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A stunningly picturesque river in China. The Li River Seven Stars Park

There is a city in the south of China, the mention of which people immediately associate with one beautiful river. This beautiful river flows around the city, and has endowed it with a special charm and spirituality, characteristic only of the landscapes of southern China. This is the city of Guilin, and beautiful river river Lijiang. Today we will visit the Lijiang River in the city of Guilin.

The Lijiang River originates in the Maoershan Mountains, in Xinan County, located north of Guilin. The length of the river is more than 400 kilometers, in particular, in the section from Guilin to Yangso County it has a length of 83 kilometers; The landscapes along the river are especially beautiful. These places represent the largest areas of karst rock and water deposition in the entire world. They are the main ones geographical objects, which brought Guilin worldwide fame.

In China there is popular expression, reflecting admiration for the beauty of Guilin - “The mountains and rivers of Guilin are the first in the Celestial Empire.” And the most beautiful views are presented on the banks of the Lijiang River. Sitting on the waters of Lijiang, you feel as if you are entering a world of amazing and sophisticated painting. The emerald-mirror surface of the river, the bizarre outlines of rocks and mountains are picturesquely reflected in the quiet waters of the Lijiang River. These amazing landscapes are truly a long scroll of traditional painting done in the Guohua style. Exquisite landscapes stretch over more than 50 km.

Many who have visited Guilin cannot refrain from sincere admiration. According to them, Guilin is like a huge monochrome ink painting. The mountains, near and far, are shrouded in a blue haze, breathing with grace and poetry. Picturesque mountains and rivers organically merge with the outlines and environment of the city, and you can’t tell where the city begins and where the mountains and rivers end, and you can’t tell whether it’s a city among mountains and rivers, or whether the rivers and mountains have entered the city. There is absolutely no need for you to specifically look for any attractions. From any place in the city you can admire the views of the Lijiang River.

Elephant Trunk Mountain near the Lijiang River is a symbol of Guilin. The shape of the mountain is very reminiscent of an elephant, which stands by the river and, with its trunk extended, calmly drinks water. Between the “Elephant’s Trunk” and its body there is a round cave through which water flows freely. clear waters Lijiang River. On moonlit nights, when appears in the sky full moon, a round cave in the Elephant Trunk Mountain is like the moon in the flow of a river. And the reflection of the real moon in the waters of the Lijiang River creates the impression that two moons appeared in the sky at once. It’s not for nothing that people in Guilin like to say that on moonlit nights, wonderful reflections of “beautiful moons” appear near the mountain.

Mr. Ma Weiming, who lives at the foot of the mountain, told us one legend about the Elephant Trunk Mountain.

“Once upon a time, in ancient times, a herd of sacred elephants of the Jade Emperor, (that is, the Heavenly Lord-Emperor from the ancient legends of China) came to Guilin. Surprisingly beautiful views The mountains and rivers of Guilin conquered the animals, and they no longer wanted to return to heaven. The Jade Emperor ordered them to return home immediately. The elephants were forced to return, but one of them never wanted to return, did not want to leave the beautiful Guilin mountains and rivers. Then the Heavenly Lord became angry and, taking out his sword, stuck it straight into the back of the animal. So he nailed the sacred elephant to the shore of Lijiang, so that the elephant would remain in Guilin forever.”

On the flat top of this mountain, Mr. Ma specially showed us a brick pagoda, which is shaped like a sword. He asked if this pagoda, built in the 14th century, was similar. on the hilt of the sacred sword with which the elephant was killed. Compared to sacred elephant, who died in order to remain forever in Guilin, the residents of the shores of Lijiang are much luckier. They live calmly and happily in these picturesque places, thoroughly enjoying all the beauties of this charming city. They do not need to fear any heavenly punishments. For example, every morning Mr. Ma climbs a narrow path to the top of Elephant Trunk Mountain and from there lovingly looks out at the most picturesque panorama.

Living in such a city, gifted with natural beauty, is, of course, a great pleasure. Local residents either stroll along the banks of the Lijiang River or sit peacefully in teahouses, drinking aromatic green tea, then, like avid fishermen, they closely monitor their fishing rods. Goodness and quiet joy are spread across their faces. A young guy named Zhang Zhengfei, who works in Guilin, told us that summer evenings It's even more crowded here.

"When you come here in the summer, it is full of people. Everyone enjoys taking a walk along the Lijiang River in the cool summer. The pace of life here is not as intense as in major cities. Guilin is a city whose environment is favorable for people to live in."

Indeed, Zhang Zhengfei correctly noted that Guilin is actually good city for accommodation. There is not much noise and commotion here. Rhythm modern life here, surrounded by lovely mountains and rivers, one involuntarily slows down.

It seems that the residents of Guilin, accustomed to a calm and measured life, usually take their time in the morning to prepare breakfast. They prefer to have breakfast in small restaurants, of which there are a huge number in the city. Locals are especially fond of rice flour noodles. Guilin rice noodles are known for their unique cooking method. These noodles are elastic and soft. The noodle soup has a fresh taste and aroma. The noodle side dish is also famous for its taste qualities. And although in the city a large assortment dishes, but people prefer noodles for breakfast. The history of making local noodles goes back more than 300 years. For most Guilinians, every day after morning exercises Tasting the fragrant Guilin noodles means the beginning of the real day.

These noodles are loved not only by the old-timers of Guilin, but also by young people. A young girl, Kong Xiaoling, told us that Guilin noodles not only taste good, but are also very easy to prepare.

"It is very convenient. In all the streets and alleys you can find a place where they serve Guilin noodles. If you just sit and wait a few minutes, they will serve you a dish of hot noodles. Therefore, those who are very busy can eat rice noodles easily and simply solve the breakfast problem."

If you have the opportunity to visit Guilin, take a walk along the banks of the Lijiang River, breathe in the aromas of the local air and feel the measured rhythm of life in the city.

You can stay at the Jingxu Hotel, which is located in the city center. Convenient transport goes there. As for the noodles, you can try them at the Lijidanzi restaurant, which is located near the hotel.

Lijiang is a river originating in the northeast of Guilin, at the Maoershan mountain peaks, in Sinan. It flows into the Xijiang River in Wuzhou Province. The total length of the river is 400 km, and from Guilin to Yangshuo its length is 83 km. The Lijiang River also has a second name - Guishui. It is generally accepted that in ancient era both rivers - Xiangjiang and Lijiang - originated from common source, but one carried water to the north, while the other flowed into south direction.

The largest and most picturesque deposits of karst rocks are concentrated along the river. Along the two banks there are a total of about forty thousand low mountains of the most diverse and unusual shapes: resembling screens, camels, elephants, bamboo thickets, etc.

The shape of Lijiang is closest to a ribbon framed by mountains and peaks, which is especially noticeable in the area from Guilin to Yangshuo. In the bend of Lijiang is the city of Xingping. 13 km upstream you can find the key attractions of the river.

The Li River is also part of the same water system other, no less famous river- Pearl. Depending on the time of year, tourists are invited to take a cruise around Lijiang ranging from 50 to 83 kilometers. The route runs from Guilin to the village of Yangshuo, introducing you to the natural and architectural attractions of this ancient part of China.

During such a trip, tourists get the opportunity to see the most interesting places, located near the river: the legendary Buffalo Gorge, Crow Cave, the famous Nine Horseshoes and Yellow Canvas mountains, the town of Xingping, famous for its architecture preserved since the Ming Dynasty.

The landscapes of the Celestial Empire have always been famous for their special picturesqueness, which served as a muse for many artists, poets and photographers. The main jewel of China's natural treasury - the Li River (Lijiang) - is recognized as one of the cleanest in the country and enchants even the most experienced aesthete travelers with its beauty. The mesmerizing view of the “silk ribbon” meandering among hills of different sizes and pointed rocks shrouded in mist gave it another name - “the river of poems and paintings.” In addition to the green hills that surround Lijiang on all sides, the vast rice fields visible in the distance add a special charm to it. Mysterious and enchanting - this is how you can describe the popular Chinese attraction, the total length of which is 426 km.

The yellow-green waters of the river flow through the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Okrug China, originating in the picturesque Mao'er Mountains. Then the current carries it south through the cities of Guilin, Yangshuo and Pingle, where it merges with two other rivers and rushes southward as the Gui River. In the city of Wuzhou, it flows into the Xijiang River, which belongs to the western tributary of the Pearl River (Pearl River).

Ancient karst giants of bizarre shapes are an integral part of the mystical landscape of the Li River. Over the centuries, water and wind tirelessly carved intricate mountain shapes, which, thanks to their colorfulness, received from local residents such sophisticated titles as “Artist’s Brush”, “Elephant”, drinking water", "Flying Waterfall", "Crystal Palace", "Five Tigers Chasing a Goat", " Bat", "Reed Flute" and "Dawn in the Lion Grove". The variety of names is quite consistent with the richness of the landscapes along the coast of Lijiang, and its ornate frame is recognized as the largest source of karst rocks on the entire planet.

Along the River Lea Valley lie a large number of stunning natural attractions. Business card the city of Guilin became the "Elephant Drinking Water" hill located on the western bank, which represents karst formation in the form of a gigantic elephant with its trunk lowered into the water. The most striking places in this area also include the Cave of Reed Flutes, which reaches a depth of 240 meters. Under the stone arches, intricate formations of stalagmites, stalactites, coral caves and rocky partitions loom before your eyes. iridescent different colors backlight in underground lake amazes with its colorfulness.

The most picturesque section of the Chinese Lijiang River runs between the village of Xingping and the town of Yandi. Here, bizarre peaks stretch high into the sky, and bamboo-covered banks form fantastic views, depicted in the paintings of many artists. Against the backdrop of the calm waters of the river, you can see water buffalo grazing or bathing in the meadows, farmers cultivating rice fields, ducks quacking animatedly in the water, or numerous fishermen on bamboo rafts. The latter engage in their fishing in a rather unusual, but traditional way for China - when fishing they take not a fishing rod or nets, but trained cormorants. The strange way of fishing is as follows: fishermen tie the bird by the legs and lower it into the water, where it grabs the prey with its powerful beak. Then the resourceful Chinese instantly pull it out of the water and take the catch from the disgruntled miner. So all the hard work is done for the fishermen by feathered helpers, who large quantities live on the banks of the Li River.

The most famous formation in this area is Nine Horseshoe Mountain. It consists of stone semicircular shapes on a steep slope, very similar to footprints wild horses. Legend says that in old times The Monkey King living in the sky had at his disposal nine paradise stallions. Very often the ruler went down to earth to restore order, while leaving his horses unattended. So one day the beautiful stallions left the king, finding refuge in a wonderful corner where they could frolic and relax as much as they wanted. Unfortunately, at dawn, the fugitives bathing in the Lijiang River were discovered by the heavenly king. Seeing the gods coming for them, the horses rushed to the mountain, but before they could escape they were turned to stone, thus suffering punishment for their disobedience. It is believed that a person who manages to see all nine horseshoes has extremely high intelligence.

It was the town of Xingping, where the Li River valley lies, that gave her real fame. The romantic landscape of this area is depicted on the 20 yuan banknote (in the fifth series of the issue). Typically, tourists take pictures with a 20 in front of the famous view.

The river coast is rich in thickets of a wonderful variety of reeds, which local craftsmen use to make fancy musical instruments emitting a quiet melodic sound, vaguely similar to birdsong.

IN rainy weather When a light haze envelops the river and mountains, the local views are filled with a special fairy-tale atmosphere.

The rich landscapes of the River Li make it a kind of Mecca for painters, photographers and directors, so its images can often be seen on postcards, calendars and films. Hollywood filmmakers could not ignore such luxurious views - the film “The Painted Veil”, based on the novel “The Patterned Veil” by the famous writer Somerset Maugham, took place here.

You can take a wonderful cruise along the Lijiang River, going from Guilin to the town of Yangshuo, the length of which, depending on the time of year, ranges from 50 to 83 km. IN usual time There are two boats along the tourist route, departing at 9-00 and 9-30 am, and in winter the only river cruise starts between 09-30 and 10-00 am. The duration of the walk is 4-5 hours. At the final destination - the city of Yangshuo - tourists will find numerous cafes, hotels, as well as moped and bicycle rental points for those wishing to explore the surrounding area. In addition, this section of the Li River regularly hosts a vibrant night show, “Impression Liu Sanjie,” which combines music, lights, ethnic songs and dances. You can see the performance daily in the evening at 19-30 and 21-05, with the exception of severe bad weather and one month in winter (the time of the Chinese New Year celebration).

The views of the Lijiang River, as if straight from a classic ancient Chinese scroll, will not leave any of its guests indifferent, because it is not for nothing that the local landscapes are recognized as one of the most beautiful in all of China.

The landscapes of the Celestial Empire have always been famous for their special picturesqueness, which has inspired many artists, poets and photographers. Home Jewel natural wealth China's Li River (Lijiang) is recognized as one of the cleanest in the country. The mesmerizing view of the “silk ribbon” meandering among hills of different sizes and pointed rocks shrouded in mist gave it another name – “the river of poems and paintings.”

In addition to the green hills that border Lijiang on all sides, the vast rice fields visible in the distance give it a special charm. Mysterious and enchanting - this is how you can describe the popular Chinese attraction, the total length of which is 426 km.

The yellow-green waters of the river flow through the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China, originating in the picturesque Mao'er Mountains. Then the current carries it south through the cities of Guilin, Yangshuo and Pingle, where it merges with two other rivers and rushes southward as the Gui River. In the city of Wuzhou, it flows into the Xijiang River, which belongs to the western tributary of the Pearl River (Zhujiang).

Ancient karst giants of bizarre shapes are an integral part of the mystical landscape of the Li River. Over the centuries, water and wind tirelessly carved intricate mountain forms, which, due to their colorfulness, received such sophisticated names from local residents as “Artist’s Brush”, “Elephant Drinking Water”, “Flying Waterfall”, “Crystal Palace”, “Five Tigers in chasing a goat", "The Bat", "The Reed Flute" and "Dawn in the Lion Grove". The variety of names is consistent with the richness of the landscapes along the coast of Lijiang, and its ornate frame is recognized as the largest source of karst rocks on the entire planet.

Along the River Lea Valley lie a large number of stunning natural attractions. The hallmark of the city of Guilin has become the “Elephant Drinking Water” hill located on the western bank, which is a karst formation in the form of a gigantic elephant with its trunk lowered into the water. The most striking places in this area also include the Cave of Reed Flutes, the depth of which reaches 240 m. Under the stone arches, intricate formations of stalagmites, stalactites, coral caves and rocky partitions loom. The illumination shimmering in different colors in the underground lake amazes with its colorfulness.

The most picturesque section of the Chinese Lijiang River runs between the village of Xingping and the town of Yandi. Here, bizarre peaks stretch high to the sky, and bamboo-covered banks form fantastic views, depicted in the paintings of many artists. Against the backdrop of the calm waters of the river, you can see water buffalo grazing or bathing in the meadows, farmers cultivating rice fields, ducks quacking animatedly in the water, or numerous fishermen on bamboo rafts.

Fishermen engage in their fishing in a rather unusual, but traditional way for China - when fishing they do not take a fishing rod and nets, but trained cormorants. The strange way of fishing is as follows: fishermen tie the bird by its legs and lower it into the water, where it grabs the prey with its powerful beak. Then the resourceful Chinese instantly pull it out of the water and take the catch from the disgruntled miner. So all the hard work is done for the fishermen by feathered helpers, who live in large numbers on the banks of the Li River.

The river coast is rich in reed thickets of a wonderful variety, which local craftsmen use to make fancy musical instruments that produce a quiet melodic sound, vaguely similar to birdsong.

In rainy weather, when a light haze envelops the river and mountains, the local views are filled with a special fairy-tale atmosphere.

The rich landscapes of the River Li make it a kind of Mecca for painters, photographers and directors, so its images can often be seen on postcards, calendars and films.

The views of the Lijiang River, as if straight from a classic ancient Chinese scroll, will not leave any guest indifferent, because it is not for nothing that the local landscapes are recognized as one of the most beautiful in all of China.

Ancient karst giants of bizarre shapes are an integral part of the mystical landscape of the Li River. Over the centuries, water and wind tirelessly carved intricate mountain forms, which, due to their colorfulness, received such sophisticated names from local residents as “Artist’s Brush”, “Elephant Drinking Water”, “Flying Waterfall”, “Crystal Palace”, “Five Tigers in Chasing a Goat", "The Bat", "The Reed Flute" and "Dawn in the Lion Grove". The variety of names is consistent with the richness of the landscapes along the coast of Lijiang, and its ornate frame is recognized as the largest source of karst rocks on the entire planet.

Along the River Lea Valley lie a large number of stunning natural attractions. The hallmark of the city of Guilin has become the “Elephant Drinking Water” hill located on the western bank, which is a karst formation in the form of a gigantic elephant with its trunk lowered into the water. The most striking places in this area also include the Cave of Reed Flutes, which reaches a depth of 240 meters. Under the stone arches, intricate formations of stalagmites, stalactites, coral caves and rocky partitions loom before your eyes. The illumination shimmering in different colors in the underground lake amazes with its colorfulness.

The most picturesque section of the Chinese Lijiang River runs between the village of Xingping and the town of Yandi. Here, bizarre peaks stretch high into the sky, and bamboo-covered banks form fantastic views, depicted in the paintings of many artists. Against the backdrop of the calm waters of the river, you can see water buffalo grazing or bathing in the meadows, farmers cultivating rice fields, ducks quacking animatedly in the water, or numerous fishermen on bamboo rafts. The latter engage in their fishing in a rather unusual, but traditional way for China - when fishing they take not a fishing rod or nets, but trained cormorants. The strange way of fishing is as follows: fishermen tie the bird by its legs and lower it into the water, where it grabs the prey with its powerful beak. Then the resourceful Chinese instantly pull it out of the water and take the catch from the disgruntled miner. So all the hard work is done for the fishermen by feathered helpers, who live in large numbers on the banks of the Li River.

The most famous formation in this area is Nine Horseshoe Mountain. It consists of stone semicircular shapes on a steep slope, very similar to the tracks of wild horses. Legend has it that in ancient times, the Monkey King living in the sky had at his disposal nine paradise stallions. Very often the ruler went down to earth to restore order, while leaving his horses unattended. So one day the beautiful stallions left the king, finding refuge in a wonderful corner where they could frolic and relax as much as they wanted. Unfortunately, at dawn, the fugitives bathing in the Lijiang River were discovered by the heavenly king. Seeing the gods coming for them, the horses rushed to the mountain, but before they could escape they were turned to stone, thus suffering punishment for their disobedience. It is believed that a person who manages to see all nine horseshoes has extremely high intelligence.

The river coast is rich in thickets of a wonderful variety of reeds, which local craftsmen use to make fancy musical instruments that produce a quiet melodic sound, vaguely similar to birdsong.

In rainy weather, when a light haze envelops the river and mountains, the local views are filled with a special fairy-tale atmosphere.

You can take a wonderful cruise along the Lijiang River, going from Guilin to the town of Yangshuo, the length of which, depending on the time of year, ranges from 50 to 83 km. In normal times, there are two boats along the tourist route, departing at 9-00 and 9-30 am, and in winter the only river cruise starts between 09-30 and 10-00 am. The duration of the walk is 4-5 hours. At the final destination, the city of Yangshuo, tourists will find numerous cafes, hotels, as well as moped and bicycle rental points for those wishing to explore the surrounding area. In addition, this section of the Li River regularly hosts a vibrant night show, “Impression Liu Sanjie,” which combines music, lights, ethnic songs and dances. You can see the performance daily in the evening at 19-30 and 21-05, with the exception of severe bad weather and one month in winter (the time of the Chinese New Year celebration).