For hundreds of years, the Chinese people have enjoyed the tradition of cormorant fishing.  While this type of fishing is also popular in Japan and Macedonia, it is a huge part of the Chinese culture.  Unlike any other type of fishing, this one involves birds called cormorants.  These birds are caught from the wild while very young, allowing for a unique bond with the person fishing.

Cormorants are a unique looking bird with a long neck similar to that of a reptile.  Often, this type of bird will stand with its wings spread, as a way of drying the feathers.  What makes the cormorant so vital is its ability to dive beneath the water and remain there for quite some time.  While under the water, this bird will use its keen eyesight looking for fish.

Cormorants are natural fishers, which makes this type of fishing possible.  At one time in ancient China, it was discovered that even if a ring were placed around the neck of the bird, the cormorant would still catch fish in the bill but no longer have the ability to swallow.  To reward the birds and encourage them to keep fishing, the owners let them eat every seventh fish they catch.

A fully trained cormorant will spend time on the water and after returning to the bamboo raft, the owner finds the through full of fish.  While most birds automatically come back to the raft, some are more challenging.  To allow the cormorant fishing to continue but without fear of losing a precious bird, the owner ties a piece of string to one leg so if needed, the bird could be pulled back in.

Another fascinating fact about cormorant fishing is that rather than work during the day, fishing is done as the sun sets.  This way, lanterns on the raft help attract the attention of the fish, which means a greater quantity of fish to take home.  If fish start to move toward weeds, men will use bamboo poles to beat on the water, scaring them out into the open where the cormorants can catch them.

When visiting Guilin, you can enjoy a demonstration of cormorant fishing, which involves the bird swallowing the fish and then the fish being placed back into the water.  After the demonstration, for a small fee, you can have your picture taken with one of these famous water birds.  With a maximum lifespan of 23 years, trained cormorants continue to be essential for many Chinese communities.

Yangshuo Li River cormorants fishing is an interesting add-on of your  Li River cruise