Guilin Guangxi – Top landscape in the World
Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin Guangxi
We had a morning boat ride in the River Lijiang and pass by the most iconic landmark, the Elephant Trunk Hill/象鼻山. It is also a symbol of city of Guilin. If you look carefully, between the legs and the trunk, there is a cave, it is known as the Water Moon Cave. The amazing limestone karst formation is over 3.6 hundred million years old. We did not get close to the cave as our boat is too big to run through it. But if you are travel with the bamboo rafting, you should be able to pass through the Water Moon Cave.
Guilin in Guangxi
Coming to Guilin, is all about mountain and cave. There are over 3.2 millions tourist visit Guilin yearly and rank as top 4 most visited city in China. Guilin is considered to have one of the most beautiful landscape in China, even the 20 dollars RMB notes showing Guilin mountains and river view.
Sun Moon Pagoda in Guilin Guangxi
Sun Moon Pagoda is sitting in the heart of Guilin City. It is more stunning if you look at the twin pagodas at night when there is light up.
Not a very nice picture as the bus we traveled was moving to fast.
There 2 pagodas actually located in a beautiful park and it is a very nice place to walk around. There are many photographers who will take pictures of you without telling you and then later came to you with your picture printed out nicely and laminated, asking for RMB 5.
High Speed Train
Have you ever try High speed train in China? If not, it is wise to try once. We experience a short portion from Guilin to Nanning. The High Speed Train is very new and clean, quite comfortable journey. The distance from Guilin to Nanjing is about 400km and it just took us 2.5 hr to reach Nanning. Pretty fast right?
Nanning
Nanning is the capital of Guangxi, it is a big city. I immediately felt it once I get off from the High Speed Train. Nanning has over 6 million population!
Guangxi Museum of Nationalities in Nanning
It is a huge museum to showcase the ethnic culture and it has the largest exhibition area which I remembered I was walking from one hall to another.
Glass Lion Dance of Zhuang People
Guangxi Bronze Drum
Guangxi 12 Indigenous Ethnics Group
Guangxi has 12 indigenous ethnics including the Zhuang, Yao, Miao and Dong. In here, you will be able to appreciate the 12 aboriginal minorities customs, festivals, clothing and architecture.
Guangxi famous handicraft : Embroidery Ball
It is very interesting to understand the culture and lifestyle of all the minorities people in Guangxi in this colorful museum.
What do I remember from my Guangxi trip?
- Mountains and River Lijiang and Caves
- LiuSanjie Singing
- 55 ethnic minority + Han people in China but 12 of them living in Guangxi.
- Biggest minority group in Guangxi is Zhuang people, Liu San Jie is Zhuang.
Not much history as compared to X’ian China. If you like scenery, this is the place for you.
Guilin & Nanning Summary
- 1 ) Guilin Guangxi – Top landscape in the World
- Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin Guangxi
- Sun Moon Pagoda in Guilin Guangxi
- High Speed Train Guilin to Nanning
- 2) Nanning
- Guangxi Museum of Nationalities in Nanning
- Glass Lion Dance of Zhuang People
- Guangxi Bronze Drum
- Guangxi 12 Indigenous Ethnics Group
- Guangxi famous handicraft : Embroidery Ball