Two Rivers and Four Lakes

Two rivers refer to the Li and Taohua (Peach Blossom) Rivers. Four lakes are the Rong (banyan tree) Lake, Shan (Chinese fir) Lake, Gui (Osmanthus tree) Lake, and the Mulong (Wooden dragon) Lake. You can learn from Guilin map that Guilin is richly endowed with water.

Significant Features:
Two Rivers and Four Lakes Scenic Area is a water system located in Guilin's downtown area that should not be missed. Beautiful ancient trees and flowering plants spread out on both banks of the four lakes. The depth of these lakes ranges from 3 meters to 1.5 meters. Citizen and tourists can leisurely walk in this biggest open park of Guilin, which is not only free but also a place where you can play everywhere. The scenic area of four lakes gives full explanation of the perfect combination of historic and modern culture. The city of Guilin and its natural surroundings harmoniously merge into one.

The most significant feature of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes is bridges. There are two reasons for that. One is the great number of bridges in this area up to 19 while the other is for their various types. These bridges imitate international well-known bridges and that’s why this scenic area is recognized as the bridge museum.

Tourists can take boat trips by the water route around the city during the daytime and nighttime. Now it has become a hot tourism attraction of the city. The beautiful view of lake and mountain can be clearly seen in daytime and you can enjoy the night scene of the beautiful lights at night.

Main Function:
The first phase of the Two Rivers and Four Lakes project was completed and put into operation on Jun 2nd, 2002. It is not exaggerated to say that Two Rivers and Four Lakes project is Guilin's largest environmental engineering, namely a large-scale urban infrastructure construction project as well as a large-scale construction project of tourist attractions. This project has a far-reaching impact on Guilin city. On the one hand, it radically improves the ecological environment and the urban functions of Guilin City; on the other hand, it also heritages and promotes the long-standing history and culture of Guilin. Furthermore, Guilin has formed a new pattern of tourism which has combined the beautiful natural scenery with the glorious history and the deep cultural connotation.

These bands of scenery are normally divided into three theme scenic spots. A brief introduction will be given as following.

I. The Mulong Lake Scenic Area
Taking ancient city wall and terry as its main attractions, the Folded Brocade Hill as its background, the Mulong Lake Scenic Area expresses the essence of urban culture. Its present position was the location of rows of barracks in the Song Dynasty (960-1279).

II. The Gui Lake scenic area
The main feature of the Gui Lake scenic area is its natural mountain forest scenery. Surrounded by a large number of valuable plants and landscape such as Yung Park, Ginkgo Garden, plus a set of bridges in various styles, the Gui Lake scenic area is regarded as a exposition park with a mixture of noted plants, celebrated bridge and famous garden.
 
III. The Rong and Shan Lake scenic area
Through reshaping the natural and man-made landscape in waterside area, the Rong and Shan Lake scenic area reproduces the mien of this aqueous and mountainous city.

The Rong and Shan Lake are man-made moats of South Guilin in the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Since the beginning of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), many celebrities had built their homes at the bank of lakefront. Among them, there are rich squires, personages, literator and writers. Hence the Rong and Shan Lake scenic area became the center of cultural activities in Guilin at that time.

On the south bank of Two Rivers and Four Lakes, there is a villa combining Chinese and Western style together. This architecture has been listed among China’s important historical monuments under special preservation. Standing highly up to the Shan Lake, the two towers -- Golden Tower and Silver Tower are quite eye-striking sights. The Golden Tower is nine-storey architecture of 41 meters high. Built with copper, it has ranked among the highest towers of its kind. The Silver Tower, 35 meters high, is decorated with colored glaze all through. The two towers are linked by the aquarium under the water. Bearing colorful designs on the doors, windows etc, they look stately and graceful.

Tips:
1.It takes 1.5 hours to take boat trips at night. Tourists can board at three wharfs. They are Wenchang Bridge, Jiefang Bridge and Zhiyin Platform.
2.It takes 1 hour to take boat trips during the day. Tourists can board at the Moon Bay (Yueliang Wan) wharf.
3.A natural swimming pool, which will provide you with memorable experience,  is located at the north of Gui Lake.
4.If you want to take photographs, it is recommended to use the high-exposure index of film or digital camera in order to avoid under-exposure.
5.Time for boat trips: 9:30 a.m. -- 18:00 p.m.; 19:30 p.m. -- 21:30 p.m