Heaven on Earth: Guilin, China

Sweet, soothing melodies drifted through the cool, morning atmosphere. Drops of crystal dew clung to the tender grass like glistening diamonds that adorned an emerald blanket. The topaz-colored dome suspended in the heavens provided cover and shelter for the young beauties of Mother Nature. The glassy jade-like rivers gently rippled with the effects of the small rocking boats.

This was the breathtaking view that greeted me when my family and I first stepped into the city of Guilin, China, the famed "heaven on earth." The wondrous beauty and magnificence of the legendary tourist attraction was too astounding for my naked eyes to behold. I literally could not believe that I was still standing on solid Earth!

As we boarded the jet-propelled boat and slowly moved away from the solid ground, it seemed as if the land rather than the boat was drifting away. The only hints of movement were the slight ripples that followed the boat's powerful jet propellers. The peridot bodies of water were o transparent that you could see every last pebble at the bottom of the river.

However, the amazing waters were definitely not the only natural wonder that welcomed us in Guilin. Rising sharply from the heart of the earth, jagged, dagger-like cliffs revealed their solemn, sober faces. The knife-like peaks of these astounding cliffs commanded the total attention and fear of their viewers. Growing from deep within the earth, some of the cliffs climbed to a height of 500 feet!

Surprisingly, even with their mighty height, these cliffs were dwarfed by the all-encompassing mountains that surrounded the rivers of Guilin. Deep evergreen forests blanketed the surface of the giant mountains. As the boat gently moved through the narrow pass carved long ago by the ancient rivers, you could see fleeting signs of life among the thick, lush canopies. However, the most amazing wonder of Guilin had yet to reveal itself.

Located sparsely throughout the mountains were the faces of several austere cave entrances that had been beautifully drawn out by the hands of nature. From the outside, you can see the dazzling salt crystals that unveiled their sparkling beauty in the presence of the glowing sunlight. Any other jewel would have paled in comparison to these brilliant gems cupped in the palms of Mother Earth. Still, the true secret to the caves of Guilin was protected by the swirling ebony mist inside the caves. As our tour guide led us into the devouring darkness with only a lantern to provide a small glimmer of light, the guarded mystery began to unravel. On each side of the cave stood tens of stone figures that had an uncanny resemblance to living creatures. Even the best sculptors and artists would not have been able to capture the likeness that exuded from these unearthly beauties. It was as if Mother Nature had breathed the gift life into them. Some of the rock statues resembled camels, others resembled elephants, and still other had the likeness of human beings. Countless shapes and forms appeared before my eyes as we journeyed deeper into the art gallery of nature. The marvels of Mother Earth seemed endless.

It was not until I came to Guilin did I truly understand the meaning of "heaven on earth." The majestic mountains embraced the sparkling waters; the glass-like rivers reflected the towering peaks, combined with the endless pastures of lush grassland and blossoming flowers, the swirling mist in the cool atmosphere, and the gently rocking boats on the peaceful rivers, it felt as if I was walking in a glorious peace of art.