Guilin 2009

May 2009 - Yangshuo Guilin China

Toronto to Beijing
Beijing to Xian
Xian to Chongqing
Yangtze River Cruise

Shanghai
Guilin
Hong Kong

11. Wed 13-May-09

Shanghai to Guilin, China Eastern Airline MU5321 (Shanghai Hongqiao Airport - Guilin Liangjiang Airport) Dep 10:15AM - Arr 12:25PM (Economy class)

Guilin Bravo Hotel ****

Hotel to airport Transfer (Shanghai), Airport to Hotel Transfer (Guilin), Reed Flute Cave, Elephant Trunk Hill,McFound Restaurant (Lunch) B,L


In Guilin we were met by Vivian.

She took us to lunch at MC Found (My Sweet Fun) but don't seem to have taken any food photos.

 The restaurant was close to our hotel so Vivian took us to our hotel the Paradesa in Yangshou and ensured our rooms were satisfactory for us.

Our hotel was lovely as were all the hotels that were booked for us.

 Then we were off to visit the Reed Flute Cave, no rest for the wicked on this trip!

The Reed Flute Cave is a natural limestone cave with multicolored lighting and has been one of Guilin’s most interesting attractions for over 1200 years. It is over 180 million years old. The cave got its name from the type of reed growing outside, which can be made into melodious flutes. Reed Flute Cave is filled with a large number of stalactites, stalagmites and rock formations in weird and wonderful shapes. Inside, there are more than 70 inscriptions written in ink, which can be dated back as far as 792 AD in the Tang Dynasty. These aged inscriptions tell us that it has been an attraction in Guilin since ancient times.It was rediscovered in the 1940s by a group of refugees fleeing the Japanese troops. Nowadays, multicolored lightning artificially illuminates the cave.

It was an overcast day but no rain. The sky was flat.

A real China doll.

Vivian, our guide.

A Snowman

Back in the car on our way to Elephant Trunk Hill.

Elephant Trunk Hill is the symbol of the city of Guilin. It got its name because it looks like an elephant drinking water. The round opening that would be under the elephant’s trunk is known as Water-Moon Cave because at night the reflection of the moon can be seen through the arch and it looks as if it is under the water and floating on the surface of the water at the same time.

John watching him creating silhouettes.

The Guilin Sanhua Distillery, to take a prominent example, ages its products in Elephant Trunk Hill, one of the limestone formations for which Guilin is famous.

Back in Yangshuo we have some time to stroll around town.

12. Thu 14-May-09
Guilin to Yangshuo
Paradesa Resort **** (Deluxe Room)
Li River Cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo. overnight in yangshuo. B,L

The scenic views along the river and road to Li River amazed us. There are plenty of beautifully formed mountains and it’s so famous that if you are familiar with traditional Chinese paintings, you will find that many have used these mountains as subjects or backgrounds.

It was misty but very warm.

Quite intriguing were the vendors: balancing on five large thatched sticks of bamboo these sellers paddled towards our boat, tied themselves onto it, and sold their produce to the cooks on our boat while the cooks prepared the standard buffet-style lunch.

Drinks before lunch.

We were on the top deck which is reserved for small tour groups. We had the front table for the four of us. Once again, exceptional service. 
We thought we would be having the Chinese buffet which we were looking forward to, however, on the table was a menu which China Highlights had arranged for us as they had heard from other clients that the food was only average on the ship. We had seafood salad, mushroom soup ( the best I've ever had) and steak with potatoes and vegetables.

Lunch, being prepared, on the boat docked next to us. I like the wok hanging from the railing.

 Snakes!

Would you like some snake wine? No, thanks.

 Some sights as we continue our leisurely sail.

Disembarking and we caught this fisherman posing.

Back in town we had some time to wander around on our own.

This could be my banner!

We now head out to the Liu San Jie Impression Light Show. Vivian escorts us and ensures we have good seats.

Our car arrives and we head back to town.

Time for dinner! The view from our table.

13. Fri 15-May-09

Yangshuo biking to Yangshuo Moon Mountain and Yangshuo Big Banyan Tree, Meiyou Restaurant(Set menu)(Lunch), 
Our guide and driver will escort you from Yangshuo to Guilin airport for your flight to Hong Kong.
Yangshuo to Guilin to Hong Kong, China Southern Airlines CZ3031 Dep 5:30PM - Arr 6:35PM (Economy class)

Vivina adjusted the schedule as we did not really want to go bicycle riding as it was 32 degrees and we also wanted to start the day a little later at 10 am.

We went for a drive in the countryside.

Rice paddies.

John was determined to see water buffalo and Vivian made sure he did.

Then we stopped to visit Mrs. Pan who was delighted to show us around her home.

Proudly showing us her laundry room.

Modeling a rice farmer's outfit.

Next stop!! Yangshuo Big Banyan Tree

This huge banyan tree is now 17 meters high and hasa width of 7 meters. The local people have said that it has survived over the centuries,ever since it was planted during the Sui Dynasty (581-618). In this respect, the tree is as old as Yangshuo County.

Moon Hill is a huge slice of rock with a round hole in its center, and you mount 800 steps on a marble paved mountain path to reach it. At various angles it resembles from the new moon to a full moon. The rock measures 380 m (height) by 410 m (length) by 220 m (width).

.

Vivian arranged a lunch  Meiyou Restaurant which included beer fish which was absolutely delicious. 

We then went to the local food market.

Taking her chickens to market.

Then off, once again, to the airport for our flight to Hong Kong. As this portion of the trip included clearing customs Vivian could not check us in. She waited, however, to ensure we got checked in and cleared customs before leaving the airport.

Yangshuo to Guilin to Hong Kong, China Southern Airlines CZ3031 Dep 5:30PM - Arr 6:35PM (Economy class) Our guide and driver will escort you from Yangshuo to Guilin airport for your flight to Hong Kong.

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