KARSTS OF YANGHOU

KARSTS OF YANGSHUO

The provinces of Guizhou and Guangxi in China's south west possess spectacular landscapes of weathered limestone mountain formations called Karsts. The limestone has been created from fossilized prehistoric sea floor sediments brought to the surface by geological upheavals. The exposed alkaline limestone is then eroded by naturally occurring acidic rain. Huge conical hills, tall elegant pinnacles,and closely packed 'stone forests', poking some metres skywards, are awesome.


The town of Yangshuo nestles alongside the River Li
with a backdrop of Karst formations.

Karsts are so imposing above Yangshuo.

A bridge across a stream that glides towards the River Li.

Some Karsts tilt at various angles.

A Karst shows its limestone foundation in the River Li.

Above surface water, draining from the Karst sink-holes,
now enters the River Li.

Fissures in the limestone of a Karst.

The cave-ridden Limestone reaches into the Li River.

Water craft flow along the Karst river valleys.

Sunset through the Karsts.

Farming the terraces of the Karsts.

Karsts slide down into a valley.

The Karsts just retreat beyond the valley
 in ever increasing numbers.

Three imposing Karst Sisters.

A Peak-forest Karst rises vertically like a tree 30 to 80 metres
above the surrounding flood plans.

Karst reflections in the paddy fields.

Rice paddies along the River flats are "protected"
by the backdrop of Karsts.

A Karst not yet eroded to the level of the farmed flats.

Myriads of Karsts disappear into the misty interior.

MOON HILL AND THE BANYAN TREE

Our journey from the Li River takes us to the Karst rock where nature has formed a Moon Gate. Chinese tourists flock to another Karst mountain where the natural formation is revered as a natural temple. We are to explore the Banyan Tree, supposedly China's largest tree. Here, visitors place tokens for luck in branches.  Of course the Banyan Tree is the national tree of India!
 

 

 

 

 

CORMORANT FISHING

The Chinese have used tame cormorants to fish for thousands of years.We were extremely fortunate to witness fishermen using this technique in the Li River near the town of Yangshuo. The fishermen sail on bamboo rafts, generally after dark, with their cormorants wearing collars to prevent them swallowing their catches. The birds are attached to the raft by a length of "string". The rafts, these days, are powered be outboard motors. The birds swim below the surface of water beside or in front of the raft towards a light hanging from the bow. These days the light is electrically powered instead of the traditional lantern. When a bird has made a catch, the fisherman may pull it from the water by the "string",  or use a long pole by which he encourages his "pets" to clamber aboard and the be returned to the raft. The fisherman then retreaves the fish from the bird's beak or throat by various means to deposit the catch in the basket.. We were impressed by the number of fish collected and placed in the basket at the front of the raft.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YANGSHOU MOUNTAIN RETREAT

Such a setting! Such luxury!! Such comfort!!! Such tranquility!!!!
Spectacular scenery with the mountain Karsts as a backdrop to the delightful Yulong River as it glides beside our room. Workers build a retaining wall above the river bank. Breakfast of bacon and eggs alongside the gurgling river as we inhale the sounds of birds, roosters and bamboo rafts sliding into our view.