Guilin
Guilin in the northeast of Guangxi Province with its stunning landscape is a popular tourist site. The unusual shaped hills, or karsts, which characterise the region are an extremely unusual sight. The area of Guilin was once under water and the hills formed, over 200 million years ago, as limestone deposits on the sea bed. When the sea drained away from the region the fantastically shape landscape was left behind.
There is a saying in China that "The landscape of Guilin is unmatched under heaven.". The beautiful scenery of the Lijiang river (also called the Li River) is featured on the 20 Yuan banknote. A few of the fascinating and beautiful natural sights of Guilin are shown here.
Elephant trunk hill
Elephant Trunk Hill which lies at the confluence of the Lijiang and Yangjiang rivers. This is also called the Moon-in-the-water Arch because of the full circle made by the reflection of the hole beneath the elephant's trunk.
The reed flute cave
The Reed Flute Cave is a vast series of subterranean caverns 500m in length. Above is a picture of Stalagmites reflected in the underground lake at the centre of the cave. The locals call this the 'London Skyline' as they believe it bears a resemblance.
Cruise along the Lijiang river
Water Buffalo are used to farm the land around the Guilin area. This picture shows a herd of them grazing on the banks of the Lijiang river.
Views from the boat cruise of the Lijiang river.
Lijiang river - men on bamboo rafts paddled alongside the tourist boats to sell souvenirs and fruit.
Lijiang river - The amazing shapes of the limestone karsts can be seen here.
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Just for fun
A little peek into the lighter side of life within the Heriot-Watt Waves & Fields group.
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Gallivanting
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