“Shili” literally means “10 li” in Chinese. The “li” is known as Chinese mile, a traditional Chinese unit of distance. Now one “li” is equal to half a kilometre.
The Shili Scenery Gallery in Yangshuo (阳朔十里画廊) metaphysically refers to the mesmerizing 6km-long road starting from the southern end of Kangzhan Road (抗战路) in downtown Yangshuo to Moon Hill in Gaotianzhen ( Gaotian Town) in Yangshuo.
Origin of Shili Scenery Gallery in Yangshuo
When President Carter of the United States came to Visit Yangshuo, he learned from the bodyguards there was a charming road flanked with many small beautiful scenes they saw passing by in a flash by car. After hearing this, Carter temporarily put forward to the reception staff to change the tour plan, borrowing a few bicycles and roaming the present day ” The Shili Scenery Gallery in Yangshuo” (actually the metaphoric name was coined after Carter’s visit).
To this end, the government in 2000 specially built a nearly 10 li (just meaning a long distance) of bicycle path, viewing platforms, rest pavilions, etc., for tourists to freely enjoy the scenery along the way.
The locals call it the Carter Scenic Path. The 6km scenic road is flanked by idyllic fields, weird caves, undulating karst hills, the charming Yulong River, old Banyan trees, ancient villages, and seasonal flowers, presenting a picturesque corridor which is gradually dubbed as “Shili Scenery Gallery ” or “Ten-Mile Gallery” you just name it as li and mile here don’t mean the exact distance, just a metaphor.
How to Visit Shili Scenery Gallery in Yangshuo
No entry fee for the bucolic sightseeing country road. But there are around 10 yuan for each pay attraction along the scenic corridor. These attraction sites are the result of the years’ investment and tourist development by the local governments all levels and private sectors as well.
The Ten-Mile Scenery Gallery has been a bit overdeveloped in recent years with too many tourist groups flocking here by bus during the tourist high season, especially during summer vacation in July and August. Though the tourist buses may line up closely along the scenic road, it is still worth experiencing the idyllic charm that permeates the whole gallery.
If you are going to visit Yangshuo on your Guilin tour, spend 2 or 3 hours to feel and touch the sightseeing Shili Scenery Gallery. You may cycle or even walk along the Shili Scenery Gallery. Bikes are available all over Yangshuo with a small amout of 10 yuan.
Virtual Tour of Ten-Mile Scenery Gallery in Yangshuo
Follow me to feel the Shili Scenery Gallery.
Cycling and Viewing
Mother and son
Father and son
Cycling through the idyllic country road
Karst Hills and Lotus Flower
Karst Hill and yellow Flower
Bike in spite of scorching sun
Yulong River
Stop and take pictures
Cycling on and on
Shili Scenery Gallery and Yulong River Comb Day Trip
Note: You can combine your trip to Shili Scenery Gallery in Yangshuo with the bamboo rafting on Yulong River. Yulong River (遇龙河), about 7 km southwest of Yangshuo, is the largest tributary of Li River with a total length of 16 km starting from Jinlong Bridge and Yulong Bridge, ends at Gongnong Bridge, and emptying itself into Li River.
The scenery along Yulong River is breathtaking. Yulong River is often regarded as a smaller and quieter Li River.
Tip: Hassle-free Guilin Guided Tours
If you don’t want to do a self-guided tour and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for organized tours to Guilin:
Guilin Tour
Guilin Private Tour
Guilin Group Tour
Guilin Layover Tour
Beijing Guilin Tour
Hong Kong Guilin Tour
Guilin Car Rental with Driver
Guilin Customized Tour
Further Readings
Guilin Tour – Top 10 Things to do in Guilin
Best time to visit Guilin
Where to stay in Guilin
Top 10 Guilin Luxury Hotels
Top 10 Guilin Boutique Hotels
Top 10 Guilin Budget Hotels
Guilin Tourist Scams, Tourist Traps in Guilin
Guilin Taxi
How to Visit Elephant Trunk Hill
Folded Brocade Hill (Diecai Hill)
Jingjiang Princes’s City to be Skipped
Stroll around Shan Lake and Rong Lake in Guilin
Yangshuo Taxi: Yangshuo Taxi Fares, Tips and Phones
Li River Cruise
How to Visit Xingping
Impression Liu Sanjie Mega Performance in Yangshuo
Shili Scenery Gallery in Yangshuo
Yangshuo West Street
Bamboo Rafting on Yulong River in Yangshuo
How to Visit Longji Terraced Rice Fields
Visit Huangyao Ancient Town from Yangshuo or Guilin
Daxu Ancient Town
How to Visit Chengyang Wind & Rain Bridge
Any questions, just drop a line.
