Karst Mountains in China

Location and History

The Karst Mountains located in the Guilin area of South China provides a spectacular backdrop for a leisurely boating trip down the Li River. The tranquil beauty of the Li River has made this famous mountain area a part of the Chinese 20-Yuan note. Karst Mountains are reflected in the quiet waters of the rivers that run through the landscape and this scenic escape is a pleasant change from the bustle and noise of busy cities. The region is known for its archeological importance as tools and teeth of prehistoric man were also discovered in caves here. Archeological findings also included ancient pottery from as far back as 7 BC.

Description

The Karst Mountains closely resemble massive teeth of limestone and dolomite rock that have been eroded over millions of years. The Karst Mountains took roughly 70 million years in the making.
The Karst Mountains of China are known for their unique caves and natural underground structures that grew out of extensive bedrock erosion.
The spectacular Karst topography of Guilin is characterized by two distinct types: The ‘Fengcong’ (peak clusters) as well as what is called ‘Fenglin’ (peak forests)
The enchanting maze of interlinked rivers and caves makes Karst Mountains in China an appealing destination for visitors. The caves here have ancient inscriptions from the Tang Dynasty from as far back as 729 AD.

Visiting the Karst Mountains in China

Guilin is roughly one hour away from Shanghai. Visitors normally transfer to Yangshuo from Guilin and can opt to explore the Karst Mountains from Yangshuo.
Many tourists love renting bikes to ride upto the point where you need a boat. Bamboo boats or kayaks take visitors down the Li River for a panoramic view of the Karst Mountains.

Highlights

Elephant Trunk Hill

Standing at a height of 55 meters above the water, the Elephant Trunk River straddles the junction between the Taohuajiang and the Li Rivers. Its fanciful title comes from its unique shape that resembles a thirsty, massive elephant dipping its trunk right into the Li River. Elephant Trunk Hill dates back to 3.6 hundred million years. Atop the Elephant Trunk Hill is the well-known, 14-meter tall Puxian Pagoda. The pagoda appears to resemble the hilt of a sword arising out of the elephant’s back. The Puxian Pagoda was built by the rulers of the Ming Dynasty during the 14th century. The top of Elephant Trunk Hill commands a beautiful view of Guilin as well as the gently flowing Li River.



Other attractions on Elephant Trunk Hill include:

Moon Water Cave

The Moon water Cave is 3 kilometers long and stretches across three hills in the Karst Mountains. The cave is known for its dark maze of passages and tunnels. The cave was used during the world war by locals as a refuge from attacking Japanese troops. The cave is known for its sweet, clean drinking water as well as its beautiful waterfall pool that visitors love to take a dip in. There are also ancient Chinese inscriptions and fossilized bats and fish on the walls of the cave.

Fubo Hill

Fubo Hill stands alone in its regal glory and stands tall at 213 meters high on the West bank of the Li River. Waves from the Li River return after hitting Fubo Hill which is why it gets its local name of ‘Wave-Subduing’ hill. Fubo Hill lies about 1.4 miles away from Elephant Hill Trunk and is also famous for the Pearl-Returning Cave, the Sword-testing Cave and the Thousand-Buddha Cave.

Pear Returning Cave

This cave is situated on Fubo Hill and travelers sail into the cave on boats from the Fubo River. The caves are known for their valuable Buddhist statues dating back to the Tang rulers as well as spectacular stalactites in the cave. The enigmatic name of the cave originates from a legend that General Fubo poured all his pearls into this cave.

Sword-Testing Rock

This is a peculiar rock with a broad base and tapering end that appears to slice through the water. It hangs just about 1.5 inches above the water level but appears as though it’s slicing the water from a distance.

The Thousand Buddha Cave

The enchanting cave of the Thousand Buddha’s is hidden deep within Fubo Hill and covers an area of nearly 154 square yards. The cave is made of three levels that contain about 239 ancient paintings of the Buddha which all date back to the period of the Tang Dynasty. The artwork is also well-known for the intricate carvings of the Tang era.

Interesting Activities

Tours to the Karst area begin from Yangshuo and include exciting options such as kayaking, biking, canoeing and ballooning. Bamboo rafting along the Li River is another enjoyable way to view the unique Karst topography. The rafts and kayaks take visitors through the panoramic mountain views and rice paddy fields to view the multiple attractions in the Karst Mountains. It is advisable to take long rainproof wear as the trip to Karst Mountains and the surrounding areas takes about 2 to 3 days to explore.

What to buy

Local Chinese scarves and wraps are a great buy in Yangshuo town.