Scenic Guilin

Like most tourists who chose to visit Guilin, we were attracted to the well publicized beautiful scenery of this place.

Throughout the trip, our local tour guide never ceased to quote this iconic phrase "桂林山水甲天下" which was first coined by an official (王正功) who served in the prison department in Guilin in year 1201 during the Song Dynasty. Apparently, he was an honest no-nonsense official and as a result of his style of administration, he offended the rich and the powerful. He was sent to serve in far-flung districts. When he was transferred to Guilin at the age of 68, his spirit was greatly uplifted by the beauty of Guilin. It was said that he wrote this poem during a party with secondary students which contains this phrase.

百嶂千峰古桂州，向来人物固难俦。

峨冠共应贤能诏，策足谁非道艺流。

经济才猷期远器，纵横礼乐对前旒。

三君八俊具乡秀，稳步天津最上头。

桂林山水甲天下，玉碧罗青意可参。

士气未饶军气振, 文场端似战场酣。

九关虎豹看勍敌，万里鵾鹏伫剧谈。

老眼摩挲顿增爽，诸君端是斗之南。

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Guilin means forest of osmanthus. The name Guilin came about when an old old time war lord first came to this place and noticed the abundance of osmanthus flower in this part of China.

  

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In Guilin, anywhere you go, any direction you turn, the sights of mountains and rivers are plentiful.

  

Li River (Lijiang)

As an engineer, I was greatly amazed to see buildings built high up at the peaks of mountains. Mind you, builders in those days did not have the luxury of machinery and equipment that we have nowadays.

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There are four lakes in the city of Guilin. They are fed by Li River. The 4 laikes are Mulong (Wooden Dragon) Lake, Gui (Sweet Scented Osmanthus) Lake, Rong (Banyan) Lake and Shan (Fir) lake. All the lakes are inter-connected.

  

日月双塔 Sun & Moon Twin Pagodas in one of the four lakes in Guilin

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