometer long stone street lined with old brick buildings and assembly halls like those of many different provinces. Xingping is one of the best photographic locations in Guilin. Photographers go there to take photos of the best-known attractions on the Li River, the sunset and sunrise over the Li River and cormorant fishing. The ironic image of Guilin – an old fisherman in his coir raincoat on a bamboo raft with his cormorants – is taken in Xingping.
Locate nearby the Putao Town, 28km north of Yangshuo, Xianggong Hill is one of the best place for photos of the breathtaking views especially the sunrise over the bend in the Li River. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes to peak. You’ll have opportunity to watch the Li River running round a right-angled bend and the fantastic Karst scenery.
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