The Li river
Trip Start
Jan 24, 2004
1
29
31
Trip End
Apr 01, 2004
Yangshuo,
China
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Continued from ; Moon Hill
There are plenty of tour boats on offer which sail up and down the Li river. But I want to attempt a walking trail I have read about, preferably without the company of tourists in slip-on shoes doing karaoke. So I can truly savour peace and solitude in such a magical setting.
There is what is known as a public bus which bumps and farts its way to Yangdi. There, I begin my hike down river towards Xing Ping. It's tee shirt weather. I have my small trekking pack with me containing more oranges and other nice foods I have collected up, mimicking the habits of a large squirrel
Li river rafts
. Alone, I begin following wooded trails that criss-cross over the river. Small bamboo rafts or ferry boats providing the means to traverse the Li upon demand. Its simply wonderful. The clear water of the river reflects back bizarre rock towers, each with a name. Such as the 'five fingers'. Or just Candy to her friends.. The imagery of the Li river is used in many classic Chinese watercolours and even on the 20 Yuan note. It's astonishing. I march on, content beyond compare. Through small villages and come to another abrupt stop at the waters edge. Here there is a small market and some discussion as to who will take the stranger across the river. I am no hurry and grab a cold beer and a chair. Sitting down to wait for the boat to begin leaving with a number of customers aboard. I jump on and once on the other side, another long section of walking takes me finally to Xing Ping. A dusty old wild west town where a wooden stage coach would seem more appropriate to a bus with a rattling diesel engine. I am so happily knackered that I drop into a seat on the bus and promptly fall asleep.
Next ; Dragon's backbone soup
