Lijiang River hiking becomes Guilin's new tourism highlight

Tang Jianwei, a deputy to the National People's Congress, pulled a 20-yuan ($2.78) note out of his pocket at the National People's Congress session – a simple gesture that showcased the vivid transformation of the Lijiang River in Guilin.

The iconic landscape on the note's reverse side is Dahebei village in Yangshuo, which has been vitalized through unwavering ecological protection efforts and the surging popularity of Lijiang River hiking.

With 27 years devoted to the conservation of the Lijiang River, Tang has witnessed the waterway's remarkable shift from a struggling ecosystem to a world-renowned hiking destination.

The river is a scenic wonder consisting of green mountains and clear waters. [Photo/Guangxi Daily]

Since late 2025, Guilin has rolled out professional trail evaluations involving experts and local residents, building a low-carbon hiking system that weaves together the river's natural scenery and cultural heritage.

These well-crafted trails let visitors experience the unique charm of the Chinese landscape, making hiking a beloved new way to explore Guilin's mountains and waters.

The hiking boom has brought tangible gains to riverside villages. Dahebei village welcomed 1.2 million visitors in 2025, generating 2.8 million yuan in collective income.

Visitors explore the river aboard electric bamboo rafts. [Photo/Guangxi Daily]

Local villagers run homestays and sell specialty snacks, while many young people have returned home to launch tourism-related businesses. All these achievements would not have been possible without Guilin's persistent ecological efforts, including the full electrification of tourist rafts and integrated basin governance, which have kept the Lijiang River clear and its surrounding mountains green.

Tang stresses that protecting the Lijiang River is the bedrock of the city's tourism growth. The hiking boom has boosted the local economy, turning the area's green mountains and clear waters into a sustainable source of income for villagers and striking a perfect balance between ecological conservation and economic development.