Asian Waters—The Tranquil Li River

                                  by David Parmer

It is said Guilin in China’s Guangxi Zuang region is one of China’s most visited places. What makes this city of just over a half a million so visit-able is its location as jumping off point for the 83km river cruise to Yangshuo along the picturesque Li River or Lijiang.

The Lijiang flows from the Mao’er Mountains to the Xi River near Wulin, but it is this Guilin–Yangshuo section that makes it famous. The scenery consisting of quiet river flanked by Karst hills sculpted into shapes recognizable around the world. The trip downriver takes several hours with several attractions along the way. Both towns, Guilin and Yangshuo are geared up to handle tourists since tourism is the main industry.

River management is a prime concern for local government. According to the World Bank, measures taken in the past to prevent deterioration of the river environment include “relocating industry building wastewater treatment plants and landfills and rebuilding tributaries.” In 2015 the World Bank announced a $100 million loan to support both water management and anti-pollution efforts. Along the Lijiang, clean air and clean water don’t just make good sense, they make good business sense.

If all goes well, the tranquil Li river will continue to awe and inspire visitors from around the world for centuries to come.

Photo: Edwin Poon via flickr

World Bank loan announcement

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