Guilin (桂林) is a prefecture-level city in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, situated on the west bank of the Li River, and bordering Hunan to the north. Its name means, “Forest of Sweet Osmanthus”, owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its scenery of karst topography and is one of China’s most popular tourist destinations.
The Li River (漓江; pinyin: Lí jiāng) is a river in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. It flows 83 kilometres (52 mi) from Guilin to Yangshuo, where the karst mountains and river sights highlight the famous Li River cruise.
Guilin Li River National Park / Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Photo credit: Ping Xu
UTRGV Study Abroad team visited a 500 year old Gaeml ancient village near Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Photo credit: Ping Xu
Group photos at Butterfly Spring & Elephant Trunk Hill in Yangshuo | Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Photo credit: Ping Xu & students
Group photo with Miao people when visiting a Miao village near Yangshuo
Photo credit: Ping Xu & students
A reed flute cave (Seven Star Geopark) in Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
Bird’s Eye to Yangshuo | Photo credit: Ping Xu
Bird’s Eye to Yangshuo | Photo credit: Ping Xu
The town of Yangshuo from a nearby karst peak known as the TV tower. The Li River can be seen in the background. | Photo credit: Wikipedia
Yangshuo (simplified Chinese: 阳朔; traditional Chinese: 陽朔; pinyin: Yángshuò Xiàn) is a county under the jurisdiction of Guilin City, in the northeast of Guangxi, China. Its seat is located in Yangshuo Town. Surrounded by karst peaks and bordered on one side by the Li River it is easily accessible by bus or by boat from nearby Guilin. In the 1980s, the town became popular with foreign backpackers, and by the late 1990s packaged tourists began arriving in greater numbers. At that time, domestic tourism represented only a small fraction of the tourists but by 2005 domestic tourists outnumbered foreign tourists by a great margin. Today, the town has become a resort destination for both domestic and foreign travelers.There is a lot to explore in Yangshuo. The West Street of Yangshuo has become a must-visit place. The history of West Street dates back to over 1400 years ago. At that time, there were only a few grocery stores in the street. Now, it has become a popular street that you can find many foreigners walking around the street and even become the boss of a bar or restaurant. There are signs written in both Chinese and English. Due to tourism, most locals in Yangshuo speak English, which is uncommon for Chinese cities.
Night shots in West Street of Yangshuo