[Photo from guilin.com]

Lijiang River was once referred to as guìjiāng (Guangxi River), guǐshuǐ (the Tenth River) and dōngjiāng (East River), depending on the location. The river passes through Guilin, which is the third largest city in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, as well as its political, economic, transportation, cultural and tourism hub. The Lijiang River basin is known as the birthplace of the unique and stunning Guilin landscape. The breathtaking scenery of its mountains, rivers, rocks and caves has rendered it a world-famous tourist area.

[Photo from guilin.com]

Lijiang River is part of the upper reaches of Gui River of the Pearl River system. It originates from the south side of Yuecheng Ridge (also known as Laoshan Mountain), a 1732-meter high ridge at the border of Xing’an and Ziyuan counties. Situated in the sub-tropical monsoon climate zone, Lijiang River boasts a diversified ecological environment. As early as the Southern Song Dynasty (12th -13th century), the notion of Guilin being a prime example of natural beauty in China has been well accepted across the country. Since ancient times, this beautiful river, winding its way through southern China, has awed countless poets and writers with its long history and profound culture.

Mountain, river, cave and stone are “the four greatest wonders” of Lijiang River. Karst caves, some of the best in the world, and the waterway represent the best among them. The 83-kilometer section of Lijiang River between Guilin and Yangshuo is widely considered to be the most scenic as it offers spectacular aquatic views of ponds, rapids, springs and waterfalls. This section is also where karst landforms abound, and where the essence of the stereotypical Guilin landscape concentrates.

There are, in total, 179 cruisers and luxurious cruisers deployed on the river. All are air-conditioned and 97 of the fleet have been awarded the title “A Decent Route” or “Youth Civility Unite” by the Guilin and Guangxi autonomous region governments, the Department of Transportation, and the Central Committee of Guilin Communist Youth League. With an investment of over 20 million yuan, the newly constructed Mopanshan Wharf, 28 kilometers away from downtown Guilin, serves as a showcase of Guilin to the outside world.

The pier takes up an area of 233,350sqm and has five waiting rooms, including one for the physically disabled and one for VIPs. The pier is incredibly beautiful and is designed as a garden, incorporating the natural landscape into its architecture.

One of the most picturesque cruiser routes on Lijiang River runs from the Mopanshan Wharf to Yangshuo. Here, one can witness the majestic mist-shrouded mountains and river, swaying bamboo forests, chimney smoke from fishing villages and shepherd boys singing in the sunset.