Guillin was also high on our list to see. We have seen many marvelous photos of this area and were keen to see the real thing for ourselves. It is everything and more of what we expected and started with a good hotel that had this lovely evening view from our room. A good start.:
And the following morning looked like this:
A magic area that includes the Li River and Yanshuo and, yes.......lots of tourists. It is very popular and we were there in the high season.My biggest problem will be to curb my enthusiasm and not bore you with too many pictures taken along Li River. But there were many great sights and we both kept on clicking our cameras. While we began our trip on the river at leisure,
it didn't take long for us both to climb the stairs to the observation decks. But not before the vendors found us just outside our window. We were warned not to open the sliding windows, because of cheeky vendors. Well, here is why:
And this is how they got so close:
Once on the observation deck, we enjoyed the splendid views together with other tour party members: 
Carol with Tony & Sandra.
Carol with Pat & Graeme. And see the background!BUT THERE IS MORE!!!! LOTS MORE!
Note the buffalos enjoying a well deserved break.
The waters were pretty shallow and I was surprised that we didn't hit the bottom, 
especially when a couple of boats seem to make a race for an opening!
There are many more views I would like to share, but leave it with just the following four as we arrive in Yanshuo:
The evening was set aside for another night show. This time it was to be held outdoors in the natural theatre of Yanshuo. Just before we left the hotel, I discovered to my dismay that I had lost my wallet with cards, money etc. Devastating! Thankfully, Faye - as always, stayed behind to search for it and found it, much to my relief. She sent a message to the local guide, who was with us, to tell her the good news. And so, in the middle of the performance, I received a tap on the shoulder to say all was well. I felt such a dill. Fancy losing your wallet. That wasn't part of the itinerary.But, back to our open air performance. It was delightful and spectacular. The show was produced and directed by the person who had produced the opening ceremony at the Athens Olympics and is now contracted to arrange the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. Believe me, this evening was a performance not to be missed. The nice thing was that the local farmers were the actors and did what was obviously natural to them, like this scene:
We were left spellbound with colourful scenes like these:
There were some great acrobatics in the curve of the moon and the whole show was just magic!
Our return by bus to Guillin took us over backroads to villages and farms. We came across this farmer ploughing the rice paddies using traditional methods, the buffalo.
And what a countryside to work in!
On the way back to Guillin, we visited a small farming village 
and very much enjoyed visiting a Chinese family
The village looks poor, and probably is poor, but the views around the village are million dollar spectacles. By the way, the family had a daughter and because they were farmers, were allowed one more child - it turned out to be twin boys!:
Despite that, the locals have their own tasks and these went on regardless of tourists.
The ongoing scenery was a dellght and we loved our return visit on the backroads to Guillin:
Back in Guillin there were more joys waiting for us. And by the way, this shot under the 'trees' is a little different. They are not tree limbs at all but concrete imitations. What is not fake is the couple in the photograph!
Our delightful Faye decided that guiding wasn't so bad after all with the guys prepared to take her up the hillside to the entrance of the caves that we are about to visit. They, Phil & Tony didn't get very far!
The Reed Flute Caves.....!!!!! Wow, they were really something. I have not seen anything anywhere in the world that were as spectacular as these. Just have a look what we feasted our eyes on:
What we found incredible was that some people were actually smoking in these caves as well as visitors - and there are thousands who visit this place (no wonder) touching these ancient stalagmites. I dare suggest that this phenomena won't last the distance on that basis. Then look at this small lake underground. It is a magic setting to tell fairy tales
Just prior to leaving Guillin, there was one more outing for the brave or strong or energetic or foolish to climb Mt. Diecai. We thought it was worthwhile, though it cost me a new T shirt as I was dripping wet with perspiration at the end.
Back row: Yours truly, Sandra, Christine (both very brave ladies!), Chris & Graeme. Front row Phil & Kerri.And the views? Well judge for yourselves!
A great visit. Many thanks Guillin, you are rightly described as one of the most beautiful cities in China - and perhaps the world!
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