The Li River, Guilin
漓江 · Guilin, Guangxi, China
'The river is a blue silk ribbon, the hills are jade hairpins': fishing lights are the last memory of fishing life on the Li River.
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- Don't throw rubbish into the river
- at fishing-light shows, don't fire strong flashes at the fishermen and cormorants.
Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
The 83-km Li River runs from Guilin to Yangshuo, its karst peaks mirrored in clear water — 'Guilin's scenery is the finest under heaven' has been quoted since a Song-dynasty poem. The reflections at Huangbu appear on the back of the 20-yuan note of the fifth series, and Yangdi to Xingping is the finest stretch. Cormorant fishing by lamplight was once the livelihood of Li River fishermen and is now mostly a performance, a living specimen of fishing culture.
Costumbres locales
- Guilin people love rice noodles, and 'lucai fen' with braised toppings is the breakfast favourite
- the song-fair tradition of Liu Sanjie lives on, and Yangshuo's West Street has a lively nightlife. Dragon-boat racing at Duanwu and the third day of the third lunar month are important festivals.
Religión y creencias
- The banks of the Li River have many folk shrines to Mazu and the earth god
- fishermen make offerings before going out, so watch quietly and respectfully.
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
Normas que se aplican aquí
China: don't get physical in a dispute
- Walk away from an argument and call the police if needed
- Pushing, shoving or fighting
Whoever starts it, taking part in a fight can bring a fine or detention, and the injured party usually demands compensation.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: China travel advice
China: carry your original passport
- Foreign visitors should carry their original passport
- Carrying only a copy or photo of your passport
Police make random ID checks and do not accept printouts; if you cannot show your passport, you may be fined or detained.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: China travel advice
No lo haga DON'T
- Don't throw rubbish into the river
- at fishing-light shows, don't fire strong flashes at the fishermen and cormorants.
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
- Guilin people love chilli — no meal without it
- old Li River fishermen light their lamps at dusk, and bamboo rafts drifting along are part of daily life.
Plan your visit
Información práctica
Consejos de viaje
- March–May, the misty rainy season, is the most atmospheric
- the high-water season (April–October) is best for boat trips. Book bamboo rafting from Yangdi to Xingping in advance
- fishing-light displays today are mostly performances, so enjoy them for what they are
- combine with Yangshuo's West Street and the Yulong River.
Eat nearby
Qué comer cerca
Imprescindible
- Guilin rice noodles
- Beer fish
- Stuffed river snails
Guilin rice noodles (with braised toppings and crispy pork), beer fish (Li River fish cooked in beer, Yangshuo's signature dish), stuffed river snails, Lipu taro with pork belly, oil tea (Gongcheng oil tea)
| Dónde comer | Old rice-noodle shops in Guilin city (around Chongshan Road / Xicheng Road), West Street in Yangshuo, Zhengyang pedestrian street |
|---|---|
| Precio orientativo por persona | Rice noodles CNY 10–20, main meals CNY 50–90 |
| Consejos | For beer fish, ask the type of fish and market price first (to avoid overpriced fish); the local way to eat rice noodles is two liang with braised toppings and sauce — toss dry first, then add broth. |
Los precios son orientativos a octubre de 2026, no presupuestos exactos; en zonas con tipos de cambio muy variables solo se da un intervalo aproximado en yuanes.
Popo le Chien · CC0
Photos
Fotos
chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0
Flickr user: ToastyKen https://www.flickr.com/photos/toasty/ · CC BY 2.0
swithland · CC BY 3.0
Fuentes y notas de verificación
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