Zizhou

Zizhou

Zizhou is located between the Li River and its tributaries, to the east of Elephant Trunk Hill and south of Liberation Bridge. It stretches 2,500 meters in length and 500 meters in width, covering an area of approximately 1.25 million square meters. According to the Tang Dynasty work A Record of Guilin’s Scenery and Customs by Mo Xiufu, “This place was originally inhabited by the Zhi family, hence its name. The islet has never been submerged even during major floods, leading people to believe it floats.” Thus, the islet was called Zhi Family Islet, abbreviated as Zizhou, also known as Floating Islet. Moreover, the raised land at the head of the islet resembles a frog’s head, while the central rise looks like a frog’s back, so it was commonly referred to as Old Frog Islet in the past due to its shape. Protruding above the water’s edge, the islet is flanked by a range of mountains along the river. To the east lies Seven Star Hill, to the southeast are Piercing Hill and Pagoda Hill, to the northwest are Folded Brocade Hill, Wave-Subduing Hill, and Solitary Beauty Peak, and to the southwest are Elephant Trunk Hill, Pheasant Hill, South Stream Hill, and Fighting Cocks Hill. When misty rain veils the landscape and the river shrouds in a hazy veil, the riverside villages and lush trees on the islet are bathed in a delicate mist, appearing and disappearing like a fairyland on earth. This scene is hailed as the Guilin wonder “Mist and Rain over Zizhou,” which has been listed among the Eight Scenic Spots of Guilin since the Yuan Dynasty. The poet Lü Sicheng once composed a poem titled “Mist and Rain over Zizhou” to praise the view: “At the parting and merging shoals, Zizhou comes in sight; / Misty rain over Zizhou blends with autumn light. / Vague and dim, fine raindrops float on waves like pearls strewn; / Gulls and herons perch on the isle, dragons swim down. / Outside the willows, anglers in straw cloaks are seen; / From time to time, they cast their lines on boats serene.” In autumn, the captivating “Red Leaves of Zizhou” can be admired. The development of Zizhou began in the 12th year of the Yuanhe era during the Tang Dynasty (817), when Pei Xingli, then serving as Prefect of Gui Prefecture and Observer of Gui Circuit, constructed scenic structures such as Swallow Pavilion, Lofty Tower, Flying Pavilion, and Leisure Hall along the river, turning Zizhou into a renowned destination for banquets and outings. Liu Zongyuan wrote “Record of Zhi Family Islet Pavilion” to laud this effort, praising Zizhou as the finest under heaven. Lu Hongxiu also composed “Poem on Zhi Family Islet,” stating: “In early spring, blossoms bloom on Zhi Family Islet; / Truly, it’s the finest pleasure trip in the south.” Since then, visitors have flocked to Zizhou, leaving behind countless poems. The Song Dynasty poet Zhang Xiaoxiang wrote: “A rainfall brings coolness, winds return with fragrant grass. / Painted clouds and hills resemble Mi Fu’s brush, / Bamboo and water evoke Wang Wei’s pastoral class.” vividly capturing the scenery of Zhi Family Islet. In the past, there were Moon-Viewing Terrace, Shrine of Pei Zhongxing, and Buddhist Spirit Nunnery, but they have long been in ruins. Today, the islet has become a fishing village, with Zizhou Orchard planted with rows of oranges and pomelos, as well as flower gardens and bamboo groves. The fragrance of flowers fills the air, and the pastoral scenery remains tranquil and serene.

The Sandbank’s Whisper, scattered pearls dancing on the rippling surface. Gulls and egrets fly in to perch, dragons leap and play beneath. Beyond the hanging willows, fishermen in straw capes cast their lines from boats. In autumn, the “Red Leaves of Zizhou” offer a breathtaking spectacle.