Local Features In Guilin
Karst
Scenery -- Local
Minority Groups
The
scenery along the Lijiang River from Guilin to Yangshuo has long been
known as the best scenery in China. The area is characterized by karst
limestone peaks that, eroded by the abundant rainfall of the region,
take on unique and strange shapes.
Chinese
tradition is to name the peaks and rocks of the region by the shapes
they resemble. Animals such as dragons or horses, figures such as
scholars or immortals are popular themes for peak and hill names.
Along the Lijiang River you can view "Mandarin Ducks Play in the
Water", "Nine Horses Mountain", and "Elephant
Trunk Hill".
In Chinese,
the word for "landscape" literally means "mountains and
water" and Chinese people love scenery that combines the two
elements together. It is no surprise therefore, that Guilin with its
karst peaks and winding rivers is known as the most beautiful place in
all of China.
The
region around Guilin is inhabited by 28 different ethnic groups
including the Zhuang, Miao, Yao, and Tong, and they make up 8.5% of
Guilin's population of 600,000. These groups all have colorful customs
and mostly rural lifestyles.
Northwest of
Guilin are the towns of Longsheng and Sanjiang, where you can find
mixtures of Dong, Zhuang, Yao, and Miao minority villages.
These people
tend to be very friendly and may offer to be your guide and possibly
invite you into their home for a meal and an overnight stay (for free
or for an agreed upon fee). These tours can also be arranged from
Yangshuo.
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Local
Minority Groups