Li River, situated in Guilin City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, is a bright pearl on the list of China's tourist attractions and it is the highlight of sightseeing tour in Guilin. The poetic and picturesque Li River originates in Mountain Cat at Xinan County in the northeast of Guilin. It winds and meanders its way for 170 kilometers, passing through Guilin, Yangshuo to the outlet of Gongchen River in Pingle County.

Along the river, the rolling peaks, steep cliffs, green hills and clear water constitute a fascinating hundred-mile pictures gallery. The crystal clear Li River is located amid precipitous peaks hung with waterfalls. Among poems singing the praise of its beauty are these tow lines: "He who travels in Guilin hills finds himself in a fairyland", and "He who sails along the Li River finds himself boating in a sweet dream."

As we all know - east or west, Guilin scenery is the best. While the most beautiful scenes of Guilin scenery are found along the Li River. The Li River is famous for its beauty of four unique: verdant mountains, fragrant waters, mysterious grottoes, and exquisite rocks. Along the river, there are deep pools, dangerous shoals, murmuring springs, and roaring waterfalls.

Along the Li River, the hills beyond hills with their reflections in the crystal water are like fairy land, the green bamboo greets you all the way along the river in the breeze; the water buffaloes eating grass casually; the ducks swimming along the river; the fisherman fishing or catnapping on the bamboo rafts with his cormorants resting peacefully next to him, it's God dotted landscape. "Serenity" is a word poet tried to describe, "story-book-mountains" is kids say about the hills. Chinese traditional paintings are what Chinese artists have being trying to depict the scenery for thousands of years. But the natural beauty of the Li River is indeed beyond any descriptions, you have to be there to see with your own eyes and to feel with your own heart.

Li River Scenery

The 83-km-long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is the masterpiece of Li River, decorated with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and lined bamboos which is just like enjoying a melodious symphony. Hanyu vividly described the enchanting beauty of the Li River in his poem: The River looks like a blue silk ribbon, and the mountains resemble emerald hairpins". It is the most typical karst topography lot in Northeastern Guangxi, known as "Barry Lijiang, Barry Gallery”. According to the different scenes, the Li River can be divided into three main sections.

1. Guilin to Ox Gorge

The pictures gallery, along the banks of the Li River, at this point includes the forest of fantastic peaks, towns, dispersed cottages and fields. The main attractions along the banks of the Li River in the first section include the Elephant Trunk Hill, the Rooster Fighting hill, the Clear-Vase Hill, the Forest of odd peaks, and the Longmen village.

2. Ox Gorge to Water-Dropping Village

This section of the Li River includes a variety of mountain ranges and many weird shaped peaks, which make for a great tourist attraction. The major tourist attractions in this section include the Wang Fu Rock, Caoping Village, Crown Cave, and One-side Ferry.

3. Water-Dropping Village to Yangshuo

In this third section, the Li River offers green bamboos, bending willows, crop fields, cottages and fishing villages. This part of the river is also known for its green hills, clear water, fantastic caves and stunning rocks.

Five Highlights 

1. Yang Di Amidst

Amidst is a best wonder of Li River scenery, and Yang Di is the best place to enjoy it. If you encounter rainy weather, then we will have the opportunity to witness the famous Li River "Yang Di Amidst." Here is also the beginning of essence of Li River.

2. Wave Rock Wonderland

In this section of the Li River, there is pleasant scenery of superb summit, clear water, green bamboo and charm cottage. 

3. Nine Horse Fresco

It is the most famous mountain in Li River. The mountain is 416 meters high, which white plaques on the riverside cliffs seem Natural Horse Figure.

4. Yellow Cloth Shoal

The most beautiful scenery of Li River Li River is Yellow Cloth Shoal. It is named due to there is a yellow stone in the river bottom of yellow cloth beach which likes a yellow cloth laid on the river bottom. 

5. Xingping Best Outlook

The green bamboo, reflection and verdant hills and green waters constitute the finale climax of   Li River beauty.

Other Famous Landscapes

1.Elephant Trunk Hill

2.Sun and Moon Twin Towers

3.Zi Zhou Park

4.Cockfighting Hill

5.Jingping Hill

6.Father and Son Rock

7.Wei Jia Du

8.Qifeng Town

9.Cattle Gap

10.20-Yuan Bill Hill

11.Half of The Crossing

12. Fishing Village

14. Camel Hill

15. Impression San Jie Liu 

Li River Hiking

For outdoor lovers hiking along the Li River is a good chance to get closer to nature and local life. The most popular route is from Yang Di to Xingping, which takes about 5 hours. See our Li River hiking video and our Li River hiking tour, or contact us for a tailor-made tour including hiking and anything else you would like to include.

The entire hiking route is about 22 kilometers long, divided into two sections---- Yang Di to Jiumahua Mountain (10 km) and Jiumahua Mountain to Xingping (12 km). There are three choices for visitors planning to travel this section of Li River.

Only hike. If you do not want to continue hiking after arriving at Jiumahua Mountain, you can take a battery car to Xingping for free.

Hike half of the route. You can choose each of the two sections----Yang Di to Jiumahua Mountain, or Jiumahua Mountain to Xingping (hike), and for the rest section, you can take a raft for replacement, but be prepared for extra fee.

No hiking. You can take a raft to visit this section of Li River. It costs a little bit more than hiking.

Best Time to Visit

The rainy season is from April to July. In the hotter months of June and July the rain is often heavy but short-lived, with the afternoon sun quickly drying up the rain.

Li River tour, there is a wonderful that is no worries about the weather changes. Because of the different weather, Li River scenery has different characteristics---- During sunny day, tourists can see the inverted reflection of the hills on both sides clearly in the water; during cloudy days, the hills are surrounded by mist and tourists may feel they are cruising in a mystical paradise; When the rain comes, drizzle is like a veil covering the hills and the river.