Guangxi was once an ancient seabed. The region is rich in limestone. The karst limestone peaks make Yangshuo an international mecca for rock climbing. There are also many limestone caves like this one near Xingping. These formations, caused by drops of water falling in a shallow pool, resemble lotus flower blossoms.
Stalactites and columns.
Spelunking toddler.
Unlike Guizhou where cedar wood is easy to come by, timber is not as readily available around Yangshuo. Consequently, most of the traditional housing in Zhuang villages are made of stone and adobe.
'Sui Niu' or water buffalo are common in southern China. They are used as plough animals in the rice paddies and are also butchered for meat. Some villages even organize buffalo fights during festivals. On our way through the mountains our bus was stopped by a scuffle between two buffalos butting heads for dominance. In China the ox is a symbol of strength, stability, and hard work. 'Niu' (literally 'cow') is also slang for 'cool.' 'Niu nian zui niu de!' means 'The year of the Ox is the coolest!'
This bridge on the Yulong River was originally built in the early 1400s. The story goes that a scholar had to go to the city to take the State examination. On his way he had to cross this river but there were no ferry boats and he couldn't swim. He sat on the bank of the river and cried for three days. Finally a dragon heard him and carried him safely to the other side. 'Yu long' means 'encounter dragon.' As a way of giving thanks the scholar had this bridge built.
The Zhuang ethnic group makes up 75% of the population in Guangxi. The Zhuang have their own language although Zhuang dialects differ from place to place and are not all mutually intelligible. This young woman is singing a song for us. Traditionally, improvised singing was used for courting. A girl might sing to the boy, 'Which village do you come from? Hey niao niao luo' The boy would respond in song, ' I come from such and such a place, Hey niao niao luo.' In this way the two can get to know each other and decide if they like the other's singing voice.
Cormorant birds. In Guangxi cormorant birds are trained to do a man's fishing for him. The birds are natural fishers. The fishermen tie a cord around the base of the bird's neck so that it can't completely swallow the fish. The birds return to the bamboo raft with a fish stuck in their throat and the fisherman has easy pickings.
From Guilin, the capital of Guangxi Province, we took a riverboat trip south to Yangshuo. For the better part of a day we got to see some of China's most incredible scenery from the water. Guilin and Yangshuo's karst mountains make this one of the most painted and photographed places in China.
Bamboo raft. Many small rafts like these hook onto larger tourist boats in an attempt to sell local trinkets like jade lions and quartz crystals.
In winter the Li River's water level drops considerably. In the Spring the water level should return to the tree line on the bank of the river.
The Dong build elaborate timberframe bridges. This one in Chengyang is the biggest of its kind. It was constructed without the use of nails, bolts, or fasteners. In front of the bridge's pilings you can see one of the many bamboo waterwheels used for lifting water into the fields. We also saw several men using long bamboo spears for spearfishing.
Exploring a hilltop garden.
Veggies drying in satellite dishes.
The bamboo dance is done by various tribal peoples in southern China including the Li of Hainan. The men holding the bamboo play two beats with the poles separated, and two beats with the poles together, so the dancers have to jump down the line to keep from getting their ankles caught.
Learning to weave from Granny. This family invited us in to snack on dried radish and pickled radish, both quite tasty. Their baby was too curious about the loom to let the grandma do much weaving. Chengyang, Guangxi.
Dongzu Grandmother in the Dong village of Chengyang, Guangxi Province.
The Dong have a locally made four string instrument that resembles a mandolin or ukulele.
A waterwheel in Chengyang, Guangxi. This waterwheel, made of bamboo with cedar bark for the paddles, lifts water from the river up into the fields
Stone used for pounding fabric after its been dyed several times, coated in egg whites, then soaked in yam juice and ox glue. The final product is a shiny water resistant cloth.
Pounding cloth to make it smooth and shiny.
This foot operated mortar and pestal makes short work of smashing up tubers. Watch those fingers!
Indigo is a perennial plant with medicinal properties although it is most often used as a natural dye. This woman is retrieving a length of fabric from a vat full of indigo dye.
Indigo stained hands.
One of Zhaoxing's many drum towers reflected in the river at night.
