Cormorant Fishing Demonstrations

Cormorant fishing demonstrations take place on the Li River at dusk, when fishermen take their birds out on traditional bamboo rafts with kerosene lanterns that attract fish to the surface. The scene — silhouetted fishermen, diving birds, lantern light reflected on water, karst peaks in the background — is one of the most photographed in China, which has made it somewhat theatrical in Yangshuo. It is still worth watching.

Most hotels and guesthouses in Yangshuo can arrange a spot on one of the boats for an evening. The raft holds several visitors plus the fisherman and his birds, and you get close enough to watch the technique in detail. A version of the experience also happens at the Impression Sanjie Liu performance, but the small-boat version is more personal. Photography is the main activity — bring a fast lens if you have one, as the kerosene light is dim.

things to do sight
A story
Cormorant fishing on the Li River is one of the oldest forms of cooperative fishing still practiced in China — fishermen have worked with trained birds on these rivers for at least a thousand years, with the earliest written records dating to the Tang dynasty. The birds wear rings around their necks that prevent them from swallowing large fish; they dive, catch, and return to the boat, where the fisherman retrieves the fish. For smaller fish, the ring is removed and the bird eats as a reward. The technique is now primarily a demonstration for tourists, but the fishermen are genuine and the skill involved is real.

Other places in Things to Do