Sun and moon

I spent a lovely day wandering round the lakes and river in central Guilin. It’s away from the choking traffic and although you can see modern concrete buildings (some of which are really ugly) the area around the lakes is pretty. And it’s clearly an area that’s well used by the local population. There were small groups doing tai chi and formation dancing, groups of small children – probably from a nursery – being taken for walks, elderly and disabled people taken out into the sunshine in wheelchairs and a trio rehearsing what sounded like operatic singing. But the area is large enough that it didn’t feel busy.


In the afternoon walking along the river I stumbled across an area where the city’s retired people go to sit and play cards or Mahjong. There must have been well over a hundred sitting at small folding tables and chairs. I went back to the lakes again just before sunset and stayed to watch the natural light fade and the artificial lights come on. The Sun and Moon Pagodas look especially lovely all lit up.