First Impressions of the River
When I first saw the Li River, I felt calm. The water was still and reflected the mountains like a mirror. Tall, green peaks rose through the mist. They gave off a soft, peaceful light. It felt like walking into a living painting.
Life on the Riverbank
Drifting down the river, I couldn’t help but notice the gentle rhythm of life around me. A farmer walked slowly beside his buffalo, while children laughed and played near the water’s edge. In one small village, women were washing clothes in the river, their movements steady and familiar. It felt timeless, as if nothing here had changed in generations. The people moved at a pace that seemed to match the quiet flow of the river, their lives simple and calm.
I watched fishermen standing tall on their bamboo rafts, guiding their cormorants with the lightest of touches. The birds dove into the water and came back with fish, moving so quickly and gracefully it seemed magical. The scene felt like an ancient story unfolding before me—simple, yet breathtaking in its beauty.
A Ride on the Boat
The boat moved slowly, making almost no sound as it glided through the water. Small ripples spread out, gently breaking the surface. The air smelled fresh—perhaps from the bamboo or the wet earth around us. A gentle breeze came and went, cool against my skin. The wooden seat creaked softly beneath me as the boat glided along. The mist-clad mountains passed slowly by, their peaks sharp against the sky, though hidden in places by clouds. I didn’t need to think much. I just let myself sit there, watching the river flow and feeling the cool breeze, wishing that this peaceful ride would never end.
There’s a spot along the river called “Nine Horses Fresco Hill.” They say you can see the shapes of nine horses in the rocks. I found three, and my guide said that was a pretty good effort! Another magical sight is the “Reflection of Yellow Cloth,” where the mountains and trees reflect perfectly in the water, as if they belong to another world altogether.
Why Yangshuo Feels Different
The Li River doesn’t shout for attention. It’s quiet, like it’s waiting for you to notice the small, delicate details—the way the mist hugs the mountains, the way the water ripples gently, the simple lives of the people who live along its banks.
I read that the Li River is on China’s 20-yuan banknote, and it made me smile because it truly deserves that honor.Standing by the river, I felt small in the best way, as if I were part of something vast, ancient, and much bigger than myself.
Yangshuo isn’t just another tourist spot—it’s a place to breathe deeply, relax, and find peace. The still water, soft mist, and slow pace of life made me feel lighter, as if I were one with the river. Even now, when life gets busy, I think back to those quiet mountains and the calm flow of the river.
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