'Heaven on Earth': Yangshuo
Updated: 2007-05-31 10:11
In Guangxi there is an area often referred to as 'Heaven on Earth'; it is the limestone district stretching along the valley of the Li River from the popular tourist city of Guilin to the scenic wonderland of tiny, laid-back, Yangshuo.
Produced 300 million years ago when an ancient sea covered this area, the limestone is formed from the compressed fossilised remains of sea creatures. The movements of the continents caused the earth to rise up and the sea disappeared. Since then warm, wet climatic conditions have allowed the rock to be steadily eaten away by chemical weathering and physically worn away by running water. The result is the landscape we have today in this part of Guangxi, a place where art and geology have come together. An area, which has drawn artists and travellers to its attractions in now ever increasing, numbers.
 |
 |
 |
Great River Journey
Reaching Yangshuo from Guilin is one of the great river journeys of the World. Several hours of meandering through a natural wonderland of limestone pinnacles reaching skywards make the Li River unique. Clouds seemed to hang listlessly around their summits while vegetation appears from any level surface on what are otherwise vertical slopes. Sometimes the boat rushes through narrow canyons or else floats gently on broad stretches of water.
A feature of the journey is watching out for the 'cormorant fishermen'. Rafts are made of five large bamboo poles lashed together and slightly upturned at either end. Two men steer the craft with long poles. A circular basket holds the catch. The 'fisherman' is actually a bird: a black cormorant with a ring around its neck to prevent it swallowing the fish. The cormorants dive, catch a fish in their beaks and bring it back to the boat. This sight is most scenic at night when lanterns, used to attract the fish, are suspended from the rafts.
Yangshuo is an attractive town sitting in narrow valleys beneath many steep hills. Due to the growth of caféculture and cheap hotels it has attracted many foreign travellers seeking its easy lifestyle while enjoying the scenery. The town does have many fascinating corners to explore off its main street. Alleys entered through moon gates are lined with traditional two-storey houses and local markets.
