The Li River or Li Jiang is a beautiful river in Guilin, Guangxi Province, China. The Li River takes its rise in the Mao'er Mountains in Xing'an County and flows through Lingchuan, Guilin, Yangshuo and Pingle, down into the Xi Jiang River, the western branch of the Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) in Wuzhou, its reach of 437 Kilometers is flanked with stunning karst landform scenery.

Along the course of the 84 kilometers between Guilin and Yangshuo is considered the quintessence of the Li River. It is one of China's most famous scenic areas, where the unusual mountain peaks have often been compared to those at Halong Bay, Vietnam. Virtually all the tourists who visit Guilin would make a cruise in this living gallery. According to the distinctive scenery along the riverbanks it can be divided into three sections:

Section one
The first part of the Li River gallery, extends from Guilin downtown to the Huangniu Xia Valley (Cattle Valley), flanked by peaks, towns, villages and fields. This section offers optimum condition for viewing the human landscape, the river in the near distance and the mountains beyond. The scenic spots of this area consists of the Elephant Trunk Hill, the Gamecock Hill, the Vase Lying in the River, Unique Peaks Stand in Great Numbers, the Father & Son Rock, the Dragon Gate Giant Banyan, Daxu Old Town, and the Millstone Hill etc.

Section Two
It is the soul of the Li River, which stretches from the Huangniu Xia Valley (Cattle Valley) to the Shuiluo Village. The long sweep of the green peculiar-looking peaks forms the main part of the gallery. The top sights in this area include the Gazing Husband Rock, the Caoping Rocky Curtains, the Guanyan Rock, Banbian Du, the Carp's Image on the Rock Wall, A Boy Salutes the Goddess of Mercy, the Eight Immortals Cross the Li River, the Nine Horses' Images on the Mountain, the Reflections of the Green Peaks, Xiangba Islet, the Charming Landscape of Xingpin...they do really make you exciting and intoxicating once you see them.

Section Three
Range from the Shuiluo Village to Yangshuo, this section featured rurality, is flanked by green mountains, bamboo forests, luxuriant wood forests, small fishing villages, mountain houses, orchards, and paddy fields...if you have a cruise in the summer, you may frequently see the farmers working in the farmland, buffaloes drinking water in the riverside.

Anyway, the three sections may stun you because many travelers have been beguiled by this picturesque gallery of the Li River. Visit in different time you will meet different sights, cruise the river after the rain is considered the super time as during this time you will see the river and the peaks in a mist and dream wonder.

For more information about the Li River or enjoy the visional Li River pictures please visit my page:
http://www.chinafacttours.com/travel_destinations/guide-to-guilin-li-river.html