Lesson 8

Guilin

Pre-reading

Questions: 1. How many times have you ever

been to Guilin? 2. Why do you like Guilin? 3. If you have time, do you want to

go to Guilin?

Reading

Notes

1. It has been eulogized in innumerable literary works, paintings and inscriptions since its founding during the Qin Dynasty. 桂林始建于秦朝，自那时起，无数的文学作品，绘画以及诗文题词都赞颂它的美景。

2. Characteristic of Guilin scenery is its oddly-shaped solitary hills rising out of flat ground, on various shapes said to resemble buns, sawteeth, bamboo shoots, camels, etc.

桂林山水的特点是拔地而起的孤峰千姿百态，有的像馒头，有的像锯齿，有的像竹笋，还有的像骆驼等。

3. Climbing the 306 stone steps to the top is rewarded by a panoramic view of the city, the Lijiang River, and surrounding hills.

爬过 306 个石阶来到山顶，就可以饱览风景如画的桂林城，漓江和周围的山峰。

4. …would have died, had some farmers not saved him.

若不是农夫救了他，他早就死了，此句是虚拟语气，从句使用倒装句。

5. Stalactites in dazzling shapes and colors show the visitor why the cave is known also as a place of natural art.

水滴沿着洞顶垂悬下来的钟乳石滴落，在洞内彩色光的照耀下光彩夺目。

6. Finally, the trip ends in the hills around Yangshuo which have inspired the phrase: “Guilin has the most beautiful scenery in China, and Yangshuo is the most beautiful part of Guilin”.

游船最后止于阳朔的群山之中，正如诗句所说：“桂林山水甲天下，阳朔山水甲桂林”。

Post-reading

Answer the questions according to the passage:

1. Which province is Guilin in? Guangxi Province 2. What caves are the best

known ? Can you give an example? Seven-star Cave and Reed Flute

Cave

3. What is Guilin famous for? Guilin in subtropical south China

has the reputation of having the country’s most beautiful scenery. Characteristic of Guilin scenery is its oddly-shaped solitary hills rising out of flat ground, on various shapes said to resemble buns, sawteeth, bamboo shoots, camels, etc. There is not only a good view of the hills, but also one of the rivers.

4. If you are in Guilin, how can you go to Yangshuo?

To take a boat excursion down the Lijiang River

5. What does the phrase say about Yangshuo?

“Guilin has the most beautiful scenery in China, and Yangshuo is the most beautiful part of Guilin”.