The Li Valley is the setting for one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of China. Located in Yangshuo, a few minutes from the city of Guilin, the Karst Mountains are a series of jagged limestone peaks so beautiful that their dramatic visage has inspired generations of artists and poets. More than a thousand years ago, the poet Han Yu wrote that, "the river winds like a green silk ribbon, while the hills are like jade hairpins," and visitors to the area today will encounter much the same scene. Begin with a stroll down Xi Jie Street in Yangshuo, where you'll find shops and cafes with everything you need for a day of sightseeing. Then make your way to the Li River, where you can board a tour boat or a traditional bamboo raft for a leisurely journey past ancient limestone peaks that tower above the river like giants. With names like Elephant Trunk Hill, Fubo Hill, and Green Lotus Peak, you'll gaze upon natural features so breathtaking that they've become a national symbol, gracing the 20 renminbi (yuan) note. Keep an eye out for old men employing the ancient technique of fishing with cormorants. With their nimble fingers controlling several of these graceful waterfowl at once, they carry on a tradition that's been practiced in the valley for centuries. Yangshuo is a short drive from the Sheraton Guilin Hotel.