Yangshuo is surrounded by Karst Mountains, winding rivers and beautiful scenery. The area around Yangshuo is renowned throughout China, if not the whole world, (even making it into the backdrop of Star Wars Episode 3), for its karst landscape where there are hundreds upon hundreds of limestone hills dotting the countryside. The beautiful scenery here is a common subject of Chinese paintings as well as the inspiration for poetry.
Arriving in Yangshuo after our first over night train experience we were all amazed at the breathtaking scenery that greeted us here.
We stayed in the Explorer Hotel which was among the first that opened more than ten years ago. It is right in the center of town, close to the river and West Street called ‘Global Village’ by the locals, which attracts tourists from all over the world to its many stores, cafes and restaurants creating an exotic and a somewhat chaotic atmosphere.
The streets here are well kept in the original style, capturing the tranquil atmosphere of this ancient town. Here you can also buy souvenirs, painted fans, embroidered balls, and even painted silk shirts. West Street is also famous for its delicious specialty foods, such as Beer Fish, Niang dishes and snacks like rice noodles and various glutinous rice cakes.
The Li River winds through the town and is surrounded by the most beautiful scenery. Along the extremely pure river, thousands of hills cover the horizon for as far as the eyes can see. It is with this magnificent scenery as a backdrop that we came across a Chinese fisherman with his trusty cormorant birds. Fishermen here have use trained cormorants to fish in rivers since about 960 AD.
The birds are taken by the fisherman at a young age and become bonded to him. They catch fish according to natural instincts but are prevented from swallowing all but the smallest fish by a ring placed around their neck during the fishing process. However, the birds are not stupid and refuse to catch more fish unless they are rewarded occasionally – typically with every seventh fish.
When a cormorant has caught a fish in its throat, the fisherman brings the bird back to the boat and has the bird spit the fish up. Though cormorant fishing once was a successful industry, its primary use today is to serve the tourism industry.
Janaline's world journey 
I like your photos and this post is really interesting .
🙂
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Amazing memories….. Thanks once again for this!!!! It’s WONDERFUL!!! 🙂
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Thanks Noreen! It was such a wonderful adventure, glad you are enjoying reliving it!
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You’re so lucky to be able to travel so much! Well written post!
http://www.tutusaresweeter.com
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Thanks Amal!!
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Love Li River! We were there in May 🙂
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It is such a beautiful place!! I hope you got the chance to do a river cruise, the scenery is surreal!
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Stunning post, again, Janaline!
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Thanks!! I had such an amazing adventure and having so much fun reliving it all by typing up our China odyssey!
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Wow!! It sounds like an amazing place to visit!! What beautiful scenery and I enjoyed your commentary! I am surprised they served the rice after serving the other dishes. In Taiwan, it is the first thing that arrives at the table!!
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I agree, usually the rice is served first and I must admit that this was the first and only place that served the rice last….I have a suspicion that they actually forgot about it….
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What an idyllic setting and great photos.
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Thank you!! The setting is definitely magical and I took way too many photos!!
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That first picture of the chinese man with a bird on his stick is priceless. I love the pictures and descriptions. Nice post!
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Thanks George!! Getting so up close and personal with the fisherman and his prided cormorants was such an amazing experience!!
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For some strange reason my Reader is only showing the post title tonight, not the name of the blog, so I’m having fun guessing whose blog I’m visiting before I get there. Yours was easily identifiable, Janaline. 🙂
Oh, those ethereal river shots!
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Thank you Jo!! I am glad that I am starting to create an “image” for my blog! The Li River in China is definitely amazing and the scenery only gets better and better the further down we traveled!
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I can definitely empathize with the burned taste buds. (Last time it happened I began to suspect the chef had something personal against me.) Great pictures, great post!
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Thanks! I did feel sorry for my mom….I myself usually stay away from anything spicy…
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Wonderful, Janaline. What an amazing life you have. I am blessed to be able to share in your travels in this way. Thank you, dear friend.
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As always such kind words, thanks Isabella! I am glad that I have the opportunity to share my travels with you all!
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🙂
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Wonderful and very interesting written and amazing photos… 🙂 😉
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Thanks for that lovely compliment!!
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