This week, I’ve had the opportunity to explore some of Guilin‘s lesser-traveled countryside and little-visited peaks.  One of the advantages of actually living in China is that with time, I’ve managed to learn about and explore sites that have heretofore remained unlisted in international travel guides.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from this week’s meanderings:

Countryside among the City, Guilin

One of my favorite aspects of Guilin is the fact that inside the city, it’s still possible to find pockets of countryside.  Guangxi is one of China’s most farming-rich regions, and Guilin is a young and developing city; therefore, it’s not unusual to find white-collar workers and rice farmers living side by side.

Peacock Displaying His Plumes, Chuan Shan, Guilin

Chuan Shan is a mountain located in the south of Guilin that borders the eastern flank of the Li River.  Little visited except by locals living close by, Chuan Shan is home to traditionally styled pagodas, fragrant tree life, picturesque reflection pools, and brilliantly colored peacocks.

City View from Chuan Shan, Guilin

The view from Chuan Shan reveals Guilin’s natural beauty.  Surrounded by a backdrop of karst peaks, Guilin’s green space is highlighted by farmland and an abundance of osmanthus trees.  From Chuan Shan, the Shou Fo Pagoda, constructed during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), is most visible.

Be sure to check back later in the week for my next post, which will conclude my “Backpacking to Hong Kong” saga once and for all!