Guilin Lijian Scenery
Guilin named after the fragrance of osmanthus, built in Qin Dynasty over 2,000 years ago, prospering in Tang and Song, flourishing in Ming and Qing, is a world famous tourist city for its picturesque scenery, as well as a well-known cultural and historic city. Located in the subtropical zone, Guilin boasts a pleasant climate for sight-seeing throughout the four seasons. It is inhabited by 12 nationalities with a total population of 1,260,000. the typical Karst formation makes Guilin the prettiest wonder on earth which notables of all dynasties and heads of different states have been coming one after another to appreciate, all gasping with admiration:” Guilin is the most beautiful place in the world.”
Today’s Guilin ranks the second respectively on the list of China’s ten best scenic spots and that of China’ top forty tourist spots. With her new appearance today, she is ready at any moment to bid you welcome.
Guilin's karst scenery - its formation and features
Guilin is famous for its magical limestone pinnacles and spires. As you survey this fairy-tale landscape, you might wonder how it came to be.
The difference between cone and tower karst scenery:
"Karst" describes the effect of underground water on massive blocks of soluble limestone. It takes place where there is well-jointed limestone near the earth's surface, a moderate to heavy rainfall and good groundwater circulation.
This is how it works. Rainwater, acidified by carbon dioxide in the air and plant debris in the soil, percolates along the fractures in the limestone and dissolves them still further. Over time, this action forms narrow channels or conduits which in turn accelerate the rock's erosion. With the passing of millenia, in Guilin the process has produced deep rugged gorges along the limestone's joints and fractures, dividing the original mass into isolated blocks.
When these blocks are rounded into closely spaced conical hills, this formation is known as "cone karst". In other places, the deepening gorges, having reached a base level, have begun to widen. This has created a lower-level plain from which the remnants of the limestone stand out as isolated, near vertical towers - this development is known as "tower karst".
Principle Features:
Since karst depends upon the movement of subsurface water, its predominant features, other than the superficial cones and towers themselves, concern subsurface water movement. Here are some features to look out for:
Cave - previously a water passage, now an air-filled, underground void.
Losing stream - one whose bed allows water to flow directly into the groundwater system; hence it disappears.
Natural bridges or tunnels - a short void, beneath bedrock, allowing human passage from one end to the other.
Sinkholes - these occur when the roof of a cave collapses. You may see a sheer vertical opening into a cave, or a shallow depression that can extend for many acres.
Spring - a natural resurgence of ground water, which usually occurs along a hillside or valley floor.
As you stroll or bike around Guilin, you might wish to spot these phenomena. On the other hand, you might prefer simply to relax and enjoy the setting's soothing beauty.
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