10th February, 2001.
Guilin Scenery, A Picture Book Landscape. Treasured Memories Of Magic Wonderland. Skilful Craftsmen Carving Chops. Market Stalls By Li River Bridge
August, 1997.
In 1987 the Guilin scenery for me was a picture book example of what I had imagined China would be like. The Guilin scenery is not the only attraction though, for there are many interesting places to visit and enjoy, as we discovered in the very short time we were there, and I would return in later years, when friends would show me a yet more fascinating insight into the magical aura of the town, but lets complete my first visit !
 There were fruits and vegetables in abundance on the pavement stalls and a path leading from the end of the bridge down to the river bank was lined with yet more stalls selling a variety of goods, from highly decorated swords and daggers to embroidered silks. It was at one of these stalls that I had my first Chinese Seal, or "Chop", made by a very skillful craftsman carving my name on the end of the seal, mirror-wise, and by eye, taking no measurements and working in the light of a kerosene lamp.For the local people, all these activities were just a part of normal daily life, just as we might go to our local supermarket or have a snack at a bar, but for the foreign fellows, it was like a magic wonderland full of mystery, different to anything seen before, well worth the long haul journey from the other side of the world, and we had only been in China for three days ! It was difficult to leave the excitement of nightlife on the streets and by the market stalls, but the following day we would have an early start to cruise down the River Li, so we returned to our hotel.
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