Guilin is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world with its blue rivers, and rolling mountains. It has a rich ethnic tradition that (attract) millions of local and foreign tourists every year and has served as the (culture) center of the region since over 1, 000 years ago.
Guilin was at the top of my must-see list last October. I took a boat down the Lijiang River to Yangshuo. I spent roughly four hours on the boat (wind) down the river. The river is so famous for its (beautiful) that it's even printed on the 20-yuan note. As I watched a water buffalo cool off in the water and fishermen float past on their bamboo rafts, I suddenly felt very far (remove) from the hustle and bustle of Shanghai.
Though every place I visited was beautiful, none was more picturesque Yangshuo. It's a paradise (天堂) for anyoneloves nature and the great outdoors. The mountains were the main reason why I'd traveled to Guilin, so I wanted to make sure I was outside exploring as much as possible and the best way to take it all in was bike.
It was difficult to avoid crowds in Guilin during the October holiday. However, I found once I headed off the beaten track, I (surround) by a sense of peace and calm set against one of (nature) most amazing background.