Overview
Two Rivers and Four Lakes is a tour project which integrates all the famous attractions in Guilin City. Two Rivers refers to Li River and Peach Blossom River, while Four Lakes indicates Shahu Lake, Ronghu Lake, Guihu Lake and the Mulong Lake. This tourism projection is the largest-scaled project in the history of Guilin. The project makes Guilin a real gardening city.
The project was launched in 1998 and accomplished in 2002. The 2 river and 4 lakes form a waterway around the Guilin City. The four lakes, Shahu Lake, Ronghu Lake, Guihu Lake and the Mulong Lake, were linked by the two rivers, Li River and Peach Blossom River. Tourists can enjoy the whole beauty of Guilin City by boat now.
Two Rivers
Li River:
The cream of Li River extends 83km from Guilin City to Yangshuo. This section of Li River boasts strand peaks rising abruptly from the flat ground, multi colored crags stand erect like pillar, crystal streams mirroring the green hills on banks and ancient trees growing straight out of rock fissures.
Peach Blossom River: The Peach Blossom River runs through the west part of Guilin City. In spring, you can see peach blossoms along the river, hence the name.
Four Lakes
Ronghu Lake (Banyan Lake) and Shahu Lake (Fir Lake):
Ronglu Lake and Shanhu Lake are situated in the center of Guilin City. The two lakes is divided by the Yang Bridge. Ronghu Lake is to the west of Shahu Lake.
The surface of Ronghu Lake is smooth like a mirror reflecting this ancient city. The calm of the lake attracts visitor who want a moment of quietness in the downtown in their Guilin tour. There are ancient banyans and a Banyan Shadow Pavilion to the north bank of the lake. It is said that Huang Ting Jian, a poet of Song Dynasty, used to tie his boat here.
Shahu Lake is neighboring the east bank of the Li River and with Elephant Hill to the south. The sun and moon pagodas are standing here on the isles of Shahu Lake. The Sun Pagoda is the highest bronze pagoda in the world.
Guihu Lake (Osmanthus Lake) and Mulong Lake (Wood Dragon Lake):
Guihu Lake is situated in Xiufeng District of Guilin City. It covers an area of 16.6 hectares. Green trees surrounds the lake and colorful lights delicate the lake in the night, making the lake more fantastic than other lakes. Mulong Lake is the youngest one among the four lakes. It was built to be a theme park. The architectures of the lake are constructed in the style of Song Dynasty. The highlights of the Mulong Lake are minority factors and ancient wall.
Tourists are sometimes offered a day or night tour by cruise. While on a comfortable cruise tourists cannot help but enjoy the waters of the two rivers and four lakes, and appreciate the famous hills along the water system. These hills include the following: the Elephant Trunk Hill, FuBo Hill, BaoJi Hill, Chuan Hill and the Sun-and-Moon Pagoda which look fantastic at night.
The clear water, naturally beautiful hills, and architecture are in such harmony that you may wonder whether you’re in a dream or reality.