• Cruising the Li River
  

  
  The 83km-long stretch along the Li River between Guilin and Yangshuo is one of China's most popular river cruises due to the dramatic karst scenery, fishermen, and countryside landscapes of farmers with their buffaloes, as well as caves, rock formations and historic towns en route. The cruise takes around five hours and the Li River scenery appears on the 20-yuan note.
  
  

• Guilin
  

  
  The starting point for Li River cruises, Guilin is an appealing riverside town that's over 2000 years old and renowned for the dramatic forested karst scenery that surrounds it. Its other attractions include the Seven Star Cave with its rock formations, Reed Flute Cave which has been attracting tourists for over 1,200 years, and culinary delights such as noodles with horsemeat.
  
  

• Yangshuo
  

  
  The riverside resort town of Yangshuo is surrounded by forest-covered karst mountains and its dominant feature in Moon Hill - a natural arch with a moon-shaped hole beneath. Yangshuo has a lively rock climbing scene, with over 300 single- and multi-pitch bolted routes and numerous operators offering instruction to beginners.
  
  

• Xingping Ancient Town
  

  
  A river town with ancient origins, Xingping sits on the east bank of the Li. It's surrounded by karst mountains, one of which - Camel Hill - resembles a camel crossing the river. The nearby Fishing Village showcases well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture and there's a waterfall at the Water-Dropping Village close by.
  
  

• Daxu Ancient Town
  

  
  Daxu Ancient Town is over 1,800 years old and consists of well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty buildings that line an ancient 2km-long street lined with bluestone slabs. There are numerous sellers offering street food off their food carts and artisan shops selling bamboo products and other handicrafts.
  
  

• Yangdi village
  

  
  Backed by twin mountain peaks, Yangdi village sits on the west bank of the river and is the starting point for Li River cruises in winter, when water levels are low. Nearby is Half-Side Ferry, which is used to connect Crown Cave Village and Taoyuan Village, which are next to each other but separated by a tall karst.
  
  

• Elephant Trunk Hill
  

  
  Arch-shaped Elephant Trunk Hill is a dominant feature of the scenery on the river's western bank, near Guilin. It resembles an elephant drinking water and is the city's symbol.
  
  

• Nine Horse Mural Hill
  

  
  On the west bank of the river is a tall cliff emblazoned with patches of yellow and white which look somewhat like horses in different positions. Just downriver from it is the Yellow Cloth Shoal, a beach with a cream-colored flagstone that extends underwater and looks like a yellow cloth on the riverbed.
  
  

More attractions