Vacation in Guilin China with Asian Vacations, Inc.

Diecai Hill (Folded Brocade Hill)
Located north of Guilin by the Li River, Diecai Hill rises abruptly with an elevation of 73m. The grotesque-looking rocks, with patterns suggesting a great pile of folded brocade, gave the hill its present name Folded Brocade Hill. Covering an area of 2 sq. km, the hill consists of Yuyue Hill, Siwang Hill (Look-in-All-Direction Hill), Crane Peak and Bright Moon Peak. Many charming scenes such as Diecai Pavilion, Diecai Archway, Windy Cave and Cloud-catching Pavilion scatter on the hill. Diecai Pavilion, covering an area of 64 sq. m, is 5m high, 7.5m long and 8.5m wide with Yuyue Hill in the east, Siwang Hill west and Bright Moon Peak north. Dexterously designed and elaborately built, the pavilion is single-storied with four angles, red pillars and a flat top, which is harmonious with the surroundings. With a horizontal board inscribed "Diecai Hill" hanging on it, Diecai Archway is a quite exquisite ancient building. A cave penetrating the Bright Moon Peak was named Windy Cave, which is roomy in both mouths and narrow in the middle. The cave is famous for 90 Buddha images of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) and Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD), as well as dozens of ancient stone carvings inside. Located at the top of the Folded Brocade Hill, Cloud-catching Pavilion, which is round and single-eaved in shape with a pinnacle, commands a splendid view of scenery noted early in the Tang Dynasty. Admission: �13. Opening Times: 08:00 - 18:30.

Solitary Beauty Peak
Solitary Beauty Peak (Duxiu Peak) stands in solitary grace at the center of the ancient Mansion of Prince Jingjiang (a noble family in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD)). Towering from the ground with an elevation of 216m, it is reputed as "Sky-Supporting Pillar in the South". During the Southern Dynasty (420 - 589), some 1,500 years ago, Yan Yanzhi, governor of Guilin, wrote the line: "none can surpass this solitary peak in beauty" and hence the name Solitary Beauty Peak. At the foot of the peak are Dushu (Study) Rock, Taiping (Peace) Rock and Yueya (Crescent) Pond. On the eastern side of the hill there are many inscriptions from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD), such as "Southern Sky-supporting Pillar" and "Purple Gown and Golden Belt." A flight of 396 stone steps leads from the west foot of the hill up to the top, where you can get a panoramic view of the whole city and all the mountains surrounding it. Note that this peak is situated in the grounds of the Guangxi Normal College, so visitors may enter only after 14:00. Boating south from the dock, and passing Nine Dragons Playing in the Water, the ship enters the Ox Gorge, where the next highpoint of the trip arrives. Admission: �5. Opening Times: 08:00 - 18:00.

Fubo Hill (Wave-Subduing Hill)
With half of the hill stretching into the river, Fubo Hill, which is 120m long, 60m wide and 213m high, stands on its own to the northeast of the city, on the west bank of the Li River. The waves of the river are turned back when they meet the stone blocks of the hill, hence the name "wave-subduing hill". On the southern slope of the hill is Pearl-Returning Cave (huanzhu dong). Legend has it that the cave was once illuminated by a pearl, and inhabited by a dragon. One day, a fisherman stole the pearl, but overcome by shame, he finally returned it. Inside the cave, a rock named Sword-Testing Rock hangs from the ceiling, nearly touching the ground. According to legend, a General named Fubo once tested his sword by cutting what was originally a stone pillar and has left a gap at the bottom. At the end of the cave is Thousand-Buddha Cave, where over 200 Buddha carved stone statues of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) were kept. On the western side, a flight of steps leads to Kuishui Pavilion and then to the top of the hill. From there, one has a bird's-eye view of the Li River. On the eastern side of the hill are a winding path, a teahouse and the Tingtao Pavilion ("Listening to the Waves Pavilion") built along the edge of the hill. Admission: �10. Opening Times: 07:30 - 18:30.

Mausoleum of Prince Jingjiang
Jingjiang Mausoleum, located at the foot of Mt. Yao, 7km east of Guilin, is the mausoleum of a royal family, where eleven princes of Jingjiang Family in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) were buried. In addition, more than 300 tombs covering an area over 100 sq. km are scattered nearby, forming the biggest ancient tomb cemetery in south China. In front of each tomb stand a pair of Huabiao as well as two parallel lines of stone statues in the form of horses, humans and other figurines. In 1983, the government had repaired the mausoleum and opened it to visitors. Now the well-preserved tombs have become important relics of culture and history in Guilin. Admission: �15

Lijiang River
A trip along the Li River is one of the high spots of a holiday in China. From Guilin to Yangshuo, the river meanders its way through 52 miles of beautiful countryside, with bamboo forests, dense reed-beds, and incredibly bizarre rock formations. Now and again, the visitor will see a fishing boat glide by with two or more cormorants on board. Many fishermen use these birds to help them find fish. The journey will continue past Pierced Hill (Chuanshan), Clean Vase Hill (Jingpingshan), Embroidery Hill (Xiushan), and--at about the halfway point--Picture Hill (Huashan). At the boat mooring in Yangshuo, there is an attractive arts and crafts market. Green Lotus Peak (Bilian Feng) outside Yangshuo is worth seeing. A few miles south of Yangshuo stands a mighty banyan tree which is hundreds of years old. Two miles from the tree is Moon Hill (Yueliangshan), the peak of which resembles a crescent-shaped crater. The crystal clear Li River is sandwiched between precipitous peaks decorated with waterfalls. Among poems praising the beauty of the river are these two lines: "He who travels in Guilin hills finds himself in a fairyland" and "He who sails along the Li River finds himself boating in a sweet dream." Along the 83km riverbank from Guilin to Yangshuo are numerous natural wonders, made more wonderful by their mirrored reflection on the serene water of the river; they have inspired the saying, "Guilin has the most beautiful scenery in China, and Yangshuo is the most beautiful part of Guilin." River tours between Guilin and Yangshuo are an extremely popular way to see the natural scenery along the river, which is some of the best in China. However, the tours can be on the expensive side with a one way ride to Yangshuo costing about �360 and some trips costing as much as �500 (but including a bus ride back to Guilin). These prices also include lunch on the boat. Tickets can be booked through many hotels or bought at the ticket office on Binjiang Road near the Lijiang River and south of Fir Lake. The boats leave in the early morning at about 8 or 8:30 am and hotel shuttles to the dock typically leave at 07:30. As the best sections of natural scenery are near Yangshuo, if you plan to spend a lot of time in Yangshuo, then you may wish to skip the Guilin Lijiang River tour and take one of the minibuses that leave Guilin South Railway station, where trains from Beijing and Shanghai (and all destinations north) arrive. The bus should cost you �5 and this is the most convenient way to reach Yangshuo.

Yangshuo
Yangshuo is an ancient city, over 1,000 years old, built during the Jin Dynasty (265 - 420). It is famous for its spectacular scenery of hills and rivers. The Lijiang and Tianjia rivers run by the town. Famous scenic spots in Yangshuo, in addition to Bilian Feng, include Jianshan Mountain, Shutong Hill, Yangshuo Park, and Chuanyan Cave. A commercial street in the town is also a favorite among tourists. Native produce is abundant due to the fertile land and includes fruits such as oranges, tangerines, pomelos, chestnuts, and kumquats.

Reed Flute Cave
Reed Flute Cave is situated in a completely concealed spot on Guangming Hill, 3.2 miles northwest of the town, Reed Flute Cave is Guilin's largest and most impressive cave. Its name is explained by the fact that reeds for making flutes and pipes have been grown in this region since ancient times. This dripstone cave is 790 ft deep, and a visitor will walk for some 550 yards through a zigzagging sea of stalactites and stalagmites in dazzling colors. Although the cave is also known as a Palace of Natural Art, manmade strategies use artificial lighting to emphasize the coincidental similarity of the rock formations to birds, plants, and animals. One grotto is called The Crystal Palace of the Dragon King--an area that resembles a miniature Guilin. Over 70 wall inscriptions from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) bear eloquent witness to the cave's long history.

Elephant Trunk Hill
Elephant Trunk Hill can be found in the southern part of Guilin, on the western bank of the Lijiang River. Its shape is reminiscent of an elephant dipping its trunk in the river. Legend says that an elephant which belonged to the Emperor of Heaven came down to earth to help the people in their work. This angered the Emperor of Heaven, who stabbed the elephant as it was drinking at the river's edge and turned it to stone. The cave between the body and the trunk of this elephant figure is of a particularly interesting shape and has inspired poets and other writers, old and new, to engrave verses on its walls. The poems of Lo You, Fan Chengda, and other poets of the Southern Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD) are of inestimable literary and archaeological value. On the top of the hill stands the Puxian Ta Pagoda, erected during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and shaped as the handle of the dagger with which the elephant was killed.

Seven-star Park (Seven-star Cave)
The Seven-Star Park is located east of Guilin City and sits on the east bank of the Lijiang River. Small Dongjiang River runs across the park. The entire park is more than 40 Hectare. This is a large park and it draws the greatest number of tourists in Guilin City. Within the park three hills stand together: The Camel Hill in the back, Crescent Hill at the front and Putuo Hill in the middle. On the top of Putuo Hill there are four peaks: Tianshu, Tian, Tianji and Tianquan. Along with Yu, Kiayang and Yaoguang peaks of the top of Crescent Hill, they are called Seven Star Hill. The body of the hill is 51.5 Gongqing and is famous for its many caves. A temple was built in the front of Putuo Hill, so named in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD); to honor Kwan Yin who it is said will remove the troubles of all people. The cave, Yuanfeng Cave, at the southwest foot of the hill is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Overlapping grass, dense green cypress and very tall trees grace the hill. Going to the gate of the hill above, you can hear the cicada and the singing of birds. The forest is quiet. In the middle of the hill there are Putuo Living and Preaching place, Flying Brim and Gate Arch, and Coloured Glaze Bright Red Decorations. This area has been famous for many years. Going left you will pass Bixu Cliff Cave, Zhenwu Pavilion and the Four God Cave. Finally you will arrive at the world famous Seven Star Cave. As you go to the right and climb the hill you will come across the Three Generals Tomb and Eight Hundred Heroes Tomb, commemorating those who died in the Anti- Japanese War. You can still see more than one hundred pieces of carved stones from the past dynasties on Putuo Hill. One example is the Xiaoyao Building by Yan Zhenqing of the Tang Dynasty. Crescent Hill at its side is like the new crescent moon and so got the name, Crescent Hill. You can climb the hill by stone steps along side the small Dongjiang River. Along the way you will see many sites. Some of these sites are, Companying Moon Kiosk, Crescent rock, Small Guanghan Pavilion and Jinjiang Pavilion. All of these sights face the surface of the river. From here the view is wide and you can enjoy Guilin City fully. From the stone steps below to the south west foot of the hill you will see Longyin Cave, Longyin Rock and Gui Sea Stele Forest. Camel Hill is one of the more famous hills in Guilin City. Its original name was Flagon Hill. The name came from its appearance. It is shaped like a camel. The morning and evening light shining on the rocks make for a colorful display and the scenery is spectacular. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD) peach have been planted at the base of the hill and with the very beautiful Zoo, Bonsai, Flowers and Tea Rooms that were built around the hill it is a delightful place to see. Another very favorite and famous spot is called "Seven-Star Cave". It is located at the inner part of Hutuo Hill. It is 1,100m long, 50m wide and 20m high. The Seven-Star Cave is also called "Qixia Cave" or "Bixu Cliff Cave". It has been given the name Seven-Star Cave from the Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD). This cave was originally an underground riverbed. Here you will see the centuries of work by weather and time that has created many stalactites, stalagmites, steles and stone curtains forming great natural beauty. Two other spots that must be seen are Sky Pillar and Flower Bridge. Transportation: You can get to the Seven Star Park by using the #6, 10, 11, or 14 bus. These buses pass through the main streets in Guilin City. Ticket price: The admittance price for the park is 15 Yuan. There is an additional charge of �20 for the Seven Star Cave. Opening Time: 08:00 - 17:00 and the park is usually open seven days a week. Do not miss the famous nun plain noodle shop in the crescent building in the Seven-Star Park.

Ling Canal
In ancient times, about 2,000 years ago the Ling Canal was an irrigation canal. The canal was once an important means of transport serving the region before railways and roads were constructed. Now this canal still serves it purposes by irrigating about 2,700 hectare of agricultural lands. Looking at the way that the canal been constructed brings to our thought on the wisdom achieved by the ancient peoples in the engineering fields employed in the construction of dam and embankment. Dams were mainly made of woods and stones. Studies revealed that logs were first pile and stacks up in the water to stabilize the ground. Thereafter, slabs of stone were placed against the logs to form an embankment. Each stone slab has a groove cut into it for an iron bar to slot through it to joint up each slab together to form a continuous embankment, which stretches for 500m in length. The most interesting section of the canal is the Doumen (Steep Gates) section, which is just like the boatlift in the Gezhouba Dam. Tourists were usually taken to see this section of the channel, which stretches from the Canal Mouth Village at the north to the river mouth in the south, which has a 7m water passage lift. All in thirty-six steep gates were built in order for boats to pass through from one section of the canal to another section of canal. Earliest records on the building of these gates date back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Gates at that time were made of woods and later stones slab were introduced to fortify it during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). During the Tang Dynasty, 18 gates were built and then it has doubled to 36 numbers of gates between the periods of Sung Dynasty (960-1279 AD), Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368 AD), Ming and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD).

Banyan Lake and Fir Lake (Guilin City)
Banyan Lake (Rong Hu) and Fir Lake (Shan Hu) are two beautiful lake parks conveniently located in the center of Guilin Banyan Lake is on the west side of Zhongshan Road and is named after the surrounding banyan trees, including an ancient banyan tree (800 years old) on its northern shore. Fir Lake is to the east, south of Shanhu Bei Road. These two lakes were originally the southern section of the moat that protected the ancient city of Guilin. An ancient south gate to the city is on the northern shore of Banyan Lake. How to get there: Located on both sides of Zhongshan Bei Road at Ronghu Bei Road and Shanhu Bei Road, the lakes are accessible by taxi or on foot from most points in the city.

Fuli Village
Just across the Lijiang River from Yangshuo is the town of Fuli, a small, quaint village with stone houses and cobbled streets. The village is famous for its litchi fruit which is available throughout the year, but most plentiful in early summer around June. How to get there: River trips can be organized from Yangshuo for around �40 or you can rent inner tubes from cafes in town for a few Yuan a day. Cyclists can take the bridge south of the Green Lotus Peak across to Fuli.

Moon Hill
About an hour bicycle ride southeast of Yangshuo, is Moon Hill (Yueliang Shan). The fantastic views from the top have made this hill one of Yangshuo's best attractions! Moon Hill has a natural round cave at the peak and from a distance, the cave (a hole in the peak) resembles the moon, hence the name. Moon Hill Village can also be seen from Moon Hill's peak. Local villagers will offer guided tours of Moon Hill and the surrounding peaks, caves and villages for relatively reasonable prices (�50 - 100 for one day). They are quite friendly and may even offer you lunch at their home as part of the tour. Between the village and Moon Hill, stands a Banyan tree that according to legend, was planted in the Jin Dynasty, about 1,500 years ago. While impressive and very old, up close you will find it is just an old tree and not particularly inspiring! On the way to or back from Moon Hill, it is great fun to explore the nearby caves. The Black Buddha New Water Caves and the Black Dragon Caves are lots of fun for those who love a little adventure. The Black Dragon Caves tour is partly by boat and requires some wading. This expedition takes you through some great underground swimming holes so go prepared to get wet and dirty! The caves are only open in the summer and tours cost as much as �100, but you can bargain (especially when part of a larger group) and it is very much worth it. How to get there: By bicycle, take the main road leaving Yangshuo and take a right heading south. Travel for less than an hour (10km one way) and you'll see Moon Hill on your right. Moon Hill is also reachable by car or mini-bus from Yangshuo via the highway.