Impression of Guilin
Most people will blurt out an old saying of “Guilin tops the world in landscapes”
when mentioning Guilin. Former U.S Present George Bush, who has visited Guilin for
two times said once that he had very much appreciated Chinese landscape paintings,
and the most beautiful works of them are about Guilin. The depicted views on the
paintings are the most graceful ones that people had seen or would imagine.
What makes us gratified is that the graceful scenes remain intact despite local
economic development and human activities. To protect the beautiful homestead,
people in Guilin have refused to develop those industries that do harm to entironment,
instead they vigorously develop eco-tourism.
The rivers and mountains in Guilin are beautiful, what is most beautiful is the
honest people here. Their enthusiasm, hospitality, inclusion and openness and active
participation in the development of the time are embedded in their culture
characterized with simple customs and habits. What left deep impression while
visiting Guilin is people here, in particular, women of all ethnic groups who show
their confidence and passion. They are the main force of vigorously developing local
tourism economy.
Some people say that Guilin is the best place that can meet the multiple
travelling requirements of present-day tourists who can enjoy modern entertainment
among fantastic peaks and green rivers. Golf courses and large-scale theme parks are
paradises for people to release their passion. The dredging and reconstruction of rivers
and lakes completed in the end of 2002 added more charming scenic spots to Guilin,
reappearing the ancient city’s style and features of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It’s
just like wandering in the wonderland to visit the rivers and bridges by yachts at night
with the lamplights glittering on the both banks of a river.
1.
The Lijiang River in misty rains. Guilin has a typical karst feature. Limestone
makes up of the astounding natural scene after hundreds of millions of years of
weathering and eroding.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
2.
The morning view of “camel passing river”, a famous beautiful spot in Yangshuo,
Guilin. Yangshuo, endowed with charming and enchanting rivers and mountains, is a
famous scenic spot for tourists in the world and always enjoys the fame of “Guilin
tops the world in landscapes and Yangshuo tops Guilin”. The scenic spot receives
more than 2 million tourists every year, among them over 400,000 are foreign tourists.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
3.
The Yulong River, a tributary of the Lijiang River, at daybreak. The calm river
matching the rosy clouds of dawn, the glorious chain of mountains, dark-green
fernleaf hedge bamboo, and fresh air make up of a fairyland.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
4.
The Ping’an (safety) Bridge in Ping’an village of Gongcheng Autonomous
County. A saying goes that once you pass the Ping’an Bridge, you are blessed and safe
in all of your life.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
5.
The charming scene of the Yellow Cloth Shoal, a famous scenic spot in Lijiang,
Guilin, at dawn. The Yellow Cloth Shoal is one of the most representative scenic spots
along the Lijiang River, nicknamed the hundreds of miles of art gallery. It’s also a
paradise for Chinese and foreign tourists and amateur photographers.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
6.
The tranquil scene of the rural scenery and pastoral songs along the Lijiang River
moves every visitor.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
7.
The autumn scene of Jinkeng terrace. The terrace covers more than 20 kilometers
in circumference. People living here are the Hong Yao compatriots, a branch of the
Yao ethnic group. They make a living on cultivating terraced fields.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
8.
Wild giant salamander ( wawayu in Chinese), a kind of endangered species of
wild animals under the key state protection. Thanks to the strict protective measures
taken by governments at different levels for a long time, the aboriginal natural
entironment of Huaping natural reserve is well-protected for the creature.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
9.
The wind and rain bridge of Hongyan village in the Guangxi Zhuang
Autonomous Region. Hongyan village is 120 kilometers away from downtown Guilin,
and its natural environment, cultural resources and people’s living standard rank in the
forefront in Guangxi.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
10.
The performance of “Impression, Liu Sanjie” given with the backdrop of real
scenes of mountains and rivers in Lijiang. The performance, directed by famous
Chinese director Zhang Yimou, entailing a combination of Lijiang River landscapes,
the cultures of ethnic minorities and creations of artists, is the first new-concept
realistic view performance in the world.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
11.
Foreign tourists visit the Lijiang River by yacht. It is 83 kilometers by water
from Guilin to Yangshuo, along which mirror-like river water and strangely-shaped
mountain peaks standing side by side.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
12.
Foreign tourists are fond of listening to a female peasant guide relating the local
customs and practices.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
13.
Tourists row bamboo rafts, listen to folk songs, chat randomly and relax
themselves among the green hills and blue waters.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
14.
Girls of the Yao ethnic group make tea for guests from afar. The fried flour gruel
of the Yao people can not only promote the secretion of saliva and quench thirst, but
also drive coldness away and release fatigues.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
15. Women of the Yao ethnic group show their long black hair to tourists. Women of
the Yao Ethnic group are fond of growing long hair. Many women don’t cut their hair
all their lives. It is said that the beautiful mountains and clean water make their hair
keep jet black and shinning till advanced age.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
16.
Young people of the Yao ethnic group are performing a traditional wedding
ceremony “carrying the bride on the back”.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
17.
Girls in splendid attires of the Yao ethnic group are performing “song of the fried
flour gruel”.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
18.
A maid with mysterious colored drawing emblems on her face catches people’s
attention at the cultural and ecological tourism festival in 2002, in Gongcheng.
Gongcheng, has a quite long history and enjoys the fame of “small Qufu ( hometown
of Confucius in Shandong Province)in south China” thanks to the Confucius Temple
built here 600 years ago.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
19.
On the archaic stage with a history of more than 400 years in Gongcheng,
performers of the Gui opera sing for local villagers. The Gui opera is the main local
opera that emphasizes on figuring characters with superb performing skills full of the
flavor of life
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
20.
A woman of the Yao ethnic group washes clothes along the river that runs
through the village. Hongyan village in which the woman lives is famous for
developing quality fruits and eco-tourism. Tourists can pick fruits, make fried flour
gruel, row bamboo rafts and enjoy pleasures with farmers to their hearts’ content.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
21.
Village boys paddle in the water by an ancient road that has a history of thousand
years in Lingchuan County, Guilin.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
22.
The busy night scene of the west street of Yangshuo, Guilin. The west street with
more than 700 meters long has attracted tourists from home and abroad since the late
1980s with its old civil residences, honest folk customs, different style of bars,
restaurants and cafes with characteristics and craftworks shop, becoming China’s
biggest “foreign language corner”. More than 100 heads of state and government,
business tycoons and cultural celebrities have visited this ancient street.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
23.
Children in kindergarten learn to have English dialogue with their foreign
teachers.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
24.
Two girls run before the golden persimmon “wall” in Gongcheng. In the past
years Gongcheng have accelerated the development of eco-agriculture and vigorously
developed nonpolluting fruits such as persimmon, Shatian pomelo and areca dasheen,
attracting a large number of corporations to invest.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
25.
Lin Chunlan, deputy magistrate of Gongcheng County, takes photo at the activity
celebrating the harvest of persimmon. The open-minded and versatile young man runs
around for constructing eco-village and organizing farmhouse traveling, and receives
more than 50 calls in just two hours. All the villagers are very familiar with him.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
26.
Young people fond of adventures experience the breathtaking stipulation
when drifting on the Wupai River in Ziyuan County, Guilin.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
27.
Tourists view and admire the dream-like night scene of Guilin by yacht.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
28.
Large groups of tourists on the Mulong Bridge on the Mulong Lake, Guilin,
enjoy the surrounding landscapes. There are 19 bridges on the “two rivers and four
lakes” in Guilin, and each has a unique style.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
29.
The sun and moon twins tower located on the Shanhu Lake is a new symbol of
Guilin.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu
30.
A young couple hold their wedding at the foot of the Elephant Trunk Hill along
the Lijiang River. They bought and then set free about 10,000 fry of fishes into the
river.
Xinhua Photo by Chen Tianhu