The Wind and Rain of Southeast Guizhou (Part I)

This is a long-planned self-driving route. The temperature has dropped these two days, and the sky is somewhat overcast, but I am enjoying the wind and rain amidst the expanse of lush greenery Taking the highway to the Nankai exit and then turning onto National Highway 323, I drove out of Yingyang Pass and entered Guangxi territory. There were very few cars on the road, the surrounding mountains undulated, and the fields were a vibrant green Passing through Changle Village, I saw an ancient camphor tree with its gnarled branches like a coiling dragon casting a shadow that blotted out the sun. Inside a small pavilion, several farmers were chatting and laughing merrily, amazed that it took five or six people to encircle the tree. Beyond the dense bamboo forest, the green water flowed leisurely. Traveling from Hezhou to Yangshuo, as the mountains loomed and the wind and rain threatened to break, the landscape became even more dramatic, with the rice fields a brilliant green. Boating on the Li River, the original wooden boats have now been replaced with plastic rafts that mimic bamboo, shuttling back and forth, stirring up splashing waves I can hardly find the old look of West Street at night anymore, with the crowded throngs of people and the neon lights and revelry tainting this once peaceful countryside Preferring less popular attractions, I believe that the tourist city of Guilin is not worth visiting, but I definitely wanted to see Elephant Trunk Hill, a memory from my youth. The river seems to have receded, revealing the mountain's solitude Departing from Guilin and heading straight for the Longji Rice Terraces, the road was bumpy for dozens of kilometers as it gradually entered deep into the mountains. At dusk, with light rain flying and fog rolling, the golden rice fields stretched beneath the cliffs, their depth unknown... Staying in a Zhuang village, as night enveloped the ancient village, the light rain rose on the dark roof tiles, we sat around a hot pot, with mountain spring chicken and fragrant rice wine, the taste light as water with a hidden potency The next morning, I walked into the mountain village, where the damp stone path seemed even darker. The houses in the distance were faintly visible through the rolling fog. Most of the houses were built against the mountain, with green roof tiles and wooden walls, the weight of time seeping into the eaves and walls. The alleys were all built of stone, extending up and down along the mountain. From the mountain top, looking far away, from the stream to the mountain top, from the cliffs to the bamboo forest, the mountains were clad in golden armor, with the terraced fields winding through the mountains like flowing clouds and water. 🚗 Self-driving loop: Guangzhou - Liannan - Hezhou - Yangshuo - Guilin - Longsheng - Sanjiang - Zhaoxing - Rongjiang - Libo - Guigang - Zhaoqing - Guangzhou Total distance about 3100 kilometers ☕ Time: About fifteen days. 👣 Sightseeing: Liannan has beautiful landscapes, making it a great place for hiking and short trips to Maogong Mountain. On the mountain trails, we breathe fresh air, listen to the sounds of birds and insects, and feel the beauty and tranquility of nature. The second stop, Hezhou, is a small city with a historical and cultural atmosphere. Enjoyed the traditional folk performances on Hezhou's style street and experienced the local characteristics. Yangshuo, rafting on the Li River, admiring the karst landscape and the scenery of mountains and waters. At night, West Street is a dazzle of neon lights and revelry. Seventy kilometers to Guilin, the much-anticipated Elephant Trunk Hill, where you can climb to the top and overlook the beautiful scenery of the entire city. Longsheng is a must-stay place, walking in the terraced fields, feeling the tranquility of agricultural culture and rural life. Especially beautiful on rainy days.