People across all times and cultures adore the waters of the Li River. This summer, discover the four wonders of Guilin and admire the scenery from the Longji Rice Terraces.

Text / Provided by Qidou Travel Network; Images / Xi Hong Holidays, shutterstock.com

As the ancients said: The benevolent enjoy mountains, the wise delight in waters—Guilin is a must-visit for both.

Chinese poets and artists have long cherished Guilin, and so have foreigners. Former U.S. Presidents Nixon, George H.W. Bush, Carter, and Clinton have all visited, with Nixon once remarking that no place in the world compares to Guilin’s beauty.

The Li River is the heart of Guilin’s landscapes, drawing countless travelers each year to experience this feast of nature. Thus, none of the four American presidents who visited Guilin missed cruising the Li River.

Originating from Mao’er Mountain in Xing’an County north of Guilin, the Li River flows through Guilin, Yangshuo, Pingle, and into Wuzhou, where it joins the Xijiang River. Stretching 437 kilometers, the waterway resembles a green silk ribbon winding through countless peaks. The scenic stretch features emerald waters, mirrored peaks, and iconic sights like “deep pools, perilous rapids, flowing springs, and cascading waterfalls.”

To admire the beauty of Guilin, the "Guilin 6-Day Premium Tour" by Xi Hong Holidays takes you on a cruise along the golden waterway of the Li River. The 4-hour journey between Mopan Mountain and Yangshuo traverses the most karst-rich area, featuring the essence of Guilin’s landscapes. Drifting along, you’ll feel as if “the boat sails on water while you float within a painting.”

Additionally, the tour includes a boat ride on the Lipu River, a bamboo raft drift along the Yulong River, and a motorized cruise through Shangri-La, showcasing Guilin’s landscapes in all their morning and evening glory. Notably, the Yulong River, the largest tributary of the Li River in Yangshuo, flows through over 20 villages in five towns before merging with the Jinbao River near the Gongnong Bridge to form the Tianjia River. It then passes by Ancient Banyan Villa, Qingdu Water Village, Baopu Garden, Chicken Coop Ferry, Aishan Bridge, and enters the Li River at Shutong Mountain—a stunning 40-kilometer stretch.

Have you ever imagined if Guilin’s breathtaking landscapes were the stage for a professionally choreographed performance? The world’s largest natural landscape theater, *Impression Liu Sanjie*, is just that. Directed by globally renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou, this production cost around NT$3 billion and took three and a half years to complete. Set against the natural backdrop of the Li River in Yangshuo, it blends the culture of Guangxi’s ethnic minorities with the artistry of China’s finest performers.

The *Impression Liu Sanjie* show features over 600 local fishermen as performers, accompanied by cutting-edge lighting and sound. Dancers perform on bamboo rafts, singing ancient folk ballads that blend the musical traditions of Guangxi’s Zhuang, Dong, Miao, and Yao ethnic groups. This creates a new cultural landmark along the Li River, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the essence of Zhuang culture while admiring the natural beauty.

Guilin’s charm doesn’t end there. Its unique geology and landforms give rise to the “four wonders of Guilin”—verdant mountains, pristine waters, magical caves, and exquisite stones. To witness the latter two, head to Yinzi Cave.

Yinzi Cave showcases the grandeur of limestone caverns, stretching across 12 peaks in a multi-level karst formation. It comprises three main sections: the lower cave, grand hall, and upper cave, featuring dozens of iconic stalactite formations from various geological periods.

Highlights include the “Musical Stone Screen,” “Moon Palace,” and “Snow Mountain Waterfall” as the three marvels, alongside the “Buddha Preaching Sutra,” “Pillar Holding Up the Sky,” and “Mixed Yuan Pearl Umbrella” as the three treasures. Yinzi Cave is Guilin’s most stunning grotto, vibrant and resplendent, earning its reputation as a “world wonder of karst caves.”

Another must-visit in Guilin is the Longji Rice Terraces, crowned the “best in the world.” These astonishing terraces, built during the Yuan Dynasty and completed in the early Qing Dynasty, span over 650 years. Stretching between 300 and 1,100 meters above sea level with slopes as steep as 50 degrees, they wind from the mountain foothills to the summits, creating a mesmerizing layered pattern of terraced reflections.

Reaching the terrace summits feels like stepping into a fairyland, and the journey also offers a chance to explore ancient Zhuang villages—particularly their iconic stilted wooden houses.

More related information
Recommended itinerary: Premium Guilin ~ Longji Rice Terraces, Golden Waterway, Shangri-La, 5★ Hotels Selected 6-Day Tour [No Shopping, 2 Free Optional Activities, Onboard WiFi, Business-Class Seating]
Xi Hong Holidays: 412-8618 (add 02 for mobile)
Websitewww.besttour.com.tw