Guilin’s Rural Life: Fishing

If you've ever dreamed of stepping into a Chinese ink painting, Guilin's rural fishing culture is where that dream floats to life—literally. Nestled among karst peaks and winding rivers, the quiet villages around Guilin offer more than just postcard views. They invite you into a centuries-old rhythm of life, where fishing isn't just survival—it's art, heritage, and daily poetry.

The Magic of Cormorant Fishing

You’ve probably seen the iconic photos: silhouetted fishermen on bamboo rafts at dusk, with trained cormorants diving beneath the surface. This ancient technique, passed down through generations, is still alive in villages like Xingping and Yangshuo. Locals call it “yu ying” (fishing with eagles), though the birds are actually cormorants—expert divers with a knack for catching fish under their master’s command.

But here’s the real tea: while tourist shows often dramatize the practice at night with lanterns and cameras, true daytime fishing remains a quiet, functional tradition. Some families still rely on it for food, not photos.

Fishing Techniques & Local Insights

Beyond cormorants, villagers use bamboo traps, hand lines, and net weaving—skills taught from childhood. The Li River and its tributaries teem with species like carp, catfish, and bream, thanks to clean waters and seasonal monsoons.

Common Fish Species in Guilin’s Rural Waters

These aren’t trophy catches—they’re dinner. Many households smoke or stew their catch with ginger and fermented tofu, a flavor combo that’ll make your taste buds sing.

How to Experience It Yourself

Want to dip your toes in? Several eco-tourism homestays near Fuli Town offer day-long fishing experiences. You’ll paddle a bamboo raft, try your hand at net casting, and maybe even feed a cormorant (under strict supervision!). Prices? Around ¥180–250 per person, including lunch made from your catch.

Pro tip: Visit between March and May. The weather’s mild, fish are active, and crowds haven’t hit yet.

Culture Over Commerce

Yes, some shows feel staged—but that doesn’t mean authenticity is dead. Seek out mornings along the Ping Le Ancient Trail, where old men mend nets and kids skip stones. That’s the real story: a life shaped by water, patience, and respect for nature.

So next time you think of Guilin, don’t just picture mountains. Picture a wrinkled hand tossing a net at dawn, the river whispering back. That’s the soul of rural China—and it’s still fishing for tomorrow.