Xingping Ancient Town: Poetic Moments by the Li River

🌟 Xingping Ancient Town: Poetic Moments by the Li River

Strolling along the stone-paved streets of Xingping Ancient Town feels like traveling back to the water towns of northern Guangxi a thousand years ago. This ancient town, founded during the Three Kingdoms period, was an important commercial port in the Li River basin as early as when Emperor Qin Shi Huang excavated the Ling Canal. It flourished during the Ming Dynasty due to the benefits of fishing and salt trade, and still preserves many Ming and Qing dynasty buildings with blue bricks and gray tiles. Here you can find Yuanbao Mountain featured on the 20 yuan banknote, the spectacular Nine Horse Fresco Hill, and the enchanting fishing lights on the Li River.

The most touching scenery is often hidden in everyday life. One evening, I happened to see a grandfather and grandson fishing on a bamboo raft on the Li River. The old fisherman wore a bamboo hat, the child was barefoot, and the reflection of green bamboo swayed on the river surface. The sunset draped a golden veil over the shimmering water. The old fisherman patiently taught the child how to bait and cast the rod, ripples spreading on the water. When the fishing rod trembled slightly, the grandfather and grandson cheered with delight together, their laughter carried far by the evening breeze—turns out happiness can be so simple and pure.

In Xingping, time seems to be slowed by the flow of the Li River. In the early morning, watch fishermen catch fish with cormorants, and black-sailed boats glide over the mirror-like river; in the afternoon, climb Old Village Hill to overlook the stunning curve of the Li River’s First Bend; in the evening, stroll along the riverbank and watch the sunset dye Yuanbao Mountain golden red. If caught in a light rain, there is an even more poetic "misty rain on the Li River" atmosphere, with the dark green mountains faintly visible like an ink wash painting.

Under the century-old banyan trees in the ancient town, elders often fan themselves and tell stories. They say Xingping was once a place where Liu Sanjie sang folk songs in duets. On the weathered arcade walls, you can still see the old shop signs from those days. The most authentic experience is to rent a set of Hanfu, have the bamboo raft boatman sing a mountain song, or try a bowl of beer fish made from Li River fish—the fresh taste is infused with the spirit of the mountains and waters.

Xingping is like a timeless pastoral poem, where everyone can find their own rhythm. When you sit on a bamboo raft and watch children count the fish leaping out of the water, you will understand Tao Yuanming’s true meaning of "Plucking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely see the southern mountain"—the poetry of life has always been hidden in every moment where mountains and waters meet.

Post by TobiasLarsen | Oct 20, 2025