Guilin Li River National Park
Located in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, the Guilin Li River National Park is one of China’s most renowned scenic destinations. Originating in Mao’er Mountain in Xing’an county northeast of Guilin, the Li River winds its way southeast for about 437 km, offering the largest and most enchanting scenery in China, and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The national park represents the outstanding scenery along the Li River between the cities of Yangshuo and Guilin. Easily accessible from both cities by foot, vehicle, or by joining a river cruise, the 83 km stretch between Yangshuo and Guilin is the most visited part of the river’s course.
Li River’s landscape undergoes a captivating transformation with each season, providing picturesque scenes throughout the year. Summer lures visitors with misty peaks, while fall boasts cool and clear weather. The river has inspired countless artists and poets throughout the country’s history. A poem on this river goes: “The river is a green silk ribbon, and the hills are jade hair-pins.”
The Lijiang River is surrounded by large karst hills, caves and cliffs. Formed by the leftover of limestone that was eroded and dissolved over thousands of years, the karst hills are full of jagged peaks and deep caves today. They were given imaginative names like “Elephant Trunk,” “Dragon Head” and “Five Fingers,” some of which are featured on the
Chinese 20 yuan note.
The limestone karsts along the Li River exhibit two distinct types. One showcases deep depressions between the peaks and can be seen most of the way along the river. The other features more isolated and separated peaks, some reaching a height of 300 metres, and in many cases with near-perfect vertical sides.
The dynamic landscape surrounding the Li River contributes to a rich biodiversity in the area. The hills and riverbanks are teeming with animals, many of which are endemic to the area. Particularly rare are the species dwelling in caves, adapted to the environment of high alkaline levels and the dry soils within these limestone caverns. New species are continually being found in the caves, with over 200 species unable to survive outside of their respective subterranean homes.