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Tag Archives: Yangshuo

Time Slows Down: The Li River

06 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by lexklein in China

≈ 58 Comments

Tags

China, Guangxi, Guilin, Li River, rice paddies, time, Yangshuo

I’d had my fill of imperial palaces, warriors, pagodas, jade, and even pandas after a few weeks in China. Although I had been very pleasantly surprised by much of the Middle Kingdom and had relished the opportunity to see many big cities like Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Shanghai, the hectic pace and smothering crowds had me ready for more of the countryside as I headed south to Guilin, the Li River, and the small city of Yangshuo.

China and Tibet 2009 784

The Guangxi region looked and felt very different from much of the China I had seen in the preceding weeks. I felt like I’d stepped out of the craziness of big-city smog, traffic, and crowds, and into a time-forgotten traditional Chinese landscape painting.

China and Tibet 2009 804

The Li River area had a misty, ethereal air about it – indistinct mountains off in the distance, a light haze rising off the river, and quiet country folk going about their daily business in the foreground. Time seemed suspended.

China and Tibet 2009 801

The Li River flows languidly amid towering limestone karst formations. Water buffalo plod along the shore and wallow in the shallow water, and fishermen in long graceful boats ply the waters.

China and Tibet 2009 814

Occasionally, a phalanx of boats clusters together on the riverbanks and small markets spring up.

China and Tibet 2009 820After about four or five hours, the riverboats dock in Yangshuo, a lively town. But rather than bumping shoulders with the many tourists on West Street who have come to souvenir shop, eat, and drink, we almost immediately head off into the countryside for a look at the rice fields and small country homes of area farmers.

China and Tibet 2009 844

Our heads bob sleepily, and our breath slows markedly as we bump along in bicycle-powered buggies and quickly become transfixed by the rhythmic swaying of the rice plants.

China and Tibet 2009 850

Farmers walk unhurriedly behind their buffalo and plows, knee-deep in water. Their deliberate pace is calming to us, and the scenery appealingly soft and green, belying what is surely a chore for them, trudging behind their animals under the hot sun.

China and Tibet 2009 847

Version 2

We cycle through small villages, seemingly from another era, where we pass quaint stone houses adorned with fresh and dried flowers and plant life.

China and Tibet 2009 865

China and Tibet 2009 864

China and Tibet 2009 862

It is a dreamy day back in time down by the river, a calming escape from the mega-cities, and one of my favorite memories of China.

China and Tibet 2009 857

Prompted by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Time

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Friday Photos: Random Old Favorites

13 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by lexklein in China, Germany, Iceland, Photos, Just Photos from All Over, Tibet, Travel - General

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

China, Dusseldorf, Germany, Iceland, Lhasa, Reykjavic, Tibet, Yangshuo

It is Friday, right?  I’m in Reykjavik, Iceland, and I’ve sort of lost track of time after an overnight flight, 12 hours in Dusseldorf, Germany, and a late-night flight into Keflavik, Iceland. I’d pre-loaded a few photos for today not knowing if I’d have any new ones uploaded yet (it made perfect sense to post a couple of oldies-but-goodies from Tibet and China, I thought), but I do have a few colorful views of Reykjavic today. Stay tuned for more on Iceland!

Norbulingka Palace, Lhasa, Tibet

Norbulingka Palace, Lhasa, Tibet

Irrigation system and limestone karsts, Yangshuo, China

Irrigation system and limestone karsts, Yangshuo, China

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I’m a restless, world-wandering, language-loving, book-devouring traveler trying to straddle the threshold between a traditional, stable family life and a free-spirited, irresistible urge to roam. I’m sure I won’t have a travel story every time I add to this blog, but I’ve got a lot! I’m a pretty happy camper (literally), but there is some angst as well as excitement in always having one foot out the door. Come along for the trip as I take the second step …

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Favorite pic from Antigua, Guatemala by a mile. This guy didn’t move a muscle or twitch an eye when I stopped cold and began snapping photos of him chilling out on his skinny windowsill. ❤️🧡him!
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Favorite pic from Antigua, Guatemala by a mile. This guy didn’t move a muscle or twitch an eye when I stopped cold and began snapping photos of him chilling out on his skinny windowsill. ❤️🧡him!

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