Jenny Sky Is The Limit

We chose to reside in the heart of Guilin at Aroma Tea House, a subtly elegant boutique hotel offering both comfort and convenience.

Nestled just meters from the picturesque Ronghu Lake, our stay was a delightful blend of tranquillity and accessibility. It set the perfect tone for the night before our upcoming cruise adventure, creating a memorable prelude to the wonders that awaited us.

Our second day in Guilin unfolded with enchanting escapades and breath taking landscapes, igniting our imaginations with every step. The term ‘karst scenery’ was unfamiliar to me before this journey, but through these experiences, I’ve not only encountered it but gained a profound appreciation. I invite you to join me on this exploration and hope you’ll share in the newfound marvel of karst beauty by the end of this post.

LI RIVER CRUISE

In the early morning, we journeyed 26 kilometers southward, arriving at Mopanshan Pier. From there, our adventure unfolded as we set sail on an unforgettable waterway voyage along the Li River, finally reaching the charming Yangshuo town four hours later.

During the entire excursion, we found ourselves amazed by the enchanting views, thoroughly relishing the opportunity to let our imaginations roam freely. The locals’ vivid descriptions added an extra layer of enjoyment to this already spectacular setting.

Waterway Expedition

Our guide shared valuable insights, explaining that there are three categories of cruises for this four-hour waterway expedition: 3-star, 4-star, and 4.5-star, all available daily. The primary distinctions among them center around their capacity and the quality of the meals offered.

Our reservation was for a 3-star cruise, accommodating 150 people, and I was pleasantly surprised by the remarkable spaciousness, comfort, and cleanliness it offered. Despite the challenge of securing a vegan option, the basic lunch box provided was deemed decent for a 3-star service.

The other two types of cruises offer a buffet service with a variety of dishes and more spacious seating layouts.

The Experience 

We departed from Mopanshan Pier at 9:30 am, embarking on a four-hour journey through the Li River. Immediately, we began to relish the scenery as we navigated around the Jiuma Huashan area. The view from our seats was beyond fantastic, nearly as impressive as the one from the top deck, thanks to the large glass windows.

We sailed past the mysterious Crown Cave and Wangfu Rock, the latter supposedly representing a woman carrying her baby while awaiting her husband’s return. I must admit, I struggled to discern such a shape, but that’s precisely why I mentioned earlier that we had to use our imagination a lot. It was quite enjoyable squinting our eyes and trying to figure out the shapes!

We leisurely sailed past the enchanting Yangdi Scenery, which brought back fond travel memories from my 2017 trip to Vietnam, particularly in Tam Coc, where I experienced similar breath-taking mountain views.

Felipe assumed the role of cameraman, and we ascended to the top deck to capture a few clips of this delightful 54 km waterway excursion, a true natural wonder. Here, we genuinely cherished the gifts of Mother Nature!

Next, we cruised past the Nine-Horse Fresco Hill, a sizable and sharp stone cliff set against a backdrop of five peak mountains. From a distance, it resembles a mural with nine horses in various poses. Once again, thoughtful imagination was required to see it clearly. However, this hill stands out as one of the top attractions along this journey, and I’ll let you judge for yourself with the photo below.

We also sailed past Xingping Town and Yellow Clot Beach, where people say the surrounding hills resemble a monk and a nun engaged in discussion. Once more, imagination plays a significant role in appreciating the landscape.

Lastly, we left behind Snal Hill before arriving at Yangshuo pier at 1:30pm.

The entire experience immersed us in remarkable karst scenery, artistically adorned with rolling hills, cliffs, and endless limestone-sculpted peaks. This landscape has been the inspiration for hundreds of Chinese poets, and it’s no surprise; it inspired me too! In fact, it is so iconic that it is featured on their ¥20 notes.

Yangshuo:

Upon arriving in Yangshuo town, we took a stroll and explored the West Street market. The town itself offers a stark contrast to the charming scenery that surrounds it:  it’s loud, congested, and a bit chaotic, teeming with restaurants and souvenir stalls.

Super thankful for yet another amazing adventure! 🙂 Grateful that you’ve read my blog.

“As the river surrenders itself to the ocean, what is inside me moves inside you”. Kabir 

Love

❤️

From Jenny