Guardians of jade ribbon: Guilin's Lijiang River reborn

Clean-energy cruise glides over Lijiang River's Caoping reach. [Photo/Guilin Daily]

Guilin has unified more than 20 departments under the Lijiang River Commission. They use city-to-village grid systems to ensure Grade-II water quality throughout the basin.

The Lijiang Eco Project, costing 5.49 billion yuan ($760 million), has restored 1.36 million square meters of quarry slopes and 200,000 sq m of islets and wetlands. One hundred and fifty old fishing boats and overhead cables have been cleared away, while a 5G "Digital Lijiang" platform now monitors water, terrain, and biodiversity in real time.

With an additional 4 billion yuan, the entire urban area now has complete storm-sewer separation. All cruise ships and 1,210 bamboo rafts are now electric-powered, with the five-star zero-emission "Guilin Traveler" leading the fleet.

Eco dividends are returning: villagers receive 120 million yuan annually – 10 percent of scenic revenue – and luxury inns are fully booked. In 2024, river cruises attracted almost six million visitors, demonstrating that pristine waters and lush peaks are truly valuable.