Things to see and do Guangxi 广西

We arrive at Crown Cave, a cellar of stalagmites and stalactites (not provided for in the program), involving a 2-hour visit for a supplement of RMB 60. The trail on the bank is kept by young Miao in traditional costume welcoming visitors and by rainforests access to others… To access the entrance of the cave, you have to climb a long steep climb (under overwhelming heat in summer). Crown Cave is a very long cave (3 km) of stalagmites and stalactites lit with colour adore green, yellow, purple… On the bottom of the cellar flows a small river that you need to go down into a narrow hallways.

The last part is done by train. Back on the Li River, the landscapes are becoming increasingly magical with spurs mountain balls in form of sugar breads to evocative names such as Embroidered, Meunier at work, White Tiger Hill, the Grand-Father looking at an apple, the Lion is the sum of the Five Fingers Hill, the Turtle climbs the Hill Hill Hill Hill, The Eight Supernatural crosses through the river, the peak of the Tail of the Fish, the hill of the Nine Horses fresco, the Lion who looks at the hill of the Nine Horses mural, the Hill Hill, The Yellow Fabric in the river, the Camel crossing the river, the Carpe Hill, the Dragon heads hill… Apparently, Lijiang is shallow, and the water so clear that sunlight makes these aquatic grasses grow in the bottom of the bed of the river. As one moves down, the banks are lined with large bushes of bamboo from emerald green on deep blue sky and sugar bread. The surface of calm waters reflects these poetic landscapes sung for millennia by the greatest Chinese poets. They have such serenity that we want to stop to live here…

From Yangshuo, you can do the same cruise by going back the river to half way towards Guilin for much cheaper: 110 RMB (Guilin having the monopoly of operation of the entire Lijiang River, the Yangshuo organizations have the right only to go back to the village of Yangdi). So, for those who want to make savings, take the bus to go to Yangshuo and go up half the river from there. In any case, the most beautiful karst formations border the last half of the river.

During the crossing, countless breads of sugar with blue tones are wandered, enchanting the traveler by their beauty. There is an atmosphere of serenity, fullness, at the heart of this China, which seems to have remained the same for millennia. Very pure water strikes through its transparency. Landscapes reveal impressive karst ensembles. There are majestic bamboo bamboo. At the heart of these exceptional panoramas are the scenes of everyday life: Buffets on the banks or coming refreshing in the river, villagers washing their clothes, fishermen picking their nets. Asian buffaloes, with very special skin, need these daily water baths or mud in summer to cope with heat. Chinese children bathe in water or sail on fortune rafts.

In the eyes of the Chinese, these karst emitters, who inspired both painters over the centuries, sketched very specific forms such as «the mountain to the Nine Horses». We must have a very seasoned eye to distinguish them; if so, a life of happiness opens up to you, as the Chinese tradition wants!

Despite the admission price that is considered exorbitant for a natural site, if you have to visit at least one cave in Guilin, it is this one that must be chosen. Located north-west of Guilin on the south slope of Guangming Mountain, this limestone cavern measures 240 m long and contains 500 m of interior corridors. In front of the entrance of the cave, boulders were made with which flutes were made, hence the name straight from a fairy tale. Inside, erosion cut stalagmites and stalactites into columns, curtains and stone flowers, giving instead magical beauty and impressive diversity.

Already fascinating by its proportions, the cave becomes even more so thanks to the highlights, which recreate in each gallery a different atmosphere, but above all detach ensembles, forcing our imaginations to perceive particular shapes. Hence the interest, if you are large enough, to request an English guide for the visit. For in any case, the group visit and the guide will be imposed on you. Please note that the floor can be slippery, so we advise you to get in bed…

Located in the northeast of the city, Mount Hill, or the "Vagues de Waves", stands isolated, forcing the Lijiang River to slow down its race and form a deep pond. Apart from the pleasant panorama, we come to see the cave of the Restored Pearl, which is carved in the stone of Buddhist bas-reliefs.

This famous hill, at the confluence of the Lijiang and Yangjiang rivers, evokes an elephant plunging its cheater into water: It is the symbol of the city. A circular cave called «the Cave of Water and Moon» was formed between the cheating and the hill. On the full moon days, we can go by boat contemplating the reflection of the moon in the water. On the inner and outer walls, 50 sculptures in the stone of different dynasties. A small trail leads to the top of the hill where the Puxian pagoda stands, built under the Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

The Longrui reserve is a completely wild place where you can discover a monkey species endemic to the karst regions of southern Guangxi: the langour langour. The reserve brings together about 400 individuals, timid but charming with their long white ring marking their face. The reserve also has a very rare species of camellia: Camellia with golden flowers. The amateurs can admire them in full bloom between October and November. The walk in the reserve is worth a detour. The location is feasible and takes you away from the large Chinese cities. Possibility to spend the night on site: contact your guide or the village of Panlong.

Water is at a natural temperature of 60 ° C. According to specialists, Longsheng's spring water would have many virtues: fighting cancer, ageing and helping to get blood moving. The decor is paradise. A hotel (Longsheng Hot Spring Hotel, 龙胜温泉度假中心酒店) offers several formulas including treatments and baths. A little pleasure that has a cost: from 500 RMB the double room, not counting the care.

This tiny village of a few hundred souls is situated in the heart of a fabulous karst landscape. La Montagne Fleurie, or Huashan, is the site that attracts the most tourists in the south of Guangxi. You are advised to go there when it is beautiful (light will help you better collect the frescoes). If you have the possibility to purchase binoculars, do not hesitate.

From Pingxiang: We recommend you take a bus to the village of Ningming. Once you arrive in Ningming, take the boat at the port of Tuolongqiao (about 1 hour and a half). By private boat, 80 RMB per person. Let us prefer ship companies: 35 RMB per person.

From Nanning: buses leave early in the morning and take you to Ningming. From here take the boat to go to the Mountain Fleurie.

Accommodation. The village of Panlong has a small and comfortable hotel (Tel: (0771) 8628195, about 150 RMB at night). You can sleep in the traditional wooden houses of the Dong, Miao and Zhuang minorities.

The mural frescoes are worth a visit. This enormous pyramid limestone is located on the east bank of the Mingjiang River. The cliff has magnificent frescoes for several hundred metres. The paintings span 125 m wide and close to 44 m high! The red paint that dominates the cliff has not lost its vitality. It seems, however, that it is more than 2 000 years old, but it does not seem to change over time. Scientists studied the substance, they would have to be red (mineral) hematite. On these magnificent frescoes, the visitor can distinguish about 1 300 figures. Most of them are active human beings (dancing, jumping, or an animal), some with objects like shields or knives.

Legend. The precise date of these paintings remains a mystery to historians. However, a legend Zhuang tells that a young man from the Zhuang minority would have wanted to rebel against the king of the time. He began drawing on sheets of paper from soldiers and horses. The story wanted once in a safe, the drawings turn into a real army after 100 days. Only on the 99 th day, the young man's mother opened the chest in which the drawings were hidden. When the woman saw the sheets of paper, it was too late and they flew away. The drawings were drawn by the cliff and remained stuck on the walls of this mountain. Later, these drawings would have become the frescoes that can now be seen on the site. If one refers to legend, it would appear that the paintings were performed between 770 and 476 BC.

How could the frescoes be painted? The walls of the limestone mountain are difficult to reach. His ascent is dangerous or almost impossible. Historians therefore questioned how the artists of the time were able to paint on the rock. Several theories clash with each other. Some think that the men at the time had designed a bamboo scaffolding (very resistant material) to access the most difficult parts. Others believe that the level of water should vary more. Thus, according to floods and assèchement, some parties were more feasible. But these two theories were very quickly refuted. Historians today think that painters would have served small wooden planks set in the wall (there would remain traces). These small boards would have created some sort of staircase that would have facilitated access to less practicable areas. This theory seems to be the most likely for experts.

The contents of the frescoes. The frescoes are about 1 300 characters varying between 50 cm and 3,50 m. No one knows what the use and the recipient of these works were. Several theories still fight the origin of these frescoes. Some think it would be a work to pay tribute to the god of water. Others think that these drawings might serve to inspire warriors before they go to battle. At the moment, no conclusion could be reached. The frescoes represent several series of episodes. The first represents a procession of warriors, the second shows the selection of combatants, and then breaks different scenes of war. At the end, we can see an episode describing young women dancing in the face of warriors'triumph. During your trip, you will also discover representations of dogs, drums and weapons.