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Located
in south central China in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,
the city is considered the most picturesque in China. Solitary
water-scarred limestone mountains rise out of the green plain,
their peaks hidden in swirling mists of low-lying clouds.
The city has been a favorite subject of painters for centuries.
Cruising the Lijiang River
By
cruising to Yangshuo from Guilin for 83 kilometers, one can
fully enjoy the charming beauty of the landscape, the green
mountains, limpid waters, dazzling stalactites and stalagmites.
Along the river, one can also appreciate spectacular deep
pools, dangerous shoals, murmuring springs and waterfalls.
There is a popular saying that the mountains and waters of
Guilin are the best under heaven.
Seven-Star Cave
Halfway up the western slope of Putuo Mountain in Guilin
City, the Seven-Star Cave has three layers. The upper one
is roughly 8-12 meters higher than the middle one, but the
latter abounds with splendid scenic spots.
Reed-Flute Cave
Situated at the south-foot of Guangming Hill, the cave is
huge and fantastic, eroded out of karst formation. It is lined
along its entire 500-meter zigzagging length with stalactites
and stalagmites. Beautiful, colorful, and fantastic, the cave
has been widely acclaimed as an "Art Gallery of Nature".
Yangshuo
Located 65 kilometers southeast of Guilin City, and surrounded
by 10 peaks, Yangshuo looks like a green lotus. Houses are
dotted among the rows of mountain peaks. The scenery here
is reputed to be Guilin's best.
Elephant Trunk Hill
At the confluence of the Lijiang River and the Yangjiang
River, a rock hill with a hole in it gives the rock itself
the appearance of an elephant sipping water with its trunk;
hence the name. Between the trunk and the body, there is a
round-shaped space, known as the water-moon arch.
Piled Festoon Hill
Located by the Lijiang River north of Guilin City, the hill
is broken on all sides with its strata exposed like decorative
chains or strips; hence the name. As there is an opening halfway
up the Crane Peak, the wind blows all year round. For this
it is also known as the "Windy Cave Hill."
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