A cruise down River Li (Lijiang)

A trip to Guilin is not complete without the mandatory cruise down Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo. Whilst the limestones have been around here for millions of years, the river was made famous in the whole of China when a movie called "Impressions of Liu San Jie" was filmed in the 60s. You can also see the landscape at the back of a RMB20 note. The cruise takes about 4 hours downstream.

The scenary at the back of a RMB 20 note

The authorities are serious about tourism but spelling needs to improve

Getting ready to board the boat

As we got ready to leave the pier in Guilin

The drive from Guilin city to the pier takes about 30 minutes. Most boats leave the pier at 9am and as many as 10 or more boats could be leaving within a short time of each other and the place could be somewhat chaotic.

Some nice view along the way

A boatman peddling some souvenir items

Many boats behind and in front of us. It's like a floatilla

A small boat selling fresh seafood to the kitchen of another boat

See the kitchen at the back of the boat (bottom)

Another seller of seafood, this time, snails

A "bamboo" rock formation

Nice hills

Bamboo boats are replaced by plastic pipes (white color)

River policemen on their patrol

Do you see the cat?

Nice view and so many small boats

The boat was has 2 levels and the top is for viewing. Although the sun was shining, it was not too hot and with the breeze, it was actually very nice. One could just enjoy the view and breeze the whole cruise and taking endless pictures. They also had a area for sitting upstairs.

However, to enjoy the seating upstairs, one has to "purchase" drinks and snacks or else you will get the death stare and silly comments. Of course the drinks and snacks would not be cheap. Can drinks are RMB 20 each and each plate of seafood was RMB 50. We told the waitress that two of us can't finish so much of seafood and the reply was, no problem, they can give us a combination of the 3 items in a plate for RMB 100. Go work out the math. One thing for sure, she was very nice to us after this.

The 3 seafood items were all deep fried. All of them were meant to be eaten whole, with the bones and shell. Well, at least both my wife and I had our fair share of calcium for the day.

A snack of prawns, crabs and fish from the river

A closer shot of the crab

The fish was crunchy

So was the prawn, all eaten whole

Beautiful limestone hills

A simple buffett lunch is provided on board

Ducks aplenty along the river banks

What tips?

Arriving into Yangshuo

After almost 4 hours, we arrived at Yangshuo. I will make another entry for Yangshuo. It was a nice leisurely cruise. The weather was perfect and we also made friends with a German couple and found their travel also very interesting.

Until the next time, cheers.

Impressions of Liu San Jie Show in Guilin, China

Whilst in Guilin in May, there is a show that was very highly recommended in travel journals. It is the called the Impressions of Liu San Jie and the show is held on the river banks of Li River at Yangshuo.

The Liu San Jie story was made famous by a movie in the 60s. It tells of a story about a minority tribe in Guilin. The show is an adaptation of the movie and also about the lives of different minority tribes in Guangxi province.

The show has been around since 2004 and is created by a famous director who also recently choreographed some of the shows at the Beijing Olympics.

I view of the seating area that we had. We were there early.

The view of the stage area as it turned dusk

The whole place was full by the time the show started.

Beautiful lighted limestone hills

We were there early and the view was very serene. As it turned dusk, the views became even more magnificent. The crowds kept coming to fill up the place and by the time the show started, the place was fully packed.

The only thing one must remember is to bring along mosquito repellants. Even with so many people, I think the mosquitoes numbered even more.

The show was spectacular with lots of ways to wow us. They put in a lot of efforts for this. Even the coordinating with a cast of hundreds must have been a hurculean effort. They used a lot of lighting and sounds to achieve the effects. The use of water and boats are also fantastic.

Red cloths being pulled across the waters by boats

The story of the girls who went to live in the moon

The finale

The toilet done like an old Chinese house

The entrance to the show area

The entrance to the theatre

A beautiful building on the way to the theatre

Another view of the building

An early view of the stage

When the show ended, there was the traditional rush to go out. You can imagine with thousands of Chinese people. They are aggressive and not very polite when it comes of queing. Also, with the number of buses outside, it was madness but somehow with lots of honking and shouting, things resolves by itself. Well, that's China.

The Chinese are now very apt at creating such shows. It is not just in Guilin but they have impressive shows in Hangzhou and other touristic places. If one is in China, make sure you do not such an opportunity. I just used a simple digital camera and do not do justice at all for the show. it is just simply fabulous.

Until the next time, cheers.

Jumeirah Hotel in Shanghai

During my May trip to Shanghai, I came across this new hotel right across the Shanghai Exhibition Centre (SNIEC) in Pudong. Jumeirah being part of the luxury hotels in Dubai and with the beautiful exterior design meant that we had to go in and see the hotel for ourselves.

After a long walk around the exhibition centre, we went to the hotel for some drinks. Even the long walk to the hotel was quite interesting as the facade and landscapping was very unique.

Very unique and arty facade

Another view of the facade

Interesting landscape with a type of long grass that looks like wheat

Another view of the landscape

A view of the lobby lounge. The centre stage has a lady playing a tradional erhu

The ceiling of the lobby lounge is a large LED screen with flying butterflies and floating lanterns

The interior decoration is like a museum

The lobby is not large and the lobby lounge takes the centre stage. The giant LED screen on the ceiling is beautifully done. The dark lighting, traditional erhu music, the ambiance is just perfect to relax. 

The attention to details in the interior decoration is very commendable. The service levels is also very high.

However, from the prices of the drinks, the room rates will not be cheap. We all had tea but I had a special tea that was suppose to reduce blood pressure. However, I would not call it a tea and it was horribly bitter. really really bitter.

My very bitter "tea"

A view of the lobby and interior

I will visit again the hotel next year and maybe explore a bit more. It's a very interesting hotel, I must add. I am sure there will be more surprises.

Until the next time, cheeers.

Shangrila Hotel in Guilin, China

Normally, I would not write about hotels but I am doing so because I believe this hotel deserves to be noted. I have stayed in many hotels over the years but only a few are memorable and this is one of it.

However, I think I will start reviewing the hotels that I have stayed in. For the Shangrila Hotel Guilin, the level of service provided from the moment we stepped in, is fantastic. The attention to details is something I must commend the hotel's management. Whilst the standards of service in all Shangrila Hotels are generally good, this I must say is better.

The hotel has a lady in one of Guangxi's minority tribe to greet you. Very nice indeed.

Lovely silver jewelry and ornaments

Some of the pictures of the hotel.

The exterior of the hotel

 

The lobby area of the hotel

Another ground floor view of the hotel

The club floor lounge gave us a beautiful view of the surrounding. As the hotel is away from the city centre, we could have more greenery.

Lovely sunset with the Li River in front

Another view from the club lounge

We had dinner at the Shang Palace one night. We actually wanted a simple dinner but ended up trying quite a few dishes.

The entrance to Shang palace

The interior of the restaurant

This is like our "sambal", very delicious

We had a nice "pulled noodles" la mien

Delicious after mixing it up. Fresh noodles.

Some nice appertizers at the start

Some wantan soup and vegetables

The beer fish

The fish head from the "beer fish dish"

We asked the waitress to recommend us a local dish and the most famous was the "beer fish" as you can see above. The dish is cooked entirely without water, only beer and sauces. I must say, when mixed with some of the local sauces, it's quite unique. However, the fish has still a strong "muddy" taste. We found out later that this dish is actually from Yangshuo, a town not far from Guilin (see my other post on Yangshuo).

The service at the restaurant was very good too. We did not make reservation and it was full. Looks like locals come here quite often too. Hotel guests seem to dine here a lot too. The prices are very reasonable.

At one of the breakfast, I had a soft boiled egg and it had 2 yolks. Must be my lucky day.

2 yolks in an egg

The only set back of the hotel is that it is not in the city centre and one would have to use taxis to move around. However, taxi drivers in China is one of the most honest you can find. They go by the metre and do not take you "on the scenic route". I must take my hat off to the taxi drivers in China. It will cost you about RMB 15 to get to the city centre.

I would recommend anyone to this hotel. You will love it.

Until the next time, cheers.